Druk Star F.C.
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| Full name | Druk Star Football Club |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1997 |
| Ground |
Changlimithang Thimphu, Bhutan |
| Capacity | 15,000 |
| Coordinates | 27°28′17.1″N 89°38′27.8″E / 27.471417°N 89.641056°ECoordinates: 27°28′17.1″N 89°38′27.8″E / 27.471417°N 89.641056°E |
| Coach | Namgay Kota |
| League | Bhutan National League |
| 2014 | 5th |
Druk Star FC is a football club from Thimphu, Bhutan and have twice been champions of Bhutan. The team, formed in 1997, plays in the Changlimithang Stadium. The club competed in the A-Division from 2002, when they won their first title, through to 2010, having won a second title in 2009. they were absent from the A-Division in 2011 and played in and won the 2012 B-Division. Returning to the top flight, they qualified for the National League for the first time in 2014. In addition to their two A-Division and one B-Division title, they have also won the Club Cup Championship in 2009 and represented Bhutan in the AFC President's Cup in 2010.
Druk Star were formed by Thinlay Dorji, a teacher at Changangkha Junior High School, as a means to give the students at the school something to do. The beginnings of the club were difficult as they had no money and lacked even a formal coach. However, sponsorship from local companies Pe Khang Enterprises and Lhazeen Printers provided the club with sufficient money to begin to progress. In 1999, the club reached the finals of the B-Division and earned promotion to the 2000 A-Division for the first time. Unfortunately, details do not exist to show how they performed during this season, however, they clearly did enough to remain in the top flight as they were present the following season. In addition to players from the local school, the club strengthened their squad by attracting players from Sherubtse College.
The first detailed record of Druk Star participating in the top flight of Bhutanese football is during the 2001 season. They took part in the Thimphu League, which acted as a qualifying tournament for the main competition. Details are scant, although it is known that Druk Pol, Druk Star, Paro and Thimpu were also involved. Few results are known, the club drew with Thimphu and Druk Pol, but lost in the final match of the competition to Paro, but it is known that Druk Star were not particularly successful in the competition and did not qualify for that season's A-Division tournament. However, following the withdrawal of Phuentsholing and Chukka F.C., Druk Star entered as replacements. they were drawn in Group B for the first stage alongside Samtse and Gomtu, beating Gomtu 5–0 in the first game and Samtse 2–1 to progress to the semi finals. There they faced Druk Pol on August 14, beating them 1–0 to progress to the final with Dorji scoring in the 21st minute. In the final at Changlimithang they once again faced Samtse, who had beaten Thimphu 3–1 in the other semi final. Again they were victorious, winning 3–0 with a goal after ten minutes from Karma Jambayang and two more in the second half from Jigme Tobgay in the 68th minute and Sonam Gyeltshen in the 81st to record their first national championship.
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