Full name | Kirkop United Football Club |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | The Reds |
Founded | 1956 as Kirkop F.C. |
Chairman | Joe Farrugia |
Coach | Vince Galea |
League | BOV 3rd Division |
2016/17 | BOV 3rd Division, |
Website | Club home page |
Kirkop United Football Club is a Maltese football club based in Ħal Kirkop, Malta. The club currently plays in the Maltese Third Division. Founded as Kirkop F.C. in 1956, the club changed its name to Kirkop United F.C. in 1970.
The club enjoyed the most successful period during the 1980s and 1990s, winning 3 promotions, 2 of which were as champions. Also recently Kirkop won a promotion during the 2010–11 season, and won another promotion as champions during the 2014–15 season.
Kirkop United has long-standing rivalries with neighbours Zurrieq F.C. and with Luqa St. Andrew's F.C.. The team's home colours have been entirely red since 2003 when the club changed them from a red shirt, white shorts and white socks.
Kirkop United was formed in 1956 as Kirkop F.C. by the founder Mr. Clement Farrugia, and was affiliated to the Malta Amateur Football Association. The following season (1957–58) Kirkop F.C. joined the Malta Football Association, taking part in the Maltese Third Division and finished in a mid-table position. The successive two seasons Kirkop F.C. improved a lot, but in 1961–62 Kirkop F.C. only managed a decider against St. John FC. Kirkop lost that match and were therefore removed from the MFA. The seasons between 1962 and 1970, Kirkop ranged from Kirkop Stars to Kirkop United, and formed part of the M.A.F.A. again.
In the 1970–71 season, Kirkop United F.C. were back affiliated to the M.F.A. and played again in the Maltese Third Division. After several years, 1983–84 proved to be a successful season and won promotion to the Maltese Second Division for the first time. The club was relegated to the Maltese Third Division in the 1986–87 season.
Kirkop United F.C. won promotion again in 1989–90 during a memorable season, winning the Mosta Tournament, Dr. J. Mifsud Cup and declared Maltese Third Division champions, winning 13 out of the 14 league games.
The following season Kirkop managed a safe mid-table position in the Maltese Second Division and finishing runners up in the Second & Third Division Knock-Out.