Penang F.C.

Malaysian football club in George Town

Football club

Penang

Full name| Penang Football Club
Nickname(s)| Harimau Kumbang (The Black Panthers)[1]
Founded| 1920; 105 years ago (1920) (unofficial)[2]
21 October 1921; 103 years ago (21 October 1921) as FAP[3]
2020; 5 years ago (2020) as Penang FC
Ground| City Stadium[4]
Capacity| 20,000
Owner| Penang Football Club Sdn Bhd
Chairman| Daniel Gooi
Head coach| Wan Rohaimi
League| Malaysia Super League
2024–25| Super League, 10th of 13
Website| www.penangfc.com.my

Home colours

Away colours

Third colours

|
|

Current season

Penang Football Club (simply known as Penang FC) is a Malaysian professional football club based in George Town, Penang, that competes in Malaysia Super League, the top tier of Malaysian football.

Unofficially founded in 1920, officially as Football Association of Penang on 21 October 1921, the club represents the state of Penang in football tournaments.[5] The team has traditionally worn a blue home kit.

They have a long-standing rivalry with Kedah; the two teams from the northern region of Malaysia being engaged in what has been collectively known as the "Northern Region Derby".[6]

The state football team play their home matches at the 20,000 capacity City Stadium in George Town.

Penang had established itself as a major force in Malaysian football between the 1950s to the 1970s.[7] Domestically, Penang has won a record of 3 Malaysia Super League titles, 1 Malaysia Premier League title, 4 Malaysia Cup, 5 Malaysia FAM League titles, 1 Malaysia FA Cup title and 1 Malaysia Charity Shield. At present, it is one of the 12 teams competing in the Malaysian Super League and the first club from Malaysia to win an Asian title, Aga Khan Gold Cup, which was the early version of AFC Champions League in 1976.[8]

On 16 February 2016, Faiz Subri scored a free kick in a 4–1 win over Pahang FA at the City Stadium in George Town. Videos of his free kick soon went viral on social media, and he was nominated by the Football Association of Malaysia for the FIFA Puskás Award later that year. In 2017, Faiz was awarded the FIFA Puskás Award for the free kick goal, becoming the first-ever Asian to have won the international award for the best goal of the year.

## History

[edit]

The club was founded in 1920 unofficially, and officially as Football Association of Penang (FAP) in 1921. Penang is the oldest football club in Malaysia and one of the oldest clubs in Asia.[9][10] Penang is the fourth most successful team in Malaysian football history with 16 titles.[citation needed]

### Early years (1920 – 1950s)

[edit]

On 21 October 1921, the club was officially founded. Almost all the big matches were played at Victoria Green, home of the Chinese Recreation Club. They lost its first cup final in 1934 to Singapore FA with a score of 1–2.[11][12]

### Glory days (1950s – 1970s)

[edit]

The 1950s saw Penang producing players such as the country's first Olympian, Yeap Cheng Eng, Yeang Kah Chong, Tan Swee Hock, Wong Kam Poh, Yap Hin Hean, Liew Fee Yuen, Lee Ah Loke, and the Pang brothers. Since the early 1950s, Aziz Ahmad was Penang's top goal-scorer. He scored the winning goal as Penang defeated Singapore 3–2 in the 1953 Malaya Cup final in Ipoh.[13] Penang won 3 Malaysia Cups (1953, 1954 and 1958) and 4 FAM Cup champions (1952, 1955, 1956 and 1957).[14] Some of the well-known FAP officials were Loh Hoot Yeang, who was president for many years, A. S. Mohamad Mydin, Tan Cheng Hoe, Yaakob Syed and Haris Hussain.[citation needed] David Choong was president in 1962 when Penang made the FAM Cup final, but lost 3–4 to Selangor in a contest on May 12 at the City Stadium.[citation needed] In October 1963, Penang trounced Perlis 13–0 in a Malaysia Cup tie.[15] Aziz took over as captain when Cheng Eng retired.[citation needed] By 1965, veterans such as Siang Teik and Aziz made way as Penang rebuilt.[citation needed] M. Kuppan took over as captain with Yeap Kim Hock, James Raju and Ibrahim Mydin.[citation needed]

For the first time, Penang preferred the services of four British airmen based at the RAF support unit at the Butterworth base, which participated in the local league. They were John Leather, Clive Warren, Vic Probert and Alan Peacock.

The late 1960s saw the emergence of Aziz's nephews, the Abdullah brothers—Namat and Shaharuddin. At his peak, Shaharuddin was a goal-scorer together with Isa Bakar.[citation needed] Penang made the Malaysia Cup final in 1968 to face mighty Selangor. Selangor romped home 8–1 in one of the most one-sided finals ever [16] In 1974, Penang heroically knocked Singapore out in the semifinal to face northern rival Perak in the final. Namat Abdullah led Penang to a 2–1 victory in what was to be the state's last Malaysia Cup final victory.[17] Penang stepped into the final of Malaysia Cup in 1977 as they lost the match to Singapore.[18] In 1976, Penang became the first and only club from Malaysia to win the Aga Khan Gold Cup which was the early version of the Asian Club Championship, beating Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club 3–0 in the final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium under the guidance of Lim Boon Kheng.[19]

### Stagnation (1980s – mid-1990s)

[edit]

Football Association of Malaysia introduced the Malaysia First Division League in 1982. Penang was one of the founding members of the league. The first edition saw Penang becoming the champion.[20] In 1983, Penang was the first runner-up of the league. After that, the team faced stagnation until the mid-1990s and failed to win any major trophy.

### Resurgence (late 1990s – early 2000s)

[edit]

The glory days came after more than 15 years. Penang entered into the FA Cup final in 1997 and lost to Selangor.[21] After the disappointment, Penang won the 1998 Malaysia Super League.[22] The team failed to defend the title as they were the runners-up in 1999. The 2000 FA Cup saw Penang lost to Terengganu after a nail-biting penalties.[23] Penang was the runner-up of the top division in 2000. After two consecutive years as the runner-up, Penang become the champion in 2001.[24] Penang FA historically won the FA Cup for the first time in 2002 thanks to the goal scored by Gustavo Romero on the 65 minutes.[25][26]

### Walking downhill and financial crisis (2003 – 2009)

[edit]

Although the team got a good start by winning the first Charity Shield, they finished mid-table in the league and third in the group stage of the Malaysia Cup. In 2004, Penang ranked fifth out of 8 in the league and got eliminated in the second round of the FA Cup. The league performance in 2006 was a bit worse as they ranked sixth. Penang won the first round of the FA Cup, but failed to qualify for the third round. The next season saw Penang ranked sixth in the league and lost the first round match of the FA Cup. The team lost the quarter-final matches of the Malaysia Cup. In 2006–07 season, the team ranked tenth throughout the league. Penang finished the journey of the FA Cup in round one, as fifth out of six in the group stage. Mohd Bakar was appointed in the 2007–08 season. The Panthers finished 12th in the league, round two in FA Cup and last in the Malaysia Cup group stage. From then until 2012, the club was facing a critical financial condition. In 2009, Penang FA finished third from the last in the top division league. Penang was knocked out from the FA Cup in round two for two consecutive years. Penang was eliminated from the Malaysia Cup tournament after finished third in the group stage.

### Darkest period (2010 – 2012)

[edit]

In 2010, the darkest period ever in the team history came. Reduan Abdullah squad had only collected 10 points and finished at the bottom of the league.[27] Penang was relegated from the top flight after 18 consecutive spells. The club continued to decline and in 2011 they were relegated further, after the team struggled in the second division with only 4 points in 22 matches.[28] Janos Krecska was appointed as head coach in 2012. The team finished mid-table in the third tier.

### The comeback (2013 – 2015)

[edit]

Penang FA's legend, Merzagua Abderrazak, took over in 2013. The aim of the promotion was achieved successfully under the new tactician.[29] Penang won a silverware after an 11-year wait.[30] The club appointed K. Devan as the new head coach. Under his guidance Penang claimed the third spot of the Premier League and qualified in the Malaysia Cup after four years. Penang finished last in the group stage with four points after six matches. K. Devan's contract was not renewed and he was signed by Negeri Sembilan. Jacksen F. Tiago took over for the next season. Penang stepped into the quarter-final of the Malaysia FA Cup after 13 years. A dramatic finish in the 2015 league campaign saw Penang FA as the runner-up and a ticket to the top flight.[31]

### In the top flight (2016 – 2017)

[edit]

Penang beefed their squad with several youngsters from the Harimau Muda project and signed three new imports. The Panthers were hopeful of at least staying in the MSL, but found themselves stuck in the relegation zone. The appointment of the MSL winning coach Bojan Hodak as chief executive officer and Nenad Bacina as head coach offered some promise for the second half of the season, but Penang still struggled to find consistency. It wasn't until the final day of the season that Penang saved their top flight status, thanks to the goal from Faizat Ghazli.[32]

I-League winning coach Ashley Westwood signed a two years contract with the club in November 2016 to replace Nenad and Bojan. However, Penang FA terminated their contract under mutual consent due to poor results in March 2017, and he was replaced by Zainal Abidin Hassan. Zairil Khir Johari, who took over from Nazir Ariff Mushir Ariff, has resigned as president of the Penang Football Association (FA). Former player Reinaldo Lobo had reported PFA to FIFA after the club failed to pay him for six months.

### Relegated to the Malaysia Premier League (2018 – 2020)

[edit]

After the relegation, Zainal Abidin Hassan remains the head coach. Players like Mohd Faiz Subri, Yong Kuong Yong, Sanna Nyassi and Mohd Azrul Ahmad were retained. The departures saw Syamer Kutty Abba moving to Johor, Jafri Firdaus Chew & K. Reuben to PKNS FC, Rafiuddin Rodin to Perak. They finished in 10th position and avoided a successive drop.

Dr. Amar Pritpal Abdullah was elected as Penang FA president after edging out Datuk Seri Ho Kwee Cheng. Penang FA searched for stability ahead of the 2019 season under the helm of new management. The FA of Penang have set a modest target, to stay in the Premier League. Manzoor Azwira bought new import player like Casagrande and Sergio Aguero and Penang FA climbed to the 2nd place, securing the Super League promotion. However, less than 24 hours later, Penang FA found themselves back in the Premier League after being docked six points due to Reinaldo Lobo case.

In 2020 the government stopped all sports activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Penang FA was on track of winning the league after being unbeaten in 8 matches. They secure promotion to the Super League after beating Kuala Lumpur 2–1 at City Stadium.[33] Penang celebrated their first ever MPL title after beating Kelantan United 4-0 and got promoted to the 2021 Malaysia Super League.[34]

## Players

[edit]

### First-team squad

[edit]

As of June 2025

For recent transfers, see 2025–26 Penang F.C. season § Transfers and contracts.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  MAS | Khairulazhan Khalid
3  | DF |  MAS | Akmal Zahir
5  | DF |  MWI | Limbikani Mzava
6  | DF |  MAS | Khairul Akmal
7  | MF |  AUS | Dylan Wenzel-Halls
9  | MF |  KOR | Lim Inkyu
10  | FW |  JPN | Bruno Suzuki
11  | MF |  MAS | Wan Zack Haikal
14  | MF |  MAS | Firdaus Saiyadi
15  | DF |  ARG | Stefano Brundo
16  | MF |  MAS | Ahmad Irfan
19  | MF |  MAS | Chia Ruo Han
20  | FW |  BIH | Danilo Šipovac
22  | GK |  MAS | Ramadhan Hamid
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

23  | FW |  CIV | Kipré Tchétché
27  | DF |  MAS | Ariff Farhan Isa
35  | MF |  MAS | Hasbullah Abu Bakar
36  | GK |  MAS | Ashriq Izzat Mazlan
46  | DF |  MAS | Adib Raop
71  | MF |  MAS | Haziq Kutty Abba
77  | DF |  MAS | Amirul Hisyam Kechik
80  | MF |  MAS | Izzat Zikri
92  | MF |  TLS | Thiago Fernandes
97  | GK |  MAS | Khatul Anuar
98  | MF |  MAS | Muhammad Akid Zamri
99  | FW |  MAS | Alif Ikmalrizal

### Development squads

[edit]

For further information: Penang F.C. Reserves

## Management & coaching staff

[edit]

### Board of directors

[edit]

Position | Name

|

Chairman |  YB Daniel Gooi
General manager |  Jeffrey Chew
Board members |  Dato' Zakuan Zakaria
Faidrol Radzi
Muashraf Mohamed
YB Dato' Zabidah Safar
Datin Bharathi Suppiah
YB Kumaresan Aramugam

### Management

[edit]

Position | Name

|

Team manager |  Noor Azrul Mansor
Technical director |  Rosle Md Derus
Media officer |  Tun Mohammad Fadzrul Redza
Security officer |  Mogan Subramaniam
General coordinator |  Shamsul Mohd Nor

### Coaching staff

[edit]

Position | Name

|

Head coach |  Wan Rohaimi
Assistant head coach |  Mat Saiful Mohd
Assistant coach |  Rafiz Abu Bakar
Goalkeeping coach |  Mohd Hisham Jainudin
Fitness coach |  Rozy Abdul Majid
Team doctor |  Dr. Hardeep Singh Jaginder Singh
Dato' Dr. Parmjit Singh Kuldip Singh
Physiotherapist |  Ridhwan Noor Akmal
Team analyst |  Anwar Azahari
Masseur |  Megat Loutfie
Kitman |  Sufie Noorazizan

## Crest and colours

[edit]

Since the club's foundation in 1921, the club have had two main crests. The first, adopted when the team was founded, its backgrounds colours of the club crest were navy blue and white. At the top left and bottom right of the crest are the capital letters of 'F' and 'A' in navy blue with white background, which are the abbreviation of 'Football Association'. At the bottom left of the crest is a leather ball, which was the early football ball. The Prince of Wales's feathers and its motto, 'Ich Dien' which means 'I serve' were at top left of the crest, both elements were in white colour with navy blue background. The name of the state, 'Penang', is written in capital letter, white colour with navy blue background.

In the early 1990s, the crest underwent some variations as part of an attempt to modernise the previous crest. The capital letters of 'F' and 'A' were changed into three-dimensional form, with navy blue edges and white fill colour. The ball at the bottom left was changed into a modern ball with pentagonal and hexagonal patterns, and the Prince of Wales's feathers on the top left was also modernised with its motto was removed, fill colours for both elements were changed to blue, with white background.

### Colours

[edit]

Penang's traditional home colours are sky blue and yellow which are taken from the colours of the Penang state flag which stand for the sea surrounding the island and peace respectively. Navy blue and yellow have also been used severally. Traditional away kit colours have been either yellow or white. However, in recent years several different colours have been used, such as green, pink and orange.

The current home jersey sports a lighter shade of blue which is a better representation of the blue colour on the state flag. The current away jersey is white while the alternate jersey is black with yellow stripes.

## Supporters

[edit]

Penang's traditional fanbase comes from all over the George Town area including the other suburbs such as Jelutong, Air Itam, Tanjung Bungah, Bayan Lepas and even from the mainland. Penang's hardcore supporters are the so-called Ultras Panthers supporters, also known as Green Terrace Comrades UP11. Ultras Panthers was founded in 2011. In every match the Penang team played, they will be found in a group standing at the supporters area. The main colours for these supporters are usually in blue with a blue-yellow scarf and banners just like the Penang's team kits colours. These supporters always bring drums and large colorful flags to the stadiums.

Established in 2017, the Penang Football Fans Club (PFFC) is the official supporter club which is registered under the law of Malaysia.[35] The main mission of PFFC is to unite football supporters in Penang. Besides it will also act as a channel between the fans and the team.

There are also numerous supporters clubs such as Demi Pulau Pinang, Penang Brotherhood, Penang FC Fan Club, Haria Penang 69, Nindia Bandaraya, Brigade 07, Boys Of North and more in the state.[36] Penang had an average gate of 7,301 in the 2016 competitive campaign. Sometimes, tourists from foreign countries also attended the matches.

As of June 2020, Penang had 134,650 followers on social media, the ninth highest among football clubs in Malaysia.

At matches, Penang fanatic fans sing chants such as "Haria Penang Haria",[37] "Sehati Sejiwa" which means "One Heart, One Soul" and the state anthem "Untuk Negeri Kita", which means "For our state", to boost their beloved players' morale. Fans also throw toilet rolls to the pitch before the match begins. The well-known and popular slogan among Penang FC supporters is "Haria Penang Haria". It is used as "words of spirit" during and off the game, and as the slogan among supporters.

## Rivalries

[edit]

Kedah Darul Aman is the biggest rival for Penang. Penang fans consider their main rivalries to be with (in order) Kedah, Perak and Perlis. Matches against fellow northern region sides Perlis United, Kuala Muda Naza, Kedah United, Sungai Ara, PBAPP, SDMS Kepala Batas, Bukit Tambun, and Perak YBU have only taken place intermittently, due to the clubs often being in separate divisions.

### Derby

[edit]

Northern Region Derby is the name given to football matches that involves Penang and Kedah.[38] Both of them were located in the northern region of Malaysia. City Stadium or Penang State Stadium and Darul Aman Stadium are packed by fans from Kedah and Penang during derby matches. The match usually creates a lively atmosphere, with numerous banners unfolded before the start of the game.

### Friendships

[edit]

Although Penang's main rivals mostly are from the northern region of Malaysia, especially Kedah, but there is also a strong supporter of friendship with Kedah and there are good relations with the fans of Perak and Perlis. "This is the northern region", is a slogan which shows their good friendships.

## Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

[edit]

Season  | Kit manufacturer  | Shirt sponsor

|
|

2000  | Umbro | Pensonic
2001–2003  | Toray Pen-Group
2004–2005
2006–2007  | Lotto | E&O
2008–2009  | Specs | Telekom Malaysia
2010  | Joma
2011  | Eutag[39]
2012  | Joma  | Allianz University College of Medical Science
2013  | Media Hiburan
2014–2015  | Umbro  | Aspen Group
2016  | Penang Water Supply Corporation
2017  | Legea | myPenang
2018  | Puma | Penang State Government
2019–2020  | Stallion[40]
2021–2022  | Puma  | Penang 2030
2023–  | Kaki Jersi

## Grounds

[edit]

### Home ground

[edit]

Main articles: City Stadium, Penang and Penang State Stadium

Penang City Stadium

Up to the late 1950s, almost all the big matches were played at Victoria Green, home of the Chinese Recreation Club, before the completion of the City Stadium in the 1950s.

Penang State Stadium which located in Batu Kawan was also the home ground of the club from 2000 to 2011 and 2016 to 2017. It was built in 2000 with a capacity of 40,000 to host the 8th Sukma Games (Malaysian Games). In 2007, this stadium hosted the Malaysian FA Cup Final.

The City Stadium has a capacity of 20,000 people. The oldest stadium still in use in Malaysia, it was built in 1948 to provide a venue for sports activities in George Town, especially as a football pitch. It is also well known for the vociferous home support, dubbed the "Keramat Roar".[41] In 2019, the state football team then returned to the City Stadium after using the Penang State Stadium. In 2018, this stadium hosted the inaugural Asia Pacific Masters Games. On 16 February 2016, Faiz Subri scored a free kick in a 4–1 win over Pahang FA at the City Stadium in George Town. Videos of his free kick soon went viral on social media, and he was nominated by the Football Association of Malaysia for the FIFA Puskás Award later that year. In 2017, Faiz was awarded the FIFA Puskás Award for the free kick goal with a 59.46% vote percentage, becoming the first-ever Asian to have won the international award for the best goal of the year beating Marlone (22.86%) and Daniuska Rodríguez (10.01%).

### Training ground

[edit]

Main articles: USM Athletics Stadium and Penang Sports Club

The Jawi Public Field is the training ground of Penang FC located in South Seberang Perai District, Penang.

Previously, The USM Sports Centre was the training ground of Penang FC located in the campus of University of Science, Malaysia in Penang. The complex consists of several grass pitches. The stadium is also the home ground for the reserve team, as well as the home ground for USM FC. The sports centre also consists of a gymnasium and swimming pool.

Sometimes, Penang also train at the Penang Sports Club. It is located in the city of George Town covering a land area of about 16 acres.

## Seasons

[edit]

### Since Professional Era

[edit]

Updated on 16 January 2024.

Note:

* Pld = Played, W = Won, D = Drawn, L = Lost, F = Goals for, A = Goals against, D = Goal difference, Pts= Points, Pos = Position

1st or Champions   2nd or Runner-up   3rd place   Promotion   Relegation

Season  | League  | Cup  | Asia

|
|
|

Division  | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | D | Pts | Pos | Charity  | Malaysia  | FA  | Competition  | Result
1994 | Premier League | 28  | 4  | 7  | 17  | 25  | 64  | –39  | 14  | 15th  | –  | Not qualified  | –  | –  | –
1995 | Premier League | 28  | 6  | 6  | 16  | 29  | 56  | –27  | 24  | 14th  | –  | Group stage  | 2nd round  | –  | –
1996 | Premier League | 28  | 12  | 5  | 11  | 37  | 40  | –3  | 41  | 6th  | –  | Group stage  | 2nd round  | –  | –
1997 | Premier League | 28  | 8  | 9  | 11  | 26  | 33  | –7  | 33  | 11th  | –  | Not qualified  | Runner-up  | –  | –
1998 | Premier 1 | 22  | 12  | 5  | 5  | 32  | 23  | +9  | 4  | 1st  | –  | Group stage  | Quarter-finals  | –  | –
1999 | Premier 1 | 18  | 6  | 8[a] | 4  | 22  | 18  | +4  | 31  | 2nd  | –  | Group stage  | 2nd round  | Asian Club Championship | Withdrew
2000 | Premier 1 | 22  | 12  | 7  | 3  | 35  | 15  | +20  | 43  | 2nd  | –  | Quarter-finals  | Runner-up  | –  | –
2001 | Premier 1 | 22  | 15  | 5  | 2  | 45  | 14  | +31  | 50  | 1st  | –  | Quarter-finals  | Quarter-finals  | –  | –
2002 | Premier 1 | 26  | 13  | 8  | 5  | 48  | 31  | +17  | 47  | 4th  | –  | Quarter-finals  | Champions  | Asian Club Championship | Withdrew
2003 | Premier 1 | 24  | 11  | 3  | 10  | 29  | 28  | +1  | 36  | 6th  | Champions  | Group stage  | 2nd round  | –  | –
2004 | Super League | 21  | 8  | 3  | 10  | 29  | 38  | –9  | 27  | 5th  | –  | Quarter-finals  | 2nd round  | –  | –
2005 | Super League | 21  | 8  | 1  | 12  | 27  | 31  | –4  | 25  | 6th  | –  | Quarter-finals  | 2nd round  | –  | –
2005–06 | Super League | 21  | 8  | 4  | 9  | 30  | 31  | –1  | 28  | 6th  | –  | Quarter-finals  | Quarter-finals  | –  | –
2006–07 | Super League | 24  | 6  | 6  | 12  | 25  | 36  | –11  | 24  | 10th  | –  | Group stage  | 1st round | –  | –
2007–08 | Super League | 24  | 4  | 5  | 15  | 30  | 49  | –19  | 17  | 12th  | –  | Group stage  | 2nd round | –  | –
2009 | Super League | 26  | 5  | 4  | 17  | 29  | 55  | –26  | 19  | 12th  | –  | Group stage | 2nd round | –  | –
2010 | Super League | 26  | 2  | 4  | 20  | 10  | 67  | –57  | 10  | 14th  | –  | Not qualified  | 1st round | –  | –
2011 | Premier League | 22  | 1  | 1  | 20  | 14  | 61  | –47  | 4  | 12th  | –  | Not qualified  | 1st round | –  | –
2012 | FAM League | 16  | 6  | 0  | 10  | 20  | 24  | –4  | 18  | 6th  | –  | Not qualified  | 1st round | –  | –
2013 | FAM League | 20  | 17  | 1  | 2  | 53  | 18  | +35  | 52  | 1st  | –  | Not qualified  | 2nd round | –  | –
2014 | Premier League | 22  | 13  | 5  | 4  | 41  | 30  | +11  | 44  | 3rd  | –  | Group stage | 1st round | –  | –
2015 | Premier League | 22  | 13  | 6  | 3  | 39  | 18  | +21  | 45  | 2nd  | –  | Group stage | Quarter-finals | –  | –
2016 | Super League | 22  | 5  | 7  | 10  | 32  | 37  | –5  | 22  | 10th  | –  | Not qualified  | 2nd round | –  | –
2017 | Super League | 22  | 3  | 3  | 16  | 16  | 43  | –27  | 12  | 12th  | –  | Not qualified  | 3rd round | –  | –
2018 | Premier League | 20  | 5  | 6  | 9  | 20  | 30  | –10  | 21  | 10th  | –  | Group stage | 3rd round | –  | –
2019 | Premier League | 20  | 8  | 6  | 8  | 33  | 27  | 6  | 30  | 7th  | –  | Group stage | 3rd round | –  | –
2020 | Premier League | 11  | 8  | 2  | 1  | 24  | 8  | 16  | 26  | 1st  | –  | Quarter-finals1 | 2nd round1 | –  | –
2021 | Super League | 22  | 12  | 5  | 5  | 37  | 30  | +7  | 41  | 3rd  | –  | Group stage | Cancelled1 | –  | –
2022 | Super League | 22  | 2  | 5  | 15  | 22  | 45  | -23  | 11  | 12th  | –  | Round of 16 | Semi-finals | –  | –
2023 | Super League | 26  | 6  | 6  | 14  | 29  | 50  | -21  | 24  | 10th  | –  | Round of 16 | Quarter-finals | –  | –

Notes:'

^1 2020 Season cancelled due to the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic.

Source:[42][43]

1. ^ Draw were followed by penalty shootouts for an additional point.

## Records and statistics

[edit]

### Domestic records

[edit]

Penang are the fifth most successful football club in Malaysia for having won a total of 15 Malaysian football titles.

Penang are the team who won first inaugural Malaysia League 1982 and FAM Cup 1952.

The club's highest ever league finish was 1st in the Super League in 1982, 1998 and 2001. Their lowest ever league finish was 6th in the 2012 Malaysia FAM League.

Penang biggest win in Malaysia Cup final was 3–0 against Singapore FA in 1954. Penang heaviest lost in Malaysia Cup final was 1–8 against Selangor FA in 1968.

#### Asian record

[edit]

Competition  | Round  | Result

|
|

1998–99 Asian Club Championship | 1st Round  | Withdrew 0
Competition  | Round  | Result

|
|

2001–02 Asian Club Championship | 1st Round  | Withdrew 1

0 due to economic trouble in the country.
1 due to club financial problem.

Title  | Winners  | Runners-up

|
|

Aga Khan Gold Cup early version AFC Champions League (1)  | 1976[8] |

### Player records

[edit]

Shukor Salleh is the player who played for the club for the longest time which is 20 years. He had only played for Penang in his career. He won the National Sportsman Award in 1977.[44] Furthermore, he was the second and the last football player after Mokhtar Dahari to be given that award. He was also the first Penang player to be awarded the AFC Century Club award in 1999 and included in the FIFA Century Club for representing the national team at least 100 times in international tournaments.[45][46][47]

Lutz Pfannenstiel, He holds the record for the only footballer to play professionally in each of the six recognised continental associations by FIFA.[48][49][50]

In 2017, Mohd Faiz Subri became the first Asian to win the FIFA Puskás Award.[51][52] He was awarded for his physics-defying free kick that clinched a goal during the Malaysian Super League match against Pahang at the City Stadium on 16 February 2016.

On 3 August 2021, Rafael Vitor scored the fastest goal in the Malaysia Super League when he scored a goal just 9 seconds after the opening whistle against Perak FC.[53]

#### Club top scorer (since professional era)

[edit]

Players who scored 10 or more goals are listed.

Season  | Player  | Goals

|
|

1995  |  John Hunter  | 10[54]
1999  |  Azman Adnan | 13[55]
2002  |  Gustavo Romero  | 14[56]
2003  |  Gustavo Romero  | 11[57]
2004  |  Vyacheslav Melnikov | 16[58]
2005  |  José Ramirez Barreto | 15[59]
2013  |  Norizam Salaman | 12
2014  |  Lee Gil-hoon | 17
2015  |  Mohd Faiz Subri | 10
2019  |  Julián Bottaro | 10
2020  |  Casagrande | 10
2021  |  Casagrande | 12

## Club honours

[edit]

### Domestic

[edit]

Title  | Winners  | Runners-up

|
|

Malaysian League / Malaysian Semi-Pro Football League Division I / Malaysia Premier League / Malaysia Premier League 1 / Malaysia Super League (3)  | *1982, 1998, 2001 | *1983, 1999, 2000 (3)
Malaysian Semi-Pro Football League Division II / Malaysia Premier League 2 / Malaysia Premier League (1)  | 2020 | 1992, 2015 (2)
Malaysia FAM Cup / Malaysia FAM League (5)  | *1952, 1955, 1956, 1957, 2013 | 1961, 1962, 1968 (3)
Malaysia Cup (4)  | 1953, 1954, 1958, 1974  | 1934, 1941, 1950, 1952, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1969, 1977 (9)
Malaysia FA Cup (1)  | 2002  | 1997, 2000 (2)
Malaysia Charity Shield (1)  | 2003  |
Title  | Winners  | Runners-up

|
|

**Malaysia President Cup (1)  | 2004  | 2015 (1)
Title  | Winners  | Runners-up

|
|

***Piala Emas Raja-Raja (9)  | 1951, 1956, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2017  | 1947, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965,

1971, 1975, 1983, 1993, 2001, 2008 (13)

Title  | Winners  | Runners-up

|
|

***Piala Agong (3)  | 1998, 1999, 2000  | 1983, 2001 (2)

(*inaugural winners) (**Penang FA Reserves) (***Persatuan Bolasepak Melayu Pulau Pinang (PBMPP))

### Asian

[edit]

Title  | Winners  | Runners-up

|
|

Aga Khan Gold Cup[note 1] (1)  | 1976[8] |

## Personal honours

[edit]

Player  | Honour  | Season

|
|

Shukor Salleh | National Sportsman of the Year

AFC Century Club

FIFA Century Club

| 1977
Merzagua Abderrazak | Malaysia National Football Award Best Import Player [60] | 1996
Azman Adnan | Malaysia Premier League 1 Golden Boot | 1999
Norizam Salaman | Malaysia FAM League Top Goalscorer | 2013
Mohd Faiz Subri | FIFA Puskás Award
FAM Special Award | 2016
2016
Casagrande | Malaysia Premier League Golden Boot | 2020

## Notable former players

[edit]

This list of prominent former players, who played in this team includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is not complete or all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.

* Yeap Cheng Eng
* Aziz Ahmad
* Dave MacLaren
* Namat Abdullah
* Shaharuddin Abdullah
* Mohammed Bakar
* Shukor Salleh
* Ali Bakar
* Isa Bakar
* Desmond David
* Ahmad Yusof
* Lutz Pfannenstiel
* Azman Adnan
* Wan Rohaimi
* Mohd Hasmawi Hassan
* Chee Wan Hoe
* Merzagua Abderrazak
* Kamarulzaman Hassan
* Ooi Hoe Guan
* Norizam Salaman
* Faiz Subri
* Yong Kuong Yong
* Mafry Balang
* R. Surendran
* M.Yoges
* Azmi Muslim
* Syukur Saidin
* Bobby Gonzales

## Finances and ownership

[edit]

The club is owned by the Penang Chief Minister Incorporated as one of the GLCs, under the chairmanship of Soon Lip Chee, who is also the Penang State Executive Councillor for Youth and Sports. Prior to the privatisation of Malaysian League, the club was owned by the Football Association of Penang (FAP), in which the association also runs the domestic leagues of the states, which is known as FAP League.

FAP was also troubled with debts and players' salary payments were reportedly delayed two to three months over the two years. The delayed salary payments were said to have led some players to take money from bookies to give away games. The poor performance of the Penang team, languishing at the bottom of the Premier League table, also kicked up storm at the Penang State Legislative Assembly in May 2011.

## Head coaches

[edit]

### Head coaches since semi-pro era

[edit]

Years  | Name  | Achievement

|
|

1975–1980  |  Lim Boon Kheng[61] | 1976 Aga Khan Gold Cup champions
1986–1990  |  M. Kuppan[62] | 1974 Malaysia Cup champions
1991–1993  |  Blagoje Bratić | 1992 Division 2 runner-up
1995–1996  |  Mohd Bakar |
1997–1999  |  Moey Yoke Ham[63] | 1997 FA Cup runner-up
1998 Division 1 champions
1999 Division 1 runner-up
2000–2003  |  Irfan Bakti Abu Salim | 2000 FA Cup runner-up
2000 Division 1 runner up
2001 Division 1 champions
2002 FA Cup champions
2003 Charity Shield champions
2003–2004  |  Yunus Alif |
2005  |  Norizan Bakar |
2006–2007  |  Joseph Herel |
2008  |  Mohd Bakar |
2008–2009  |  S. Veloo |
2010  |  Mohd Bakar
Shukor Salleh
Reduan Abdullah |
2011  |  Robert Scully

Shukor Salleh (caretaker)
Ahmad Yusof

January 2012 – November 2012  |  Jánós Krécská |
December 2012 – November 2013  |  Merzagua Abderrazak | 2013 FAM League champions
November 2013 – November 2014  |  K. Devan |
November 2014 – April 2016  |  Jacksen F. Tiago | 2015 Premier League runner-up
April 2016 – May 2016  |  Manzoor Azwira (caretaker)  |
May 2016 – November 2016  |  Nenad Baćina |
December 2016 – March 2017  |  Ashley Westwood |
March 2017  |  Darren Read (caretaker)  |
March 2017 – October 2018  |  Zainal Abidin Hassan |
October 2018 – March 2019  |  Ahmad Yusof |
March 2019  |  Kamal Kalid (caretaker)  |
April 2019 – December 2020  |  Manzoor Azwira | 2020 Malaysia Premier League champions
December 2020 – April 2022  |  Tomáš Trucha |
May 2022  |  Manzoor Azwira (caretaker)  |
June 2022 - October 2022  |  Zainal Abidin Hassan |
October 2022 - March 2023  |  Chong Yee fat |
March 2023 - Nov 2023  |  Manzoor Azwira (caretaker)  |
Nov 2023 - Nov 2024  |  Akmal Rizal |
Nov 2024 -  |  Wan Rohaimi |

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The competition is widely regarded as the predecessor of the AFC Champions League (held for the first time in 1967), since it was the first organized international competition that involved club teams around Asia, organized by the football authorities of East Pakistan, in collaboration with Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Penang FC optimistic about 2021 Super League". Malaymail. 3 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
2. ^ "FAP History". FA Penang. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
3. ^ "Malaysia – Penang FA – Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
4. ^ "Penang's legends 'return' to City Stadium". Free Malaysia Today. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
5. ^ "Penang Vs Perak Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream Time, Date, Team News, Lineup News, Odds, Stats, Betting Tips Trends, Where To Watch Live Score Malaysian Super League 2023 Telecast Today Match Details – March 31". Sportsunfold. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
6. ^ "Late Goal Rescues Kedah Point in Northern Malaysia Derby". Football Tribe. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
7. ^ "Penang relegated to second-tier Malaysia League". Football Tribe. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
8. ^ a b c Aga Khan Gold Cup. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation at Wayback Machine.
9. ^ The Oldest Football Clubs In The World – oddsfactory.co.uk
10. ^ 3 Pasukan Bola Sepak Tertua di Malaysia – ML Studios (In Malay)
11. ^ "Malaysia 1934". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
12. ^ "Malaysia 1941". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
13. ^ "Malaysia 1953". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
14. ^ "Malaysia - List of Cup Winners". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
15. ^ "Malaysia 1963". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
16. ^ "Malaysia 1968". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
17. ^ "Malaysia 1974". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
18. ^ "Malaysia 1977". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
19. ^ "Former Penang player Boon Kheng dies at 76". The Star. Archived from the original on 8 July 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
20. ^ "Malaysia - List of Champions". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
21. ^ "Malaysia 1997-FA Cup". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 19 June 2003.
22. ^ "Malaysia 1998-Premier One". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 19 June 2003.
23. ^ "Malaysia First Level-FA Cup 2000". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 1 April 2001.
24. ^ "Malaysia 2001-Premier One". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 3 February 2002.
25. ^ "Malaysia 2002-FA Cup". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 5 February 2003.
26. ^ "Malaysia 2003-Charity Shield 2003". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 17 February 2004.
27. ^ "Malaysia 2010-Liga Super 2010". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
28. ^ "Malaysia 2011-Liga Premier 2011". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
29. ^ "Malaysia 2013-FAM Liga 2013". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
30. ^ "Moroccan Merzagua who guided Penang to promotion not eligible to coach team". The Star. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
31. ^ "Malaysia 2015-Liga Premier 2015". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
32. ^ "Local boy saves Penang but doesn't want hero tag". Goal.com. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
33. ^ "Penang promoted to Super League 2021". Football Tribe. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
34. ^ "Rampant Penang clinch PL title". New Straits Times. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
35. ^ Penang Football Fans Club official website
36. ^ Penang Brotherhood Facebook
37. ^ Haria Penang Haria On YouTube
38. ^ "Menanti Tiupan Wisel Permulaan Derbi Utara Malam Ini, Pulau Pinang vs Kedah!" (in Malay). Semuanya Bola. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
39. ^ Eutag
40. ^ Stallion Apparel
41. ^ "The 'Keramat Roar' is back". New Straits Times. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
42. ^ Soccerway-Malaysia Super League 2016
43. ^ Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation-Malaysia 2016
44. ^ "SuperMokh, Shukor Salleh, legenda bola sepak disegani" (in Malay). Berita Harian. 4 June 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
45. ^ 14 EX-INTERNATIONALS INDUCTED INTO AFC CENTURY CLUB \- BERNAMA, 11 February 1999.
46. ^ "Anugerah Kelab Satu Abad AFC 1999, 11hb Februari 1999" (in Malay). Chedinsphere. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
47. ^ FIFA Century Club \- FIFA, 04 Mei 2021.
48. ^ "Lutz Pfannenstiel: The goalkeeper who gave up Bayern Munich for the Crazy Gang, Bradford and a whirlwind trawl across continents". The Independent. 29 October 2014. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
49. ^ Will Sharp (3 November 2014). "Meet Lutz Pfannenstiel, football's 25-club, 13-country, six-continent man". The Guardian. Guardian News and Madia. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
50. ^ Lutz Pfannenstiel – Pemain Yang Tolak Bayern Munich Demi Pulau Pinang (In Malay) Archived 29 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine
51. ^ FIFA.com. "The Best FIFA Football Awards 2016 - Puskás Award". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
52. ^ Bedi, Rashvinjeet S. "Penang footballer Faiz Subri wins Puskas Award". The Star. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
53. ^ "Rafael Vitor Cipta Gol Terpantas Liga Super, Pintas Rekod 12 Saat Fakri Saarani". Semuanya Bola (in Malay). Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
54. ^ "Malaysia 1995". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
55. ^ "Malaysia 1999". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 5 February 2003.
56. ^ "Malaysia 2002". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 5 February 2003.
57. ^ "Malaysia 2003". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 17 February 2004.
58. ^ "Malaysia 2004". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2 February 2005.
59. ^ "Malaysia 2005". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 1 July 2006.[dead link]
60. ^ "Southeast Asia's Best Imports Ever". Four Four Two. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017.
61. ^ "Former Penang player Boon Kheng dies at 76". The Star. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
62. ^ "THEN and NOW: Former football great Kuppan still inspires with his undying passion". The Star. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
63. ^ "Penang bids farewell to legendary coach, Uncle Moey". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Association football portal
* Malaysia portal

* Penang FC official website

* v
* t
* e

Malaysia Super League

Malaysian Football League

Seasons|

* 2004
* 2005
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024–25
* 2025–26

Clubs|

| 2025–26
clubs|

* DPMM
* Immigration
* Johor Darul Ta'zim
* Kelantan The Real Warriors
* Kuala Lumpur City
* Kuching City
* Melaka
* Negeri Sembilan
* PDRM
* Penang
* Sabah
* Selangor
* Sri Pahang
* Terengganu

|

Former
clubs|

* Armed Forces
* FELDA United
* Harimau Muda A
* Johor
* Kedah Darul Aman
* Kelantan
* Kuala Muda Naza
* LionsXII
* Melaka United
* MPPJ
* Perak
* Perlis
* PJ City
* PKNP
* PKNS
* PLUS
* Public Bank
* Sarawak
* Sarawak United
* Sime Darby
* TM
* T-Team
* UiTM
* UPB-MyTeam

Associated competitions|

* FA Cup
* Malaysia Cup
* Malaysia Challenge Cup
* Piala Sumbangsih
* AFC Champions League
* AFC Cup
* Piala Presiden
* Piala Belia

* History
* Golden Boot
* Winners

* v
* t
* e

Football in Malaysia

History

National teams|

| Current|

* Men's (results)
* Men's U-23 (results)
* Men's U-22 (results)
* Men's U-19 (results)
* Men's U-16
* Women's
* Women's U-20
* XI
* Futsal (women's)
* Beach Football (women's)

|

Former|

* Harimau Muda A (U-22)
* Harimau Muda B (U-21)
* Harimau Muda C (U-19)

League competitions|

| Main league|

* Malaysia Super League (Level 1)
* Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League (Level 2)
* Malaysia A2 Amateur League (Level 3)
* Malaysia A3 Community League (Level 4–9)
* Malaysia National Women's League (women's)

|

Development League|

* Piala Presiden (U-21)
* Piala Belia (U-19)
* Liga Puteri-FAM (U-16 women's)

Others|

* MPFL Division 1 (Men) (Level 1)
* MPFL Division 2 (Men) (Level 2)
* Malaysia Premier Futsal League (Women)

Defunct|

* Malaysian League (Liga Malaysia (1982–1988) (Amateur), Liga Semi-Pro (Divisyen 1 & Divisyen 2), Liga Perdana, Liga Perdana 1 & Liga Perdana 2)
* Malaysia Premier League
* MFL Cup (U-23)
* Liga Nasional (Amateur)
* Liga Bolasepak Rakyat

Cup competitions|

| Current|

* Malaysia Cup
* Malaysia FA Cup
* Malaysia Challenge Cup
* Piala Sumbangsih
* Piala Emas Raja-Raja
* Merdeka Tournament
* Piala Tun Sharifah Rodziah (Women's)
* Piala Menteri Pendidikan Tinggi
* Malaysia Futsal Cup

|

Defunct|

* Burnley Cup
* Borneo Cup
* Malaysia FAM Cup

Related|

* 1994 Malaysian football scandal

Seasons

* 1900
* 1901
* 1902
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020

* Football Association of Malaysia
* Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia
* List of clubs
* List of venues
* List of Malaysian footballers
* Naturalised and overseas footballers

* v
* t
* e

Malaysian League top division champions

11 titles|

* Johor Darul Ta'zim (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024–25)

6 titles|

* Selangor (1984, 1989, 1990, 2000, 2009, 2010)

5 titles|

* Sri Pahang (1987, 1992, 1995, 1999, 2004)

4 titles|

* Kedah Darul Aman (1993, 2006-07, 2007-08)
* Penang (1982, 1998, 2001)

2 titles|

* Perak (2002, 2003)
* Kelantan (2011, 2012)
* Kuala Lumpur City (1986, 1988)
* Singapore (1985, 1994)

1 title|

* Johor (1991)
* LionsXII (2013)
* Negeri Sembilan (2005–06)
* Perlis (2005)
* Sarawak (1997)
* Melaka United (1983)
* Sabah (1996)

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template