Hobart United FC

Hobart United FC

Full name	Hobart United Football Club
Founded	2002
Ground	Pontville Oval, Brighton, Tasmania
Ground Capacity	1,000
Head Coach	Aubert Ruzingandekwe
2015	6th
Home colours Away colours

Hobart United Football Club is a soccer club that plays out of Hobart, Tasmania. As well as a senior team the club also have a reserve team and regularly field youth or women's teams. Hobart United plays their home games at Pontville Oval in Brighton, Tasmania. Hobart United is well known for its large Sub-Saharan African team.

Honours

• 2004 2nd Division Premiers
• 2005 Summer Cup Champions
• 2005 1st Division Premiers
• 2008 1st Division Premiers
• 2010 Summer Cup Champions

Club history

2002: Laying the Foundations

Hobart United FC emerged from the Tasmanian African community. It was late in 2002 when Jacky Kuel, Patrick Ochaya, Fawaz Ateem, and Awak Mario-Ring formed the first team. At this time a healthy debate emerged over the name and direction of the club. Patrick, the club's first President, felt that the new club should embrace multiculturalism to strengthen the ties between Africa and Australia. He proposed naming the club Hobart United. Patrick became the club's first president. The club gained several sponsors including the Migrant Resource Centre. The club made its debut in Division Two in February 2003. The squad consisted of 18 players. A 4-4-2 formation was introduced and eventually the team began to gel into a real club and results came our way.

2004: Second Division Champions

The appointment of Atef Abdaltam as head coach in early 2004 marked a significant turning point for the club. Forged by a uniting spirit, the team blended individual flair, discipline, and physical presence to produce undeniably the best football of the competition. Romilton was the team's inspiration playing in true Brazilian fashion with skill and artistic flair. From back heels, bicycle kicks, fluid counter attacks to quick short passing - United stormed through the 2nd division in a 21 match unbeaten run to seal its first premiership title.

2005: First Division Premiers & Summer Cup Champions

2005 : With Mohand Rahni at the helm, Hobart United FC accepted promotion to the First Division. A strong vocal crowd of supporters with their drums and chants proclaimed Hobart United the Summer Cup's new champion. United proved that it deserved to be promoted with style. Hobart United demolished team after team and accumulated 50 points, claiming the Division One Championship title and gained promotion to the Premier League in 2006.

2006: Premier League Relegation

Promotion to the Premier League was a huge step for Hobart United. The club struggled to keep up with the level of competition in Tasmania's top League and failed to win a single game. The club was relegated to the first division after losing both matches in a two legged play off against Taroona.Hobart United played a two-legged play-off vs Taroona, the division 1 champions, following their last placed finish in the 2006 Southern Premier League. Taroona won 7-1 on aggregate, and as a result, Hobart United was relegated to division 1 for the 2007 season, and Taroona would take their place.

2008: First Division Premiers Once Again

Under the guidance of coach Tony Tarros Hobart United took out the 2008 division 1 title. United displayed outstanding skill and teamwork all season with a great stopper, sturdy defence, creative midfield and a free scoring attack. Joyous celebrations unfolded after winning the league on home soil (Pontville) for the first time. Unfortunately United were unable to make the step up to the PL losing a promotion/relegation play off against New Town Eagles at KGV.

External links

• Official Website