Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.

Bloemfontein Celtic is a South African football club based in Bloemfontein that plays in the Premier Soccer League.
Bloemfontein Celtic has a large fan base in the Free State. Its supporters are known as Siwelele.
==History==
The club was founded by Norman Mathobisa and Victor Mahatane in 1969. Mahatane and Mathobisa administered the club until the early 1980s when financial challenges forced them to sell the club to Petrus "Whitehead" Molemela.http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2012/06/12/celtic-co-founder-mathobisa-mourned. In November 2001, after the relegation of Phunya Sele Sele, Molemela sold his shares in the club to Demetri "Jimmy" Augousti, a former Celtic player.
After only three years out of the top-flight, the club regained its PSL status with an impressive season in 2003–04 when they were crowned First Division champions. They also managed to win the 2005 SAA Supa 8 and the 2007 Telkom Charity Cup.
In 2009 they formed a partnership with Portuguese club Sporting CP, that included the creation of a youth academy, based in the capital of the Free State.
Max Tshabalala, who also owns Roses United, took over from Jimmy Augousti on 21 July 2014.http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/teams/bloemfontein-celtic/max-tshabala-says-he-is-the-new-bloem-celtic-owner/170006
==Honours==
*Mainstay Cup: 1985
*SAA Sup 8 Cup: 2005
*Telkom Charity Cup: 2007
*First Division Inland Stream: 2003–04
*Telkom Knockout: 2012
* Charity Showdown: 2014
==Club records==
*Most starts: Willem Vries 306
*Most goals: Benjamin Reed 75
*Most capped player: Lehlohonolo Seema
*Most starts in a season: Jeffrey Lekgetla 39 (1992)
*Most goals in a season: Troy Saila 20 (1987)
*Record victory: 8–0 vs University of Stellenbosch (26/2/14, Nedbank Cup)
*Record defeat: 0–6 vs Kaizer Chiefs (29/3/91, NSL)
===Premier Soccer League record===
*1996–97 – 10th
*1997–98 – 12th
*1998–99 – 7th
*1999–00 – 14th
*2000–01 – 17th
*2004–05 – 8th
*2005–06 – 10th
*2006–07 – 8th
*2007–08 – 11th
*2008–09 – 14th
*2009–10 – 6th
*2010–11 – 5th
*2011–12 – 8th
*2012–13 – 5th
*2013–14 – 6th
==Club officials/Technical team==
*Chairman: Lebo Makgae
*MD: Rali Ramabodu
*CEO: Khumbulani Konco
*Team manager: John Maduka
*Coach: Veselin Jelusic
*Assistant coach: Lehlohonolo Seema & Fadlu Davids
*Goalkeeper coach: Andre Bronkhorst
*Head of youth development: Molefi Ntseki
==First team squad==
As of 29 July 2016.
===On loan===
===Foreigners===
In the South African PSL, only five non-South African nationals can be registered. Foreign players who have acquired permanent residency can be registered as locals. Namibians born before 1990 can be registered as South Africans.
* Patrick Tignyemb
* Deon Hotto
* Fiston Abdul Razak
----
;permanent residency
* Atusaye Nyondo
==Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer==
*Shirt sponsor: MTN
*Kit manufacturer: Kappa
==Chairmen==
* Norman Mathobisa and Victor Mahatanya (1969–1984)
* Petros Molemela (1984– November 2001)
* Jimmy Augousti (November 2001– 21 July 2014)
* Max Tshabalala (21 July 2014–
==Coaches==
* Milo Bjelica (1990–1991)
* Paul Dolezar (2005–06)
* Tony De Nobrega (2006–07)
* Khabo Zondo (1 July 2007 – 9 April 2008)
* David Modise (interim) (April 2008 – June 8)
* Mich d'Avray (1 July 2008 – 27 Dec 2008)
* Owen Da Gama (28 Dec 2008 – 30 June 2010)
* Clinton Larsen (9 Aug 2010 – 7 Oct 2013)
* Ernst Middendorp (11 Oct 2013 – 15 Dec 2014)
* Clinton Larsen (15 Dec 2014–2015)
==References==
==External links==
* 
*Premier Soccer League
*PSL Club Info
*South African Football Association
*Confederation of African Football
 
Category:Association football clubs established in 1969
Category:Soccer clubs in South Africa
Category:Soccer clubs in the Free State (province)
Category:Premier Soccer League clubs
Category:Bloemfontein
Category:National First Division clubs
Category:1969 establishments in South Africa