Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.

**Home colours**

**Away colours**

**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.. 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.

## 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: File:Flag of South Africa.svg Willem Vries 306
* Most goals: File:Flag of South Africa.svg Benjamin Reed 75
* Most capped player: File:Flag of Lesotho.svg Lehlohonolo Seema
* Most starts in a season: File:Flag of South Africa.svg Jeffrey Lekgetla 39 (1992)
* Most goals in a season: File:Flag of South Africa.svg 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: File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Lebo Makgae**
* MD: File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Rali Ramabodu**
* CEO: File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Khumbulani Konco**
* Team manager: File:Flag of Malawi.svg **John Maduka**
* Coach: File:Flag of Serbia.svg **Veselin Jelusic**
* Assistant coach: File:Flag of Lesotho.svg **Lehlohonolo Seema** & File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Fadlu Davids**
* Goalkeeper coach: File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Andre Bronkhorst**
* Head of youth development: File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Molefi Ntseki**

## First team squad

*As of 29 July 2016.*

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

### On loan

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

### 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.

* File:Flag of Cameroon.svg Patrick Tignyemb
* File:Flag of Namibia.svg Deon Hotto
* File:Flag of Burundi.svg Fiston Abdul Razak

permanent residency
* Template:Country data MWI Atusaye Nyondo

## Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer

* Shirt sponsor: MTN
* Kit manufacturer: Kappa

## Chairmen

* Template:Country data Union of South Africa Norman Mathobisa and Victor Mahatanya (1969–1984)
* Template:Country data Union of South Africa Petros Molemela (1984– November 2001)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Jimmy Augousti (November 2001– 21 July 2014)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Max Tshabalala (21 July 2014–

## Coaches

* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Milo Bjelica (1990–1991)
* File:Flag of France.svg Paul Dolezar (2005–06)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Tony De Nobrega (2006–07)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Khabo Zondo (1 July 2007 – 9 April 2008)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg David Modise *(interim)* (April 2008 – June 8)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Mich d'Avray (1 July 2008 – 27 Dec 2008)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Owen Da Gama (28 Dec 2008 – 30 June 2010)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Clinton Larsen (9 Aug 2010 – 7 Oct 2013)
* File:Flag of Germany.svg Ernst Middendorp (11 Oct 2013 – 15 Dec 2014)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Clinton Larsen (15 Dec 2014–2015)

## References

1. ↑ http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/2012/06/12/celtic-co-founder-mathobisa-mourned
2. ↑ Bloemfontein Celtic FC (2009). Academy: New academy to improve Celtic football.
3. ↑ http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/teams/bloemfontein-celtic/max-tshabala-says-he-is-the-new-bloem-celtic-owner/170006

## External links

* Official website
* Premier Soccer League
* PSL Club Info
* South African Football Association
* Confederation of African Football

Template:Premier Soccer League teamlist