Geylang International Football Club is a professional football club based in Bedok, Singapore, that competes in Singapore Premier League, the top division of football in Singapore. The club was founded in 1973. They played their first league game in 1974, winning the FAS Division Three League which earned them a spot in National Football League Division One the following year. Their most successful period was during the 1980s and 90s, winning six consecutive FAS Premier League titles.

Geylang International has won 2 league titles and 1 Singapore Cup since the inception of a professional league in 1996. Their greatest season was in 1996, when they became the first team to win both the league title and the FA Cup. They also reached the 1997 Singapore FA Cup final, 2001 and 2003 Singapore Cup finals, and the 2012 Singapore League Cup final, finishing as runners-up.

Geylang International has a traditional rivalry with closest neighbour Tampines Rovers. Matches between these two are referred to as the "Eastern Derby" which is known to be one of the best rivalries in Singapore football.

History

Beginnings and breakthrough (1973–1995)

Formally founded by Colin Ng in 1973 during a dinner gathering with Arshad Khamis, Gulam Mohamed and Omar Ashiblie, Ng planned to build a successful club in Singapore. They were soon known as International Contract Specialists Football Club (ICS) and played their first friendly match against Rollel, a Singapore Business Houses Football League (SBHFL) Division One league club on 15 November 1973 with a 2–0 win. They made their season debut in 1974, walking away with 2 titles – FAS Division Three League & President's Cup with no losses. They had players including Arshad Khamis, Dollah Kassim, Gulam Mohamed, Samad Allapitchay, Kamal Mohd Nor and Robert Sim.

Name changed

For the new season, in line with the Football Association of Singapore plans to streamline footballs and have teams on geographical consideration for the Division One League, ICS changed its name to Geylang International as their home ground was based at Geylang Field, Lorong 12. In 1975, they entered the National Football League Division One and won it before adding another title in 1976. Their back to back victory was made sweeter by winning the 1976 President's Cup.

A relegation in 1981 prompted the arrival of a new management committee that guided the club back to the top division in 1983. In 1984, club president Kasim Chik financed the club and businessman Patrick Ang, who joined in 1986, managed to secure sponsors for them. Despite being relegated that year, they returned to Division 1 of the National Football League the following season. In 1988, the FAS started a semi-professional league competition called the FAS Premier League as the top tier of the Singapore football league structure. they dominated all eight years of the league, winning six consecutive titles from 1988 to 1993 before finishing third in 1994 and second in 1995. Every game would see their home ground packed to the brim as fans clamoured to catch a game of the Eagles’ skilful players. Subsequently, due to the huge fan following which numbered in the thousands, all their games had to be played either in Jalan Besar Stadium or National Stadium. The success behind winning the FAS Premier League was also aided by the players they had. Notably players such as Malek Awab, Razali Saad, Dollah Kassim, Samad Allapitchay and Robert Sim all contributed to the success of the team. These were players who would also go on to represent the country. It might not be known widely by many but they even managed to attract one of the biggest European stars of that era to turn up in their club's colours. French forward and legend, Michel Platini visited Singapore to attend a football clinic conducted by them and played half a game for the Eagles to highlight the club's attraction.[citation needed]

Progressive and golden era (1996–2012)

As Geylang United Football Club, they were one of the eight teams in the inaugural season of the S.League in 1996. They won the first stage (the Tiger Beer Series) of the league season and finished fifth in the second stage (the Pioneer Series). They won the league after defeating SAFFC (the Pioneer Series champions) 2–1 in the Championship Play-off. They completed the season with another trophy, beating the same team on penalties, 4–2, in the Singapore FA Cup. As the team was full of international stars, led by 1998 Iranian World Cup head coach Jalal Talebi, players such as Fandi Ahmad, Kadir Yahaya, David Lee, Hamid Reza Estili, Mohammad Khakpour, and Chris Riley, Vincent Subramaniam (Head Coach for SAFFC) identified them as the Manchester United of Singapore. As league champions, they qualified for the 1997–98 Asian Club Championship but were eliminated after losing 8–2 on aggregate by Japanese side Kashima Antlers in the first round.

The 1997 season was a disappointing season for them. They failed to defend the S.League title, finishing fifth. The Eagles also failed to defend the FA Cup, after losing to SAFFC in the finals. They did not win any silverware till 2001, when they won their second league title by a close margin. Both forwards, Aleksandar Đurić and Brian Bothwell scored 57 goals for the team. It was the best performing S.League season for the team; scoring 84 goals and conceding 28 goals. Just days after winning the league title, they suffered their worst defeat in history; losing 8–0 to Home United in the Singapore Cup finals. As league champions, they were guaranteed a slot in the qualifying round of the 2002–03 AFC Champions League but were eliminated after losing to Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua 5–1 on aggregate in the second round.[citation needed]

AFC Cup debut

The 2002 season saw Geylang United finish third in both the S.League and Singapore Cup. They came close to winning their third S.League title and first Singapore Cup in 2003, only to finish runners-up to Home United for both competitions. As runners-up, they qualified to play in the AFC Cup 2004 due to Home United's double. Their debut in the AFC Cup 2004 was an impressive one. Despite losing their opening match, they managed to stay unbeaten for their next five games in the group stage. They went on to qualify for the quarter-finals, beating Malaysian club Perak FA before losing to Syrian side Al-Wahda in the semi-final.[citation needed]

Geylang United won their first Singapore Cup in 2009, beating Thailand side Bangkok Glass 1–0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The win ensured them a place in the 2010 AFC Cup where they were placed in Group H alongside Vietnam SHB Da Nang, Thailand club Port and Hong Kong side Tai Po. However, they failed to qualify for the knockout stages, finishing 3rd in the group stages with four draws and two losses.[citation needed]

Weeks before the start of the 2012 season, Patrick Ang announced his retirement as club chairman. Ang, who had been with the club since 1986, moved up the ranks at the club as manager; vice-president; president and eventually chairman. He was given the nickname "Geylang's Godfather" after helping the club to gain main and co-sponsors. Former Singapore international, Leong Kok Fann took over the position. Mike Wong stepped down as coach after their 7–1 thrashing by Home United kept the club at the bottom of the league without a point. Under-21 coach, Vedhamuthu Kanan, swopped roles with Wong. Under the guidance of Kanan, the Eagles made it into the League Cup finals; only to lose in the final to Brunei DPMM. In the league itself, Kanan gave the U21 players the chance to be in the first team. It turned out to be a positive effort as some of these players who were given the chance to play in the S.League matches performed better than some of the first team players. They ended the season second from bottom in the nine-team table.[citation needed]

Decline in performances (2013–2016)

Renamed as Geylang International

On 4 January 2013, the club announced in a pre-season press conference that it would change its club logo and name back to Geylang International Football Club. The club has set on a vision statement, playing philosophy and values like discipline and commitment to a six-week training routine planned for the players to follow meanwhile on the community outreach side, there will be a new partnership with Singapore Management University [SMU] Mentorship Programme which includes opportunities to interact with the club players. A vision statement, playing philosophy and values like discipline and commitment have also been clearly set out, and a six-week training routine planned for the players to follow. They started off the season playing against Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim, ATM FA and Selangor losing 1–0, 2–1 and drawing 0–0 respectively. The Eagles then signed three Japanese trios, Takuma Ito, Norihiro Kawakami and Shotaro Ihata however the squad saw plenty of long-term injury crises, forcing their then-assistant coach, former Singapore international,Mohd Noor Ali to come out of retirement. They finished the season in 9th place. On 19 August 2013, they faced the Hong Kong club, Sun Source winning the match 5–0 at the Bedok Stadium.

The 2014 season was something to look out for as Vedhamuthu Kanan flew to Argentina during the pre-season to look for new foreign players. It was later announced that Leonel Felice, Franco Chivilo and Joaquin Lopez had signed a 1-year contract. In addition, Nazareno Velez joined in as assistant coach. The Eagles started off their 2014 pre season friendlies participating in the IFA Shield 2014 in India playing against Kingfisher East Bengal, United Sports Club and Korean Sun Moon University at the Salt Lake Stadium. However, the season did not start well as one of the Argentinian players failed to get their employment pass before the season kicked off. V. Kanan eventually got demoted back to coaching the U-21 team after 3 straight losses. German Jörg Steinebrunner was then appointed as the new head coach 24 hours before their next match. Despite their poor league performance, Steinebrunner almost led the team to the finals of the League Cup and Singapore Cup; only to lose both domestic competitions on penalty shoot-outs. The team ended the 2014 season in eighth place.

In 2015, Steinebrunner took this opportunity to get his players ahead of the new season. The Eagles participated in the 2015 Kata Group Hotel Challenge Cup tournament in Thailand facing Phuket winning 1–3 in the 1st leg and 2–1 in the 2nd leg. They then fly off to Indonesia to face Semen Padang and Felda United of Malaysia in a friendly match. The Eagles were inconsistent throughout the season, failing to win most of their matches. After their defeat in the semi-finals of the League Cup, they failed to collect any points for six consecutive games, remaining rooted to the bottom of the table for months. An unbeaten run in their last five matches with 3 wins and 2 draws allowed them to finish one place off the bottom.

New club chairman

Weeks after the 2015 S.League season ended, it was announced that Ben Teng would replace Leong Kok Fann as club chairman. Ben Teng and his new management committee (comprising mainly Singaporeans who have worked in Dubai/Abu Dhabi previously) set about to revamp the club by recruiting young players from the disbanded LionsXII and Courts Young Lions, anchored by seasoned players such as Daniel Bennett and Indra Sahdan. Four players, Hairul Syirhan, Yuki Ichikawa, Nor Azli Yusoff and Shawal Anuar from the 2015 season were retained. In line with the club's philosophy of promoting young players from within, four Prime League players were promoted to the senior team (one was subsequently released to Young Lions at the request of FAS). The new 2016 squad also featured returning former Geylang Prime League players such as Stanely Ng, Amy Recha and Taufiq Ghani. Former Singapore international and championship winner with the 2001 Geylang team, Hasrin Jailani, was appointed as head coach. His teammate from the 2001 winning team, Mohd Noor Ali, was appointed as assistant head coach and Prime League coach. In its first S-League away match of the 2016 season against title favourites Tampines Rovers, the Eagles recovered from an early 2–0 lead by the hosts to lead 2–3 before an 86th-minute equaliser by the hosts. Geylang International finished 5th out of the 9 teams competing in the 2016 S league.

Mohd Noor Ali era (2017– present )

In June 2017, Mohd Noor Ali took over as head coach of Geylang International, managing the team he had won the 2001 S league with as a player. The Eagles played their pre season friendlies against Malaysian club, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Melaka United, and Petaling Jaya Rangers before returning home to face Philippines club, Ceres–Negros and Australian club, Rydalmere Lions winning 3–1 in the process at the Bedok Stadium. The Eagles improved on their previous position and attained 4th position in the 2017 S league. It was Geylang International's first top four finish in 14 years

In 2018, Mohd Noor Ali went abroad for a 1-year coaching stint with Japanese club Matsumoto Yamaga (as part of Geylang International's collaboration with their sponsor Epson). Noor Ali's venture abroad meant Hirotaka Usui took charge of The Eagles for the inaugural 2018 Singapore Premier League. Geylang International finished in a disappointing 8th position that season.

In 2019, Mohd Noor Ali returned to Geylang International after guiding Yamaga's “B” team to a league title. The Eagles welcomed new players like former Dutch U-20 Barry Maguire, and retained a strong youthful core in Darren Teh and Zikos Chua, and Azril Suhaili. Zikos Chua scored vital late goals during the season, as the Eagles finished 5th place in the 2019 Singapore Premier League. That season, The Eagles also knocked out defending champions Albirex Niigata (S) en route to finishing 3rd in the 2019 Singapore Cup. The Eagles beat the 2019 Singapore Premier League champions, Brunei DPMM, in the 3rd/4th placing match 12–11 on penalties, after the match ended 2–2.

After beating title favourites Lion City Sailors 1–0 in their opening game of 2022, Geylang went on an 11-game winless run despite putting in commendable performances. The newly revamped Geylang squad for 2022, consisting of a new group of foreign players - Vincent Bezecourt, Šime Žužul, Rio Sakuma, Takahiro Tezuka had to find a way to get back to winning ways. When Round 2 and 3 of the 2022 Singapore Premier League came around, Geylang International picked up form, picking up 5 wins in 6 games. By beating the Lion City Sailors 3–1 in the final round of matches (Round 4), and ending the season with a 1–1 draw with eventual champions Albirex Niigata (S), Geylang International finished the season 4th, matching their 4th-place finish in 2020. As a result, the Eagles secured the second and final AFC Cup berth.

Collaboration with City Football Group

In February 2023, Geylang International and City Football Group (CFG) formalized a collaboration agreement to further develop the Eagles, making it the first Southeast Asian team to be associated with CFG, which owns English Premier League club Manchester City. Geylang club adviser Ben Teng, who was also the club's chairman from 2015 to 2020, played a key role in securing the deal. The partnership has already reaped benefits as CFG's Football Operations department helped Geylang to bring in striker Yushi Yamaya for the 2023 season, a former academy player of Yokohama F. Marinos, J-League champions and part of the CFG family.

Stale performances

Geylang International started off the 2023 season in a Malaysia tour competing in the Harapan Cup in which they lost 4–0 to Penang and 1–2 to Kedah Darul Aman.

In preparation for the inaugural two years league cycle 2024–25 season, Geylang International turned their attention towards Japanese national signing Keito Hariya, Ryoya Taniguchi, 2021 Singapore Premier League 'Player of the Year' winner, Tomoyuki Doi and also loaning in youngster, Sora Tanaka from partnership club, Matsumoto Yamaga. The Eagles also retained Japanese duo, Rio Sakuma and Takahiro Tezuka while Vincent Bezecourt remained the only European foreign in the club. Geylang International started off their season getting 10 points with 2 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses in their first six matches where the club also ended Lion City Sailors winning streak making them drop points in their first four matches. The club also went on to beat Albirex Niigata (S) in a 6–0 win on 6 July 2024, where Tomoyuki Doi went on to score 3 hat tricks in 7 league matches. On 7 March 2025, Tomuyuki Doi went on to score his 39 league goal surpassing the all-time league record goalscorer of 38 goals set by Mirko Grabovac in 2001.

Japanese players Tomuyuki Doi, Rio Sakuma and Takahiro Tezuka would go on to leave the club. Geylang International then shifts their attention to finding Japanese players to replace the outgoing players; the club sign Riku Fukashiro, Kaisei Ogawa, Shodai Yokoyama, and Shuhei Hoshino ahead of the 2025–26 season. Geylang International also signed Hougang United captain Nazrul Nazari, and Serbian Nikola Ignjatovic for the new season.

Team image

Supporters

Ultra Eagles

Supporters are known as the Ultras Eagles. Typically dressed in black and green, they are known for their use of drums and vocal support, contributing to a distinctive matchday atmosphere. The supporters have developed a close relationship with the team, which is reflected in post-match traditions. Following each game, regardless of the result, the Ultras, players, and coaching staff participate together in a shared song.

Official anthem

Geylang International Football Club's Official Anthem, "We Are The Mighty Eagles" was launched on 22 February 2022. The anthem is played at all home matches, before kick-off, at half-time, and whenever the Eagles score a goal. The anthem is composed by Evil Singing Pandas, a band from Singapore and Bangkok, Thailand.

The anthem is also being used in various videos promoting the club, including a behind the scenes pre-season photoshoot and tribute clip to the main sponsor Epson in 2022.

Stadiums

Bedok Stadium Entrance

Bedok Stadium

The Eagles’ home ground is the Bedok Stadium, located in the eastern part of Singapore. It is used both for football matches and community events. Besides that, the pitch is also used by the club for their training sessions. The stadium has a natural grass football pitch, an 8-lane running track and some athletic facilities. The stadiums are closed to the public during official events and S.League matches. The stadium can hold up to 3,800 spectators. The stadium is currently managed by the Singapore Sports Council.

Our Tampines Hub

The Eagles’ home ground moved to Our Tampines Hub for the 2019 Singapore Premier League season, which they share with Tampines Rovers.

Geylang International players train at the Geylang Training Centre in which is mainly used by the Singapore national team.

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

PeriodKitMain Sponsor
1996Italy DiadoraJapan Hitachi
1997United States Hewlett-Packard
1998Singapore Akira
1999–2002United States NikeSingapore Ponggol Marina
2003No sponsors
2004–2006Singapore PanSingapore Akira
2007–2008Italy DiadoraSingapore Five Stars Tours
2009Italy Lotto
2010–2013No sponsors
2014Singapore Rotary Engineering
2015Singapore DreamatronNo sponsors
2016Singapore THORBJapan Epson
2017–2022Thailand FBT
2023Australia Rolos
2024–2025Singapore Vector Green
2025–presentSingapore Emerald Eagles

Affiliated clubs

On 23 November, 2016, Geylang International and Matsumoto Yamaga signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in a press event that was held earlier today at the Marina Bay Floating Platform. This MOU will enable both clubs to establish a platform to exchange expertise and knowledge with the objective of promoting cohesion and development of football between the two clubs. The MOU spells out possible areas of collaboration such as the exchange of players and technical staff for training attachments and loans. Geylang will be looking to select promising players from its Active SG-GIFC Soccer Academy and junior teams to send on short training stints with Matsumoto Yamaga while the Japanese club is also looking into the possibility of sending players from their junior team to Singapore for pre-season training stints. Among the key initiatives of the partnership with Matsumoto Yamaga is the exchange program for head coach, Mohd Noor Ali, who had a one-year attachment with the Japanese side in 2018, where he guided their B team to the Japan FA's Under-18 Football League Nagano prefecture title on 17 August 2018, Anders Aplin become the first Singaporean football player to sign for a J.League team signing on loan until the end of the 2018 J2 League season in November.

On 30 October 2022, both clubs reaffirmed their close and long-standing relationship as the club officials went to Japan to explore future collaborations going into the seventh year of partnership since 2016. Geylang International has a memorandum of understanding with J.League outfits, Matsumoto Yamaga that was signed in 2016, while Epson's relationship with the club also dates back to the same year when it became the club's platinum sponsor. In the past seven years, Epson has enjoyed premium hospitality access to the club's home matches and has also supported the local football community and youths with the staging of the Epson Youth Cup.

Geylang International and V.League, Ho Chi Minh City has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that aims to further the growth of football through the open sharing of technical expertise and knowledge between both clubs. Under this MOU, cooperative efforts between both clubs will be boosted in four key sectors; training, attachments, player transfers, and fan club support. It will also allow the two clubs to send their youth and senior squad to train or participate in short-term tournaments within each other's regions. The agreement will also ensure the priority of players’ transfer for both clubs as well as facilitate the exchange of players and technical staff for training attachments. Additionally, both parties will strive to increase each other's club profile in their regions and encourage cultural exchanges and interactions between their fan clubs. This includes providing support, privileges, and on-site concierge services for official club tours, visits, or match attendances requested by each other's fan clubs through their respective clubs.

On 1 February, 2023, Geylang International had become the first Southeast Asian club to partner with the group. The agreement is set to be an initial, highly targeted collaboration, with the potential to evolve into a broader, more comprehensive strategic partnership in the future. The commitment will enable the club to start tapping into CFG's football expertise and technology, allowing the club to improve its structure and operations.

Players

As of 15 September 2026

First-team squad

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.NationPlayer
No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK SRB Miloš Čupić 2 DF SGP Darren Teh 3 DF KOR Cho Eun-su 4 DF PRK Kim Tae-uk 5 MF JPN Naoki Yoshioka 6 MF SGP Anumanthan Kumar 7 MF JPN Kaisei Ogawa 8 MF SGP Joshua Pereira (captain) 9 DF MNE Dejan Račić 10 FW JPN Ryoya Taniguchi 11 DF SGP Harith Kanadi 13 GK SGP Aniq Matin U21 15 DF SGP SC Denilson U21No. Pos. Nation Player 17 MF SGP Prince Rio Rifae'i U21 18 FW PRK Ryang Hyon-ju 19 MF SGP Raiyan Noor U21 21 MF SGP Ryu Hardy U23 22 MF SGP Nur Ikhsanuddin U21 23 DF SGP Nazrul Nazari 24 MF PHI Diego Aspiras 25 GK SGP Dylan Pereira Singh 30 MF USA Milan Landreman 32 FW SGP Sahil Suhaimi 37 MF USA Daniel Serrano
1GKSRBMiloš Čupić
2DFSGPDarren Teh
3DFKORCho Eun-su
4DFPRKKim Tae-uk
5MFJPNNaoki Yoshioka
6MFSGPAnumanthan Kumar
7MFJPNKaisei Ogawa
8MFSGPJoshua Pereira (captain)
9DFMNEDejan Račić
10FWJPNRyoya Taniguchi
11DFSGPHarith Kanadi
13GKSGPAniq Matin U21
15DFSGPSC Denilson U21
No.Pos.NationPlayer
17MFSGPPrince Rio Rifae'i U21
18FWPRKRyang Hyon-ju
19MFSGPRaiyan Noor U21
21MFSGPRyu Hardy U23
22MFSGPNur Ikhsanuddin U21
23DFSGPNazrul Nazari
24MFPHIDiego Aspiras
25GKSGPDylan Pereira Singh
30MFUSAMilan Landreman
32FWSGPSahil Suhaimi
37MFUSADaniel Serrano

Reserve League (SPL2) squad

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.NationPlayer
No. Pos. Nation Player 17 FW SGP Hairil Sufi 26 DF SGP Nizwan Izzairie U21 31 GK SGP Naufal Affandi U21 32 MF ENG Timothy Cheng FP U21 33 DF SGP Kyan Neo U21 34 FW NOR Abdusukur Abduryim FP U23 35 GK SGP Azakhir Azali U21No. Pos. Nation Player 36 MF SGP Shaquille Danish U21 40 MF SGP Sachin Dev Balamurali U21 42 FW SGP Adam Irfan U21 44 DF SGP Irfan Rifqi U21 48 DF JPN Sho Gamoh FP U21 50 MF SGP Raoul Hadid U21
17FWSGPHairil Sufi
26DFSGPNizwan Izzairie U21
31GKSGPNaufal Affandi U21
32MFENGTimothy Cheng FP U21
33DFSGPKyan Neo U21
34FWNORAbdusukur Abduryim FP U23
35GKSGPAzakhir Azali U21
No.Pos.NationPlayer
36MFSGPShaquille Danish U21
40MFSGPSachin Dev Balamurali U21
42FWSGPAdam Irfan U21
44DFSGPIrfan Rifqi U21
48DFJPNSho Gamoh FP U21
50MFSGPRaoul Hadid U21

Players on loan

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.NationPlayer
No. Pos. Nation Player 53 MF SGP Muthukumaran Navaretthinam (National Service till 2025) 68 DF SGP Ilhan Noor (National Service till 2025, to Young Lions) 54 DF SGP Kieran Teo (National Service till 2025, to Young Lions) 55 DF SGP Syafi Suhaimi (National Service till 2027) 57 DF SGP Hud Ismail (National Service till 2027) 25 DF SGP Ahmad Munthaha Sriwaluya (National Service till 2028)
53MFSGPMuthukumaran Navaretthinam (National Service till 2025)
68DFSGPIlhan Noor (National Service till 2025, to Young Lions)
54DFSGPKieran Teo (National Service till 2025, to Young Lions)
55DFSGPSyafi Suhaimi (National Service till 2027)
57DFSGPHud Ismail (National Service till 2027)
25DFSGPAhmad Munthaha Sriwaluya (National Service till 2028)

Management and staff

In February 2020, Thomas Gay, co-founder and deputy chairman of Goodrich Global Pte Ltd, and the club's vice-chairman for the last two years, took over from Ben Teng as the chairman of Geylang International. Ben Teng remained as the Eagles' club adviser and continues to oversee their strategic direction, specifically in the building of alliances with overseas clubs.

Thomas Gay was appointed chairman of Geylang International in February 2020, succeeding Ben Teng. Prior to his appointment, Gay had served as the club's vice-chairman for two years. He was also the co-founder and deputy chairman of Goodrich Global, and brought his business experience into the club's management. During his tenure, Geylang continued to develop its commercial and sporting partnerships, including its relationship with Epson and a partnership with fitness and wellness group True Group. The club also maintained a focus on youth and player development, while competing consistently in the Singapore Premier League. Geylang finished fourth in the 2020 season, sixth in 2021, fifth in 2022 and fifth in 2023, before finishing third in the 2024–25 season. Gay remained chairman through the club's 50th anniversary celebrations in November 2024 and the 2025–26 season, before being succeeded by Desmond Gay in 2026.

Desmond Gay succeeded Thomas Gay as chairman of Geylang International in 2026, having previously served as the club's vice-chairman. He is the chairman of JGL Worldwide Group, a logistics and supply-chain company with operations across Southeast Asia. Under his chairmanship, Geylang underwent significant changes to its playing squad, football operations and management structure ahead of the 2026–27 Singapore Premier League season. The club appointed additional technical staff, including a dedicated strength and conditioning coach and a first-team analyst, while expanding its first-team squad. Gay stated that the club's plans would require significant investment and that his aim was to build Geylang as a long-term institution that could be a source of pride for both its supporters and Singapore. The new management set its sights on returning the club to continental competition, with head coach Noor Ali targeting a top-three league finish and qualification for Asian competition.

Management

PositionName
ChairmanDesmond Gay
Vice-ChairmanDavid Hia
Aaron Kok
Club AdvisorGoh Pei Ming
Club PatronBen Teng
Thomas Gay
Honorary SecretaryDerick Ting
Honorary TreasurerTan Kian Tiong
General ManagerDavid Hia

Technical staff

PositionName
Head CoachSingapore Mohd Noor Ali
Assistant CoachSingapore Hasrin Jailani
Goalkeeper CoachSingapore Yusri Aziz
Sports TrainerSingapore Haizal Sufri
SPL2 head coachSingapore Andi Agus
Set Piece AnalystSingapore Rudie Imran Masih
Fitness & Conditioning CoachMalaysia Mohd Khairulanwar Isa

Honours

TypeCompetitionTitlesSeasons
LeagueSingapore Premier League21996, 2001
FAS Premier League61988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
National Football League Division One31975, 1976, 1977
FAS Division Three11974
CupSingapore Cup12009
Singapore FA Cup21996, 2007
Singapore League Cup 'Plate Winners'12016
President's Cup61974, 1976, 1978, 1990, 1991, 1995
OthersPrime League31998, 2006, 2011

Bold is for those competition that are currently active.

Award winners

Domestic

Records and statistics

As of 13 September 2026.

Top 10 all-time appearances

RankPlayerYearsClub appearances
1Japan Yuki Ichikawa2014–2021205
2Singapore Shah Hirul2008–2015161
5Singapore Amy Recha2011–2013, 2016–2017, 2019–2021, 2026145
3Singapore Syed Thaha2004-2005 2007–2011 2015142
4Singapore Yazid Yasin2009–2012, 2015–2016139
6Singapore Syed Fadhil1997–2002 2004–2007 2010–2012121
7Singapore Hafiz Rahim2003–2004 2006–2011112
8Singapore Shawal Anuar2014–2019111
9Singapore Joshua Pereira2020–present104
10France Vincent Bezecourt2021–2026102

Top 10 all-time scorers

RankPlayerClub appearancesTotal goals
1Slovakia Jozef Kapláň9554
2Japan Tomoyuki Doi3550
3Singapore Shawal Anuar11132
4France Vincent Bezecourt10231
5Singapore Amy Recha14530
6Japan Ryoya Taniguchi5824
7Singapore Masrezwan Masturi8022
8Croatia Šime Žužul2919
9Japan Bruno Suzuki3218
10South Korea Kim Jae-hong6617
  • Biggest wins: 0–9 vs Sengkang Marine (On 18 July 2002)
  • Heaviest defeats: 0–8 vs Lion City Sailors (On 11 April 2021)
  • Youngest goal scorers: Zikos Chua ~ 16 years 11 months 30 days old (On 14 April 2019 vs Young Lions)
  • Oldest goal scorers: Daniel Bennett ~ 38 years 9 months 18 days old (25 October 2016 vs Home United)
  • Youngest ever debutant: Zikos Chua ~ 16 years 2 months 19 days old (On 4 July 2018 vs Young Lions)
  • Oldest ever player: Daniel Bennett ~ 38 years 09 months 18 days old (On 25 October 2016 vs Home United)

Notable players/managers

Players

Coach

International capped players

AFC/OFC. Australia Danny Kim Australia Warren Spink India Abneet Bharti Iran Hamid Estili Iran Mohammad Khakpour Iran Mohsen Garousi South Korea Jang Jo-yoon South Korea Jang Jung Philippines Mark Hartmann New Zealand Chris Riley New Zealand Gareth Rowe New Zealand Gavin Wilkinson New Zealand Jason Batty New Zealand Matthew Palmer North Korea Ryang Hyon-ju Thailand Pitipong Kuldilok Thailand Rangsan Viwatchaichok Thailand Surachai Jirasirichote Timor-Leste Adriano QuintãoCAF. Cape Verde Gilson Varela Ghana Kim Grant Guinea Ballamodou CondeUEFA. England Rhema Obed Germany Lutz Pfannenstiel Republic of Ireland Wayne O'Sullivan Montenegro Dejan Račić Netherlands Barry MaguireCONMEBOL/ CONCACAF. – NIL –

Club captains

YearCaptain
Year Captain 1974Singapore Gulam Mohammad 1975Singapore TBC 1976Singapore TBC 1977Singapore TBC 1978Singapore TBC 1979Singapore TBC 1980Singapore TBC 1981Singapore TBC 1982Singapore TBC 1983Singapore TBC 1984Singapore TBC 1985Singapore TBC 1986Singapore TBC 1987Singapore TBC 1988–1995Singapore Razali SaadYear Captain 1996Singapore Fandi Ahmad 1997Singapore TBC 1998Singapore TBC 1999Singapore TBC 2000Singapore TBC 2001Singapore TBC 2002Singapore TBC 2003Singapore TBC 2004Singapore TBC 2005Singapore TBCYear Captain 2006Singapore TBC 2007Singapore TBC 2008Singapore TBC 2009Singapore TBC 2010Singapore TBC 2011Singapore TBC 2012Singapore Yazid Yasin 2013Slovakia Jozef Kaplan 2014Singapore Ridhuan Muhammad 2015Slovakia Jozef Kaplan 2016–2017Singapore Isa Halim 2018Singapore Anders Aplin 2019Singapore Darren Teh 2020–2021Japan Yuki Ichikawa 2022Singapore Zaiful Nizam 2023–present Singapore Joshua Pereira
1974Singapore Gulam Mohammad
1975Singapore TBC
1976Singapore TBC
1977Singapore TBC
1978Singapore TBC
1979Singapore TBC
1980Singapore TBC
1981Singapore TBC
1982Singapore TBC
1983Singapore TBC
1984Singapore TBC
1985Singapore TBC
1986Singapore TBC
1987Singapore TBC
1988–1995Singapore Razali Saad
YearCaptain
1996Singapore Fandi Ahmad
1997Singapore TBC
1998Singapore TBC
1999Singapore TBC
2000Singapore TBC
2001Singapore TBC
2002Singapore TBC
2003Singapore TBC
2004Singapore TBC
2005Singapore TBC
YearCaptain
2006Singapore TBC
2007Singapore TBC
2008Singapore TBC
2009Singapore TBC
2010Singapore TBC
2011Singapore TBC
2012Singapore Yazid Yasin
2013Slovakia Jozef Kaplan
2014Singapore Ridhuan Muhammad
2015Slovakia Jozef Kaplan
2016–2017Singapore Isa Halim
2018Singapore Anders Aplin
2019Singapore Darren Teh
2020–2021Japan Yuki Ichikawa
2022Singapore Zaiful Nizam
2023–presentSingapore Joshua Pereira

Managerial history

Performance by coach

The following table provides a summary of the coach appointed by the club.

ManagerSeasonAchievements
Singapore Andrew Yap1973 – 1974
Malaysia Haji Ahmad Bakri Fahrin1974 – 1976– 1974, 1976 President's Cup – 1974 FAS Division Three – 1975, 1976 National Football League Division One
Singapore Dennis Bent1977 – 1978– 1977 National Football League Division One
Singapore Cheng Meng Sak1979– 1978 President's Cup
Australia Zayid Ramsay1980 – 1988– 1988 FAS Premier League
Singapore Ibrahim Awang1989– 1989 FAS Premier League
Singapore Sulaiman Karim1989 – 1991– 1989, 1990, 1991 FAS Premier League – 1991 President's Cup
Singapore Subhash Singh1991 – 1994– 1992, 1993 FAS Premier League
Singapore Vincent Subramaniam1994 – 1995– 1995 President's Cup
S.League
Iran Jalal Talebi1 January 1996 – 12 March 1997– 1996 S.League – 1996 Singapore FA Cup
Singapore Robert Lim13 March 1997 – 14 October 1997
New Zealand Douglas Moore15 October 1997 – 31 December 1998
New Zealand Alan Vest1 January 1999 – 26 July 2000
Singapore Seak Poh Leong17 July 2000 – 31 December 2000
South Korea Jang Jung1 January 2001 – 31 December 2001– 2001 S.League
Singapore Seak Poh Leong (2)1 January 2002 – 26 August 2002
South Korea Jang Jung (2)27 August 2002 – 30 November 2002
Australia Scott O'Donell1 January 2003 – 31 May 2005)
Singapore Seak Poh Leong (3)1 June 2005 – 31 December 2005
Thailand Attaphol Buspakom1 January 2006 – 8 August 2006
Singapore Lim Tong Hai9 August 2006 – 4 October 2007
Slovakia Joseph Herel1 January 2008 – 22 October 2008
Singapore Lim Tong Hai (2)23 October 2008 – 31 October 2008
Singapore Mike Wong1 January 2009 – 16 March 2012
Singapore Kanan Vedhamuthu17 March 2012 – 19 March 2014
Germany Jörg Steinebrunner21 March 2014 – 31 December 2015
Singapore Hasrin Jailani1 January 2016 – 20 June 2017
Singapore Mohd Noor Ali20 June 2017 – 1 February 2018
Singapore Premier League
Japan Hirotaka Usui1 February 2018 – 29 September 2018
Singapore Mohd Noor Ali (2)21 December 2019 – present

Season by season record

SeasonLeaguePos.PWDLGSGAPtsSingapore CupLeague Cup
1996-1S.League1st14914271428
1996-25th14635201621
19975th16673231825
19983rd201154321838Group stage
19994th22985332135Quarter-finals
20003rd221327422941Third place
20011st332373842876Runners-up
20023rd331788803959Third place
20032nd33213–27753071Runners-up
20047th2710710434337Semi-finals
20058th277515385726Preliminary
200610th306519226223Round of 16
20076th3310914434439Round of 16Withdrew
20086th3313614565745Round of 16Round of 16
20096th3012414363940WinnersQuarter-finals
20105th33121110323047Round of 16Quarter-finals
20118th3313218436341Round of 16Quarter-finals
201211th245613285021Round of 16Runners-up
20139th278811313832Quarter-finalsQuarter-finals
20148th278811333432Quarter-finalsSemi-finals
20158th277713364428Quarter-finalsSemi-finals
20165th241077352937Quarter-finalsGroup stage
20174th2411310323736PreliminarySemi-finals
2018Singapore Premier League8th245514265720Quarter-finals
20195th2410311414833Third place
20204th14626182220
20216th216213335220
20224th281099484639Group stage
20235th2410311415233Group stage
2024–253rd321598976454Group stage
2025–265th217311294224Group stage
  • The 1996 season of the S.League was split into two series. Tiger Beer Series winners Geylang United defeated Pioneer Series winners Singapore Armed Forces in the Championship playoff to clinch the S.League title.
  • 2003 saw the introduction of penalty shoot-outs if a match ended in a draw in regular time. Winners of penalty shoot-outs gained two points instead of one.

Continental record

SeasonCompetitionRoundOpponentsHomeAwayAggregate
2002-03AFC Champions LeagueQualifying Zone 2 Round 4China Shanghai Shenhua3–02–15–1
2004AFC CupGroup EIndia East Bengal2–31–12nd out of 4
Maldives Island FC1–00–5
Malaysia Negeri Sembilan2–10–1
Quarter-finalsMalaysia Perak FA3–21–23–5
Semi-finalsSyria Al-Wahda0–11–12–1
2010AFC CupGroup HHong Kong Tai Po1–11–13rd out of 4
Vietnam SHB Đà Nẵng1–13–2
Thailand Thai Port0–12–2
2021AFC CupGroup IFootball Association of Malaysia TerengganuCancelled
Football Federation of Cambodia Visakha
East Timor Football Federation Lalenok United

Performance in AFC competitions

2002–03: Qualifying East– 3rd Round

1989: Qualifying Stage 1990: Qualifying Stage 1991: Qualifying Stage 1998: First Round

2004: Semi-finals 2010: Group stage

1990/91: First Round 1991/92: First Round

Media controversies

2016 Post-season issues

On 7 November 2016, The Straits Times reported that Geylang International will not pay two of their players' December salaries. Former Singapore national captain Indra Sahdan and Carlos Delgado were affected. It is believed that the club docked Indra's salary as it is displeased that he missed many training sessions while Delgado had some disagreement with the management over money. Club chairman, Ben Teng revealed that as many as 12 players signed two-year full-time contracts at the beginning of this season. The management committee made most of the decisions regarding the handing out of contracts last season, before Teng came on board to replace Leong Kok Fann. Teng added that he has spoken to all the players and will intend to honour their contracts. In addition, some players, who supplemented their income by driving for Uber, have been ordered to stop such off-field activity. Teng revealed his concern and decided to impose a ban on such activities. The players have signed declarations that they do not have other employment outside of football. As professional, players should be focused on raising our playing standards and should not be distracted by off-field activities.

2018 Foreign Players Recruitment

On 13 February 2018, Geylang International attempted to recruit foreign players online. The advertisement was swiftly removed once the public took notice of it. Despite this, Geylang International continued to boast a crop of talented foreign players. Japanese central defender and fan favourite Yuki Ichikawa played in his 7th season with Geylang International during the 2020 Singapore Premier League season. Yuki will be remembered for scoring the dramatic last minute winner against his former club Albirex Niigata in the first game of the Eagles' 2019 season. Barry Maguire also starred for The Eagles in the 2019 season, scoring a tremendous long range goal against the Young Lions, winning the 2019 Singapore Premier League Goal of the Year award.

External links