Geylang International (Singapore)

Geylang International FC is a professional football club in Singapore who were formed as International Contract Specialists (ICS) FC in 1974. Within a year ICS had entered the National League at Division Three level starting out playing at Geylang Field 

In their debut season the Division Three title and Presidents Cup was won leading to support growing for the team, meaning that they had to move games to Jelan Besar or Kallang Stadium as donations came in from well-wishers.

In 1975 as Geylang International FC the club were placed in the top tier of the National League, winning the ‘double’ in 1976. Geylang retained the league title the following year with another Presidents Cup coming in a year afterwards.

‘The Eagles’ suffered relegation in 1981 but returned to the topflight after two seasons. Sponsorship started to come arrive for the club in 1984, but despite that they went down once more. This time International bounced straight back. The original Premier League was formed in 1988, with Geylang dominating proceedings with six consecutive title wins.

In 1996 the club entered the new S. League as Geylang United FC, going on to win the league and Presidents Cup double at the first attempt with Jalal Talebi in charge of the team. Third place was achieved in 1998, which was repeated in 2000 at a time the club signed a few New Zealand players in their overseas quota.

In 2001 the side led by Jang Jung won S League title number two with Aleksandar Đurić putting away the goals alongside Brian Bothwell. This was backed up by a third spot the following campaign. A runners-up spot in 2003 led to qualification to the 2004 AFC Cup under Kiwi coach Scott O'Donell.

This saw Geylang go on a great run all the way to the semi-finals where they were defeated on aggregate by Syrian club Al-Wahda. The team slipped into the doldrums for a time despite the efforts of forward John Wilkinson.

In 2009 The Eagles won their first ever Singapore Cup 1-0 against guest side Bangkok Glass thanks to a goal from Hafiz Rahim at a time that Mike Wong was head coach. Peter Tomko top scored in a mid-table finish in 2010. In May 2012, two former players were sent to jail after being found guilty of attempted match fixing. 2013 saw the club return to their Geylang International title and revive their old logo.

A change of emphasis to halt a slide on the pitch led to the recruitment of more foreign players, but it did not work as head coaches came and went as a result. Geylang ended the 2014 season in eighth position under German Head Coach Jorg Peter Steinebrunner.

Hasrin Jailani was appointed as head coach in December 2015, lasting eighteen months in the post before being replaced by Mohd Noor Ali as the team ended the 2017 campaign in an improved fourth position.

Hirotaka Usui was given the head coach role in 2018 at the start of the new Singapore Premier League. The appointment backfired as Noor Ali returned within a few months to steady the ship as Fareez Farhan and Shawal Anuar put away the goals. The club moved to share Our Tampines Hub with Tampines Rovers from the start of the 2019 season.

Fourth place in 2020 should have led to AFC cup football but the competition was cancelled owing to Covid-19. Six and fourth place finishes ensued prior to the 2023 season seeing Geylang end in fifth place as Yushi Yamaya put away the goals.

Geylang International FC will play in the Singapore Premier League in the 2024 season.

My visit

Bedok Stadium

Wednesday 29^th October 2014

The afternoon was getting on as I alighted from Singapore’s SMRT train system at Bedok station. I’d had a fantastic if extremely tiring day in the heat and humidity visiting those accessible S. League venues where I wouldn’t be watching a game throughout my four day stay.

Fortunately the bus stop outside the station had several services stopping outside Bedok Stadium and Sports Complex, to save further punishment on my blistered feet.

Like all other arenas throughout the day, the gates were open to allow easy access for photography. Several locals were asleep in the shade provided by the roof on the long low Main Stand.

There was a long way from the front row to the running track around the pitch, meaning quite a distance to watch football. The far side had open seating as did the curves in temporary form behind the goals.

I walked all the way along behind the stand, with the clubhouse being at the far end. Opposite the arena was the fine Sports Complex housing a swimming complex, sports hall and fitness centre.

As I was struggling, it was a relief when I found a bus to drop me by Aljunied SMRT station so I could have some noodles and chicken with much needed water. Even better was the discovery that another bus would stop close to my hotel, so I could have a siesta and shower before heading out for the evening. It had been a really tiring day out, but really well worth it.

Unfortunately I most of my photos owing to an IT issue, but an official from the Geylang club kindly forwarded me some images.