Daejeon Citizen FC - last updated on 10 May 2008
(Courtesy of Johnny Beaufays)
Club name: Daejeon Citizen Football Club (대전 시티즌 프로 축구단
)
Foundation: 1997
City: Daejeon (대전 광역시
)
Colours: Red and white
Website: www.fcdaejeon.com
Honours:
FA Cup - 1 (2001)
A bit of history:
After the beginning of K-League, until 1997, there were a few league matches held in Daejeon, but citizens of Daejeon couldn't have such solidarity to that matches because there was no team in local community, so they couldn't have such feeling that "That team is my own". They had to just enjoy the games as it were. However, in 1996 a plan to establish 'Daejeon Citizen' - their own local community club - unveiled, and then finally they could get their 'own' team. With a lot of expectations, Daejeon took their first step to K-League in 1997, having opening match against Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i. Manager Kim Ki-Bok, now vice-president of N-League ("National League", the second division), became the first manager of Daejeon. Daejeon was filled with confidence as a freshman of league, but result was not fairly good.
To Korean people, the year 1998 could be memorised as "hard year". IMF Crisis crashed the whole Korean economic, a lot of companies went into bankrupt, and a lot of people fired. There was no exceptions to Daejeon Citizen. The main board of Daejeon consisted of 4 groups - Kyeryong Construction Industrial, Dong-A Construction, DongYang Department Store, Chung-cheong Bank. But the storm of IMF made three group went into bankrupt and Kyeryong only surived and contiuned financial support to this club. But it didn't suffice to manage and participate in league game, so Daejeon had to suffer many difficulties.
From the season 2001, Lee Tae-Ho took the lead of the team, and took Daejeon's first champion title as led Citizen to the top position in 2001 FA Cup. Daejeon also got ticket to the 2002-03 AFC Champions League. However, season 2002 was too cold for Daejeon and their fans to bear. We can remember the World Cup 2002 Korea/Japan, made whole Korean Peninsula be filled with 'Red' colour and chanting "Dae-Han-Min-Guk". Daejeon was one of host city for that grand world-event. After that events, Daejeon changed their home stadium (Daejeon Hanbat Stadium) to Daejeon World Cup Stadium, and got the chance to get more attendance. But Citizen pluenged to the bottom position and got only one win of 27 games. Boss Lee Tae-Ho resigned taking responsibility for poor result. Also, financial supporter - Kyeryong - Decleared that they would pull them out of citizen's main board. Winter was too chilly. But Daejeon fans stood for Daejeon Citizen, then Daejeon City Hall decided to give financial support to Citizen. Daejeon took chances to revive.
Daejeon fans can't forget the memories of season 2003 easily. That means, for Daejeon fans, the year 2003 was too fantastic and happy. Current Boss Choi Yun-Gyeom succeeded ex-boss Lee, showed miraclous ability to attandance of Purple Arena (Nickname for Daejeon World Cup Stadium). Daejeon took 6th position in the K-League, which is the best position after its first step, also gathered average 19,092 attandance (the best record in 2003) although they didn't have 'big star'. Citizen became 'the pride of Daejeon citizen', proving the possibility of the "community-club".
Citizen achieved what appeared to be a highly unlikely qualification for the end of season championship playoffs with a 1-0 win over Suwon. This was Daejeon's 5th consecutive victory and ultimately enabled them to qualify for the first time in their history. When Kim Ho took over mid-season, Citizen were langushing in 11th position, but under the guidance of their legendary coach, they will be looking to go all the way, starting with an away match against Ulsan on Sunday 21st October.
Club crests: (roll on the crest to get more informations)
Daejeon Citizen FC
