Étoile FC

Étoile Football Club was a professional football club based in Commonwealth, Singapore which was formed to play in Singapore's S.League in 2010 and is currently a local football academy focused on grassroots football development for the underprivileged. The club have won 1 league title, 1 Singapore League Cup and 1 Community Shield.

Not to be confused with ÉFC Fréjus Saint-Raphaël.

Étoile FC
Full nameÉtoile Football Club
Nickname(s)The Star
Founded2010
Dissolved2012
GroundQueenstown Stadium
Queenstown, Singapore
Capacity3,800
ChairmanHicham Moudden
DirectorLudovic Casset
LeagueS.League
2011S.League, 5th of 12

Étoile FC was the first team of players all born in Europe to play football in Singapore's professional league, and the first in Asia. The team was mostly made up of players of French origin. After pulling out of the S-League in 2012, Étoile FC was converted to a football academy based in Commonwealth, aiming to provide quality football coaching and development for individuals from all walks of life.[1]

History

Étoile FC became the eighth team defined by foreign team composition to compete in the S.League after Sinchi FC (2003), Albirex Niigata (2004), Sporting Afrique (2006), Liaoning Guangyuan and Super Reds (both 2007), Dalian Shide Siwu FC (2008) and DPMM FC (2009). Étoile FC's debut season was one for the team to remember as they were not only crowned champions of the Singapore League Cup, but also the Champions of S.League and 3rd place in the Singapore Cup.

Étoile FC became the first foreign team to win the S-League following a 4–2 win over Albirex Niigata Singapore at the Jurong East Stadium. On that fateful night, Kazuki Kobayashi had scored twice to give the Japanese satellite team a 2–1 lead at half time. However, goals by Frédéric Mendy (2 goals) and Matthias Verschave sealed the title win for Étoile FC. Frédéric Mendy went on to become the 2010 S.League top scorer with 21 goals.

Étoile FC was the 'brainchild' of ex-Gombak United midfielder Johan Gouttefangeas. He was the chairman of Étoile FC since its formation in 2010. However, in June 2011, Johan relinquished his position as Chairman and Hicham Moudden took over.[2]

Grassroots football

Étoile FC pulled out of the S-League for the 2012 season to focus on grassroots football and youth development with the creation of Étoile FC Academy.[3]

Étoile FC Academy bases itself on three core principles: Grassroots football is football for all, play is the best means of learning – above all, youngsters should have fun and children are not just miniature adults.[4]

They were sponsored by Lufthansa Technik in 2017.[5]

Players

First-team squad

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK France FRA Antonin Trilles
2 DF France FRA Andrea Damiani
4 DF France FRA Anthony Aymard
5 DF Central African Republic CAF Franklin Anzite
7 FW France FRA Kevin Lefranc
8 MF France FRA Theo Raymond
9 FW France FRA Jonathan Toto
10 FW Guinea GUI Mohamed Doumbouya
10 MF France FRA Stan Fougeroud
11 MF France FRA Maxime Belouet
12 DF France FRA Sirina Camara
14 FW Mauritius MRI Jonathan Justin
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF France FRA Julien Durand
16 MF France FRA Wilson Grosset
17 MF France FRA Kamel Chaaouane
18 MF France FRA Jean-Charles Blanpin
19 FW France FRA Anthony Moulin
20 MF Central African Republic CAF Serge Souchon-Koguia
21 MF Morocco MAR Hicham Bouchemlal
22 DF France FRA Nordine Talhi
23 DF France FRA Selim Kaabi
24 GK French Guiana GUF Hadama Bathily
25 DF Cameroon CMR Pierre Nlate

Club Ambassador

Étoile FC had, on 22 March 2011, appointed Olympique Lyonnais legend, Sidney Govou as the club's ambassador. In the process, Étoile FC becomes the first S.League club to have an ambassador appointed to represent the club. Sidney and his brother, Jules, arrived in Singapore on 8 June 2011 and conducted a football clinic for children.

Honours

League

Cup

Seasons
Season Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Singapore Cup League Cup Top goalscorer Managers
2010 1st 332175542370 Third Place Winners France Frédéric Mendy 21 France Patrick Vallée
2011 5th 332148653662 Third Place Quarter-finals France Jonathan Toto 10 Italy Guglielmo Arena

References
  1. "EFC Academy – Are you ready to offer your kid an exciting sport experience?". Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  2. "FAS President acknowledges Gouttefangeas' contribution to S.League". Official S-League Website.
  3. "S.League announces participating teams for 2012". Official S-League Website. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  4. "Grassroots Football – EFC Academy". Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  5. "Etoile Football Club Academy - New era, new partnership: Etoile F.C. Academy is proud to announce the new sponsorship with LUFTHANSA TECHNIK Official Asia Lufthansa Technik management at the U14 League match Etoile FCA - ESPZEN Black (4-1) | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
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