HK U23 Football Team

The Hong Kong U23 Football Team (Chinese: 香港U23足球隊) was a Hong Kong professional football team managed by the Hong Kong Football Association. Mainly formed by U23 local players, the team once competed in the Hong Kong Premier League. They were dissolved after the end of the 2023–24 season.

Not to be confused with Hong Kong national under-23 football team.
HK U23
Full nameHK U23 Football Team
Nickname(s)Young Dragon
Founded2 September 2021 (2 September 2021)
Dissolved26 May 2024 (26 May 2024)

History

Following the withdrawals of Pegasus and Happy Valley from the 2021–22 HKPL season, the Hong Kong Football Association announced in August 2021 that a new HKPL team mainly formed by U23 local players will be established.[1]

On 2 September 2021, the HKFA confirmed the establishment of HK U23. The team's operation will be maintained for at least three years and no foreign players are allowed to be registered in the team. Meanwhile, the number of overaged players is restricted to five for the team, with no more than three on the pitch during matches. The rest of the players must meet the registration status of U23 local players. [2][3][4]

Ahead of the 2022–23 season, the club announced that they would move across town from Tsing Yi Sports Ground to Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground.[5]

Starting from the 2023–24 season, the number of overaged players allowed to play on the pitch during matches is changed from three to five.

On 25 May 2024, the club announced that they would be dissolved after the end of the 2023–24 season.[6]

Season-to-season record
Season Tier Division Teams Position Home Stadium Attendance/G FA Cup Senior Shield Sapling Cup
2021–22 1 Premier League 8 Cancelled Tsing Yi Sports Ground 260 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022–23 1 Premier League 10 10 Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground 275 First Round Quarter-finals Group Stage
2023–24 1 Premier League 11 10 Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground 215 First Round First Round Group Stage

Note:

  1st or Champions   2nd or Runner-up   3rd place   Promotion   Relegation

Head coaches

See also

References
  1. 【港超聯】足總料組青年隊參戰　港會升班外援限制「特事特辦」19 August 2021 HK01 (in Chinese)
  2. 香港足球總會成立「香港U23」球隊啟動禮 2 September 2021 HKFA
  3. 足總組「香港U23」3季班費過千萬 霍啟山斥資贊助 借用港腳黃威 2 September 2021 Ming Pao
  4. "【香港U23】足總成立香港U23角逐港超聯 霍啟山出資過千萬 最少營運 3 年 2 September 2021 Stand News". Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2022. (in Chinese)
  5. "新季港超8.27開鑼 南區香港U23打頭陣 恢復雙循環明年5.7完季". Ming Pao. Retrieved 12 August 2022. (in Chinese)
  6. 港超聯｜三季任務已完 香港U23明日賽後散班 Sportsroad 25 May 2024
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