Lion City Sailors Football Club, commonly referred to as the Sailors or LCS, is a Singaporean professional football club based in Bishan. It competes in the Singapore Premier League, the top tier of the Singapore football league system. Founded in 1945 as the Police Sports Association, the club renamed itself to Police FC in the inaugural 1996 S.League season, before rebranding once more as Home United in 1997. In 2020, it became first club in Singapore to be privatised under its current name.
It was the first privatised football club in the country. Owned by Forrest Li's Sea Limited, which is also a major local tech conglomerate, the club in its own vision aims to elevate the standards of football in Singapore and establish itself as an international powerhouse. The club has signed several high-profile local and foreign players, breaking the league's transfer record numerous times in the process, together with owning its own training facility at MacPherson, and focusing on youth development. The club have won 5 league titles, a record 9 Singapore Cups and 4 Community Shields in their history.
Contents
History
The Police Sports Association was founded in 1945 to organize football activities for the Singapore Police Force. It sent two teams to compete in the Singapore Amateur Football Association League in the 1950s and 1960s, but neither team won any trophies. Under coach Choo Seng Quee, the club won the inaugural President's Cup in 1968, then reached and lost the next two finals.
In 1985, Police SA won the National Football League.
Home United (1997–2019)
When the S.League was formed in 1996, the club was known as the Police Football Club. The following year, its name was changed to Home United to reflect the fact that the team represented not only the Singapore Police Force, but also other HomeTeam departments of the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs such as the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. Home United nickname was the "Protectors" and its mascot, a dragon.
In 1999, Dutch head coach Robert Alberts guided the club to secured their first ever piece of silverware guiding them to win the 1999 S.League title. Alberts also won the Singapore Cup back-to-back winning the 2000 and 2001 edition.
In 2003, English head coach Steve Darby guided Home United in becoming the first club to achieve the S.League and Singapore Cup double where he also steer the club to won the 2005 edition of the Singapore Cup. Under Korean manager tutelage, Lee Lim-saeng who is also the longest tenure as head coach in the club history, guided Home United to win both the 2011 Singapore Cup and the 2013 Singapore Cup in his four years at the club. In 2010, Home United hosted EFL Championship club Burnley as part of their pre-season trip to Singapore.
The club had qualified to the AFC Cup for the tenth time with their best result in the 2004 AFC Cup where they reached the semi-final losing to Syrian club, Al-Jaish 6–1 on aggregate. In the 2018 AFC Cup group stage, Home United was drawn with Philippines side Ceres–Negros, Cambodia side Boeung Ket Angkor and Myanmar side Shan United with a tally of four wins, one draw and one loss seeing the Protectors qualifying to the AFC Cup knockout stage as group winners. Home United would go on to face Indonesian club, Persija Jakarta winning the two legged tie in a 6–3 aggregate where they would advanced to the zonal finals facing Ceres–Negros and eventually won 3–1 on aggregate against the Philippines side. Home United then qualified to the inter-zone play-off semi-finals of the AFC Cup facing North Korea side, April 25 where during the second leg of the tie, Home United suffered their worst ever defeat in the club history losing 9–1 at the Kim Il Sung Stadium.
Lion City Sailors (2020–present)
On 14 February 2020, the club was privatised for the first time in its history. The club was officially renamed as Lion City Sailors and its signature red colour was replaced with white and blue. The new name, Sailors, was a homage to the country's maritime heritage. Lion City Sailors were led by Aurelio Vidmar, the former Socceroos captain, from 2020. He joined after a hugely successful stint with Adelaide United, reaching the 2008 AFC Champions League final. Vidmar made a couple of stud signings including Singaporean stars Hassan Sunny, Gabriel Quak and Shahdan Sulaiman, Japanese defender Kaishu Yamazaki, as well a prolific Australian striker, Andy Pengelly.
On 21 January 2021, the club created history by smashing the Singapore Premier League transfer record with the signing of midfielder Diego Lopes from Portuguese top-flight side Rio Ave for €1.8 million on a three-year deal.
With the motivation to rejuvenate the glory days, On 18 May 2021 Kim Do-hoon who led Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai to victory in 2020 AFC Champions League joined the Sailors on a two-and-a-half-year deal. During his first season, Kim led the Sailors to win the 2021 Singapore Premier League and the 2022 Singapore Community Shield. They also went on to qualify for their first ever AFC Champions League tournament. On 18 April 2022, the Sailors defeated the K League 1 club Daegu FC 3–0 in the 2022 AFC Champions League, their first AFC Champions League win since rebranding. They bounced back from an opening 4–1 defeat by the J1 League club Urawa Red Diamonds, before picking up four points in a goalless draw and 3–2 win over the Chinese Super League's Shandong Taishan. Sailors maiden AFC Champions League campaign ended with narrow 2–1 to Daegu in the final group stage fixture. Their tally of seven points is the best showing by a Singaporean side at the AFC Champions League.
In the 2022 Singapore Premier League match against Tampines Rovers on 24 July 2022, as the Sailors was contesting in a draw nearing to the end of the match, around the 87th minute of the match, with the score levelled at 1–1, things became heated as Tampines forward Boris Kopitović confronted Sailors defender Nur Adam Abdullah near the sideline. Other players, as well as coaches and staff from both sides got involved in the tussle. Kim Do-hoon appeared to get involved in a heated argument with Tampines assistant Fahrudin Mustafić. Pedro Henrique went on to score a header in the injury time to secure the three points for the Sailors. The Football Association of Singapore handed a three-match ban with immediate effect, with Kim being fined $2,000 and Fahrudin $3,000, for their violent conduct. In addition, both Sailors and Tampines were fined $5,000. Less than 24 hours after Kim was handed a three-match suspension and fine for violent conduct, Lion City Sailors made the shocking announcement of a "mutual agreement" to part ways with the Korean coach.
Team image
Supporters
The Crew is the official supporters' group of Lion City Sailors, established following the club's privatisation and rebranding in 2020. The group was formed to bring together the club's supporters and provide organised support for the team during domestic and continental competitions.
The group's support is particularly visible during matchdays, with members organising chants, songs, banners and drums to create an atmosphere inside the stadium. The Crew also travels to away matches to support the Sailors and has mobilised supporters for major fixtures. The Crew has also been involved in activities beyond match attendance, including fan-made banners, player songs and other forms of supporter-created content. The group has grown significantly since its establishment, with the club reporting strong support from its membership and continuing to develop its fan engagement programmes.
Stadium
Bishan Stadium serves as the main home ground of Lion City Sailors with a seating capacity of 10,000. It was the home base for the club (initially known as Home United) from its inception all the way to 2020. Following the conclusion of the 2020 Singapore Premier League season, the Bishan Stadium underwent returfing, causing the club to seek a temporary move to Jalan Besar Stadium. Lion City Sailors headed back to Bishan Stadium for the 2023 Singapore Premier League season, fitted with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. However, the Sailors host their 2023–24 AFC Champions League home matches at the Jalan Besar Stadium, as it matched the specific requirements of the tournament.
As Lion City Sailors become the flag bearer of Singaporean football to progress all the way until the 2025 AFC Champions League Two final, the club was given the honour to host the final of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) tournament in which the Singapore National Stadium was unavailable. Sharjah voiced their disapproval to play at Jalan Besar Stadium. AFC granted a provisional approval for Lion City Sailors to host the final at Bishan Stadium. They teamed up with Sport Singapore, FAS and key industry partners to get the stadium match-ready.
Academy development
In February 2013, the club opened and operated a football academy named 'Home United Youth Football Academy' which comprises ten futsal courts, two full-size football pitches, an events plaza, staff offices, meeting rooms and a Sports Performance Centre.
Mattar Training Centre
In June 2020, the launch of the new Lion City Sailors Football Academy was announced, along with further plans on youth development and its investments. It was given a One-Star rating by the Asian Football Confederation.
On 24 April 2021, Lion City Sailors announced the construction of a new training facility along Mattar Road that will be the home to the Sailors and as well as the club academy's scholars and trainees. The facility will, when completed, become Singapore's first fully integrated football training centre.
On 29 July 2022, Lion City Sailors officially opened its new S$10 million training centre boasting the finest facilities in the football ecosystem in Singapore. Spanning 28,000 square meters, the training centre features five football pitches, one hybrid 11-a-side pitch, one artificial turf 11-a-side pitch, and three 7-a-side pitches which caters to the needs of grassroots, youth and senior team players. Besides the football pitches, the centre will also feature a fully equipped gym, physiotherapy rooms, a video analytics room, team locker rooms, a recreation room, as well as study rooms for academy trainees.
On 4 June 2024, the academy was elevated to a Two-Star academy status by the AFC where they were particularly impressed by the high level of professionalism among the managerial staff, coupled with the concerted efforts towards aligning the youth academy’s goals with the first team's objectives. LFSFA are one of only four academies in Southeast Asia to be conferred a Two-Star academy status alongside Johor Darul Ta'zim Academy, NFDP Mokhtar Dahari Academy in Malaysia and Chonburi Academy in Thailand.
In 2024, Lion City Sailors notably had several of their academy players, such as Asis Ijilrali, Jonan Tan and Khairin Nadim signing contracts with Portuguese clubs like Estrela da Amadora and Vizela.
Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors
On 16 June 2025, Adidas has announced a three-year deal to become the official kit supplier for Lion City Sailors. The collaboration also included fan engagement initiatives and community programs.
Affiliated clubs
Feyenoord (2022–present)
In 2022, Lion City Sailors and 16-time Eredivisie champions, Feyenoord forged a 3-year partnership focused on youth development and education. The commitment will see a series of youth development programmes, coaching, educational and professional exchanges as well as football training camps in the Netherlands, with Sailors supporting Feyenoord's brand exposure in Singapore.
Công An Hà Nội (2025–present)
On 24 March 2025, Lion City Sailors and V. League 1 club Công An Hà Nội announced a collaboration to commemorate significant milestones in both Vietnam and Singapore in connection with the visit of Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Hanoi. The highlight of this partnership was for both teams to play a match in 2025, bringing together two of the region’s top clubs in a celebration of friendship. This further underscored the expanding ties between Singapore and Vietnam at all levels, honoring Singapore’s 60th year of independence and Vietnam’s 80th year of independence.
Former
Borussia Dortmund (2021–2023)
From 2021 until 2023, Lion City Sailors and eight-time Bundesliga champions, Borussia Dortmund had a partnership focused on youth development and knowledge sharing. The commitment saw a series of youth development programmes, coaching, educational and professional exchanges as well as football training camps in Germany. This partnership was intended to harness the growing commitment to build a strong infrastructure for Singapore's youth football development and overall support the growth in areas of sports science, sports medicine, analytics and talent scouting. Both clubs also played a friendly match at the Jalan Besar Stadium on 24 November 2022.
Players
First-team squad
As of 3 August 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out 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.
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.
Out 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.
Honours
Bold is for those competition that are currently active.
Award winners
Singapore Premier League
Player of the Year
Zsolt Bücs (1999)
Peres de Oliveira (2003)
Surachai Jaturapattarapong (2004)
Valery Hiek (2009)
Shahril Ishak (2010)
Lee Kwan-Woo (2013)
Gabriel Quak (2020)
Maxime Lestienne (2023)
Young Player of the Year
Sirina Camara (2013)
Hami Syahin (2019)
Saifullah Akbar (2020)
Nur Adam Abdullah (2021)
Coach of the Year
Robert Alberts (1999)
Lee Lim-Saeng (2013)
Aleksandar Ranković (2024–25)
Top Scorer
Stuart Young (1998)
Peres de Oliveira (2003)
Egmar Gonçalves (2004)
Frédéric Mendy (2012)
Stipe Plazibat (2020)
Maxime Lestienne (2023)
Goal of the Year
Recognition Awards
Special Award – Sporting Excellence in Singapore Football
Adam Swandi (2024–25)
Special Award – Outstanding Performance
Lion City Sailors (2024–25) – AFC Champions League Two Runners-up
Story of the Year
Kenneth Tan (2023, 2024–25)
Others
People's Choice Award
Indra Sahdan Daud (2003)
Kengne Ludovick (2008)
Records and statistics
As of 14 October 2026.
Lion City Sailors centurions
As of the 9 February 2026
Biggest win as Home United: 0–8 vs Geylang International (4 November 2001)
Biggest win as Lion City Sailors: 1–10 vs Young Lions (13 August 2022)
Heaviest defeats as Home United: 9–1 vs April 25 SC (28 August 2018)
Heaviest defeats as Lion City Sailors: 0–6 vs Urawa Red Diamonds (27 April 2022)
Youngest ever debutant: Nathan Mao ~ 15 years and 5 days old (On 31 March 2023 vs Tampines Rovers)
Oldest ever player: Hassan Sunny ~ 38 years 6 months 5 days old (On 7 October 2022 vs Albirex Niigata (S))
Youngest goal scorers: Irfan Fandi ~ 19 years 2 months 2 days old (On 15 October 2016 vs Balestier Khalsa)
Oldest goal scorers: Shahril Ishak ~ 36 years 10 months 12 days old (On 5 December 2020 vs Balestier Khalsa)
Notable players
Eligibility:
Players who had previously represented the club before returning during the privatised era
Noted for their contributions in terms of appearances and club honours.
Managerial history
Performance by coach
The following table provides a summary of the coach appointed by the club.
Statistics correct as of 9 February 2026
Performance in AFC competitions
AFC Champions League/AFC Champions League Elite
2022: Group stage
2023–24: Group stage
AFC Cup/AFC Champions League Two:
2004: Semi-final
2005: Quarter-final
2006: Group stage
2008: Quarter-final
2009: Quarter-final
2012: Round of 16
2014: Group stage
2017: Zonal finals
2018: Inter-zone play-off semi-finals
2019: Group stage
2021: Cancelled
2024–25: Runners-up
2025–26: Group stage
Performance in AFF competitions
ASEAN Club Championship
2024–25: Group stage
2025–26: Group stage