Alpha United FC

Alpha United FC is a Guyanese football club based in Providence. The club competes in the GFF Elite League, the top league of football in Guyana. They were league champions in the 2009–10, 2010, 2012, 2012–13, and 2013–14 seasons.

Alpha United FC
Nickname(s)The Hammer
GroundBourda Cricket Ground
Capacity22,000
PresidentOdinga Lumumba
Head CoachWayne Dover
LeagueGFF Elite League
2013–141st
WebsiteClub website

In 2011, Alpha United gained recognition as being the first Guyanese football club to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League, North America's premier continental club tournament. Alpha United earned berth into the Champions League by finishing in third place in the subcontinental tournament, the CFU Club Championship, which they earned a berth into through winning the National Super League.[1]

They finished third in the 2011 CFU-CC and qualified for the Preliminary Round of the 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League, becoming the first club from Guyana to play in the CONCACAF Champions League.[2] In the playoff for third place, Alpha United created history by beating Trinidad and Tobago's Defence Force on penalty kicks (4–3) after regulation and overtime failed to break the 1–1 deadlock.[3]

In their previous match, Alpha United met with the Puerto Rico Islanders in the 2011 CFU-CC semifinals, but after another regular time 1–1 draw, The Hammer succumbed to the 2010 Defending CFU-CC Champions 3–1 in the 30-minute overtime.[4]

In the Champions League, Alpha United traveled to Costa Rica to take on Herediano. In their first ever Champions League match, the side fell 8–0 managing only two shots on goal. The side fared better in the second leg, at one point taking a 2–0 lead before relinquishing the lead, and settling for a 2–2 draw and a subsequent elimination from the tournament, losing 2–10 on aggregates.

Alpha United also participated in the 2009 and 2010 CFU-CCs. In 2009, The Hammer lost to Haiti's Tempête FC in their 1st Round home and away tie. In 2010, they were eliminated by Trinidad and Tobago's San Juan Jabloteh in the 2nd Round Group Stage.

History

The origins of Alpha United FC are unknown,[5] as CONCACAF's records show their foundation date as "pending". According to Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation it appears that the club has been playing in Guyanese football competitions since the early to mid-2000s mounting their success in the later half of the 2000s. In 2009, Alpha United earned their first ever league title winning the Guyana National Football League and gaining subsequent entry into the CFU Club Championship.

Alpha United gained attention across the continent in 2011, when the club defeated the TT Pro League champions, Defence Force in the consolation match to earn a preliminary round berth in the CONCACAF Champions League, being the first ever Guyanese club in Champions League history to earn a berth.[6]

Colours and Badge

Alpha United's crest features a blue diamond with golden trim as the background. In front of the diamond is a hammer. Beneath the hammer, lies the club's motto, Unity With Strength. Above the hammer lies the club's name and their nickname, "The Hammer".

Stadium

It is not known what stadium is Alpha United's permanent home, although Providence Stadium near Georgetown is serving as the host venue for United in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Honors

Continental

League titles

Cups
  • Guyana Mayors Cup
    • Winners (2): 2007–08, 2013
  • GFF Super 8 Cup[7]
    • Winners (1): 2010
  • Kashif & Shanghai Cup[7][8]
    • Runners-up (1): 2009–10
  • NAMLICO Knock-out Tournament[7]
    • Winners (1): 2010

Performance in CONCACAF competitions

Alpha United's score listed first, as well as the home leg.

First Round v. Tempête – 1:1, 0:2
First Round v. Elite – w/o
First Round v. WBC – 1:1
First Round v. Defence Force – 3:1
Second Round v. San Juan Jabloteh – 0:2
Second Round v. River Plate PR – 1:1
Elimination stage 1 v. Bassa – w/o
Elimination stage 2 v. River Plate PR – 0:0, 3:2
Semifinals v. Puerto Rico Islanders – 1:3 (a.e.t)
Third Place Playoff v. Defence Force – 1:1 (4:3 pen.)
Preliminary Round v. Herediano – 2:2, 0:8
Group Stage v. Defence Force – 2:0
Group Stage v. Harbour View – 1:0
Semifinals v. Valencia – Cancelled
Group Stage v. Olimpia – 0:1, TBD
Group Stage v. Portland Timbers – 1:4, TBD

See also

References
General
  • Club honors cited to: "Guyana 2009/10". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
Footnotes
  1. 2011 CFU-CC: Alpha United & Guyana Defence Force to represent Guyana
  2. 2011 CFU-CC: Guyana's Alpha grabs next-to-last CCL spot Archived 2011-06-01 at the Wayback Machine
  3. 2011 CFU-CC: Historic Alpha United advance to CONCACAF Champions League playoff
  4. "2011 CFU-CC: Alpha United hammered by The Islanders". Archived from the original on 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
  5. "Team Profile: Alpha United". CONCACAF. Archived from the original on 2011-09-25. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  6. "Guyana's Alpha grabs next-to-last CCL spot". CONCACAF. Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  7. RSSSF
  8. "Alpha United Football Club 'Hammering' its way to the top of the football world". Kaieteur News. 13 March 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
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