Loyola F.C.

Loyola
Full nameLoyola Football Club
Nickname(s)The Greywolves
Short nameLFC
Founded2006; 18 years ago (2006)
GroundTBD
CapacityTBD
OwnerRandy Roxas
Head coachRoxy Dorlas
LeaguePhilippines Football League
2024TBD

Loyola Football Club is a Filipino professional football club based in Metro Manila. They play in the Philippines Football League (PFL), the highest tier of football in the Philippines. The club has won one UFL Cup and one PFF National Men's Club Championship.

Founded as Loyola Agila Football Club in 2006, the club changed its name to Loyola Meralco Sparks in 2011 after it was acquired by Meralco and the MVP Sports Foundation, both owned by multimillionaire Manny V. Pangilinan. The club was a founding member of the United Football League (UFL)—the de facto top-level league of Philippine football back then. They played in the UFL throughout its existence from 2010 to 2016. In 2017, the club changed its name to FC Meralco Manila, upon joining the Philippines Football League (PFL), the official top flight of Philippine football. Rizal Memorial Stadium then became the club's home ground. In the 2017 PFL, the club finished at the top of the league table but ended up in third place after the playoffs. In January 2018, the club ceased its participation in the PFL due to the lack of investors. The club was then renamed Loyola Football Club, though only their youth teams and academy remained operational. The club announced its return for 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara.

History

Loyola Agila FC (2006–2011)

The club was founded in 2006 as Loyola Agila Football Club by former student footballers of Ateneo de Manila University.[1] The team is named after St. Ignatius of Loyola, the university's patron saint, while Agila is Tagalog for "eagle" (the university's sports teams are called the Ateneo Blue Eagles).[2][3]

2008 season

Since its foundation, Loyola Agila has been actively participating in local semi-professional club tournaments; the most notable is the Lotto Titans Football Cup.[4]

2009 season

The tournament was later changed to the Republic Cup, expanding the tournament to seven clubs from the previous five.[5] In their opening matches, Loyola Agila defeated Titans FC 2–0, while their match against Superfriends FC ended in a 0–0 draw.[6] Loyola Agila ended the tournament with a 3–2–2 record, finishing 4th overall.[7]

2010 season

Loyola was one of the teams that joined the first season of the UFL which they finished in fourth place.[8] The team was then sponsored by ATR Kim-Eng by the 2011 season, which they finished 5th place under their team captain Patrick Ozaeta.[9]

Loyola finished as runners-up in the 2010 Rexona-Republic Cup after losing 4–1 to Caliraya FC in the final.[10]

Loyola Meralco Sparks FC (2011–2016)

Straight from the 2011 National Club Championships, the brothers Phil and James Younghusband led the new signed players of the Sparks in early September 2011, along with brothers Darren, Matthew and Mark Hartmann. The team was eventually taken over by Meralco and the MVP Sports Foundation which is owned by Manuel V. Pangilinan.[11]

The Loyola Sparks had a successful campaign in the 2011 UFL Cup, but eventually lost to the Philippine Air Force 2–0 in the finals.[12]

2012 season

The Sparks started their 2012 United Football League campaign on a high note, topping all clubs at the end of the first round of competition. However, the club ended its league run in third place after a 1-all draw against eventual league champions Global FC.[13]

After securing first place in the first round, the club was invited to play in the 2012 Singapore Cup.[14] In the preliminary round on 18 May 2012, they played Geylang United FC, where they won 2–1 in added extra time, advancing them to the two-legged quarter-finals.[15] They faced Burmese club Kanbawza in early July wherein they defeated them 5–3 on aggregate after a 3–1 win and a 2–2 draw in both legs.[16] They faced Tampines Rovers FC in a two-legged semi-finals and lost 5–0 on aggregate. They lost the third-place match 4–0 to Gombak United.

The club also participated in the 2012 UFL Cup between September 15 to December 17, 2012. The club topped Group C, with Pachanga coming in a close second, to advance to the semi-finals of the cup. However, the team was eventually defeated by Global ending their run.[17]

2013 season

Members and officials of the Loyola Meralco Sparks squad that competed at the 2013 Singapore Cup.

In the 2013 season, the club qualified for the 2013 PFF National Men's Club Championship alongside other UFL clubs.[18] The club played against Flame United FC in the knock-out stage.[19] However, they were eliminated by fellow Division 1 UFL side Kaya in the quarterfinals.[20] They've played with Harimau Muda B in the 2013 Singapore Cup opening match which ended in favor of the club. However, they only reach the quarterfinal round when they bowed out to Tanjong Pagar United in a 5–4 aggregate.

After the elimination at the Singapore Cup, the team marked their fifth appearance at the 2013 UFL Cup. They started their campaign at the group stages by beating Dolphins United in double digits.[21] They also faced Navy with a huge 9–0 victory.[22]

On 30 October 2013, Loyola set a record with the most goals scored in the United Football League, they faced Blue Guards at the Emperador Stadium. Meralco defeated them by a margin of 33 points. It is regarded as the most lopsided win in the history of the United Football League (UFL) since it began a semi-professional league in 2009.[23][24] Because of that Phil Younghusband currently leads the top scorer of the cup at 18 goals and the team advances to the knockout stages of the tournament.

2014 season

During the 2014 season, Loyola hired former Philippines national team head coach Simon McMenemy as the club's new head coach, replacing Vincent Santos.[25][26] The sparks ended their 2014 season as runners-up in the 2014 United Football League, finishing 13 points behind eventual champions Global and 3 points ahead Kaya.

2015 season

In February 2015, Loyola won their first national title after beating Global 2–0 in the 2014–15 PFF National Men's Club Championship final.[27][28]

The sparks ended their 2015 season as third placers in the 2015 United Football League, finishing 8 points behind eventual champions Ceres, lost to Global in goal difference and 4 points ahead Kaya.

2016 season

The sparks ended their 2016 season once again as third placers in the 2016 United Football League, finishing 6 points behind eventual champions Global, lost to Ceres in goal difference.

FC Meralco Manila (2017–2018)

Meralco Manila players celebrating after scoring against Davao Aguilas. September 23, 2017.

After the announcement of the formation of the Philippines Football League, which was set to replace the United Football League as the country's top-tier football league, Loyola, along with 7 other UFL clubs, expressed their desire to enter the newly-founded league. On the PFL's launching on April 21, 2017, it was confirmed that the team changed their name to FC Meralco Manila and assigned Manila as their home city. The team designated the Rizal Memorial Stadium as their home venue.

On January 8, 2018, the club announced that they have ceased their participation in the league. The management stated that they attempted to find investors to keep the club's league participation possible but were unable to do so.[29]

Loyola FC (2018–)

In mid-January 2018, the club now called "Loyola Football Club" announced that their youth academy would continue operations. Their youth teams will continue their participation in the Youth Football League[30] and they have entered a youth squad at the 7s Football League.[31]

In February 2021, it was reported that the club is applying for a return to the Philippines Football League.[32][33]

In 2022, Loyola sent their youth teams to participate in the La Liga Youth Tournament in Penang, Malaysia.[34]

2023 season

In June 2023, Loyola announced through social media that they will be participating in the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara. They were drawn in Group A together with former rivals Kaya F.C.–Iloilo and Philippine Air Force. Also with the group were Club De Fútbol Manila, Don Bosco Garelli and UAAP Season 85 champions Far Eastern University.[35][36][37]

In 16 July 2023, Loyola lost their opening match against CF Manila, the score was 2–0.[38] Six days later, Loyola faced FEU. Loyola were down two goals in the first half, but came back in the second half to settle for a draw. The match ended 2–2.[39] Loyola then faced former UFL rivals Philippine Air Force and lost 3–0.[40] Loyola ended their three-game winless run after defeating Don Bosco Garelli United 6–1. Loyola then lost to Kaya-Iloilo 7–0, ending their Copa Paulino Alcantara campaign with one win, one draw, and three losses.[41]

2024 season: Return to Philippines Football League

In early December 2023, after a five-season absence, Loyola announced their return to Philippines Football League through social media.

Crest and colors

The club's crest is a variation of the Ateneo de Manila University seal, from which the club traces its roots. However, the seal's origin is the Shield of Oñaz-Loyola, a symbol of St. Ignatius family's Oñaz lineage.

The crest's colors are gold, maroon, and blue – representing nobility, strength, and loyalty respectively. The left side of the crest consists of seven maroon bars going diagonally from the upper left to the lower right on a gold field. The right side of the crest features a pair of rampant gray wolves flanking each side of a cooking pot. The "Loyola" name was a contraction of the words Lobo y Olla which literally meant "wolf and pot" in Spanish. The wolves are a symbol of nobility, and represents the players and fans of the club.

In 2017, the gray wolves was replaced by a sea-lion which is a representation of Manila.

Loyola crest history
  • As Loyola Agila (2006–2011)
    As Loyola Agila (2006–2011)
  • As Loyola Meralco Sparks (2011–2017)
    As Loyola Meralco Sparks (2011–2017)
  • As Meralco Manila (2017–2018)
    As Meralco Manila (2017–2018)
  • As Loyola (2018–)
    As Loyola (2018–)

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt partner
2010–2011 Germany Adidas ATR-Kim Eng Securities
2011–2013 Japan Mizuno Meralco1
Maybank, ATR-Kim Eng, Cebu Pacific, Jollibee2
2013–2015 Philippines LGR Sportswear
2015–2017 United States Under Armour
2017 Japan Mizuno Meralco1
Jollibee, Delimondo2
2018– Philippines RAD Apparel[note 1] Unioil1
Popeyes2
  • 1Major sponsor
  • 2Secondary sponsor

Kit evolution

Home kits
2013–14
2014–15
2017
2023
Away kits
2013–14
2014–15
2017
2023
Third kits
2013–14
2014–15
2017

Support and rivalries

Early years

Loyola being a national team player-laden club, was known for having a fanbase mainly composed of fangirls who were avid supporters of the Philippine Azkals. During the 2011–2012 season, the SparkSquad, also known as the Sparklers, was the official supporters group of Loyola. Years later, a new supporter group was formed and named as Sparks Army Wolves.

Ultras

The club's first ultras group was established during the inaugural season of the Philippines Football League by Ultras Filipinas members, who were ardent Loyola supporters. The group was originally named as Ultras Loyola but was later changed to Frente Naranja (Spanish for Orange Front) with orange serving as the club's primary color after being taken over by Meralco and the MVP Sports Foundation. In 2018, after the cessation of the club's first team, Frente Naranja changed their name to Frente 17. The group continued supporting the youth teams of the club in their matches in Youth Football League and their de facto senior team in the 7's Football League second division.

Rivalries

Loyola had club rivalries with a number of teams in the United Football League/Philippines Football League.

Rivalry with Kaya

Since 2011, Loyola held a rivalry with National Capital Region neighbors Kaya, with Loyola being based in Quezon City and Kaya being based in Makati. The rivalry began in the 2011 UFL Cup semi-finals clash between the two teams, in which Kaya went up to lead the game by 3–0 only to lose by 4–5 after an enthralling comeback from the Sparks. Since then, the UFL has had some of its highest attendance numbers whenever there are match-ups between the two teams, making the rivalry the most famous derby in Philippine club football.[42]

This rivalry continued into the first season of the newly founded Philippine Football League. However, after the first season of the PFL concluded, Meralco (Loyola) then decided to pull out of the league and Kaya moving to Iloilo City, effectively ending the rivalry between the two clubs.

Rivalry with Philippine Air Force

The rivalry with Philippine Air Force started when Air Force defeated the national team player-laden Loyola 2–0 during the 2011 UFL Cup final, Edmundo Mercado Jr., adjudged the best goalkeeper of the tournament, defiantly and somewhat controversially proclaimed his side as "true Filipinos".

The rivalry continued for years until Air Force rapidly declined and withdrew its participation in the UFL in 2015, this rivalry has mostly died out.

Players

As of 7 April 2024[43]

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 Philippines PHI Javier Coscolluela
3 DF Philippines PHI Thirdy Closa
4 DF Senegal SEN Alassane Wade
5 MF Philippines PHI Theodore Travis
6 MF South Korea KOR Kim Sung-min (captain)
7 MF Philippines PHI Charlie Beaton
8 MF Philippines PHI Jorrel Aristorenas
9 FW Ivory Coast CIV Ousmane Sidibé
10 DF Philippines PHI Jayvee Kallukaran
11 FW Japan JPN Takaya Harada
12 GK Ghana GHA Mohammed Ali
13 MF Philippines PHI Marco Cauyong
14 DF Philippines PHI Dyango Echter
15 DF Philippines PHI Joem Logarta
16 GK Ghana GHA Isaac Annan
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 DF Ghana GHA David Asare
18 FW Ghana GHA Emmanuel Osei
19 DF Ghana GHA Isaac Acheampong
20 MF Japan JPN Daisuke Kobayashi
21 FW Cameroon CMR Boris Kante
22 MF Philippines PHI Roven Lumagbas
23 FW Philippines PHI Rupert Baña
24 MF Philippines PHI Vincent Saludo
25 DF Philippines PHI RM Lapitan
27 FW Philippines PHI Ian Chua
28 MF Philippines PHI Mauro Acot
29 FW Philippines PHI William Winter
31 DF Philippines PHI Jethro Flores
32 FW Ivory Coast CIV Franck Anoh

Personnel

Updated as of April 4, 2024

Position Name Ref.
Head coach Philippines Roxy Dorlas
Assistant coach Philippines Kit Salanguit
Philippines Walter Hall
Goalkeeper coach Philippines Melo Sabacan
Physiotherapist Philippines Jerome Sevilla
Philippines Joe Esteves

Head coaches

Name Period
Philippines Carlo Rodriguez 2010–2011
South Korea Kim Chul-soo 2011–2013
Philippines Vincent Santos 2013–2014
Scotland Simon McMenemy 2014–2016
Philippines Jose Ariston Caslib 2016–2018
Philippines Roxy Dorlas 2023–

Honors

Domestic

Minor tournaments

  • Rexona-Republic Cup
    • Runners-up: 2010
  • Stallions FC Invitational Cup
    • Runners-up: 2017

Records

Domestic tournament records

Season Division Teams UFL/PFL PFF NMCC/CPA UFL Cup FA Cup League Cup
2009 — — Quarter-final — —
2010 1 8 4th Ninth
(Plate Champion)
2011 1 7 5th Runner-up
2012 1 10 3rd Third
2013 1 10 3rd Quarter-final Champion
2014 1 10 2nd — — Fourth Third
2015 1 10 3rd Champion Third — —
2016 1 12 3rd — Fifth
(Plate Champion)
2017 1 8 1st (Regular Season) —
3rd (Final Series)
2018 Did not participate Did not participate
2019
2020 —
2021 Did not participate
2022
2023 Group stage
2024 1 TBD TBD TBD

International invitational tournament records

Season Singapore Cup Menpora Cup
2012 Fourth —
2013 Quarter-final Group stage
2014 Quarter-final —

Results

Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2012 Singapore Cup Preliminary Round Singapore Geylang United 2–1
Quarter-final Myanmar Kanbawza 3–1 2–2 5–3
Semi-final Singapore Tampines Rovers 0–3 2–0 0–5
Third-place playoff Singapore Gombak United 0–3 Fourth
2013 Singapore Cup Preliminary round Malaysia Harimau Muda B 3–0
Quarter-final Singapore Tanjong Pagar United 3–3 2–1 4–5
2013 Menpora Cup Group B Indonesia Persepam Madura United 1–3 4th
Indonesia Arema 1–0
Indonesia Mitra Kukar 5–1
2014 Singapore Cup Preliminary round Laos SHB Vientiane 7–1
Quarter-final Singapore Home United 1–2 2–0 1–4

Notes

  1. ^ RAD Chameleon Apparel started providing kits for Loyola since 2018. Loyola had several kit sponsors in the past but won't be included in this article since they were not playing in a top-flight competition from 2018 to 2023.

References

  1. ^ "FC Meralco Manila bids goodbye, ceases operations". ABS-CBN Sports. January 9, 2018. Archived from the original on April 26, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  2. ^ Olivares, Rick (November 8, 2012). "War is the theme for UFL Knockout Thursday". Archived from the original on April 26, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  3. ^ Panganiban, Jose Villa (1969). Concise English Tagalog Dictionary. Singapore: Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4629-1128-8.
  4. ^ "Loyola, Old School booters take openers". PhilStar. November 26, 2008. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  5. ^ "Women football makes Lotto-Titans Cup debut". PhilStar. April 25, 2009. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  6. ^ "Palitada, Old School Football Club score in Republic football". PhilStar. May 6, 2009. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
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  8. ^ Schöggl, Hans (June 16, 2011). "Philippines 2009/10". RSSSF. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  9. ^ Jamlang, Josue (March 12, 2010). "Air Force Rider trumps Loyola ATR, claims top spot". PhilStar.com. The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  10. ^ "Caliraya FC rules Rexona Cup". PhilStar. July 23, 2010. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
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  12. ^ Tordecilla, Jaemark (December 10, 2011). "Air Force blanks Loyola to win UFL Cup". InterAksyon.com. InterAKTV/TV5. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
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  21. ^ Decena, Karl (October 20, 2013). "UFL Cup: Loyola drowns Dolphins, 16–0; Green Archers demolish Blue Guards, 17–0". InterAKTV/TV5. Archived from the original on November 23, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  22. ^ Decena, Karl (October 28, 2013). "UFL Cup: Phil Younghusband hits for six goals in Loyola's 9–0 rout of Navy". InterAKTV/TV5. Archived from the original on December 1, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  23. ^ Manila Bulletin (November 1, 2013). "Phil scores 8 goals in Loyola's 33–0 win". Yahoo! Philippines. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  24. ^ Guerrero, Bob (October 31, 2013). "Megablowout! Loyola batters Blue Guards 33–0 in UFL Cup". Yahoo! Philippines. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  25. ^ Guerrero, Bob (August 26, 2014). "Simon McMenemy, architect of Azkals' miracle run, to coach Loyola in the UFL". The Passionate Fan via Yahoo News. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  26. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (September 16, 2014). "Former Azkals coach Simon Mcmenemy aims for club success with Loyola Meralco Sparks". SPIN PH. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  27. ^ Reyes, Jaelle Nevin (February 1, 2015). "Loyola Meralco Sparks bag PFF-Smart national title". Rappler. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
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  29. ^ Go, Beatrice (January 8, 2018). "PH football club Meralco Manila ceases operations". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  30. ^ Sevilla, Jeremiah (January 16, 2018). "Loyola FC to continue youth academy". Manila Times. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  31. ^ "Philam 7's Football League kicks off new season". ESPN5. February 4, 2019. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  32. ^ "2 teams to join PFL". Tribune PH. February 12, 2021. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  33. ^ "Loyola, Laos look to make return with PFL". Tiebreaker Times. February 13, 2021. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  34. ^ "3 Loyola FC teams bound for La Liga youth football festival". Inquirer. July 20, 2022. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  35. ^ "Expanded 17-team Copa Paulino Alcantara to start 15 July". Philippines Football League. June 17, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
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  37. ^ Matel, Philip (July 14, 2023). "Kaya FC-Iloilo banners 17 teams in revamped Copa Paulino Alcantara". Rappler. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  38. ^ "CF Manila debuts in Copa with 2-0 win vs. returning Loyola". Dugout PH. July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  39. ^ "Loyola denies FEU; UP edges Manila Digger". Philippines Football League. July 23, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  40. ^ "Davao withstands Army; Tuloy scalps Adamson; Air Force downs Loyola". Philippines Football League. July 30, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  41. ^ "Kaya flexes over Loyola as PFL clubs make their debuts in Copa". Philippines Football League. August 13, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  42. ^ "UFL Cup quarters preview: Why a little bit of hatin' is good". Rappler.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  43. ^ "Loyola FC Roster". Philippines Football League. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
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