When Head Coach Robert Eziakor took the reins at a struggling Hougang United in the middle of the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, optimism briefly returned to the Cheetahs. With three wins, including triumphs over Albirex Niigata (S) and BG Tampines Rovers, and just one defeat in his first six games, it seemed like a long-awaited turnaround was on the cards.
But inconsistency once again crept up on the Cheetahs, with four consecutive defeats subsequently seeing them slump to 7th in the table. Although the season ended on a disappointing note, those experiences provided valuable lessons for Hougang.
Experience has been central to their recruitment strategy ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. To plug a defence that shipped 76 goals last season, Hougang have recruited American international Sam Strong, who brings valuable playing experience from his time in the USL Championship. The 28-year-old defender also previously featured for Dynamic Herb Cebu in the Philippines, featuring prominently in their AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) campaign.
Hougang United Football Club was founded as Marine Castle United Football Club, which was formed by Newcastle United fans in the Marine Parade area. Upon successful entry into the S.League in 1998, the club struggled in its early foray in the first few years, finishing in the bottom two for the next four seasons.
Marine Castle changed its name to Sengkang Marine Football Club in 2002 and finished in 8th position consecutively — its highest ever finish in its short history.
Financial difficulties then forced Sengkang Marine out of the S.League in 2004, and Paya Lebar-Punggol Football Club took its place in 2005, finishing the season as wooden-spoonist. The two clubs then merged their resources from 2006 to 2010 to form Sengkang Punggol Football Club, finishing no higher than 10th.
On 1 January 2011, the chairman of Sengkang Punggol Football Club, Mr. Bill Ng, announced the changes that began the rewriting of another chapter of this football club. With improved financial status and a change in name to the present Hougang United Football Club, there was renewed optimism among the Hougang fan base around the club’s home stadium since its inception, Hougang Stadium. The club has a group of supporters known as The HOOLS (Hougang Only One Love). The club also had its fair share of marquee players in the earlier days, like Grant Holt (formerly Norwich City), Michael Currie (formerly Queens Park Rangers), and Kim See-man (former South Korea youth international).
In November 2014, it was announced that Hougang United and Woodlands Wellington would merge for the 2015 season. With the announcement that Hougang United would retain its name after the merger and assimilation of most of Woodlands’ staff into Hougang’s structure — including players and head coach Salim Moin — Woodlands Wellington ceased to exist in the S.League from 2015.
