GFA History
Playing football has existed in The Gambia, since during the colonial days and it was in 1940 that a League was formed called the Bathurst League, Comprising only teams in Bathurst (Banjul) UAC, Rainbow, Augustinians, Gambia United, Police, Gambia Regiment, Medical XI.
All matches were played at The McCarthy Square (July 22 square) and during that period, fitness trophies and friendly matches were played. It was on 3rd of November 1952 that the Association was formed, that they were affiliated with the football world body FIFA and CAF.
During the early period there was no congress and it was Medical and Health officer R.C. Roscoe who was chosen to take charge of running the GFA. He was the HON Secretary and also the officer in charge of the National team.
A land was allocated to the GFA called the Box Bar Stadium.
The first FA cup final was played at the Box Bar stadium between Gambia united and Augustinians on the 5th of July 1952 and Gambia United won by 2 goals to 1.
The first International match played at the Box Bar Stadium was against Guinea Bissau 2/6/53 and Bissau won by 3 goals to 1, and the return leg was on the 8/6/53 and Bissau also won by 1-0.
The first victory was against the European XI 4/6/54 and The Gambia won by 2 goals to Nil.
In 1956 Gambia made their first Tour to Sierra Leone on the 31/10/56 Gambia played against The Rural Areas (Freetown) and The Gambia won by 1 goal to Nil. The second match was 3/11/56 against south Eastern stated played in BO.
Gambia won by two goals to Nil. The third match was on the 7/11/56 against northern province in Makeni and Gambia won by 4 goals to 1 The final match was against Sierra Leone played in Freetown and Sierra Leone won by a goal to Nil on the 10/11/56
From 1952 -54 there was no 2nd Division and it was introduced in 1954/55
- President FA
- President Cricket
- Government
- Non Government
In 1955 the first congress was held and B.O Janneh was elected as the first President of GFA
The Executive members:
- B.O Janneh - President
- W.B Thomas - Vice President
- R.C Roscoe - Hon Secretary
- M.O Mboob -Treasurer
- J. Hill - Trustee
- T Draper - Auditor
- O.K Saho - Grounds men
- L .Prom - Grounds men
This was 1954/55 season when Promotion and relegation was introduced. Atomic FC, was the 1st team to be promoted to the 1st team - Police A relegated
1955/56 season Starling FC, Police B Bathurst Wonderers FC, Field force FC, Police B FC, Casuals FC were in the 2nd Division
1959/60 season football season Gambia Regiment FC and Medical FC were relegated to Division II, Foyer FC and Starling FC promoted to Division I
Comets FC, Bathurst Wonders FC, British Council, Serrekunda FC,Cape FC, Blackpool were in the 2nd Division on the 8/2/52 a new Trophy donated by Mr William in Stapleton and daughter , former Goalkeeper of Augustinian, called Black and White.
On the 5/12/52 Gambia team beat Senegal by 3-2 in their famous match in Dakar (Kwame Krumah Gold Cup) in 1961 competition
- O.K Saho - Team Manager
- Amadou Taal
- Nyamsu Sambou
- Ebou Max Njie
- George Gomez
- Salifou Ndure
- Francis Eku Forbes
- Hassan Jallow
- Musa Jobartheh
- Solomon Gomez
- Ousman Sillah
- Pa William Ndure
- Abdoulie Ngum
- Sulayman Jeng
2/3/69 Coach Dratter Crammer arrived from Germany to assist the Gambia for six weeks and he departed on the 14/4/69
It was the same season the GFA suffered it’s first breakaway league
- Mc Cham - President
- SB.O Njie - Secretary, Box Bar
- SK O Brien Coker - President
- M.A Jenge - Secretary - KG 5
It was taken to court and it was Sir Philip Bridges who made the ruling saying only the management committee may arrange games at the Stadium neither Mc Cham nor Obrain Coker can arrange international matches. Ruling was made when MC Cham was making arrangement for the national team from Guinea. The other side felt disappointed at the handling of the Association affairs and demanded the immediate registration of the President. Other members followed passing out what they called (Vote of no Confidence). The President who argued that only the Association General Body could take such action rejected this.
1967/68 teams were increased to eight and two teams registered Real FC and Young Lion. Real was formally called Benson and Hedges under the management of Cherno Touray (Denis Law) and Mam Sait Njie (Hang)
During that period, there were no qualifying rounds for the 1st Division. Teams could be formed and be registered only if the team can produce five or more players in the 1st Division.
Wallidan FC, Black Stars FC, registered in the 1st Division, Freezens FC, Starlight, Mansa Musa FC also joined the league. Arrance FC changed its name to Adonis FC.
The president MC Cham also organized the 1st Provincial Football Tournament sponsored by Chellerams
- Georgetown
- Kaur
- Brikama
- Mansakonko
- Sapu
- Basse
- Brikama
- Serrekunda
The tournament was not completed because GFA couldn’t meet the cost involved
30/11/69 the fist Radio Commentary was the FA CUP FINAL between White Phantoms and Real De Banjul.
Seedy Jaw and Sulayman Njie
Real FC
Saihou Njie
Sam Forster
Mustaph Conteh
Ebou Joof
Sainhou Sarr
Sering Faye
Yusupha Sibbi (Capt.)
Nyanga Sallah
Salieu Foon
Garnet Coker
Musa Njie
Kebba Diaz
Mam Sait Njie (Hang)
White Phantoms
Musa Manga
Musa Jobarteh
Saloum Njie
MI Jallow (Kabba)
Cherno Touray-Dennis Law
Alieu Koroma
Essa Njie
Ebou Faye-Limba
Dodou Ndure
Elima Secka
Toto Senghore
Kebba Touray - Manager
29/10/70 Alhajie Biri Njie, a Gambian all rounder scouted by English first division team Derby County for trial matches. The Gambia Amateur Association, Matarr A Sarr who was in Britain for the Commonwealth, made arrangements.
31/10/71 The first Gambian official, to officiate on international match M.S. Njie, Louis Sambou, and Muhammed Janneh - match Asec du Abijan and Ranger of Enugu (Nigeria) in the 1/4 finals of the 7th African Champions Club (AFC)
The same season Kwame FC named after the late president of Ghana Kwame Krumah joined the league
27/12/76 Site was chosen for the construction of a football stadium at Bakau 40 acres of land, built by the Peoples Republic of China loan D31m, the former President Sir Dawda K Jawara, construction started 15/5/80, laid foundation stone and the entire complex handed to the Government on the 1/7/83.
1973/74 The Gambia Ports Authority FC formed, under the management of Capt. Sallah and Gabbi Sosseh.
1974/75 The teams were increased to eleven, phantoms, Augustinians, police Kwame, Starlight, Adonis, Real GFA, Wallidan, and two teams promoted Eben and Benfica, under the management of Ebrima Pesseh Njie and team debut match was on 26/12/74 against starlight and it ended Nil-Nil
Hawks was also formed but were in the 2nd Division as Mabella FC
1975/76 GFA decided to reduce the team to six, Benfica, Phantoms, Eben, Augustinians, and Adonis were relegated to Division 2
1978/79 Season Starlight FC was relegated to Division 2 to join, Phantoms, Tesito, Ndemban, Swallows, 10GT, Augustinians Police.
The same season Young African registered in the 1st Division managed by father cough of Saint Augustine High School.
The following season Real FC was relegated to join Dinjareh, Blue Diamonds Kondorong, Swallow, LOGT, Ndemban, Phantoms, Farimang and Augustinians Gambia Football Association first tour to Europe and far east 15/8/79 China, Denmark, Norway, Germany.
They won all their matches in Germany
They lost all their matches in China
In Denmark they draw with B1901
In Norway Minodalene FC 3-1 defeated them
B1901 from Denmark
Real De Banjul - 1980
Team officials
B.O Fofana
Omar Sey
Momodou Dibba
1980/81 Football season, the Guinness football competition organized by Banjul Breweries, Bakau, Serrekunda, Banjul Central, Banjul North and Banjul South 16 gold medals, 16 tracksuits cash price D15, 00 runners up 16 silver medals cash price D1000
1981/82 Season was the last complete season at the Box Bar Stadium. It was the season Roots FC managed by Father Gough registered
1982/83 The season started at the Box Bar Stadium and complete at the independence stadium. Ti was that season that SARABA FC of Brikama Joined the league, Bombada also registered
13/11/84 The first official match at the independence stadium was the SS Ceesay Trophy final between Hawks and Starlight and it was Muhammed Willians (Fijabi) who scored the first goal in the 34th minute. The match ended 90 minutes 1-1 Hawks won on penalties making Baboucarr Bah (Edacar) of Starlight
The first player to miss a penlty at the independence stadium
1984/85 Kwame Fc was relegated to Division 2. They also changed Kwame FC to Kunda FC.
The same season GFA registered the highest second division in the league namely Hammers FC, Charen FC, Ndanaan FC Police FC, Swallow FC, Blue Diamonds FC, Bombada FC, Linguere, Dagudan, PC, Mandela FC, Waterside FC, Ndukuman FC and Columbus Travel Agency
20/1/84 The Official opening of the independence stadium by H.E D.K. Jawara former President of the Republic GFA invited neighbouring countries. Senegal, S/Leone, Guinea Conakry. Essa FAYE of Ports scored the first international goal against S/Leone in the 36th minute
German coach Holger Oberman spent six weeks for the zone 2 and deported
25/2/85 The Gambia lost to Senegal 1-0 in the final 21/02/85
1987/88 season Mr B B Darboe was appointed as the Minister responsible for sports. Zone II in Bissau, Gambia was defeated 4-0 by Senegal and the minister felt that the GFA was not doing enough to keep football in The Gambia in good order. He dissolved the GFA, Divisional committees formed, appointed James Ibraham as an Interim President and Kebba Yorro Manneh was appointed as the Secretary General.
1988/89 Football season the league was not completed because of financial problems, Starlight, Roots, and Young Africans all withdrew from the league
1990/91 season the Minister organized a DIVISIONAL FOOTBALL. Banjul played with LRD and Banjul won by 17 goals to Nil. The GFA was not organized and the Divisional was not completed
1991/92 season teams were allowed to register, Peak Marwich registered and were beaten in the FA cup final by Wallidan. They were in the 2nd Division with Joggifans, Flamemins, Waterside, Linguere, Steve Biko and GPA
1993/94 Steve Biko promoted to Division I Bombada FC, Joggifans FC changed its name to Mass Sosseh FC - The teams increased to ten teams.
1997/98 GPA made a come back with newly promoted Latdior FC from Bakau when starlight and Armed Forces FC relegated and Real FC won the league unbeaten in 16 matches
1998/99 season Gamtel FC registered in the 2nd with Skypower, Kaira Silo, Saraba, Flamemins, Augustinians, Justice, Latdior, Old Jeshwang, Bakau United and NPE promoted to Division I
1999/2000 season Gamtel FC promoted to DIVISION with Flamemins whilst Armed Forces and Starlight relegated
2000/2001 Kaira Silo FC promoted to Division I and Starlight FC changed its name to Starlight Gunners, Mass Sosseh relegated to DIVISION II
2001/2002 Armed Forces FC and Flamemins promoted to DIVISION I and it was the same season GFA got a new President Alhajie Gabbi Sosseh who succeeded Alhajie O B Conateh who retired from the post.
2002/2003 Armed Forces FC won the championship for the first time, Flamemins FC and Gamtel FC relegated to DIVISION II whist Tallinding UTD AND Starlight promoted to DIVISION I
2003/2004 season The Gambia was eliminated in the world qualifying and the African national. Gambia was beaten 3 goals to nil in Liberia. The President Mr. Sosseh set up an enquiry headed by Gyra Lamin. The Technical Director Sang Ndong and his entire staff were sacked. GFA decided not to play international matches and the decision annoyed nearly all the teams in the league. More than sixty teams wrote a letter to the GFA requesting an immediate resignation of the GFA President and called on NO VOTE of Confidence
He was impeached on the 7/11/04 at the independence stadium. A congress was held and Alhajie Omar Sey was elected as the President
Information compiled by:
Sankareh SS Jawo
46, Box Bar Road Banjul
