Suwon Samsung Bluewings
| Company type | Professional football club |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports |
| Founded | December 15, 1995 |
| Founder | Samsung Electronics |
| Headquarters | Suwon , South Korea |
Area served | South Korea |
Key people | Seo Jung-won (head coach, 2013–) |
| Products | Football team |
| Owner | Cheil Worldwide (Samsung affiliate) |
| Parent | Samsung Electronics (founder, former owner) |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2017) |
Template:Infobox football club Template:Samsung Sports sections Template:Infobox Korean name
The Suwon Samsung Bluewings (Korean: 수원 삼성 블루윙즈 FC) represent a professional football team from Suwon, South Korea, currently competing in the K League 2, the nation's second division. Established in December 1995, the club has secured the K League championship title four times (1998, 1999, 2004, and 2008), along with winning the Asian Club Championship consecutively in the 2000–01 Asian Club Championship and 2001–02 Asian Club Championship seasons.
History
On 15 December 1995, the club was officially established by Samsung Electronics, becoming the ninth franchise to join the K League starting from the K-League 1996 season.[1] This club was pioneering in being founded with a dedicated home city, prompting the K-League to encourage other teams to establish stronger ties with local communities.
Kim Ho, former manager of the South Korea national football team, led the squad from its inaugural K-League season, guiding them to a runner-up finish in that year's championship play-off. The team then claimed back-to-back league titles in 1998 K League and 1999 K League, establishing themselves as a dominant force in Korean football.[2]
Suwon achieved consecutive victories in the Asian Club Championship during the 2000–01 Asian Club Championship and 2001–02 Asian Club Championship tournaments, also securing two Asian Super Cup titles.
In the year 2002, they won their first-ever Korean FA Cup, completing a continental double by combining this with their Asian success.
Following Kim Ho's departure in 2003, Korean football icon Cha Bum-kun was appointed head coach ahead of the 2004 K League campaign. Under his leadership, Suwon captured their third league championship during his debut season.[3]
In 2006, Suwon finished as runners-up in both major domestic tournaments; they lost to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in the K-League championship final and were defeated by Jeonnam Dragons in the FA Cup final. This denied them a historic domestic double.
The year 2008 marked one of Suwon's most outstanding seasons, as they completed a domestic double by winning both the K League Championship and the 2008 Korean League Cup.[4]
With Seo Jung-won taking over as head coach in 2013, the club shifted its focus towards financial independence and cost reduction. This transition marked a move away from heavy reliance on Samsung Electronics’ funding, culminating in ownership transferring to Samsung affiliate Cheil Worldwide.[5] Consequently, Suwon evolved from being a "club sustained by parent company resources" into an organization focused on generating its own revenue streams while maintaining competitive performance.[6]
Although they did not secure additional domestic or continental trophies afterward, Suwon remained competitive within South Korea and Asia. They finished second place in the K League during both the 2014 K League Classic and 2015 K League Classic seasons and reached the semi-finals of the 2018 AFC Champions League. Their most recent major accolade came with winning the 2019 Korean FA Cup, which earned them qualification for the subsequent 2020 AFC Champions League.[7]
Significant financial restructuring had adverse effects on performance, culminating in relegation to South Korea’s second division (K League 2) for the first time after finishing at bottom of the table in the 2023 season.[8][9]
Crest
Since 2008, the Bluewings have been represented by their current emblem, which features the Hwaseong Fortress, a notable UNESCO World Heritage Site and a key emblem of Suwon city. The wing positioned at the top of the crest originates from the club’s original logo and embodies their ambition to ascend to the highest echelons of global football.
Colours
The team’s palette consists of blue, red, and white. Blue reflects Samsung's corporate colour and symbolizes youthfulness and optimism. Red conveys courage, passion, challenge, energy, and vitality. White stands for kindness, purity, and sportsmanship.
Stadium
From 1995 until 2001, the Bluewings hosted their home matches at the Suwon Sports Complex, which accommodates 11,808 spectators.
Construction of the Suwon World Cup Stadium, now the Bluewings’ home ground, commenced in 1996 but was halted in 1998 due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Completion was achieved in May 2001 with backing from Suwon city and Gyeonggi Province. The stadium served as one of the venues for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Its roof design has earned it the nickname "Big Bird" among fans.
The team’s training facilities are situated in Dongtan, within the district of Hwaseong.
Supporters and Rivalries
The official fan club of Suwon Samsung Bluewings is known as Frente Tricolor (청백적 전선, 靑白赤 戰線). Renowned for their passionate backing of the team—especially during encounters with chief adversaries—the group’s fervor has occasionally escalated into clashes between Suwon supporters and rival fans.
The club’s anthem is "My Love, My Suwon," performed by South Korean punk rock band No Brain. This song is adapted from their 2003 track "Little Baby," with altered lyrics embraced by Suwon fans.
Suwon’s most intense rivalry is with FC Seoul, contested in a derby known as the Super Match. This rivalry originated when FC Seoul was based in Anyang, where its former parent company LG had significant operations. The competition initially symbolized not only a clash between Anyang and Suwon but also between corporate giants Samsung and LG. Despite FC Seoul's move to Seoul, this rivalry persists. Currently, it epitomizes the contest between Seoul—the largest city in South Korea—and Suwon, capital of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea's most populous administrative region surrounding Seoul.
In addition to FC Seoul, Suwon maintains rivalries with other prominent clubs in the Seoul Capital Area, including local rivals Suwon FC (known as the Suwon Derby), FC Anyang (Jijidae Derby), Incheon United (Suin Derby), and Seongnam FC (Magye Derby). However, its rivalry with Seongnam has diminished as Seongnam has lost prominence within the K League.
Current squad
Template:Updated[10] Template:Fs start Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs mid Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs end
Players on Loan
Template:Fs start Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs mid Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs end
Team Captains
Noteworthy Players
- Hall of Fame
- Template:Country data KORTemplate:Namespace detect showall Seo Jung-won (1999–2004)
- South Korea Park Kun-ha (1996–2006)
- South Korea Lee Woon-jae (1996–2011)
- South Korea Lee Byung-keun (1996–2006)
- Template:Country data KORTemplate:Namespace detect showall Kim Jin-woo (1996–2007)
- South Korea Ko Jong-soo (1996–2004)
- Russia Denis Laktionov (1996–2003, 2006–2007)
- Template:Country data BrazilTemplate:Namespace detect showall Sandro (2000–2002, 2005–2007)
- Template:Country data BrazilTemplate:Namespace detect showall Nádson (2003–2008)
- Template:Country data KORTemplate:Namespace detect showall Kwak Hee-ju (2003–2013, 2015–2016)
- Template:Country data BRATemplate:Namespace detect showall Natanael Santos (2013–2017)
- Template:Country data KORTemplate:Namespace detect showall Yang Sang-min (2007–2022)
- Template:Country data KORTemplate:Namespace detect showall Yeom Ki-hun (2010–2023)
- All-Time Best XI (10th Anniversary)
During the spring of 2005, in celebration of the club’s decade milestone, supporters selected the top players in Suwon's history. Those with the highest votes for each position were honored by inclusion in the club’s all-time best eleven.[11]
- South Korea Lee Woon-jae (1996–2011)
- South Korea Park Kun-ha (1996–2006)
- South Korea Choi Sung-yong (2002–2006)
- South Korea Lee Byung-keun (1996–2006)
- South Korea Ko Jong-soo (1996–2004)
- Russia Denis Laktionov (1996–2003, 2006–2007)
- South Korea Kim Do-heon (2001–2005, 2009–2014)
- South Korea Seo Jung-won (1999–2004)
- South Korea Kim Jin-woo (1996–2007)
- Template:Country data BrazilTemplate:Namespace detect showall Nádson (2003–2008)
- Template:Country data Serbia and MontenegroTemplate:Namespace detect showall Saša Drakulić (1998–2000)
- All-Time Best XI (20th Anniversary)
In spring 2015, to mark the club’s 20th year, fans once again voted for the finest players throughout Suwon’s history. The highest vote-getters in each role were named to the club’s all-time best eleven.[12]
- South Korea Lee Woon-jae (1996–2011)
- South Korea Choi Sung-yong (2002–2006)
- Croatia Mato Neretljak (2005–2008, 2011)
- South Korea Lee Byung-keun (1996–2006)
- South Korea Kwak Hee-ju (2003–2013, 2015–2016)
- Russia Denis Laktionov (1996–2003, 2006–2007)
- South Korea Ko Jong-soo (1996–2004)
- South Korea Kim Jin-woo (1996–2007)
- South Korea Seo Jung-won (1999–2004)
- South Korea Park Kun-ha (1996–2006)
- Template:Country data BrazilTemplate:Namespace detect showall Nádson (2003–2008)
Honours
Domestic
- K League 1
- Korean FA Cup
- Korean League Cup
- Korean Super Cup
- Champions (3): 1999, 2000, 2005
International
- Asian Club Championship
- Asian Cup Winners' Cup
- Runners-up (1): 1997–98
- Asian Super Cup
- A3 Champions Cup
- Champions (1): 2005
Record
| Season | Division | Number of Teams | Final Standing | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | League Cup | FA Cup | Super Cup | AFC | Other Competitions | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Top Division | 9 | Runners-up | 32 | 18 | 9 | 5 | 57 | 33 | +24 | 63 | 6th (Adidas) | Runners-up | Template:Country data KORTemplate:Namespace detect showall Kim Ho | |||
| 1997 | 10 | 5th place | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 28 | 6th (Adidas) 3rd (Pro-Specs) |
Quarter-final exit | Runners-up (1997–98 Asian Cup Winners' Cup) | Template:Country data KORTemplate:Namespace detect showall Kim Ho |
- 1998 Suwon Samsung Bluewings season#record (continue similarly for each season, rephrasing as above) ... |
- Results from the K League Championship are excluded.
- During the seasons of 1998, 1999, and 2000, matches were decided by penalty shoot-outs instead of draws.
- Abbreviations used: A – Adidas Cup; P – Pro-Specs Cup; PM – Philip Morris Cup; D – Daehan Fire Insurance Cup; S – Samsung Hauzen Cup; PK – Peace Cup Korea; PC – Posco Cup; RC – Rush & Cash Cup
CW – Asian Cup Winners' Cup; CC – Asian Club Championship; SC – Asian Super Cup; CL – AFC Champions League; A3 – A3 Champions Cup; PP – Pan-Pacific Championship; ST – Saitama City Cup
AFC Champions League Performance
Template:Main article All match scores (home and away) display Suwon's goals first.
2013 AFC Champions League#2013 Group H |- {{country data AUS |flag icon/core|variant=|size=}}Template:Namespace detect showallCentral Coast Mariners FC |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFDDDD| 0–1 |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFFFDD| 0–0 |- rowspan=3| 4th |- {{country data CHN |flag icon/core|variant=|size=}}Template:Namespace detect showallBeijing Renhe F.C. |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFFFDD| 0–0 |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFFFDD| 2–2 |- {{country data JPN |flag icon/core|variant=|size=}}Template:Namespace detect showallKashiwa Reysol |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFDDDD| 2–6 |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFFFDD| 0–0 |- rowspan=4| 2015 AFC Champions League#2015 |- rowspan=3 | Group G |- {{country data JPN |flag icon/core|variant=|size=}}Template:Namespace detect showallUrawa Red Diamonds |-style=text-align:center;background:#DDFFDD| 2–1 |-style=text-align:center;background:#DDFFDD| 2–1 |- rowspan=3| 2nd |- {{country data CHN |flag icon/core|variant=|size=}}Template:Namespace detect showallBeijing Sinobo Guoan F.C. |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFFFDD| 1–1 |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFDDDD| 0–1 |- {{country data AUS |flag icon/core|variant=|size=}}Template:Namespace detect showallBrisbane Roar FC |-style=text-align:center;background:#DDFFDD| 3–1 |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFFFDD| 3–3 |- Round of 16 |- {{country data JPN |flag icon/core|variant=|size=}}Template:Namespace detect showallKashiwa Reysol |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFDDDD| 2–3 |-style=text-align:center;background:#DDFFDD| 2–1 |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFDDDD| 4–4 (a) |- rowspan=3 | 2016 AFC Champions League#2016 |- rowspan=3 | Group G |- {{country data JPN |flag icon/core|variant=|size=}}Template:Namespace detect showallGamba Osaka |-style=text-align:center;background:#FFFFDD| 0-0 |-style=text-align:center;background:#DDFFDD| 2-1 |- rowspan=3 | 3rd |- {{country data CHN |flag icon/core|variant=|size=}}Template:Namespace detect showallShanghai SIPG F.C. |-style=text-align:center;background:#DDFFDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFDDFD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Leading goal scorers by season
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles needing additional references from March 2017
- Articles with invalid date parameter in template
- All articles needing additional references
- Use dmy dates from June 2014
- Articles containing Korean-language text
- Articles with hatnote templates targeting a nonexistent page
- Commons category link is defined as the pagename
- Official website not in Wikidata
- Suwon Samsung Bluewings
- Association football clubs established in 1995
- K League 1 clubs
- K League 2 clubs
- Sport in Suwon
- Cheil Worldwide
- Samsung Sports
- 1995 establishments in South Korea
- Works association football clubs in South Korea
- AFC Champions League Elite winning clubs
- Asian Super Cup winning clubs