East End Lions F.C.
East End Lions is a Sierra Leonean professional football club based in the capital Freetown. They play in the Sierra Leone National Premier League, the top football league in Sierra Leone. East End Lions represents the East End of Freetown, and play their home games at the National Stadium.[1] The head coach, appointed in 2018 is John Keister.[2]
Full name | East End Lions | |
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Nickname(s) | Red Roaring Lions, The Killers | |
Founded | 1928 | |
Ground | National Stadium Freetown, Sierra Leone | |
Capacity | 60,000 | |
Manager | Christian Cole | |
League | Sierra Leone National Premier League | |
2014 | 1st out of 14 clubs | |
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East End Lions are one of the two biggest and most successful football clubs in Sierra Leonean football history (along with their main rivalry Mighty Blackpool). The club was founded in 1928 and is one of the oldest football clubs in Sierra Leone.
In May 2014, it was confirmed that former East End Lions hero Abubakarr Sesay aka ‘Abu Community’ had died.[3]
Rivalry
East End Lions have an intense rivalry with fellow powerhouse Mighty Blackpool who have won the National League 10 times. When these two clubs play each other at the national stadium in Freetown, tickets are often sold out; there is usually a heavy police presence to prevent clashes between their supporters,[4]
Achievements
- 1977, 1980, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2019[5]
- 1965, 1973, 1980, 1989.[6]
Performance in CAF competitions
- CAF Champions League: 4 appearances
- African Cup of Champions Clubs: 3 appearances
- CAF Cup: 1 appearance
- 1992 – First Round
- CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 1 appearance
- 1990 – Second Round
Squad (2011–12)
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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References
- "Sierra Leone Sports: East End Lions appoints 10-man executive". Awoko Newspaper. 2018-10-29. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
- "Sierra Leone Sports: Keister becomes East End Lions coach". Awoko Newspaper. 2018-10-29. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
- Sesay, Abu. Physiological responses of soybeans to foliar nutrient application (Thesis). Iowa State University. doi:10.31274/rtd-180814-2445.
- "SOCCER INFERNO IN FREETOWN TODAY, as Arch -rivals Mighty Blackpool and East End Lions clash to open Sierra Leone Premier League – Cocorioko". Retrieved 2019-03-09.
- "Sierra Leone - List of Champions". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
- "Sierra Leone - List of Cup Winners". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 2019-03-09.