Angkor City Football Club, (formerly known as Next Step Football Club) is a Cambodian professional association football club based in Siem Reap province. The club currently plays in Cambodian League 2.

Angkor City
Full nameAngkor City Football Club
Founded2013; 11 years ago (2013) as Next Step FC
2023; 1 year ago (2023) as Angkor City
GroundHanuman Stadium
Siem Reap province, Cambodia
Capacity5,000[citation needed]
Head CoachCharlie Pomroy
LeagueCambodian League 2
2022Cambodian League 2, 11th
Websitehttp://nextstepfc.net

History

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Foundation

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Next Step Football Club was founded in 2013 by Charlie Pomroy and Keo Sophal. With the help of goalkeeping coach Charles Dailey,[1] the not-for-profit football academy, working to help underprivileged children in Cambodia, joined the Cambodian second tier to participate in its first professional season in 2022.

Debut professional season

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Next Step Football Club registered as a professional club in July 2021, before making its professional football debut in 2022. The team finished 11th in the league, with Brazilian striker Bruno Krenkel ending the season as the club's top scorer, logging ten goals – one of those, a long-range wonder strike, which gained global acclaim.[2]

In 2023, former Dorchester Town manager Callum Brooks joined the club as technical director.[3] Brooks stated that he joined Next Step "to be another body behind a great vision".[4]

Richard Harcus, CEO of Harcus Consultancy Group arrived at the club in November 2023 as new Director Of Football and is also tasked with the role of General Manager. [5]

Investment in the club

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In 2023, Next Step teamed up with recruitment and relocation company Next Step International (NSI) “in a deal which will see the latter help hire, move and adapt the latest quality football talent from around the world” to Cambodia.[6]

Current squad

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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   CAM Chhun Phally
2 DF   CAM Rith Ra
3 DF   CAM Boeun Ratha
4 DF   CAM Khun Sokmeng
5 DF   USA Federico Diaz
6 DF   CAM Put Chomnan
8 MF   JPN Takuya Yamase
9 FW   CAM Chea Savey
12 DF   CAM Mab Sinai
13 MF   CAM Nhep Oeurnsovanndet
16 MF   CAM Ren Ro
17 FW   BRA Bruno Krenkel
18 MF   CAM Thoeurn Soreach
19 MF   CAM Kong Reatrey
21 FW   CAM Heng Kimsong
22 GK   CAM Tuy Terdararith
No. Pos. Nation Player
23 DF   CAM Yong Mengchhay (Captain)
28 DF   CAM Khorn Sakada
29 FW   COD Joslyn Ghifem Katuala
30 GK   CAM Toch Samnang
32 DF   CAM Lay Somrach
33 DF   CAM Thai Pharothana
40 DF   CAM Ta Mattamon
44 DF   CAM Seat Ouji
47 FW   CAM Mat Lyphaiyat
50 DF   JPN Kento Fujihara
60 MF   CAM Chhun Channy
66 DF   CAM Keo Pich
68 MF   CAM Phan Makara
90 FW   CAM Vuth Lyminh
99 GK   CAM Yeourn Rathana

References

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  1. ^ Wright, Gavin. "Helping change the face of soccer in Cambodia with the Next Step FC academy". nevermanagealone.com. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Neymar Speechless! Wonder Goal by Bruno Krenkel in Cambodia".
  3. ^ "Callum Brooks Moves to Cambodia".
  4. ^ "KOF Interview Charlie Pomroy Next Step FC".
  5. ^ "Angkor City FC name Richard Harcus new Director of Football".
  6. ^ "NSI partner with Next Step FC on recruitment and relocation deal to attract new talent to Cambodian football".