Gangwon
Gangwon FC is a South Korean football club based in Gangwon Province, founded on December 18, 2008. The club joined the K League as its 15th team for the 2009 season and plays their home matches at two stadiums: Gangneung Stadium (known as Gangneung High1 Arena) in Gangneung and Chuncheon Songam Stadium in Chuncheon. Currently competing in the K League 1, the club achieved their greatest success in 2024 when they finished as league runners-up behind Ulsan HD, qualifying for the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Elite. The club is sponsored by High1 Resort and has established youth development programs including a reserve team in the K4 League.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Gangwon FC was established following an announcement by Gangwon Province's governor Kim Jin-sun on April 28, 2008, regarding the foundation of the 15th professional football club to participate in the K League. A preparation committee was organized on June 18, 2008, to facilitate the foundation process. The club was formally founded on December 18, 2008, in time to enter the 2009 edition of the K League.
Most recent season and achievements
In the 2024 K League 1 season, the club achieved a record-high ranking after finishing as league runners-up behind champions Ulsan HD and qualified for the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Elite. The impressive performance was in part thanks to K League Young Player of the Year Award winner Yang Min-hyeok, who was signed by Tottenham Hotspur after the season.
History
Early years
Gangwon FC played its first ever K League match against Jeju United on March 8, 2009, at Gangneung Stadium, winning 1-0 with a decisive goal from Yoon Jun-ha. The team continued their winning start with four more consecutive victories, causing a sensation in the first half of the 2009 K League season. However, Gangwon was unable to maintain their initial success, and by round 19 had fallen into the lower half of the league table, finishing 13th among 15 clubs in their debut season.
Successful period
The club experienced various phases of development throughout the 2010s. In 2019, under manager Kim Byung-soo, Gangwon earned praise for pushing an entertaining brand of football dubbed "Byung-soo ball." That year, Gangwon led the K League in ball possession, pass attempts, pass completion percentage and forward pass completion percentage, while finishing third in goals. Kim Ji-hyeon was awarded K League Young Player of the Year as Gangwon finished sixth in the league table.
Crisis and recovery
The club faced significant challenges, including relegation to the K League Challenge in 2013 after finishing third from last and losing to Sangju Sangmu Phoenix in the playoffs. In 2011, Gangwon experienced their worst season since establishment, finishing last in the league with the entire team scoring only 14 goals in thirty matches. The 2012 season saw them narrowly avoid relegation by one point with Baek Jong-hwan's decisive goal against Seongnam Ilhwa.
Current period
Following defensive reinforcements prior to the 2020 season, Kim Byung-soo recruited players like Lim Chai-min, Shin Se-gye and Kim Young-bin. In 2021, notable signings included Masatoshi Ishida, Sin Chang-moo, national team players Yun Suk-young, Rim Chang-woo and Uzbekistani player Rustam Ashurmatov. After Kim Byung-soo was removed from his position in November 2021, his successor Choi Yong-soo helped Gangwon stay in the top division by beating Daejeon Hana Citizen in the relegation play-offs.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
K League 1 - Runners-up (1): 2024
Symbols and Colors
Traditional home and away kits colors
The source material does not contain specific information about the club's traditional kit colors.
Traditional Rivals
The source material does not contain information about the club's traditional rivals.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
The club is sponsored by High1 Resort, with their home stadium in Gangneung known as the Gangneung High1 Arena for sponsorship reasons.
Nicknames
The source material does not contain information about specific club nicknames.
Ownership and finances
The club's chairman position is held by the Gangwon Province governor. The club has had several presidents throughout its history, with Kim Byung-ji serving as the current president since January 1, 2023. Previous presidents included Kim Won-dong, Nam Jong-hyun, Im Eun-ju, Jo Tae-ryong, Park Jong-wan, and former footballer Lee Young-pyo.
Traditions and culture
The club has developed an entertaining style of football, particularly under Kim Byung-soo's management, which was dubbed "Byung-soo ball" and emphasized possession-based attacking play.
Stadium
Gangwon FC has two home stadiums: Gangneung Stadium (known as the Gangneung High1 Arena for sponsorship reasons) in the coastal city of Gangneung, and Chuncheon Songam Stadium in Chuncheon, the capital of Gangwon Province. The club's training ground, called the Orange House, is located in Gangneung. The club also established youth development facilities, with agreements made with Gangneung Jeil High School and Jumunjin Middle School for their youth teams.