Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, founded on April 1, 1973. The club competes in the K League 1, the top flight of South Korean football, and plays their home matches at the Pohang Steel Yard. Originally established as POSCO FC and still owned by the steel company POSCO today, the Steelers are one of South Korea's most successful teams with five K League titles and three AFC Champions League victories to their name.
History
Overview
General information about the club
The Pohang Steelers were founded on April 1, 1973 as Pohang Iron & Steel Company FC, or simply POSCO FC. Initially operating as a semi-professional club, they transitioned to professional status in the 1984 season and underwent several name changes throughout their early years, becoming POSCO Dolphins in 1984, POSCO Atoms in 1985, Pohang Atoms in 1995, and finally adopting their current name, Pohang Steelers, in 1997.
Most recent season and achievements
In 2024, Pohang won the rebranded Korea Cup, defeating rivals Ulsan HD 3-1 in extra time in the final for a second consecutive cup victory. However, under new manager Park Tae-ha, who was appointed after Kim Gi-dong left for FC Seoul in December 2023, the club finished sixth in the league despite starting the season well.
History
Early years
The club began as a semi-professional team in 1973 and turned professional in 1984. During their early professional years, they established themselves as a competitive force, winning their first Championship in 1986 and maintaining consistent performance in the top four of the K League between 1985 and 1998.
Successful period
Pohang enjoyed their most successful period during the late 1980s and 1990s. The team won the Asian Champions Cup in both 1997 and 1998, establishing themselves as a continental powerhouse. Under manager Hwang Sun-hong, the club developed a unique playstyle dubbed 'Steel Taka' and achieved significant success, winning the 2012 and 2013 editions of the Korean FA Cup, as well as the 2013 K League season.
Crisis and recovery
In the 2000s, the club struggled near the bottom of the table but bounced back to win the first stage of the 2004 K League Championship, though they lost the final to Suwon Samsung Bluewings on penalties. The Steelers won the 2007 Championship play-off by beating Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma with a 4-1 aggregate victory. In 2009, they achieved continental glory by defeating Saudi club Al-Ittihad 2-1 in the AFC Champions League final and finished third at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Current period
In April 2019, Kim Gi-dong took over as manager and led Pohang back to the top half of the league. In 2020, they finished third, qualifying for the AFC Champions League. The club made a strong run in the 2021 AFC Champions League, reaching the final but finishing as runners-up after losing to Al Hilal. In 2023, Pohang celebrated their 50th anniversary by winning the FA Cup, defeating Jeonbuk Hyundai in the final.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Pohang Steelers have won the K League 1 five times (1986, 1988, 1992, 2007, 2013) and finished as runners-up on five occasions (1985, 1987, 1995, 2004, 2023). In cup competitions, they have been particularly successful in the FA Cup with six victories (1996, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2023, 2024) and three runner-up finishes (2001, 2002, 2007). The club has also won the League Cup twice (1993, 2009) and claimed five Korean National Semi-Professional Football League titles during their semi-professional era.
Continental and global competitions
On the continental stage, Pohang has won the AFC Champions League three times (1996-97, 1997-98, 2009) and finished as runners-up once (2021). They have also been runners-up in the Asian Super Cup twice (1997, 1998) and the A3 Champions Cup once (2005). At the global level, the club achieved third place at the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup and finished as runners-up in the Afro-Asian Club Championship twice (1997, 1998).
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
While the source material does not provide detailed information about the current logo or its historical evolution, the club has maintained its Steelers identity since adopting the name in 1997.
Traditional home and away kits colors
Throughout their history, Pohang has worn various kit designs. In 1994, as POSCO Atoms, they wore green and white kits with a multicolored sun in the middle. In 1997, as Pohang Steelers, they wore white shirts with black stripes on the shoulders and black shorts. In 2000, their home kit featured a sky blue shirt with white shorts, while the away kit was black and red hooped with black shorts. In 2002, they wore red kits with a black "V" on the chest.
Traditional club anthem
The source material does not provide information about the club's traditional anthem.
Traditional Rivals
Ulsan HD
The club's arch-rival is Ulsan HD, in a match known as the Donghaean Derby. This rivalry stems from the geographical proximity and industrial significance of both cities - Pohang being home to POSCO, one of the world's largest steelmakers, and Ulsan being home to HD Hyundai, the world's largest shipbuilding company. One of the most memorable encounters occurred in the final round of the 2013 K League Classic season, when Kim Won-il scored a late injury-time winner for Pohang to secure their fifth K League title. Pohang also triumphed over Ulsan in the 2024 Korea Cup final.
Jeonnam Dragons
Another rivalry exists with Jeonnam Dragons, another club owned by POSCO and located in Gwangyang, home to POSCO's largest steelworks. The two clubs met in the final of the 2007 Korean FA Cup, with Pohang losing both legs of the tie.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
The source material does not provide specific information about current sponsors.
Nicknames
The club is commonly referred to as the Steelers, derived from their full name Pohang Steelers.
Ownership and finances
Pohang Steelers are owned by POSCO, the steel company that founded the club in 1973. The club has maintained this ownership structure throughout its history, with POSCO also owning Jeonnam Dragons.
Traditions and culture
The Steelers have several supporters groups, including Levante, Steel Warriors, and Marines, with the club enjoying support from actual ROK Marines members. Steelers fans maintain friendly relations with Suwon Samsung Bluewings supporters in a friendship called the Supo Alliance. The Suwon supporters group Frente Tricolor raised money for Pohang in the aftermath of Typhoon Hinnamnor.
Stadium
Pohang's home is the Pohang Steel Yard, which was completed in 1990 as South Korea's first football-specific stadium. The team trains at the Pohang Steelers Club House in the Buk District, completed in 2001 at a cost of approximately 8 billion won. In 2019, the club opened the Steelers Football Performance Center at a cost of 2 billion won to improve players' fitness and prevent injuries.