History of Kwara United Football Club
Kwara United Football Club is one of Nigeria’s Premier League Team which was created in the year 1997, it is the founder of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA) of Ilorin with Kwara State Stadium as their training ground and play field for football tournaments and championships while at home.
Prior to its creation in the late 1970’s, the football club was initiated by the then Water Corporation Of Kwara State in the mid-1970’s (1974 precisely). Ironically the club was purposely created to serve as a hub where the staff of the state water corporation can actually come and have fun, recreate and exercise themselves through football playing and more.
But what seems to be an in-house club for the corporation staff unexpectedly transformed into a football league due to much talents and skills which were exhibited in the course of the staff-friendly matches played.
Luckily, the football club had their first outside in-house club match played in the year 1977 and they secured a place in Nigeria’s National League (second division). Subsequently, they have played many other outstanding matches and had made unexpected headway as they reached the finals in the Nigerian Challenge Cup still same year they qualified into the country’s national league.
The fast-rising football club went smoothly in their sporting activities but starting facing some challenges from the early 1990s when the founder company stopped its activities for the club in the area of financial support. This greatly affected their sporting activities relegating them to the third division of the Nigeria national league.
Before, during and after their relegation, their names were changed at intervals;
- In the year 1985 – Their name was changed to Kwara Utility Bombers Of Ilorin in order to rhythm with their parent company or founder’s name which was as at then changed to Kwara Utility Board.
- In the year 1996 – During their relegation, the football club was re-christened Kwara Bombers Football Club Of Ilorin because of the put to stop in activities by the founder which includes financial support.
- In the year 1997 – The football club was renamed again for the third time by the then state government which was led by Colonel Peter Asum Ogar to Kwara United Football Club Of Ilorin. He nurtured the team in their areas of need which made them secure a place in the second division.
Kwara Football Club started performing once again well and better but was again relegated in the year 2013 though they later won their rightful place back after one year by winning Ranchers Bees Football Club - Kaduna. They have as well featured in Nigerian Premier League and CAF Confederation Cup.
