Durban City F.C. (2024)
| Full name | Durban City Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Citizens |
| Founded | 1979 as Maritzburg United |
| Ground | Chatsworth Stadium[1] |
| Capacity | 22,000 |
| Chairman | Farook Kadodia |
| League | South African Premiership |
| 2024–25 | 1st of 16, champions (promoted) |
| Website | durbancityfc |
Durban City is a South African football club based in the city of Durban. They were previously called Maritzburg United, and were based in the city of Pietermaritzburg. They were promoted to the Premiership at the end of the 2024–25 National First Division season.
History
The club was formed in 1981 and initially played in the Federation Professional League.[2]
Move to Durban
In August 2024, the club announced that it was changing its name to Durban City and moving from Pietermaritzburg to Chatsworth in Durban. After their relegation from the 2022–23 Premiership, the club was barred by the Msunduzi Local Municipality from using the Harry Gwala Stadium, which was reserved for Royal AM and were forced to play their home games at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban, far from their fan base. With the club incurring an extra R60 000 in expenses for each home game as a result, the club decided to rebase themselves in Durban.[3][4]
The club appointed veteran coach Gavin Hunt prior to the start of the season.[5] With the club in mid-table, Hunt was dismissed, purportedly for not developing youth players according to the owner's wishes.[6]
Honours
Club records
- Most starts: Shu-Aib Walters & Peter Petersen 107
- Most goals: Fadlu Davids 20
- Most starts in a season: Shu-Aib Walters & Mario Booysen 35 (2012/13)
- Most goals in a season: Cuthbert Malajila 13 (2012/13)
- Record victory: 4–0 vs Bloemfontein Celtic (12/01/18, PSL)
- Record defeat: 0–7 vs SuperSport United (14/10/11, PSL)
Source:[7]
Record
- 2004–05 – 5th
- 2007–08 – 1st Coastal Stream, Champions (promoted)
- 2008–09 – 12th
- 2009–10 – 11th
- 2010–11 – 12th
- 2011–12 – 11th
- 2012–13 – 11th
- 2013–14 – 10th
- 2014–15 – 8th
- 2015–16 – 14th
- 2016–17 – 7th
- 2017–18 – 4th
- 2018–19 – 15th
- 2019–20 – 7th
- 2020–21 – 13th
- 2021–22 – 12th
- 2022–23 – 15th (relegated)
Current squad
- As of 20 September 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable former coaches
- Trott Moloto (2004)
- Boebie Solomons (1 July 2004 – 30 June 2005)
- Kosta Papić (1 July 2006 – 20 Dec 2006)
- Steve Komphela (1 Jan 2007 – 9 Jan 2007)
- Vladislav Herić (10 Jan 2007 – 6 March 2007)
- Mlungisi Ngubane (8 March 2007 – 30 June 2007)
- Ian Palmer (1 July 2007 – 10 July 2008)
- Gordon Igesund (15 July 2008 – 15 Nov 2009)
- Ernst Middendorp (16 Nov 2009 – 12 March 2011)
- Ian Palmer (14 March 2011 – 13 Jan 2012)
- Ernst Middendorp (19 Jan 2012 – 10 Oct 2013)
- Clinton Larsen (15 Oct 2013 – 6 Jan 2014)
- Steve Komphela (6 Jan 2014 – 17 June 2015)
- Clive Barker (25 Sep 2015 – 1 Dec 2015)
- Ernst Middendorp (28 Dec 2015 – 28 Nov 2016)
- Roger De Sa (10 Jan 2017 – 23 Mar 2017)
- Gavin Hunt (2025 – 2025)
- Sinethemba Badela (2025 – 2026)[8][9]
References
- ^ Singh, Niyanta (19 August 2024). "Chatsworth Stadium new home of rebranded Maritzburg United". DurbanLocal. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ "MARITZBURG UNITED TEAM OF CHOICE". www.maritzburgunited.co.za. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
- ^ Sithole, Sinethemba (9 August 2024). "Maritzburg United to be rebranded to Durban City, PSL approves". FARPost. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ Ngidi, Njabulo. "How Msunduzi Municipality's malaise led to death of Maritzburg United". Sport. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ Lambley, Garrin (10 July 2025). "Gavin Hunt named Durban City coach: His PSL track record". The South African. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ Dube, Mthokozisi (3 December 2025). "What led to Gavin Hunt's abrupt Durban City departure". Farpost. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
- ^ "Maritzburg United". Kickoff.com. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- ^ Munyai, Ofhani (26 December 2025). "Durban City appoint Hunt replacement and welcome back Middendorp". Farpost. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ Raophala, Mauwane (9 February 2026). "Durban City FC explain Sinethemba Badela's shocking departure". FARPost ZA. Retrieved 9 February 2026.