Hong Kong Third Division League
Hong Kong Third Division League is the fourth-highest division overall in the Hong Kong football league system under the organization of Hong Kong Football Association.
| Founded | 1951 |
|---|---|
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 15 |
| Level on pyramid | 4 (2014–) 3 (1951–2014) |
| Promotion to | Hong Kong Second Division |
| Domestic cup(s) | FA Cup Junior Division |
| Current champions | WSE (1st title) (2022–23) |
| Most championships | Jardine SA, Five-One-Seven (3) |
| Website | HKFA website |
| Current: 2023–24 Hong Kong Third Division | |
Starting with the 2012–13 season, the two divisions of the Hong Kong Third Division League were merged into one. Teams of the Third Division League in the 2012–13 team were the 2 final round losing team and the 3rd to 10th placed teams of Hong Kong Third A Division League, along with the 3rd and 4th placed teams of Hong Kong Third District Division League. The remaining teams from Hong Kong Third A Division League and Hong Kong Third District Division League competed in Hong Kong Fourth Division League for the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons before the reformation was completed.
Prior to the 2012–13 season, the Third Division was divided into two parallel leagues: Hong Kong Third 'A' Division League and Hong Kong Third 'District' Division League. The first one was competed by club teams while the later one was played by teams sent by each District Council of Hong Kong. The top two teams in each league entered into the Third Division League Final Round to compete for the two promotion places to Hong Kong Second Division.
Format & rules edit
- Every team plays every other team in the league, home and away. The top two teams in the table at the end of the season earn the right to be promoted to the Second Division. Meanwhile, the bottom team in the table will not be permitted to enter a team in the league system for the following season.
- No foreign players are allowed to be registered by any of the teams.
- Each team shall field at least two U22 players on the pitch at any given time.
Past winners edit
As a 4th Tier League edit
| Season | Champions | 1st Runner-up | 2nd Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Tung Sing | Central & Western | St. Joseph's |
| 2015–16 | Hoi King | Central & Western | St. Joseph's |
| 2016–17 | Happy Valley | Wing Go Fu Moon | GFC Friends |
| 2017–18 | North District | Leaper St. Joseph's | Kwok Keung |
| 2018–19 | CFCSSHK | Kwai Tsing | Kui Tan |
| 2019–20 | Abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong | ||
| 2020–21 | King Mountain | Sun Hei | WSE |
| 2021–22 | Abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong | ||
| 2022–23 | WSE | Sun Hei | Fukien |
See also edit
References edit
- League Rules, The Hong Kong Football Association website