Angkor City FC

Angkor City
Full nameAngkor City Football Club
Founded2013 (2013) as Next Step FC
2023 (2023) as Angkor City
GroundHanuman Stadium
Siem Reap province, Cambodia
Capacity5,000
Head CoachCharlie Pomroy
LeagueCambodian League 2
2022Cambodian League 2, 11th
Websitehttp://nextstepfc.net

Angkor City Football Club, (formerly known as Next Step Football Club) is a Cambodian professional association football club based in Siem Reap province. The club currently plays in Cambodian League 2.

History

Foundation

Next Step Football Club was founded in 2013 by Charlie Pomroy and Keo Sophal. With the help of goalkeeping coach Charles Dailey,[1] the not-for-profit football academy, working to help underprivileged children in Cambodia, joined the Cambodian second tier to participate in its first professional season in 2022.

Debut professional season

Next Step Football Club registered as a professional club in July 2021, before making its professional football debut in 2022. The team finished 11th in the league, with Brazilian striker Bruno Krenkel ending the season as the club's top scorer, logging ten goals – one of those, a long-range wonder strike, which gained global acclaim.[2]

In 2023, former Dorchester Town manager Callum Brooks joined the club as technical director.[3] Brooks stated that he joined Next Step "to be another body behind a great vision".[4]

Richard Harcus, CEO of Harcus Consultancy Group arrived at the club in November 2023 as new Director Of Football and is also tasked with the role of General Manager. [5][6] He left to join Balestier Khalsa FC in early 2025.

Investment in the club

In 2023, Next Step teamed up with recruitment and relocation company Next Step International (NSI) “in a deal which will see the latter help hire, move and adapt the latest quality football talent from around the world” to Cambodia.[7]

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  CAM Chhun Phally
2 DF  CAM Rith Ra
3 DF  CAM Boeun Ratha
4 DF  CAM Khun Sokmeng
5 DF  USA Federico Diaz
6 DF  CAM Put Chomnan
8 MF  JPN Takuya Yamase
9 FW  CAM Chea Savey
12 DF  CAM Mab Sinai
13 MF  CAM Nhep Oeurnsovanndet
16 MF  CAM Ren Ro
17 FW  BRA Bruno Krenkel
18 MF  CAM Thoeurn Soreach
19 MF  CAM Kong Reatrey
21 FW  CAM Heng Kimsong
22 GK  CAM Tuy Terdararith
No. Pos. Nation Player
23 DF  CAM Yong Mengchhay (Captain)
28 DF  CAM Khorn Sakada
29 FW  COD Joslyn Ghifem Katuala
30 GK  CAM Toch Samnang
32 DF  CAM Lay Somrach
33 DF  CAM Thai Pharothana
40 DF  CAM Ta Mattamon
44 DF  CAM Seat Ouji
47 FW  CAM Mat Lyphaiyat
50 DF  JPN Kento Fujihara
60 MF  CAM Chhun Channy
66 DF  CAM Keo Pich
68 MF  CAM Phan Makara
90 FW  CAM Vuth Lyminh
99 GK  CAM Yeourn Rathana

References

  1. ^ Wright, Gavin. "Helping change the face of soccer in Cambodia with the Next Step FC academy". nevermanagealone.com. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Neymar Speechless! Wonder Goal by Bruno Krenkel in Cambodia".
  3. ^ "Callum Brooks Moves to Cambodia".
  4. ^ "KOF Interview Charlie Pomroy Next Step FC".
  5. ^ "Angkor City FC name Richard Harcus new Director of Football".
  6. ^ "Angkor City FC name Richard Harcus new Director of Football - Cambodia Lifestyle". 2023-11-23. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  7. ^ "NSI partner with Next Step FC on recruitment and relocation deal to attract new talent to Cambodian football".