Bhayangkara FC

Bhayangkara Presisi Lampung Football Club, simply known as Bhayangkara Presisi, is an Indonesian professional football club based in Bandar Lampung, Lampung. The club is linked to the Indonesian National Police. The name of the club is based on a police rank. They have won the Liga 1 title in 2017. They set to play in Liga 1 from 2025–26 season following promotion in 2024–25 Liga 2.

History

Persebaya offspring (2010–2016)

Bhayangkara FC was a by-product of internal conflict in one of Indonesia's oldest clubs, Persebaya Surabaya. As the conflict was peaking in 2010, a rebel faction acquired Persikubar West Kutai, a second-tier club based in West Kutai on East Kalimantan, following the decision of the main faction to pull Persebaya out of the Indonesian Super League (ISL) and register it for the inaugural season of the Indonesian Premier League (IPL). The rebel faction renamed Persikubar into Persebaya and moved its base to Surabaya, so that the latter could still have a representation in the 2011 season of ISL, albeit in its second-tier.

When the Persebaya DU team managed to win promotion into the top-tier of ISL in 2013, the naming issue became a legal battle as another Persebaya was playing in the top-tier of IPL. In a span of a year (August 2015 to September 2016), this team changed names four times in order to circumvent legal challenges from different parties, including the notorious Persebaya supporters known as Bonek. In April 2016, the team known at that time as Surabaya United, merged with PS Polri, the amateur club of the Indonesian National Police, to obtain legal backing and create Bhayangkara Surabaya United.

A police team (2016–present)

On 10 September 2016, the Indonesian National Police became the main operator of the club and renamed it into its current identification, Bhayangkara FC. Bhayangkara itself is a nickname for the Indonesian police, deriving from the name of the guardians of the ancient kingdom of Majapahit. In November 2020, the club moved its base to Surakarta after failing to win support from football fans in the national capital, already loyal to one of the most popular club in the country, Persija Jakarta. They then planned to change its name to Bhayangkara Solo. However, the renaming plan was canceled.

First national trophy

In 2017, Bhayangkara FC won the 2017 Liga 1 championship on a head-to-head decision, which was seen as controversial by football fans nationwide who preferred the runner-up Bali United, which had collected the same number of points. While the procedure was legal, fans considered Bhayangkara as an elitist creation, with no popular support, while Bali United had won the hearts of the people in Bali. Despite the championship, Bhayangkara FC was unable to compete in the 2018 AFC Champions League, and the AFC Champions League spot went to Bali United.

Decline and relegation

After winning the 2017 season, Bhayangkara had managed to finish mostly in the top five of the league table for three consecutive seasons. However, in the 2022–23 season, they only managed to finish seventh.

During the 2023–24 season, the team suffered a winless run which lasted for 16 matches, forcing them to make extensive player transfers, including the recruit of former Belgium national football team player, Radja Nainggolan.

Unfortunately, their rescue mission went short in matchday 32, as relegation contender Persita Tangerang drew 1–1 against Persik Kediri. Their fate was sealed further after a 1–2 loss against Bali United.

Return to Liga 1

In the 2024–25 Liga 2 regular series, Bhayangkara topped the Group 2 standings, advancing them to the promotion round. Bhayangkara then secured the Group Y top position, qualification to the Liga 2 final, and a promotion ticket back to Liga 1 after a goalless draw against Persijap in 12 February.

Following their promotion back to Liga 1. Bhayangkara reappointed Paul Munster as their head coach for the 2025–26 season.

Colours and badges

Bhayangkara FC's main colour is gold, which is associated with the golden badge of police officers. The golden badge is also clearly included at the top section of its logo.

Kit history

Honours

Seasons

Note: Since this team established as Bhayangkara FC.

Recent history

;Notes

Season to season

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Current league:
* 7 seasons in Liga 1
* 1 season in Liga 2
Defunct league:
* 1 season in ISC A

Stadium

Bhayangkara FC played their home matches at the Greater Jakarta stadiums and trained at the PTIK Stadium, inside the Indonesian National Police higher learning centre in South Jakarta, for 2017–2020 seasons. When they won the 2017 Liga 1 season, the club used Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi.
For 2022–23 season, they used Wibawa Mukti Stadium as homebase. For 2025–26 season, they will use Sumpah Pemuda Stadium as homebase.

Supporters

Bhayangkara's supporters are called Bhara Mania, majority of them linked to the Indonesian National Police.

Sponsorship

The club is financially supported by a company owned by the police's traffic division. Sometimes, it can win external sponsorship but from state-owned enterprises, such as Bank BNI.

Players

Current squad

Naturalized players

Staff

Head coach history

''Head coach by years (2010–present)''

References

External links

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{{Authority control

Football clubs in Lampung
Association football clubs established in 2010
2010 establishments in Indonesia
Police association football clubs