GFA History
In 1940 a league was formed call the Bathurst League comprising only teams in Bathurst (Banjul) Augustinians, East End Lions, Dingareh, Hotspur, School XI, Young Lions, Gambia United, RAF, Navy, MSU, Heroes, and Black Diamonds. All matches were played at the MacCarthy Square, and during this period fitness trophies and friendly matches were played. Coronation Cup and Black & White Cup were contested.
It was on the 3rd of November 1952 that The Gambia Football Association was formed, that they affiliated with the Football world body FIFA and CAF.
During this period there was no congress 1952 – 1955, a white man working at the Medical and Health Office call R.C. Roscoe, who was chosen to take charge of running the GFA, he was the secretary and also the officer in charge of the National team.
UAC, Augustinians, Gambia Regiment, Rainbow, Gambia United, Police, Prisons, Medical XI and White Phantoms all registered.
There was no relegation, no promotion, during this period, unlike the early period teams used to form their 2nd teams only to recruit from their 2nd teams.
It was introduced (2nd division) 1954/55 football Season President FA XI, President Cricket, XI Government Non Government, Atomic and it was Atomic FC was the first team to be promoted to Division I.
During this period a land was allocated to the GFA, called the Box Bar Stadium named after a white man called Mr. Box Bar. All teams contributed in clearing the area and the first FA Cup final was played at the Box Bar Stadium 05/07 1952. Gambia United 2 Augustinians 1 and the first international match played at the Box Bar was against Guinea Bissau 02/06/1953 – Bissau won by 3 goals to 1.
Other friendly matches were played under R.C Roscoe management.
| 2/01/53 | GFA XI | 3 | Teachers Union | 1 |
| 9/02/53 | Gambia | 2 | Sierra Leone | 1 |
| 2/06/53 | Gambia | 1 | Bissau | 2 |
| 8/06/53 | Bissau | 1 | Gambia | 0 |
| 4/06/54 | Gambia | 2 | European XI | 0 |
| 14/11/54 | Gambia | 2 | HM Pelican | 1 |
In 1955 the first congress was held and BO Janneh was elected as the first President.
The Executive members
| B.O. Janneh | President |
| W.B. Thomas | Vice President |
| R.C. Roscoe | Hon. Secretary |
| M.O. Mboob | Treasurer |
| J. Hill (Whiteman) | Trustee |
| T. Draper (Whiteman) | Auditor |
| O.K. Saho | Grounds men |
| L. Prom | Grounds men |
The divisional matches were not well organised, so 1991/92 football teams were reintroduced again, Peakmarwick, Joggifans, Flamemins, Waterside, Linguere, Steve Biko and GPA.
2003/2004 football season Gambia was eliminated in the world cup qualifying and the African Nation 16/11/03 Gambia 0 Liberia 3 for 2 years. The President Alhagie Gabbi Sosseh et up an enquiry headed by Gyra Lamin. The Technical Director Sang Ndong and his entire staff were sacked. GFA decided not to play international matches, and the decision annoyed nearly all the teams in the league, more than sixty teams wrote a letter to The GFA requesting an immediate resignation of the GFA President and called on NO VOTE of confident. He was impeached on the 7/11/04 at the Independence Stadium. A Congress was held and Alhagie Omar Sey was elected President.
In 1956 The Gambia made their first tour to Sierra Leone on the 31/10/56 Gambia played against the Rural Areas (Freetown) and The Gambia won by 1 goal to nil. The second match was 3/11/56 against South Eastern States played in BO and The Gambia won by 2 goals to nil. The third match was on the 07/11/56 against Northern Province in Makini and Gambia won by 4 goals to 1. The final match was against Sierra Leone played in Freetown and Sierra Leone won by 1 goal to nil.
1011/56 The players that made the tour are as follows:
| Amadou Tall | White Phantoms |
| Dawda Corr | Rainbow |
| Ismaila Jagne (Lagra) | Foyer |
| Mam Barra Taal | White Phantoms |
| Pa Mamadi Sowe | Rainbow |
| Melburry Jatta | |
| Francis Eku Forbes | White Phantoms |
| Kebba Njie | Gam United |
| Assan Jallow (Kanya) | Atomic |
| William Daddy Tamba | Atomic |
| Habat Sowe | |
| William Stapleton | UAC |
| Pa Sulay Njie | Rainbow |
| Jonny Johnson | Augustinians |
| Sulayman Samba (Captain) | Police |
| Abdoulie Mboob | Gam United Police (Goalkeeper) |
| Mayagou Njie | |
| Dodou Jack |
Officials
B.O. Janneh
Gibriel George
Ousman Saho
Pa Louis Prom
1955/56 season starling, Police B, Bathurst wonderers FC, Field Force FC, Casuals FC were in division II.
On the 5/12/61 Gambia beat Senegal by 3 goals to 2 in their famous victory in Dakar (Kawme Nkrumah Gold Cup)
O.K Saho - Manager
Amadou Taal
Nyamsu Sambou
Ebou Max Njie
George Gomez
Salifu Ndure
Fancis Eku Forbes
Hassan Jallow
Musa Jobarteh
Solomon Gomez
Ousman Sillah
Pa William Ndure
Abdoulie Ngum
2/3/69 coach Drater Crammer arrived from German to assist The Gambia for six weeks and he departed on the 14/4/69.
1969 season Augustinians played against Wallidan and Moses Trinn leg was broken by Solomon Nyassi. He was admitted to RVH. GFA management promised to take Moses Trinn to Dakar for further treatment, which did not. Some of the teams felt it was not good for the sport, they decided to break away from the league and form their own league at KG5 (Banjul Mini Stadium).
Two Presidents were running the Association – the matter was taken to court and it was judge by SIR Phillip Bridges who made the ruling saying only the management committee may arrange games at the Stadium, neither MC Cham or O’brien Coker can arrange international matches. Ruling was made when MC Cham was making arrangement for the national team from Guinea, the other side felt disappointment at the handling of the Association Affairs and demanded the immediate resignation of the President. Other members followed passing out what they called (Vote of no confidence). The President who argued that only the Association General Body could take such action.
1967/68 teams were increased to eight and two team registered Real FC and Young Lions, Real was formally called Benson and Hedges under the management of Cherno Bara Touray (Denis Law) and Mam Sait Njie (Hang). During that period there was no qualifying round for the first (1st) division team can be formed and registered only if the team can produce five or more players in the first (1st) division.
Wallidan FC, Blackstar, Freezers FC, Starlight FC, Mansa Musa FC, joined the league – Arrance FC changed its name to Adonis FC.
30/11/09 the first radio commentary was the FA Cup final between White Phantoms Vs Real De Banjul FC. Seedy Jaw and Sulayman Njie – commentators.
| Real FC | White Phantoms |
| Saihou Njie | Musa Manga |
| Mustapha Conteh | Musa Jobarteh |
| Saihou Sarr | Saloum Njie |
| Sering Faye | M.I. Jallow (Kabba) |
| Yusupha Sibbi (Captain) | Cherno Touray |
| Nyanga Sallah | Cherno Touray |
| Salieu Foon | Alieu Koroma |
| Garnet Coker | Essa Njie |
| Musa Njie | Ebou Faye (Limba) |
| Kebba Diaz | Dodou Ndure |
| Mam Sait Njie (Hang) (Manager) | Eliman Secka |
| Toto Senghore | |
| Kebba Touray (Manager) |
Alhagie Momodou Ngoss Njie commonly known as Biri Njie, the name was given to him by his Quaranic teacher at the age of 5 and was born on the 30th March 1948 at No 6 Perseverance Street in Bathurst now called Banjul. He attends Albion, Stanley, St. Mary’s and Crab Island. He started his football in the street of Banjul especially Primet Street. He started his national football at the age of 15, were he was scouted by a second division team called Black star. He played for one match and then to Black Diamonds. In 1963 he transferred to Arrance FC then to Augustinians and finally to Wallidan FC.. he was selected to the national team at the age of 15 and made his debut against Liberia when he came as a substitute to replace Pa William Ndure at the Box Bar Stadium on the 29/11/1963.
On the 10th/04/65 he was signed by Blackpool FC in Sierra Leone as a semi professional and he played for six months before he came back to The Gambia. On the 23/10/70 he was invited by Derby County FC (English team) managed by Brian Clough for trail matches. Arrangements were made by the President of The Gambia Amateur Association Matarr A Sarr who was in Britain for the Commonwealth Games.
On the 15/11/70 Alhagie Biri Njie left for England for the trail matches at the Baseball ground, the home of Derby County FC. He made his debut trial against British Olympic side 13/12/70 which his side won, and he scored the only goal and his second trail was Derby A Vs Derby B at the Baseball ground and his side also won by 2 goals to nil and he scored one of the goals and the final match was on the 17/12/70 Derby A Vs Derby B and his side won by 1 goal to nil scoring the only goal.
29/12/70 he registered his 400 goals from 1963 – 1970 football season and registered his 100 international caps (appearances) 1973.
In 1972 a Danish first division team called B1901 visited The Gambia to play friendly matches with Wallidan FC and Real De Banjul FC. Alhagie Biri Njie played for Wallidan FC against the Danish side 14/03/72 and he scored the goals. The second match he played against Wallidan FC and scored 3 goals. He was so impressed by the Danish coach Earling Nielson who decided to sign and became the 2nd foreign base players in Scandinavia apart from Salif Keita. He signed a five year contract. In 1976 he signed another contract with Spanish team called Seville FC. The team Diego Maradona once played for. He has a fan club name after him called Biri’s Norte behind the goalpost, north side of the stadium. In 1978 he returned to Denmark to play for Herfolio FC until 1981 when he returned to The Gambia and played for Wallidan FC. He was voted the outstanding sports personality of the year and the most outstanding footballer of the century.
27/12/76 a site was chosen for the construction of a football stadium at Bakau 40 acres of land built by the People Republic of China loan D31m. The former President Dawda K. Jawara laid the foundation 15/5/80 and the entire complex handed to the government on the 1/7/83.
1974/75 the teams were increased to eleven, White Phantoms, Augustinians, Police, Kwame, Eben, Benfica, Starlight, Adonis, Real, GPA and Wallidan.
1975/76 teams were also reduced to 6 relegating Benfica, White Phantoms, Adonis Eben, Augustinians.
In 1979 the national team made their first tour to the far east and Europe, China, Denmark, Norway and Germany. They won all their matches in Germany lost all their matches in China. In Denmark they drew with B1901, in Norway Minodalene FC defeated them by 3 goals to 1.
On the 13/11/83 the first official match at the Independence Stadium was SS Ceesay Trophy final between Starlight and Hawks and it was Muhammed Williams (Fijabi) who scored his first goal in the 34th minute. The match ended 1 goal each.
Hawks won on penalties when Baboucarr Bah (Edacarr) missed a penalty.
20/01/84 the official opening of the Independence Stadium by HE Dawda Kairaba Jawara former President of the Republic of The Gambia.
GFA invited the neighbouring countries Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Conakry; Essa Faye scored the first international goal against Sierra Leone in the 38th minutes.
1987/88 season Mr. BB. Darboe was appointed as the minister of Sports Gambia went to the Zone II to participate in the tournament. Gambia played on the 28/04/88 against Senegal and Gambia was crashed 4 goals to nil. The Minister felt that the GFA was not doing enough to keep football in The Gambia in good order. He decided to disband (dissolve) the GFA, divisional committee formed, appointed James Abraham as an Interim President and Kebba Yorro Manneh as the Secretary. The league didn’t continue, because Starlight, Roots, Young African all withdrew because of financial problem.
The Minister organised a divisional football: Banjul played with LRD and Banjul won by 17 goals to nil.
- Sam J Forster - 1955 – 1956
- Bo Janneh - 1956 – 1966
- MC Cham - 1966 – 1977
- Ebrima M. Samba - 1977 – 1978
- B.O. Fofana - 1978 – 1986
- Alhagie Mustapha Ngum - 1986 – 1988
- James Abraham Interim - 1988 – 1989
- Ousman Sillah Interim - 1989 – 1990
- George Gomez Interim - 1990 – 1992
- Alhagie Babou Ceesay - 1992 – 1993
- Alhagie O.B. Conateh - 1993 – 2001
- Alhagie Gabbi Sosseh - 2001 – 2004
- Alhagie Omar Sey - 2004 – 2006
- Seedy M.B. Kinteh - 2006 – Update
| R.C. Roscoe | 1955 – 1960 |
| O.O. Jobe | 1963 – 1964 |
| Sulayman Samba | 1967 – 1969 |
| M.O. Janneh | 1960 – 1963 |
| Michael Touray | 1969 – 1970 |
| Omar Sey | 1970 – 1977 |
| Sering Omar Faye | 1986 – 1987 |
| Anthony Blain | 1987 – 1989 |
| P.J. Williams | 1964 – 1967 |
| Alasan Gitteh | 1993 – 2001 |
| Momodou Dibba | 1977 – 1982 |
| Mass Sarr | 1982 – 1983 |
| Edmond Shonobi | 1983 – 1986 |
| Kebbeh Yorro Manneh | 1989 – 1993 |
| Jammeh E.K. Bojang | 2001 - Date |
Ousman Saho - 1953 – 1962
Pa Louis Prom - 1962 – 1965
Francis Eku Forbes - 1965 – 1968
Moses Trinn - 1968 – 1975
Cherno Touray - 1975 – 1978
M.I. Jallow - 1978 – 1983
Saihou Sarr - 1984 – 1986
Momodou Biri Njie (Coach Kobna Zone II) - 1986 – 1987
Juan Rotriges Chanse - 1987 – 1988
No Active Football - 1988 – 1991
Nigerian Laloko (Ebrima Bojang Brikama) - 1991 – 1991
Alhagie Sillah - 1991 – 1992
Sang Ndong - 1992 – 1993
Alhagie Sillah - 1993 – 1995
Sang Ndong - 1995 – 1996
John Hansen - 1996 – 1996
Colin Murphy - 27/06/1997 – 10/07/1997
Disbanded - 1998 – 2000
Tori Lennerson (Swedish) - 16/09/1999
Rudy May (German) - Sponsored by German Tour FTI 2 Months
Sang Ndong - 2001 – 2002
Alhagie Sillah - 2002 – 2004
Alhagie Sarr - 2005 – 2006
Musa Njie - 05/08/2006 1 Month
Tony Hay - 08/08/2006 – 22/04/2007
Joseph Reveles - 22/04/2007 – 06/05 2008
Paul Put - 18/05/2008 – To Date
Bucarr Semega Janneh - 21/07/1910 – 21/06/2002
Bukarr O Fofana - 09/05/2009
O.K. Saho - 06/06/1970
Muhammed Ousman Janneh - 15/10/1924 – 15/10/1982
Matarr K Sarr - 28/03/1973
Kissima Ousman Janneh - 15/04/1983
Momodou S Koita - 27/04/1923 – 27/05/1998
Sulayman Samba - 28/03/1973
Adama Ceesay - 07/07/2009
IBA Kelepha Samba - 18/06/1995
Abdou Rahman Coker - 01/11/1981
Abdoulie Mboob - 11/11/2004
Ousainou Njie (Jimmy) - 17/04/2006
Alhagie Nguss Njie - 20/10/1990
Nurainu Carew - 25/01/2010
Saihou Ceesay Arrance - 31/03/2008
Essa Bobb Starlight - 03/08/2008
Omar Touray (ET) Starlight - 18/08/2005
Baboucarr Bah (Edacar) Starlight - 07/05/2004
Momodou Ceesay (Adume) Benfica - 28/02/2005
Baba Mbowe Real - 03/04/2000
Pa Matarr Pindo Drammeh Real - 12/04/1974
Dodou Touray (Saine) Hawks - 18/01/1996
Abdoulie Sarr Augustinians - 02/06/2002
Manga Ngum Wallidan - 12/09/2003
Yusupha IBA Samba Arrance - 17/07/1994
Alhagie Aziz Coker Phantoms - 05/06/2005
William Stapleton Atomic - 11/04/2004
Abou Denton Tarru XI - 13/08/2003
Abdoulie Mboob Police - 04/11/2004
Anthony Blain Black Diamond 28/10/1999
Dawda Corr 29/06/1981
Cherno Gaye Foyer - 29/07/2005
Gibriel George Atomic - 21/12/1931 – 2/08/1981
Yusupha Sibbi Real - 20/04/2008
Sandu Bojang Wallidan - 24/04/2006
Johnny Johnson Augustinians - 07/07/1997
Ebou Max Njie Black Diamond 28/09/2004
Njoke Malick Njie Arrance Wallidan 15/08/2004
Kebba Njie Benfica 01/05/1980
Ousman Njie (Tarru) Augustinians - 07/04/2006
Malick Joof (Pie) White Phantoms 09/08/2005
Amadou Tall (Black Tiger) White Phantoms 04/08/2005
Amadou Jallow (Pol) White Phantoms 12/06/2007
Demba Ndow Wallidan 06/11/2006
Sega Jobe Wallidan 14/11/2006
Sulayman Samba Police 28/03/1973
Nyanga Sallah Real 30/07/1981
Pa Ebrima Touray Police Phantoms 19/03/2003
Seedy Ebrima Njie (Master) Gam United 11/06/2008
Charles Javis Turner 22/09/1962
Thomas Okan Sawyer Starlight 27/09/2008
Alhagie Omar Gaye Hawks 01/10/200
Ismaila Jagne (Labra) Gam United 20/06/1960
Mustapha Conteh Real 07/07/1994
Alieu Leigh Arrance 05/11/2005
Bill Badjie Starlight 05/11/2005
Omaru Camara Benfica 14/12/2008
Pa William Ndure UAC 29/01/2009
Noah Johnson Police 07/07/1987
Babou Njangum Police 26/12/2008
Banny Forster Aug/Phantoms 05/03/2011
Dodou Nying (Buru Buru) G/United/Phantoms 05/03/2011
Francis Dandison Ekundayo Grey Forbes Phantoms 05/06/2009
William Grant Augustinians 12/08/2009
Alhagie Bangura (Look) Hawks 21/10/2008
Leku Robinson Starlight 22/11/2010
Alieu Sinyan Adonis 08/08/2010
Alieu Sallah 31/12/1997
Yaram Faye Freezers 14/03/2011
Moses Sarr Wallidan 05/06/2007
Pascal Njie Hawks 01/10/2009
Bambo Jaiteh Benfica 15/01/2010
Eliman Sarr Arrance 02/09/2007
