Overcoming challenges, FC Carvoeiro United has steadily grown in its first decade, becoming a cherished hometown club for the people of Carvoeiro with big plans for the future
– December 20, 2024 | Text Michael Bruxo | Photos Mário Moreira
It’s the kind of thought that almost any young football fan has at least once in their life – “what if I created my very own football club?” This is exactly what a group of friends decided to do over a decade ago, founding their own club in their beloved town of Carvoeiro.
“We had a group which would meet to play football at the local sports field, and the level of play was… let’s say, not bad. So, we started organising friendly matches with actual football clubs and our performances were good. That is when our dream started taking shape,” said club co-founder, president and player Yannick Nicklaus.
As he explained, founding the club was a difficult process and was only possible due to the support of local sponsors.
“If it wasn’t for Hemingways Bar and JAN, I don’t think we would have achieved this. A lot of money was needed, including a lot of our own money, to get this thing rolling,” Yannick recalled.
From covering the costs of policing at matches to paying for club uniforms or physiotherapists, players would often “have to pay to play”.
“But the more support we received, the more we realised that it was worth it. More and more people from Carvoeiro started wanting to become involved with the club, which I think helped us a lot, because people started feeling like this was their club as well,” the co-founder explained.
Starting the 2024/25 season in the lowest tier of Portuguese football (the Algarve’s regional second division) after being relegated last season, FC Carvoeiro United has nonetheless experienced “notable growth” throughout its first decade of life.
“At the beginning, players used to bring their own uniforms from home. Now, we have a partnership with the Carvoeiro Clube laundry room to take care of players’ uniforms,” Yannick said.
Coaching staff has also increased, whilst the club’s board – previously run by club players – has a dedicated team focused on the day-to-day management of the club, from Tiago Raposo, vice-president and former FC Carvoeiro United player, and João Jacinto, sports director and fan, to John Wilson, treasurer and former player, and Marianne Schuyffel, Yannick’s mother, who has been a key figure of the club and is the current president of the board, focusing on organising events and ticket sales.
Meanwhile, Sandro Pacheco – a current sponsor and one of the co-founders, as well as the club’s first president – helps with raising funds for the club.
For this season, the goal is to achieve promotion to the Algarve’s first division, despite facing the competition of clubs with more substantial resources.
“Last season was the first time we were able to pay our players something minimal – and I mean truly minimal – but which for us is already a lot. It’s very difficult to compete with other clubs in that regard. The only revenue we have is from the sale of club jerseys and scarves. Luckily, we have players who would rather play for their hometown team than play for another club and earn €300 or €400 – which other clubs are able to pay,” said Yannick.
Matches are played at the club’s home stadium in Estômbar, with dates and times announced every week on the club’s social media pages. As FC Carvoeiro United are competing in the regional second division, all home matches are free.
Having its very own stadium in Carvoeiro is a dream that the club would love to pursue.
“But considering the prices of plots of land, it’s a dream that’s hard to make come true at this point,” Yannick admitted.
A more realistic goal is creating youth teams for the club. The interest from young players is there, but the stadium in Estômbar is currently overloaded with youth teams from other clubs, leaving any potential youth teams with nowhere to practice.
One of the things that sets FC Carvoeiro United apart from other clubs is the wealth of nationalities and cultures of its players and supporters. Much like the town it’s based in, the club has had players of countless nationalities, from Portuguese and British to Dutch and Brazilian.
“Our name reflects our goal – to unite all the nationalities that make up Carvoeiro.
Our club’s colour, orange, was chosen because of my mother and I, as we are Dutch. And in fact, many Dutch tourists come to the bar and buy the jersey because it’s orange. Others end up buying our jerseys or becoming fans of our club because they identify with our ideology,” Yannick said, adding that the club’s goal is to be the “hometown club for everyone”.
Palm Properties Portugal unveils partnership as shirt sponsor for FC Carvoeiro United
Palm Properties Portugal has announced its new role as the official shirt sponsor for FC Carvoeiro United.
Jeroen Haen, Managing Director of Palm Properties Portugal, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating: “This collaboration underscores our commitment to positively impacting the local community, aligning with our broader mission to support the growth and well-being of the areas we serve. Whilst our primary focus as a real estate company is to offer exceptional properties, we also believe in the importance of fostering community spirit. Supporting local sports is a meaningful way for us to give back.”
A highlight of this partnership is the unveiling of Carvoeiro United’s home jersey for the 2024/25 season.
The design pays homage to Carvoeiro’s unique identity, featuring iconic elements such as the Alfanzina Lighthouse, traditional fishing boats, picturesque local houses, and the region’s distinctive chimneys. This thoughtfully crafted jersey not only represents the club’s spirit but also celebrates Carvoeiro’s rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, encapsulating the essence of the community.
In celebration of the club’s 10th anniversary, a special ‘10 Years’ jersey has also been launched.
This commemorative jersey honours the individuals who have contributed to the club’s success over the past decade. Adorned in gold, with intricate details inspired by Algarve tiles, each name inscribed on the jersey represents a piece of the club’s history and the essential support that has shaped its journey.
“Fans eager to support the team and showcase their pride in the local community can purchase the new jerseys at Hemingways Bar in Carvoeiro,” Yannick Nicklaus of FC Carvoeiro United stated.
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