Eastern Sports Club

{{for|the club's basketball team|Hong Kong Eastern}} {{not to be confused with|Eastern District Sports Association}} {{redirect|Eastern AA|the U.S. collegiate athletic conference formerly known as the Eastern Athletic Association|Atlantic 10 Conference}} {{Use Hong Kong English|date=May 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Eastern | image = Eastern Sports Club.svg | image_size = 180px | fullname = Eastern Sports Club Football Team Limited<ref name="cr">{{cite web|url=https://www.icris.cr.gov.hk/csci/|title=Eastern Athletic Association Football Team Limited (CR No. 1253874)|publisher=ICRIS, Companies Registry, the Government of Hong Kong SAR|access-date=2015-10-29|archive-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325014715/https://icris.cr.gov.hk/csci/|url-status=live}}</ref> ({{lang|zh-hant|東方體育會足球隊有限公司}}) | founded = {{start date and age|1932}} | manager = Manuel Torres | mgrtitle = Head coach | league = Hong Kong Premier League | season = 2025–26 | position = Hong Kong Premier League, 4th of 10 | website = {{URL|http://football.easternlonglions.com/}} | ground = Mong Kok Stadium | capacity = 6,664 | current = 2024–25 Eastern SC season  | pattern_la1 = _adidastirocm24tr | pattern_b1 = _adidastirocm24tr | pattern_ra1 = _adidastirocm24tr | pattern_sh1 = _adidastirocm25w | pattern_so1 = _Adidas white logo | leftarm1 = | body1 = | rightarm1 = | shorts1 = | socks1 = FF0000  | pattern_la2 = _adidasicon25w | pattern_b2 = _eastern2526a | pattern_ra2 = _adidasicon25w | pattern_sh2 = _adidastirocm24tr | pattern_so2 = _Adidas black logo | leftarm2 = | body2 = | rightarm2 = | shorts2 = | socks2 = FFFFFF  }}

'''Eastern Athletic Association Football Team Limited''',<ref name="cr" /><ref name="hkfa">{{cite web|url=http://www.hkfa.com/en/club/12/detail/|title=Eastern A.A. Football Team|publisher=Hong Kong Football Association|access-date=2015-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312073508/http://www.hkfa.com/en/club/12/detail|archive-date=12 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> also known as '''Eastern Sports Club''' ({{zh|t={{linktext|東|方|體|育|會|}}}}), is a Hong Kong professional sports club whose football section competes in the Hong Kong Premier League, the top flight of Hong Kong football.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1835100/eastern-set-aside-hk10-million-become-first-professional-basketball|title=Eastern set aside HK$10 million to become first professional basketball team in Hong Kong|date=9 July 2015|publisher=South China Morning Post|access-date=2016-01-15|archive-date=17 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417124645/https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1835100/eastern-set-aside-hk10-million-become-first-professional-basketball|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==

===Early history=== In 1925, a group of workers from the China Building in Central formed the Chinese Football team.<ref>{{cite book|author=湯偉雄|script-title=zh:東方體育會足球隊訪問澳洲南洋特刊|language=zh}}</ref> Two years later in 1927, the club changed its name to the Eastern Athletic Association, establishing itself as an all Chinese football club, and entered the Hong Kong Second Division.<ref>{{cite book|author=嗇名|script-title=zh:球國春秋|page=75|language=zh}}</ref>

During the 1931–32 season, Eastern initially won the right to promotion but declined. It was not until the 1936–37 season that the club would make its debut in the Hong Kong First Division, finishing 11th.

===1940–1990=== Eastern won its first trophy in club history in 1940, capturing the Senior Shield in a 2–1 victory over South China. Success was not permanent at Eastern who were relegated back to the Second Division not long after and did not return until the 1948–49 season.

The 1950s saw the first period of sustained success for Eastern. The club won the First Division for the first time in 1955–56 and captured two Senior Shields during this decade.

It was also during the 50s when Hong Kong football legend Lam Sheung Yee signed with Eastern and earned his debut in the First Division.<ref>「國腳訪問記(十九) 鴻運當頭的林尚義」《Sing Tao》，1958年5月4日第5版 {{in lang|zh-hk}}</ref> Lam would go on to spend four separate spells at Eastern throughout his career although silverware eluded Lam during those years.

In the 1981–82 season the club was managed by former England captain and World Cup winner Bobby Moore. He helped them in winning the 1981–82 Hong Kong Senior Shield, later returned to the club as a manager in August 1982 before departing in March 1983.

Notable English players - such as 1966 World Cup winner Alan Ball and Graham Paddon - also played for the club in the early 80s.

Eastern's ability to attract such players was due to their large budget, funded by billionaire businessman Peter Lam. The strong squad were able to win two Senior Shields and a Hong Kong FA Cup in the 80s, however, they were never able to capture the First Division title.

===Eastern Dynasty=== Following the 1990–91 season, third placed club Lai Sun announced that they would be withdrawing from the First Division. This became the catalyst for Eastern's dynasty in the first half of the 90s as many former Lai Sun players found a home at Eastern.

Starting with a runners up finish in 1991–92, the club then dominated Hong Kong football, winning three consecutive First Division titles between 1992 and 1995. During the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons, the club won the treble, capturing all three major trophies in both seasons.

Unfortunately, due to a massive reduction in sponsorship revenue prior to the 1995–96 season, Eastern had to release many of their top players and were forced to sign younger, less experienced players. A year later, the club were relegated after a last place finish and returned to the Second Division for the first time since 1948.

===Relegation and subsequent promotion=== In the subsequent ten years following relegation in 1997, Eastern struggled in the league. The club finished at the bottom of the Second Division in 2002–03 and dropped down to the Third Division. They would eventually turn the tide by capturing the Third Division title in 2004–05 and returned to the second tier.

Ahead of the 2006–07 season, Eastern were to be demoted to Hong Kong Third Division but the Hong Kong Football Association intervened and invited the club to compete in First Division League for 2007–08 season.

It looked unlikely at first that for the club to obtain sufficient sponsorship to make the move up, however the club confirmed their participation in July 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=東方王朝今季再現！|url=http://the-sun.on.cc/cgi-bin/hotnews2.cgi#selection-701.0-701.9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125014716/http://the-sun.on.cc/cgi-bin/hotnews2.cgi?#selection-701.0-701.9|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 January 2007|website=The Sun|access-date=20 July 2007}} {{in lang|zh-hk}}</ref>

After competing in the top flight for two seasons, Eastern decided to drop into the Third Division ahead of the 2009–10 season due to financial difficulties.<ref>{{cite web|title=東方有先例八年前自降丙組|url=http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/realtime/sports/20170605/56787310|website=Apple Daily|access-date=5 June 2017|archive-date=11 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911025240/http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/realtime/sports/20170605/56787310|url-status=live}} {{in lang|zh-hk}}</ref>

After declining the right to promotion twice during their stay in the Third Division, the club finally accepted promotion during the 2011–12 season in which they won all 18 of their league matches and finished as champions.

During the 2012–13 season, Eastern was promoted back to the First Division League as the third-place finishers in the Second Division League.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.easternsalon.com/club | title=About Eastern Sports Club | publisher=Eastern Sports Club | access-date=18 March 2016 | archive-date=11 September 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911071121/http://www.easternsalon.com/club | url-status=live }}</ref> They were branded as '''Eastern Salon''' from 2012 to 2016 for sponsorship reasons.

In April 2016, Eastern won the 2015–16 Hong Kong Premier League under the guidance of Chan Yuen Ting, becoming the first men's professional association football team to win a domestic, top flight championship under the management of a woman. Eastern lost only one game in the 2015–16 season under Chan.<ref name="442_16APR23">{{cite web|title=Chan becomes first female to lead men's team to top-flight title|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/chan-becomes-first-female-lead-mens-team-top-flight-title#:od_twTpZPyVm6A|website=Four Four Two|publisher=Haymarket Media Group|access-date=23 April 2016|date=3 November 2016|archive-date=24 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424110719/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/chan-becomes-first-female-lead-mens-team-top-flight-title#:od_twTpZPyVm6A|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2016–17 season, Eastern was branded as Eastern Long Lions for sponsorship reasons.

They beat Kitchee 3–1 to win the Hong Kong Community Cup. The club also reached the final of the Senior Shield before losing to Kitchee 2–1 at Hong Kong Stadium.

The club went on a season-long unbeaten run in the league until the final match day when they lost to Kitchee 4–1 at Mong Kok Stadium and finished runners up.

The season also marked the first time for a Hong Kong club to compete in the group stage of the AFC Champions League.

The club's only silverware of the season came from the league playoff, where they beat Southern 3–0 in the final to secure their spot in the second qualifying round of the AFC Champions League the next year.

=== AFC Champions League debut === Eastern were grouped with Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale, China club Guangzhou Evergrande and Korean club Suwon Samsung Bluewings.They finished the AFC Champions League campaign with one point in six matches, finishing in the bottom of their group.

Manolo Bleda scored the club only goal in the tournament and also gaining their first ever point in their debut tournament in a 1–1 draw against Kawasaki Frontale at the Mong Kok Stadium.

=== Recent times === In 2018, Eastern obtained the sponsorship of Top East Holdings, allowing the club to expand its budget.<ref>{{cite web |title=尚東集團贊助東方龍獅力爭佳績 |url=https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/sport/20181101/bkn-20181101232637489-1101_00882_001.html |website=on.cc |date=November 2018 |access-date=1 November 2018 |archive-date=8 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908132815/https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/sport/20181101/bkn-20181101232637489-1101_00882_001.html |url-status=live }} {{in lang|zh-hk}}</ref>

The club launched a program known as Project E in which Eastern will send its most promising young players to train with Portuguese club Cova da Piedade.

Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Eastern lured reigning Coach of the Year Lee Chi Kin and many of his former players from Tai Po in hopes of returning the club to title contender status.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Chi Kin |title=李志堅攜大埔班底投東方龍獅 16新兵加盟佔全隊逾半 |url=https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82%E9%AB%94%E8%82%B2/353021/%E6%B8%AF%E8%B6%85%E8%81%AF-%E6%9D%8E%E5%BF%97%E5%A0%85%E6%94%9C%E5%A4%A7%E5%9F%94%E7%8F%AD%E5%BA%95%E6%8A%95%E6%9D%B1%E6%96%B9%E9%BE%8D%E7%8D%85-16%E6%96%B0%E5%85%B5%E5%8A%A0%E7%9B%9F%E4%BD%94%E5%85%A8%E9%9A%8A%E9%80%BE%E5%8D%8A |website=HK01 |date=17 July 2019 |access-date=17 July 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717134342/https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82%E9%AB%94%E8%82%B2/353021/%E6%B8%AF%E8%B6%85%E8%81%AF-%E6%9D%8E%E5%BF%97%E5%A0%85%E6%94%9C%E5%A4%A7%E5%9F%94%E7%8F%AD%E5%BA%95%E6%8A%95%E6%9D%B1%E6%96%B9%E9%BE%8D%E7%8D%85-16%E6%96%B0%E5%85%B5%E5%8A%A0%E7%9B%9F%E4%BD%94%E5%85%A8%E9%9A%8A%E9%80%BE%E5%8D%8A |url-status=live }} {{in lang|zh-hk}}</ref>

The club were successful in his first season, winning the Senior Shield-FA Cup double, and won the Sapling Cup in his second season. But the club failed to win the league in 2020–21. Lee stepped down as head coach following the season.

On 20 June 2024, AFC confirmed that Eastern will participate in the inaugural 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two.

== Name history == *1932–2012: '''Eastern''' (東方) *2012–2016: '''Eastern Salon''' (東方沙龍) *2016–2023: '''Eastern Long Lions''' (東方龍獅) *2023–: '''Eastern SC''' (東方)

== Rivalries == During the 1960s and 70s, the majority of Eastern's funding came from pro-Taiwan backed groups while rivals Happy Valley received sponsorship from pro-China groups.

An intense rivalry developed between the clubs during this period and the media referred to the derbies between them as the "Chinese Civil War."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Y-Shing |title=港波佬Vol.12：淺談「港足」百餘載之十二──東方「皇朝 |url=http://www.goal.com/hk/news/3636/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF/2011/12/02/2783644/%E6%B8%AF%E6%B3%A2%E4%BD%ACvol12%E6%B7%BA%E8%AB%87%E6%B8%AF%E8%B6%B3%E7%99%BE%E9%A4%98%E8%BC%89%E4%B9%8B%E5%8D%81%E4%BA%8C%E6%9D%B1%E6%96%B9%E7%9A%87%E6%9C%9D |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628072510/http://www.goal.com/hk/news/3636/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF/2011/12/02/2783644/%E6%B8%AF%E6%B3%A2%E4%BD%ACvol12%E6%B7%BA%E8%AB%87%E6%B8%AF%E8%B6%B3%E7%99%BE%E9%A4%98%E8%BC%89%E4%B9%8B%E5%8D%81%E4%BA%8C%E6%9D%B1%E6%96%B9%E7%9A%87%E6%9C%9D |archive-date=28 June 2018 |access-date=6 May 2018 |website=Goal.com}} {{in lang|zh-hk}}</ref>

==Current squad== ===First team=== {{updated|1 June 2026}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=一隊球員 – 東方體育會 |url=https://easternsportsclub.com/%e6%89%80%e6%9c%89%e8%b6%b3%e7%90%83%e5%93%a1/%e4%b8%80%e9%9a%8a%e7%90%83%e5%93%a1/ |access-date=2024-02-15 |language=zh-hant}}</ref> {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=1|nat=HKG|pos=GK|name=Yapp Hung Fai|other=vice-captain}} {{Fs player|no=5|nat=NZL|pos=DF|name=Marco Lorenz}} {{Fs player|no=7|nat=JPN|pos=FW|name=Taiga Kawano}} {{Fs player|no=8|nat=BOL|pos=MF|name=Jorge Carreón}} {{Fs player|no=9|nat=JPN|pos=FW|name=Yu Okubo}} {{Fs player|no=11|nat=BRA|pos=FW|name=Felipe Sá}} {{Fs player|no=14|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Yu Joy Yin}} {{Fs player|no=15|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Lau Kwan Ching}} {{Fs player|no=16|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Leung Chun Pong|other=captain}} {{Fs player|no=17|nat=BRA|pos=MF|name=Gabriel Carvalho}} {{Fs player|no=18|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Cheung Che Hope}} {{Fs player|no=19|nat=HKG|pos=DF|name=Yiu Ho Ming}} {{Fs player|no=22|nat=HKG|pos=DF|name=Leung Kwun Chung|other=vice-captain}} {{Fs player|no=24|nat=ESP|pos=GK|name=Gianni Cassaro}}FP {{Fs player|no=25|nat=HKG|pos=GK|name=Ko Chun}} {{Fs player|no=27|nat=ESP|pos=MF|name=Marcos Gondra}} {{fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=28|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Siu Ching}} {{Fs player|no=32|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Lam Hin Ting}} {{Fs player|no=33|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Gao Ming Ho}} {{Fs player|no=37|nat=HKG|pos=FW|name=Chang Kwong Yin}} {{Fs player|no=42|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Yeung Tung Ki}} {{Fs player|no=43|nat=HKG|pos=DF|name=Uriel Contiero}} {{Fs player|no=44|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Prabhat Gurung}} {{Fs player|no=59|nat=CHN|pos=MF|name=Ihsan Yasinjan}}FP {{Fs player|no=65|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Wong Fred Yang}} {{Fs player|no=66|nat=HKG|pos=DF|name=Gao Ming Ngai}} {{Fs player|no=77|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Hung Hei Yin}} {{Fs player|no=88|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Cheung Man Ho}} {{Fs player|no=91|nat=BRA|pos=FW|name=Gil}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=HKG|pos=DF|name=Loong Tsz Hin}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=HKG|pos=MF|name=Lee Chun Ting}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=HKG|pos=GK|name=Chung Hoi Man}} {{Fs end}}

== Club official == {|class="wikitable" |- !Position !Staff |- |Head coach|| {{flagicon|ESP}} Manuel Torres |- |Assistant coach|| {{flagicon|HKG}} Cristiano Cordeiro |- |Goalkeeping coach||{{flagicon|BRA}} Ricardo Navarro |- |Fitness coach|| {{flagicon|ESP}} Javier Benavent |- |Physiotherapist|| {{flagicon|ESP}} Pau MP {{Fb cs footer|u=|s=|date=June 2020}}

== Honours == ===League=== * '''Hong Kong Premier League''' **'''Champions (1):''' 2015–16 **Runners-up (4): 2014–15, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2020–21 * '''Hong Kong First Division''' **'''Champions (4):''' 1955–56, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 **Runners-up (2): 1986–87, 1991–92 * '''Hong Kong Second Division''' **'''Champions (1): '''1947–48 * '''Hong Kong Third Division''' **'''Champions (3): '''2004–05, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12

===Cup competitions=== * '''Hong Kong Senior Shield''' **'''Champions (12): '''1939–40, 1952–53, 1955–56, 1981–82, 1986–87, 1992–93, 1993–94, 2007–08, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2019–20, 2024–25 **Runners-up (6): 1947–48, 1971–72, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2022–23, 2023–24 * '''Hong Kong FA Cup''' **'''Champions (7): '''1983–84, 1992–93, 1993–94, 2013–14, 2019–20, 2023–24, 2024–25 **Runners-up (2): 1994–95, 2014–15 *'''Hong Kong Sapling Cup''' **'''Champions (1):''' 2020–21 * '''Hong Kong Viceroy Cup''' **'''Champions (2): '''1970–72, 1980–81 *'''Hong Kong Community Cup''' **'''Champions (1):''' 2016 **Runners-up (1): 2017

==Season-to-season record== {|class="wikitable" ! Season ! Tier ! Division ! Teams ! Position ! Home stadium ! Attendance/G !FA Cup !Senior Shield !League Cup !Sapling Cup |- |align=center|2005–06 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|2 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|Second Division |align=center|13 |align=center|'''9''' |rowspan=8 colspan=2 align=center bgcolor=grey| |rowspan=2 align=center|''Did not enter'' |rowspan=2 align=center|''Did not enter'' |rowspan=2 align=center|''Did not enter'' |rowspan=10 align=center bgcolor=grey|''Not held'' |- |align=center|2006–07 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|2 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|Second Division |align=center|11 |align=center bgcolor=#DDFFDD|'''10''' |- |align=center|2007–08 |align=center|1 |align=center|First Division |align=center|10 |align=center|'''7''' |align=center|Semi-finals |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''Champions''' |align=center|Semi-finals |- |align=center|2008–09 |align=center|1 |align=center|First Division |align=center|13 |align=center bgcolor=#ffcccc|'''9''' |align=center|First round |align=center|Quarter-finals |align=center|Semi-finals |- |align=center|2009–10 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|3 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|Third A Division |align=center|20 |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''1''' |rowspan=4 align=center|''Did not enter'' |rowspan=4 align=center|''Did not enter'' |align=center bgcolor=grey|''Not held'' |- |align=center|2010–11 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|3 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|Third A Division |align=center|19 |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''1''' |rowspan=2 align=center|''Did not enter'' |- |align=center|2011–12 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|3 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|Third A Division |align=center|19 |align=center bgcolor=#DDFFDD|'''1''' |- |align=center|2012–13 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|2 |align=center bgcolor=#ffc0a0|Second Division |align=center|11 |align=center bgcolor=#ddffdd|'''3''' |rowspan=2 align=center bgcolor=grey|''Not held'' |- |align=center|2013–14 |align=center|1 |align=center|First Division |align=center|12 |align=center|'''6''' |align=center|Shing Mun Valley Sports Ground Sham Shui Po Sports Ground Mong Kok Stadium |align=center|1,069 |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''Champions''' |align=center|Semi-finals |- |align=center|2014–15 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|9 |align=center bgcolor=silver|'''2''' |align=center|Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground |align=center|960 |align=center bgcolor=silver|Runners-up |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''Champions''' |align=center|Knock-out Stage |- |align=center|2015–16 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|9 |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''1''' |rowspan=3 align=center|Mong Kok Stadium |align=center|1,908 |align=center|Quarter-finals |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''Champions''' |align=center|Semi-finals |align=center|Semi-finals |- |align=center|2016–17 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|11 |align=center bgcolor=silver|'''2''' |align=center|1,923 |align=center|Semi-finals |align=center bgcolor=silver|Runners-up |align=center rowspan=9 bgcolor=grey|''Not held'' |align=center|Semi-finals |- |align=center|2017–18 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|10 |align=center|'''4''' |align=center|1,511 |align=center|Quarter-finals |align=center bgcolor=silver|Runners-up |align=center|Group Stage |- |align=center|2018–19 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|10 |align=center|'''5''' |align=center|Hong Kong Stadium |align=center|1,040 |align=center|First round |align=center|Semi-finals |align=center|Group Stage |- |align=center|2019–20 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|10 |align=center bgcolor=silver|'''2''' |align=center|Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground |align=center|803 |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''Champions''' |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''Champions''' |align=center|Group Stage |- |align=center|2020–21 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|8 |align=center bgcolor=silver|'''2''' |rowspan=6 align=center|Mong Kok Stadium |align=center|1,162 |colspan=2 align=center bgcolor=grey|''Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic'' |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''Champions''' |- |align=center|2021–22 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|8 |align=center bgcolor=grey|'''Cancelled''' |align=center|1,053 |colspan=2 align=center bgcolor=grey|''Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic'' |align=center bgcolor=grey|''Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic'' |- |align=center|2022–23 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|10 |align=center|'''4''' |align=center|1,043 |align=center|Semi-finals |align=center bgcolor=silver|Runners-up |align=center|Semi-finals |- |align=center|2023–24 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|11 |align=center bgcolor=#cfaa88|'''3''' |align=center|775 |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''Champions''' |align=center bgcolor=silver|Runners-up |align=center|Group Stage |- |align=center|2024–25 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|9 |align=center bgcolor=#cfaa88|'''3''' |align=center|1,031 |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''Champions''' |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''Champions''' |align=center|Semi-finals |- |align=center|2025–26 |align=center|1 |align=center|Premier League |align=center|10 |align=center|'''4''' |align=center|972 |align=center|Quarter-finals |align=center|Semi-finals |align=center|First round |align=center bgcolor=grey|''Defunct'' |}

''Note'':

{{legend2|Gold|1st or '''Champions'''|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|Silver|2nd or Runners-up|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|#cfaa88|3rd place|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Promotion|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|#FFCCCC|Relegation|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

==Continental record== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Season ! Competition ! Round ! Club ! Home ! Away ! Aggregate |- | 1994 | Asian Club Championship | First round | {{flagicon|JPN}} Verdy Kawasaki | style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|1–0 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|1–3 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|2–3 |- | rowspan='2'|1995 | rowspan='2'|Asian Club Championship | First round | {{flagicon|BRU}} Kota Ranger | style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|6–1 | style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|6–1 | style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|12–2 |- | |Second round | {{flagicon|JPN}} Verdy Kawasaki | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|1–2 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|3–4 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|4–6 |- | rowspan="3"| 2009 | rowspan="3"| AFC Cup | rowspan="3"| Group G | {{flagicon|THA}} Chonburi FC | style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|2–1 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|1–4 | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|'''3rd''' |- | {{flagicon|VIE}} Hà Nội ACB | style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|3–0 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–3 |- | {{flagicon|MAS}} Kedah FA | style="text-align:center; background:#ffd;"|3–3 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–2 |- | rowspan="3"| 2017 | rowspan="3"| AFC Champions League | rowspan=3| Group G | {{flagicon|CHN}} Guangzhou Evergrande | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–6 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–7 | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|'''4th''' |- | {{flagicon|JPN}} Kawasaki Frontale | style="text-align:center; background:#ffd;"|1–1 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–4 |- | {{flagicon|KOR}} Suwon Samsung Bluewings | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–1 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–5 |- | 2018 | AFC Champions League | Qualifying preliminary round 2 | {{flagicon|VIE}} FLC Thanh Hóa | colspan=3 style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|2–4 |- | rowspan=3|2021 | rowspan=3|AFC Cup | rowspan=3|Group J | {{flagicon|HKG}} Lee Man | colspan=2 style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–1 | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|'''2nd''' |- | {{flagicon|MNG}} Athletic 220 | colspan=2 style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|1–0 |- | {{flagicon|TPE}} Tainan City | colspan=2 style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|1–0 |- | rowspan=3|2022 | rowspan=3|AFC Cup | rowspan=2|Group J | {{flagicon|HKG}} Lee Man | colspan=2 style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|3–1 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|'''1st''' |- | {{flagicon|TPE}} Tainan City | colspan=2 style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|3–1 |- | Inter-zone play-off semi-finals | {{flagicon|UZB}} Sogdiana Jizzakh | colspan=3 style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–1 |- |rowspan=3|2024–25 |rowspan=3|AFC Champions League Two |rowspan=3|Group E |{{fbaicon|JPN}} Sanfrecce Hiroshima |style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|2–3 |style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|1–4 |rowspan=3 style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|'''4th''' |- |{{fbaicon|AUS}} Sydney FC |style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|1–4 |style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–5 |- |{{fbaicon|PHI}} Kaya–Iloilo |style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|1–2 |style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"|2–1 |- |rowspan=3|2025–26 |rowspan=3|AFC Champions League Two |rowspan=3|Group F |{{fbaicon|JPN}} Gamba Osaka |style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–5 |style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|1–3 |rowspan=3 style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|'''4th''' |- |{{flagicon|VIE}} Nam Định |style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–1 |style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–9 |- |{{fbaicon|THA}} Ratchaburi |style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|0–7 |style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|1–5 |}

==Other achievements==

=== 1992–93 season === In 1992–93 season, Eastern maintained a record of 9 straight wins in the first half of the First Division League season.

The team scored 30 goals in the first 9 matches with no goals conceded. It was a record of 3-zero (0 draw, 0 loss, 0 conceded).

Eastern captured 3 trophies in that season, and regained the League Champion title after 37 years.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hkfa.com/includes_files/board_details.php?news_id=4348 |title=HKFA website (in Chinese) 東方不敗的一項全勝紀錄 |access-date=26 August 2007 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927185538/http://www.hkfa.com/includes_files/board_details.php?news_id=4348 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== AFC Champions League === Eastern is the first Hong Kong club to compete in the group stage of the AFC Champions League.

Chan Yuen-ting is the first woman to coach a male football club in a top-flight continental competition, when she managed the club in the 2017 AFC Champions League match against Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande.

==Head coaches== * {{flagicon|England}} Bobby Moore (卜比·摩亞) (1981–1982)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shrimper.org.uk/managers/moore.php|title=Blue Anorak: Bobby Moore|access-date=26 August 2007|archive-date=8 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008050928/http://www.shrimper.org.uk/managers/moore.php|url-status=live}}</ref> * {{flagicon|HK|1871}} Peter Wong (黃興桂) (1979–1982, 1988–1990) * {{flagicon|HK}} Tsang Wai Chung (曾偉忠) (1996–1998) * {{flagicon|Brazil}} Casemiro Mior (米路) (2007–2008) * {{flagicon|HK}} Chan Hiu Ming (陳曉明), Lee Kin Wo (李健和), Lo Kai Wah (羅繼華) (2008–2009) * {{flagicon|HK}} Lee Kin Wo (李健和) (2009–2013) * {{flagicon|HK}} Cristiano Cordeiro (高尼路) (2013–2015) * {{flagicon|HK}} Yeung Ching Kwong (楊正光) (2015) * {{flagicon|HK}} Chan Yuen Ting (陳婉婷) (2015–2017) * {{flagicon|HK}} Szeto Man Chun (司徒文俊) (2017–2018) * {{flagicon|HK}} Lee Kin Wo (李健和) (caretaker) (2018) * {{flagicon|HK}} Chan Yuen Ting (陳婉婷) (2018–2019) * {{flagicon|HK}} Wong Chun Yue (黃鎮宇) (caretaker) (2019)<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://football.easternlonglions.com/index.php?c=article&id=1106|script-title=zh:東方龍獅足球隊主教練陳婉婷請辭|trans-title=Eastern Long Lions Football Team head coach Chan Yuen Ting resigns|date=4 February 2019|access-date=4 February 2019|publisher=Eastern Sports Club|language=zh-hk|publication-place=Hong Kong|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204122856/http://football.easternlonglions.com/index.php?c=article&id=1106|archive-date=4 February 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Latvia}} Andrejs Štolcers (安祖史杜錫) (caretaker) (2019) * {{flagicon|HKG}} Lee Chi Kin (李志堅) (2019–2021) * {{flagicon|HKG}} Roberto Losada (盧比度) (2021–2025) * {{flagicon|HKG}} Cristiano Cordeiro (高尼路) (caretaker) (2025–2026) * {{flagicon|ESP}} Manuel Torres (文努托利斯) (2026–)

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Facebook}} * {{Instagram}} * {{Twitter}}

Category:Eastern Sports Club Eastern Athletic Association Category:Association football clubs established in 1932 Category:1932 establishments in Hong Kong