12/11/2025
AN ACCOUNT OF THE CHAMPION CLUB; ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK
Story: Nathaniel Nertey Nettey
🌳 The Founding and Early Years (1910-1911)
The club's origins trace back to mid-1910 when a group of young men from the Usher Town suburb of Accra aimed to form a club to rival the then-dominant team, The Invincibles of James Town. The club was formally established on November 11, 1911, the day they officially outfitted their first set of jerseys and played their first match.
The founding group included individuals like C.B. Nettey, J.T. Ankrah, and the Bruce-Tagoe brothers. Ackom Duncan, a young man from Saltpond where football was already established, is credited with training the fledgling team and became its first captain.
📜 Building an Identity and Early Success (1912-1955)
In the decades following its founding, the club built its identity and began to achieve success.
· Adopting the Colours and Motto: In 1917, the club adopted its iconic rainbow colours of Red, Yellow, and Blue, designed by Mr. T.F. Bruce-Tagoe. The club's resilient character during this period led to its famous "Never Say Die" motto.
· First Major Trophy: Hearts of Oak won its first major competitive honour in 1922, claiming the Guggisberg Shield in the Accra Football League, donated by the then Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Gordon Guggisberg. They went on to win this competition six times in total.
· Formal Structure: The club appointed its first Secretary, Captain Mark Nettey, in 1914 and its first Chairman, Mr. S.Q. Nelson, in 1917, moving from a players' collective to a formally structured organization.
🏆 Domestic Dominance and Continental Forays (1956-1999)
After Ghana's independence, Hearts of Oak joined the national league and became a dominant force.
· League Success: The club won its first Ghanaian League title in 1956. They have since won the Premier League a record 21 times (as of the 2020-21 season), including an unprecedented six consecutive titles from 1997 to 2002.
· Cup Triumphs: Hearts of Oak also holds the record for the most Ghanaian FA Cup victories, with 12 titles to its name.
✨ The Golden Era: The Continental Treble (2000)
The year 2000 marked the most successful period in the club's history. Under the management of Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, Hearts of Oak achieved a continental treble:
· Won the CAF Champions League, defeating Esperance de Tunis of Tunisia.
· Captured the Ghana Premier League title.
· Lifted the Ghanaian FA Cup.
This incredible achievement made Accra Hearts of Oak the first and only club in West Africa to win a continental treble. They capped this era by winning the CAF Super Cup in 2001 and the CAF Confederation Cup in 2004.
😢 The 2001 Stadium Disaster
On May 9, 2001, a tragic disaster occurred during a match between Hearts of Oak and their arch-rivals, Asante Kotoko. After Kotoko fans began ripping out seats to protest a Hearts goal, police fired tear gas into the crowd, causing a stampede. 127 people lost their lives in what remains one of Africa's worst football disasters.
📈 The Modern Era and Enduring Legacy
· Current Structure: The club has transitioned into a limited liability company with a Board of Directors and a Management Team. The current Board Chairman is Togbe Afede XIV.
· Home Ground: The club plays its home matches at the Accra Sports Stadium.
· Rivalries: Their longest and most fierce rivalry is with Asante Kotoko S.C., and they also have a local city rivalry with Great Olympics FC.
· Player Production: Hearts of Oak has consistently produced stars for the Ghana national team, the Black Stars, including legends like Mohammed Ahmed (Polo), Stephen Appiah, and Ishmael Addo.
🏅 Honours and Achievements at a Glance
Ghana Premier League 21
Ghanaian FA Cup 12 (Record)
CAF Champions League 1 (2000)
CAF Confederation Cup 1 (2004)
CAF Super Cup 1 (2001)
Ghana Super Cup 3
From its humble beginnings with a tennis ball in Ussher Town, Accra Hearts of Oak has cemented its legacy as the "Never Say Die" club and an enduring giant of Ghanaian and African football.
Happy Birthday to the "Phobians," the "Rainbow Boys," the pride of Ghana—Accra Hearts of Oak! From the "Never Say Die" spirit to the echoes of "Hearts, Ole, Ole!" in the stadiums, your story is woven into the fabric of the game.
Here's to more glory, more passion, and more moments that make the Oak stand tall. Happy 114th Birthday! May the coming years be filled with even greater success.
Virtutem Praestate
Phoooobia!
N.N.Nettey
Accra Hearts of Oak