A group of former stars from the golden era of Kelantan football are poised to take a significant step towards reviving the state’s football fortunes after announcing plans to acquire 80 percent ownership of Kelantan WTS FC, with the club expected to be rebranded as Kelantan City FC.
The announcement was made during a press conference attended by several iconic figures from the historic The Red Warriors (TRW) era, including Mohd Badhri Mohd Radzi, Zairul Fitree Ishak, Nor Farhan Muhamad, Mohd Daudsu Jamaluddin and Mohd Farisham Ismail, alongside several other former TRW stalwarts.
The move signals a new chapter for football in Kelantan, with the former players aiming to build a sustainable structure that focuses on long-term development from grassroots football through to the senior professional level.
The proposed rebranding from Kelantan WTS FC to Kelantan City FC is viewed as a strategic effort to create a fresh identity while preserving the rich football heritage that once made Kelantan one of Malaysia’s most feared football powerhouses.
Kelantan WTS FC finished seventh in the 2025/26 A1 Semi-Pro League season, but the incoming ownership group believes the club possesses the foundation needed to become a competitive force once again.
The project is also expected to involve several influential figures who played key roles during Kelantan’s most successful era, including Annuar Musa, widely regarded as one of the architects behind the state’s rise to prominence during the early 2010s.
Speaking at the press conference, Kelantan WTS FC President Wan Mohd Ridhuan Abdullah revealed that his decision to relinquish the majority stake was driven by his confidence in the credibility, commitment and football expertise of the former TRW players.
According to Wan Mohd Ridhuan, the group’s passion for Kelantan football and their vision for the future convinced him that they were the right individuals to lead the club into its next phase.
Despite the ownership transition, he confirmed that he will remain involved in the club’s management structure to help ensure continuity and support the long-term development plans being put in place.
The involvement of players who were instrumental in Kelantan’s historic success has generated excitement among supporters eager to see the state return to the national football spotlight.
Many of the individuals linked to the takeover were part of the celebrated TRW generation that helped establish Kelantan as a dominant force in Malaysian football, creating one of the most passionate fan bases in the country.
While significant work remains ahead, the proposed acquisition represents one of the most ambitious football revival projects in Kelantan in recent years.
Credit Photo : Sportsync Empire
