Saint George Sports Club (Amharic: ቅዱስ ጊዮርጊስ ስፖርት ክለብ, Kidus Giorgis Sport Club), commonly referred to as Kidus Giorgis, is a professional football team based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Competing in the Ethiopian Premier League, the nation’s top football division, the club was founded in 1935 as Ethiopia’s first football club. It was established as a symbol of national pride and resistance against the fascist Italian occupation. 

History

Establishment and Patriotic Struggle (1935–1944)

Saint George Football Club was founded in December 1935 (Taḫśaś 1928 E.C.) as Arada Kidus Giorgis by George Ducas and Ayale Atnash. The club took its name from the Arada neighborhood of Addis Ababa, also referred to as “Arada Giorgis,” where it was established. Its first players were students from Ducas’ and Atnash’s schools—Teferi Mekonnen School and Kidus Giorgis (Saint George) School, respectively.

Formed during the Italian fascist invasion of Ethiopia, the club quickly became a symbol of Ethiopian nationalism and resistance. Its early years were marked by both patriotism and hardship. Saint George reportedly began with only 2 Tegera Birr, a single football, goalposts, and a stamp. Local restrictions imposed by the Arada police forced the club to constantly relocate, attempting to play at fields such as Filwehameda, Aroge Kera, and Belay Zeleke, but authorities repeatedly chased them away.

Matches were organized against other local teams, including those from the Armenian community of Addis Ababa. Due to a shortage of players, the club often recruited new members from the streets. Yidnekachew Tessema, later a legendary Ethiopian football figure, joined the team in this manner, contributing two goals that led Saint George to a 2–0 victory over the Armenian team.

The club’s first jerseys were made from affordable brown and white cloth. To raise funds, founders like George Ducas pooled money from their families, and club members sang traditional songs such as “Hoya Hoye” door-to-door, collecting bread to sell for cash. Once sufficient funds were gathered, the club purchased new jerseys reflecting the Ethiopian flag colors, which they initially hid under their clothing to avoid attention from occupying authorities. Food for players was also purchased with club funds, and post-match meals typically consisted of bread and tea.

When Italian authorities failed to dismantle Saint George directly, they forced the club to change its name and play against “6 Kilo”, a rival team created by Italians to undermine and demoralize them. Sponsored by the factory Cugnac Alovo, 6 Kilo often had superior resources, and matches between the two clubs frequently ended with intervention from the Arada police.

During this period, the ongoing guerrilla warfare against the Italians heavily influenced the club. The Italians attempted to exploit Saint George as a propaganda tool to deceive resistance fighters, inviting leaders like Ras Abebe Aregay to observe matches. Forewarned, St. George players resisted such manipulation, often turning matches into physical contests that foiled Italian plans.

In 1941, following Ethiopia’s liberation and the return of Haile Selassie I, Saint George supporters joined fellow Addis Ababians in singing the national anthem “Ethiopia hoy des Yebelesh” (Rejoice, Ethiopia) to welcome him back. This anthem was written by a devoted club supporter, Yoftahe Nigussie, and produced by Captain Nalbadin, cementing Saint George’s legacy as a symbol of patriotism and national pride.

Ethiopian League Football (1944–1997)

The first officially recognized Ethiopian football league was established in 1944, featuring five teams representing different communities in Addis Ababa: St. George (Ethiopian), Fortitudo (Italian), Ararat (Armenian), Olympiakos (Greek), and the British Military Mission in Ethiopia (BMME). The inaugural title was claimed by the BMME.

In 1947, Ethiopia launched its formal national league with three teams: St. George, Mechale, and Ke’ay Bahir. St. George remained a key participant in the league for 25 years until the Derg regime reorganized Ethiopian football, forcing many clubs to shut down. During this period, the club’s name was changed to Addis Ababa Brewery in 1972, reverted back to St. George in 1976, and continued switching names until 1991, when it officially resumed the St. George identity after the fall of the Derg.

St. George enjoyed periods of dominance in the late 1960s, though the league experienced greater parity during the 1970s and 1980s. Since the start of the Ethiopian Premier League era in 1997–98, no club has been more successful than St. George, capturing 15 league titles. As of 2017, the club holds a total of 30 top division championships, the most in Ethiopian football history.

The Ethiopian Premier League (1997–Present)

In October 2020, German coach Ernst Middendorp joined St. George on a three-year contract after leaving Kaizer Chiefs F.C. However, he resigned a month later amid concerns over political unrest in Ethiopia. His assistant, Maahier Davids, was promoted but was dismissed after only 15 matches in March 2021.

Following Davids, Scotsman Frank Nuttall was appointed head coach, leading the team to a third-place finish. In July 2021, the club hired Serbian coach Zlatko Krmpotić as its new manager.