CLUB HISTORY

1892

Founding of the South African Football Association (SAFA) – the original controlling body for white football. Later renamed Football Association of South Africa (FASA) in 1957.

1910

The Union of South Africa is formed.

1915

Benoni United founded as a collection of amateur players

1950

Population Registration Act and Group Areas Act are passed.

1959

The National Football League (NFL) the first professional association football league in South Africa, established in 1959. Clubs are formally registered. Benoni United uses this year as its formal founding date.

Rocco Smith (Benoni United) wins player of the Year.

Benoni United merges with Brakpan United and Springs Old Boys to form East Rand United.

1963

Benoni United exits East Rand United and rejoins NFL Division 2

1966

1971

National Professional Soccer League is formed. Orlando Pirates are the inaugural winners.

1972

Breakaway group forms Benoni United led by Mickey Bookholoane.

Matt Mphahane, the owner of the then Nigel United Buccaneers, which campaigned in the NPSL was experiencing financial problems.

Mickey Bookholoane met Mphahane to negotiate a deal to purchase the club status.

To succeed he invited the late Doctor Nthato Motlana together with Dr Mafu Dotwana, Dr Pika Nene and a Wattville businessman, Samuel Mashego. The group unanimously agreed to acquire the club and also to have its professional status in the NPSL immediately transferred to Benoni United.

Deal Sanctioned by NPSL and Benoni United rejoins the professional ranks.

1975

Former Rhodesia Captain John Thomas joins Benoni United as Coach and leads team to first ever Top 8 Finish ending the season 6th.

Benoni United reaches the semi-final of the Benson and Hedges Cup losing to a star studded Orlando Pirates.

The 1976 Youth Uprisings happen, country placed in State of Emergency.

SAFA (FASA) expelled from FIFA

1976

1977

Best ever run in the league finishing in Second Place behind Kaizer Chiefs. Quarter final exit in the Benson and Hedges Cup.

Benoni United reaches the final of the BP Top 8 Cup beats Orlando Pirates 3-0 at Orlando Stadium however injuries to key players leads to a second leg defeat of 4-0 to lose the final 4-3.

Stars such as Kenneth "The Horse" Mokgojoa, Ephraim "Never My Love" Madigetla, Clive "Shoes" Khubeka, Amos "Scara" Njokweni, Abel Mkhabela, Meshack "Mr Executive" Mjanqeka, Sam ,"Happy Cow" Nkomo, Richard "Litre" Lata, and the hordes of others became household names.

Kenneth "The Horse" Mokgojoa scores a record 88 goals in a single season he is awarded Player of the Season. He Transfers to Kaizer Chiefs briefly then to play in the USA at Washington Diplomats alongside Johan Cruyff.

1978

NPSL merges with the whites only NFL continues as NPSL.

Former NFL team Lusitano wins the League.

Despite Benoni United losing its goal scoring machine we still manage a Top 8 finish. With Quarter final exits in the cup competitions.

1979-83

Benoni United enters era of relative stability finishing just outside of the Top 8 in the subsequent seasons as a mid table team. In 1983 Benoni United break Transfer Record signing Andries Maseko from Moroka Swallows for R25,000.

1983

Highlands Park (record 8 times NFL and 1 time NPSL winners) sold to Jomo Sono in a symbolic move of racial integration.

1984

Boardroom disagreements lead to a split of the NPSL with the formation of the NSL existing alongside the NPSL.

KWIKOT announces sponsorship of Benoni United including Naming Rights team is briefly known as Kwikot Benoni.

1985

Benoni United is Relegated for the very first time since joining the Professional Ranks.

1985-2003

Club initially plays in the First Division then is further relegated and enters a period of relative dormancy getting deregistered in the process.

2004

Premier United purchases the status of Hellenic moving the club from Cape Town to Benoni. The Club is renamed Benoni Premier United and regains Top Flight Status the next season. *

2006

Benoni Premier United manages to avoid relegation. Host of star players and future legends in the team.

2007

Benoni Premier United sells Premiership Status to Thanda Royal Zulu. BPU enters a period of downward spiral ending up in non league football eventually the club ceases to operate.

2011

Naming Rights and Commercial Rights acquired by Shepherds Sporting Group.

2023

Benoni United Revived by Shepherds Sporting Group naming Spearheaded by Nkateko Khoza the Club President. The club is set to relaunch in August 2024.

*Benoni Premier United was a new club but because it took up the logo and slogan of Benoni United for all intents and purposes was considered as a continuation of The Rabbits