The club was established in 1923, according to an interview with Austin Senevirathe.[3] He stated that the Malaya Cup match between Negeri Sembilan and Singapore took place in that particular year.[3][4] In 1948, they won the first HMS Malaya Cup,[5] led by Kwan Soon Teck.[6]
On 31 May 2003, Negeri Sembilan met Perlis in the FA Cup final. Played at Perak Stadium, the club was surprised by the opponent's early goal in the 11th minute. The club managed to close the gap in the 56th minute thanks to a goal by Effendi Malek. In the 95th minute, Everson Martinelli scored for the trophy.[10]
Negeri Sembilan made its first appearance in the AFC Cup competition in the 2004 season. The club opened it against Island FC with a 6–0 win on 10 February. However, the club had to settle for being 3rd after losing all the remaining group stage matches, including Geylang United and East Bengal.[11]
The repeated final happened again on 30 October 2010. However, this time the club lost 1–2 to Kelantan despite having taken an early lead through Shahurain Abu Samah.[16] On April 10, 2010, Negeri Sembilan needed the luck of the penalty shootout to win the FA Cup championship again by beating Kedah 5–4.[17]
In 2011, the club again qualified for the Cup final for the third consecutive time. They won the trophy after defeating Terengganu FA with an epic comeback. The first goal was scored by Mohd Ashaari Shamsuddin for Terengganu in the 59th minute. S. Kunanlan equalised the score in the 81st minute before Hairuddin Omar hit the winning goal in the 85th minute.[18][19]
On September 10, 2018 Tunku Syed Razman Tunku Syed Idrus Al-Qadri was elected as the new president of the Negeri Sembilan Football Association (PBNS) for the period of 2018–2021.[35] On October 20, 2020, the club officially made its privatisation as Negeri Sembilan Football Club.[36] The club has been registered under a private limited company named Negeri Sembilan Football Club Sdn. Bhd. (Negeri Sembilan Football Club Pvt. Ltd.). The club became a subsidiary of the Negeri Sembilan Football Association (PBNS).[37][36]
In 2024, Faliq Firdaus was appointed as the new chief executive officer of Negeri Sembilan, becoming the youngest CEO in the MSL.[38][39][40][41]
On 12 June 2025, NSFC appointed YAB Dato’ Seri Utama Hj Aminuddin bin Harun, the First Minister of Negeri Sembilan, as the club’s new Chairman. The announcement was made by YTM Tunku Syed Razman, the Tunku Besar of Tampin and President of the Negeri Sembilan Football Association (PBNS). The appointment reflects a strategic effort to strengthen football governance in the state, with PBNS focusing on grassroots development while NSFC operates as a competitive professional entity. Dato’ Seri Aminuddin expressed his commitment to revitalising NSFC and uniting the community through football. The club is set to begin its 2025/2026 Malaysia League campaign in August.[42]
Negeri Sembilan FC was granted the National License for the 2025–26 season by the First Instance Body (FIB) of the Malaysian Football League (MFL), as part of the FAM Club Licensing process. The license approval confirms that the club has met the minimum criteria required under the national licensing regulations, including areas such as sporting standards, infrastructure, administrative and personnel qualifications, legal compliance, and financial stability. Possession of the National License permits the club to participate in the 2025–26 Malaysia Super League, the top tier of professional football in Malaysia, as well as all other competitions and cup tournaments organised by the Malaysian Football League.[43]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Warrix is a Thai sportswear manufacturer founded in 2013. Named after the word “warrior” to evoke strength and resilience, it produces football kits and training gear using advanced fabrics such as Comba+Tech, Comba+Cool, and Comba+Lite. The company has grown rapidly in Southeast Asia, supplying kits to the Thailand national team since 2017 and to clubs including Phnom Penh Crown FC and Tampines Rovers.[56]
On a two-year deal, Warrix became the official technical (kit) sponsor of Negeri Sembilan FC, providing kits for the first team as well as the U‑20, and U‑18 squads during the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons. The partnership, valued at RM 1.7 million, aligns with NSFC's strategy to enhance commercial value and competitiveness in Malaysian football.[57]
In tournaments the Negeri Sembilan Football Association only used Negeri Sembilan or Negri Sembilan as the team name. Negeri Sembilan is the name of one of the states in Malaysia, and the Negeri Sembilan Football Association is the governing body of football, founded to represent the state. The team used it from 1923 through 2004 before it was rebranded in 2005.
2005–2008: Negeri Sembilan Naza
Negeri Sembilan was rebranded in 2005. The team, sponsored by a motor company from Malaysia named Naza, started in 2005. This has caused Negeri Sembilan to be given a new name: Negeri Sembilan Naza, or simply NS Naza, to represent the name of the sponsoring company.
2009–2014: Negeri Sembilan
In 2009, Naza withdrew from sponsoring the Negeri Sembilan football team. The team later cancelled the name Negeri Sembilan Naza and changed it back to Negeri Sembilan for the 2009 league season. They have used it until season 2014.
2015: Negeri Sembilan Matrix
On 6 December 2014 the president of the Negeri Sembilan Football Association (PBNS) announced the team's new branding by changing it to Negeri Sembilan Matrix, or simply NS Matrix. With a larger amount of sponsorship from Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad and a bigger investment for the team, they had a greater vision and mission to carry out. Unfortunately, on 25 August 2015, NS Matrix was disbanded for not meeting the expectations set by PBNS.[59]
2016–2020: Negeri Sembilan
Due to the disbandment of NS Matrix in the previous year, the team used the Negeri Sembilan name again starting in 2016. The team used it for 5 years until 2020, when they started using the new name because they had registered as a private football club.[60]
2020–present: Negeri Sembilan F.C.
To achieve the targeted standards and the campaign implemented by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the Negeri Sembilan team has privatised their team to become a football club. Previously operating as a football association, the team has started a new chapter with the privatisation of their football team.[61]
Negeri Sembilan previously used the crest of the Negeri Sembilan Football Association (PBNS). After being privatised in 2020, Negeri Sembilan FC started using the new crest. The competition was won by Azral Ramlay.[62]
Escutcheon: The escutcheon of the arms is depicted as an old Frenchshield outlined in black. The three basic colours of Negeri Sembilan symbolise all the people, players, and supporters coming together to protect their team, along with the lyrics of the Negeri Sembilan song, "Musuhnya Habis Binasa" (English: "His enemies perished").
Yellow, black and red: Negeri Sembilan uses three colours from the state flag as its official colours. The colours have been used on the crest and team kits since its establishment. Based on the flag, the yellow represents the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, the black symbolises the four undangs (traditional chiefs), and the red denotes the citizens of the state. However, in the context of the football, these three colours have their own meaning: yellow represents the team, black symbolises the players, and red denotes the supporters.[64]
Kits: Red as the dominant colour is used for the home kit, while for the away kit the dominant colour is yellow, with the addition of some red and black. As for the third kit, there are several dominant colour variations, such as white, blue, and black.
Negeri Sembilan has a big fanbase in every corner of Negeri Sembilan. It is no exception that there are fans from abroad who support and follow the progress of the Negeri Sembilan team. Negeri Sembilan fans have gone through a period of highs and lows with the team when they were often relegated and promoted. The loyalty of the fans was tested when the team was relegated to the 2nd-tier league and had a disappointing season, but that paid off when the team made it to the top flight and managed to win several trophies. In 2011, Negeri Sembilan once set a record for the average number of supporters attending, which was around 20,000 and above, from the start of the Malaysia Cup campaign until the final round against Terengganu. In the semi-final against T-Team, more than 40,000 fans filled the Paroi Stadium.[65]
Like other teams, Negeri Sembilan has several chants that are chanted by fans. The most popular chant is "Hobin jang hobin" (English:"Strike lad strike"), which is a trademark of Negeri Sembilan. Others include "Ini Paroi jangan main" (English: "This is Paroi don't underestimate"), "Akan berkati sekalian yang setia" (English: "Will bless all the devotees"), "Musuhnya habis binasa," (English:"His enemies perished"), "Buffalo souljah". In addition, there are some mainstream songs that are made by popular Malaysian singers, including "Hobin Jang Hobin and "Lagu Bola.[66]
There is a very popular chant created by the Ultras Nogori. The chant is called "Sehati Sejiwa" and has been used by most ultras in Malaysia until it was brought to the international level to be used by Ultras Malaya. The lyrics of the chant are as follows:
"Kami turun ke stadium sehati sejiwa Kami turun ke stadium sehati sejiwa Ne..ge..ri Ne..ge..ri Sehati sejiwa"
In the southern part of the country, there is a three-way rivalry between Negeri Sembilan, Melaka (currently Melaka F.C.), and Johor Darul Ta'zim; they fight to be the best club representing the Southern Region of Malaysia.
The Naning Derby refers to the football rivalry between Negeri Sembilan FC and Melaka FC, two neighbouring teams from the historical Naning region along the Negeri Sembilan–Melaka border. Named after the former district of Naning, which once had political ties to Negeri Sembilan before becoming part of Malacca, the derby carries a sense of regional pride and local identity. Although not as high-profile as some rivalries, matches between Negeri Sembilan and Melaka are often intense and emotionally charged due to proximity, fan interactions, and state pride.
Meetings between the two clubs—especially when both compete in the same division—often draw strong local interest, with fixtures at STAR and Hang Jebat Stadium attracting passionate home crowds. The Naning Derby is a symbol of southern central rivalry, and despite fluctuations in form and league status over the years, the fixture continues to hold significance among fans of both sides. The rivalry is set to reignite in the 2025–26 Malaysia Super League season, as both teams return to the top flight.[68]
The Southern Derby is a football rivalry between Negeri Sembilan FC and Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT), representing two neighboring southern states of Peninsular Malaysia. Though the rivalry dates back to earlier decades, it gained renewed intensity after JDT's transformation into a football powerhouse in 2013. Negeri Sembilan, known for their proud football tradition, often play the role of spirited challengers in these matchups. Despite JDT’s dominance in recent years, matches between the two sides remain fiercely contested due to geographical proximity, historical encounters, and the pride of representing southern Malaysia.
The derby is known for its passionate fanbases, with stadiums in both Paroi and Iskandar Puteri drawing large crowds whenever the teams meet. Beyond the scorelines, the Southern Derby symbolizes regional identity and football heritage, with fans often engaging in vibrant displays, chants, and social media banter. While JDT have maintained a strong upper hand in recent clashes, Negeri Sembilan’s determination to upset the giants adds drama and unpredictability to this southern rivalry.[69]
Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium has been the home ground of Negeri Sembilan since 1992
Around the 1940s, Negeri Sembilan started playing at Seremban Municipal Council Field (Malay: Padang Majlis Perbandaran Seremban) since it was built by the British Resident of Negeri Sembilan, John Vincent Cowgill. Seremban Municipal Council Field, better known as Padang Stesyen (English: Station Field) because it was located next to the Seremban railway station, has a sweet history for Negeri Sembilan since it was the first venue where the HMS Malaya Cup was lifted by the team. In 1960 it was upgraded by building 500 seats. In 1973, Padang Stesyen was upgraded to be used for the Field Hockey World Cup. The seats were increased to 5,000.
1982: Kuala Pilah Stadium
Kuala Pilah Mini Stadium, or Kuala Pilah Stadium, was used as the temporary home ground of Negeri Sembilan in 1982. The stadium located in Kuala Pilah was used because Padang Stesyen was being upgraded at that time.
1982–1992: Seremban Municipal Council Stadium
In 1982, Padang Stesyen was upgraded as Seremban was being granted city status. This caused the name of the field to be changed to Seremban Municipal Council Stadium (Malay: Stadium Majlis Perbandaran Seremban). The Negeri Sembilan team reused this field as their home ground until 1992, when that was the last year the team used the stadium, and it became the starting point for the revival of the Negeri Sembilan team. This iconic stadium was later demolished to make way for the development of Seremban and construction of a shopping centre in 1993.
The NSFC–UiTM collaboration involves sharing information, expertise, and solution methods in football for the purpose of facilitating work and research processes. This collaboration also emphasises the importance of learning in the field of sports science to improve the quality of training, nutrition, and treatment of Negeri Sembilan players.[116]
Kolej Yayasan Negeri Sembilan
Kolej Yayasan Negeri Sembilan (KYNS) and Negeri Sembilan Football Club signed a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to promote the development of local talent, in addition to providing training and education programmes to players.[117]
Suparimau League
NSFC collaborated with Maxim Events to organise a grassroots football tournament, the Suparimau League, for the under-8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 age groups. It is run by Maxim Events, which is recognized by FAM as the official grassroots development league.[118]
^Second time being appointed as head coach, having last served from 1981 to 1982.
^Appointed as the head coach on July 1987, during the ongoing season. Also, third time being appointed as head coach, having last served from 1985 to 1986.
^Appointed as the head coach on September 1989, during the ongoing season.
^Appointed as the head coach on 21 March 2011, during the ongoing season.[51]
^Appointed as the caretaker on 14 May 2013, during the ongoing season.[52]
^Second time being appointed as head coach, having last served from 2003 to 2006.
^Appointed as the head coach on 28 February 2018, during the ongoing season. Also, second time being appointed as head coach, having last served from 2011 to 2012.[53]
^Appointed as the head coach on 11 May 2018, during the ongoing season.[54]
^Third time being appointed as head coach, having last served in 2015
^Appointed as the head coach on 15 August 2024, during the ongoing season.[55]
^Two best runners-up, one from groups A, B and C and one from groups D, E and F, qualify for the quarter-finals. The club only got 7 points and didn't qualified for the next round.
^Qualified for the AFC Cup after winning the 2009 Malaysia Cup, but withdrew due to internal reasons.
^"Negeri Sembilan FC 2024–25". cms.fam.org.my. Football Association of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
^"Matlumat Am Bendera Negeri" (in Malay). Matlumat Am > Bendera Negeri (Portal Rasmi Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus) (Official Portal of the Negeri Sembilan State Government). Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
^Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Rajanikandh Batumalai (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
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