GOR MAHIA are looking at the history of the Kenya football championship and as the country’s most successful club ever, yearning for a return to the top.

The history of the domestic championship dates back 48 years ago, the first winner of the top-flight league in 1963 peculiarly being Nakuru All Stars, a defunct club that was a terror to all other teams in the early days.

Gor Mahia entered the scene with a bang, winning the title in their first attempt in 1968. When Sofapaka won the professional Kenyan Premier League [KPL] at their debut in 2009, many mistakenly hailed them as the first and only club to have achieved the feat; while the precedent had already been marked by Gor Mahia in 1968.

Besides, while Sofapaka had had a successful stint in the lower tier national league, Gor Mahia was a brand new and untested club when they entered the 1968 national league competition.

A national league championship has been held in the country since 1963 with the exception of 1971 when, apparently, one kicked off but was later scrapped.

The national title has been won by a total of 12 clubs, Gor Mahia right on top of the honours’ roll with 13 outright victories. They are followed closely by 11-time winners AFC Leopards.

Kenya Breweries who later changed their name to the current Tusker, are third, having lifted the trophy on nine occasions. Ulinzi Stars are a distant fourth with four titles.

The other holders are: [Twice] Oserian, Luo Union, Nakuru All Stars; [Once] Sofapaka (2009), Mathare United (2008), Sony Sugar (2006), Utalii (1997), Feisal (1965)

Gor Mahia and Ulinzi Stars are the only clubs that have clinched the league title three times in a row; Gor in 1983/84/85 and Ulinzi in 2003/04/05.

Gor Mahia open their quest of a 14th title and their first in 17 years when they travel to Thika on Sunday for the start of the 2012 KPL campaign.

Kenya football club champions:

2011 - Tusker

2010 - Ulinzi Stars

2009 - Sofapaka

2008 - Mathare United

2007 - Tusker

2006 -Sony Sugar

2005 - Ulinzi Stars

2004 - Ulinzi Stars

2003 - Ulinzi Stars

2002 - Oserian

2001 - Oserian

2000 - Tusker

1999 - Tusker

1998 - AFC Leopards

1997 - Utalii

1996 - Kenya Breweries [Tusker]

1995 - Gor Mahia

1994 - Kenya Breweries [Tusker]

1993 - Gor Mahia

1992 - AFC Leopards

1991 - Gor Mahia

1990 - Gor Mahia

1989 - AFC Leopards

1988 - AFC Leopards

1987 - Gor Mahia

1986 - AFC Leopards

1985 - Gor Mahia

1984 - Gor Mahia

1983 - Gor Mahia

1982 - AFC Leopards

1981 - AFC Leopards

1980 - Gor Mahia

1979 - Gor Mahia

1978 - Kenya Breweries [Tusker]

1977 - Kenya Breweries [Tusker]

1976 - Gor Mahia

1975 - Luo Union

1974 - Gor Mahia

1973 – Abaluhya [AFC Leopards]

1972 - Kenya Breweries [Tusker]

1971 – scrapped

1970 - Abaluhya [AFC Leopards]

1969 - Nakuru All-Stars

1968 - Gor Mahia

1967 – Abaluhya [AFC Leopards]

1966 - Abaluhya [AFC Leopards]

1965 - Feisal

1964 - Luo Union

1963 - Nakuru All-Stars