From Burgos Plumbers to Bandits to a Belmopan trio

Posted: Saturday, August 23, 2025. 6:02 pm CST.

Napoles FC – Photo Credit: Napoles FC

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belmopan’s football story is undergoing a dramatic rewrite. Once a one-club town anchored by the Belmopan Bandits, the capital now boasts three Premier League of Belize teams—each with distinct origins, ambitions, and degrees of local connection.

But this isn’t just a tale of expansion. It’s a layered evolution rooted in decades of football history.

Before the Bandits era, Belmopan’s earliest organized football efforts were led by the Burgos Plumbers, a pioneering club active during the Belize National Football Association days—the precursor to today’s Football Federation of Belize. They laid the groundwork for football in Belize’s capital, competing when the sport was still finding its national footing.

Then came the Builders Hardware Bandits, named after their sponsor and later rebranded under John Saldivar’s stewardship as simply the Belmopan Bandits. The Bandits became a powerhouse, winning multiple PLB titles, competing internationally in Concacaf championships, and defining Belmopan’s football identity for over a decade.

That chapter shifted last season when the Bandits sold their PLB franchise to Belmopan FC. Though Belmopan FC inherited the competitive slot, the Bandits remain a multi-sport club, retaining their name and structure. Saldivar may have relinquished the franchise, but not the team—leaving the door open for a future PLB return.

Belmopan FC – Photo Credit: Belmopan FC

Now, Belmopan FC, Capital Sport Club, and Napoles FC form a new triangle in the capital. Belmopan FC, with Mexican backing, carry the Bandits’ competitive legacy but are still building their own identity. Capital Sport Club, also supported by a Mexican parent franchise, installed themselves in Belmopan using the Benque Viejo United license. They’ve yet to establish a fan base and are still searching for stability after two heavy defeats.

Ironically, it’s Napoles FC—the newest PLB entrant—who appear the most stable at this juncture. Having competed for years in the Belmopan First Division, Napoles have cultivated grassroots support and organizational strength. Their early PLB success—seven points from three matches—has positioned them not just as contenders, but as the emotional favourites among local fans.

Belmopan’s football identity, once singular, is now plural. The city’s fans must navigate new allegiances, while the clubs themselves race to define what it means to truly represent the capital.

And somewhere in the shadows, the Bandits wait—no longer the only name in town, but still very much part of the story.

Capital Sport Club – Photo Credit: Capital Sport Club

This weekend, all three Belmopan-based clubs are in action, adding fresh intensity to the unfolding narrative.

On Saturday night, the spotlight falls on the first capital derby as Capital Sport Club host Belmopan FC at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium. Though the PLB schedule still lists them as Benque Viejo United, Capital Sport Club are staking their claim in the capital, seeking redemption after two heavy defeats. Belmopan FC, carrying the competitive legacy of the Bandits, are still shaping their identity and fan connection.

Then on Sunday, Napoles FC travel to Orange Walk to defend their top spot against second-place Progresso at the People’s Stadium. With seven points from three matches, Napoles have emerged not only as early contenders but as the most stable and authentically Belmopanese club in the PLB. Their years in the First Division have built a loyal fan base and a solid organizational foundation—qualities now translating into top-tier success.

With all three capital clubs active and the standings tightening, Belmopan’s football identity is no longer just a legacy—it’s a live contest, unfolding week by week. And for now, Napoles FC stand tallest—not by acquisition or relocation, but by community, continuity, and results.

Among Belmopan’s three Premier League clubs, Napoles FC stand apart—not just for their current form, but for how they got here. Napoles built from scratch, climbing the ranks with local talent, internal discipline, and a clear identity.

Their recent post, sharing Breaking Belize News’ feature on their Cinderella run, says it plainly:

“We didn’t buy a franchise, we built it from the ground up! We are Napoles!”

That statement isn’t just pride—it’s proof. Napoles’ cohesion isn’t manufactured; it’s earned. And as the standings show, it’s working.

Now, the question shifts from how they got here to whether they can stay. With the PLB season still unfolding, Napoles will need to match belief with consistency—week after week.

As for the other two capital clubs, the contrast is clear. Belmopan FC have started solidly, collecting four points from two matches and showing early signs of structure and intent. Capital Sport Club, meanwhile, have struggled to find footing—conceding 12 goals in two games and facing a steep learning curve in their debut campaign. The Belmopan football story now features three teams, but only two have found traction. The third will need time, and perhaps more reinforcements, to catch up.

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