FC Zestaponi
 | |||
| Full name | Football Club Zestafoni | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Zesta, Feroelebi (Ferroians), Margvelebi (Margvetians) | ||
| Founded | 2004 | ||
| Ground | David Abashidze Stadium Zestafoni, Georgia | ||
| Capacity | 4,558 | ||
| Owner | Ilia Kokaia | ||
| Manager | Giorgi Mikadze | ||
| 2014–15 | Umaglesi Liga, 16th (expelled) | ||
| Website | http://www.fczestafoni.ge | ||
|
| |||
Football Club Zestafoni is a Georgian football club based in Zestafoni. They play their home games at David Abashidze Stadium. Zestafoni was founded on 18 June 2004 by the initiative of the shareholders of JSC Giorgi Nikoladze Zestafoni Ferro-Alloy Plant.
At that time[when?] Zestafoni have their own club FC Metallurg Zestafoni.[clarification needed] A new club was formed as Margveti Zestafoni joined Pirveli Liga and promoted in the first season. Margveti was a member of Umaglesi Liga and achieved their best result in 1995–96 by finishing runner-up.
History
 | This section should include a summary of, or be summarized in, another article. (September 2012) |
FC Metalurgi Zestafoni (1937–1989)
From the beginning of the 20th century football was given rise in Georgia. In 1906 the first football fan club was founded in Tbilisi. This happened by the patronage of Mr. Lgotac. He was the one who on 23 February 1907 established the first football club in Georgia. The Club, called "Comet", had its own regulations, funds, uniforms and a stadium.
Though it should be mentioned, that football was played far earlier in Georgia, mainly in the sea-side cities, first of all in Poti, where local groups competed in "passing/tossing a ball" with British mariners. That's why Poti is considered to be a cradle of Georgian football.
As to Zestafoni, in out city, football has been played since the beginning of the 20th century. First football players from Zestafoni were students of the local gymnasium (currently secondary school #1). According to our data, Zestafoni football team held its first match with one of the clubs of western Georgia (according to different sources Senaki or Ozurgeti) in 1918, during a celebration organized to commemorate Independence of Georgia. First international match held in Zestafoni was also during the independence period, in 1920. Zestafoni team competed with a group of British Occupational Forces and defeated it by 2–1.
In the 1920s Zestafoni football players held various matches with teams of neighboring cities. In 1927 first Football Championship in held in Georgia. First Champion of Georgia is Team of Batumi.
In the 1930s two football teams are established in Zestafoni – "Mertskhali" (Swallow) and "Locomotive", that often take part in local and regional tournaments.
A truly new era in the history of Zestafoni football starts form the second half of the 1930s, after a metallurgical giant, "Zestafoni Ferro-Alloy Plant", has been put into exploitation. It was by the initiative of professional committee of the plant, that a meeting of workers of the physical culture was held on 10 May 1937. A decision of establishing a football team was made on the meeting. The team was called "Metallurgi".
In August 1938, "Metallurgi" participates in the union tournament held by sport-society "Metallurgist" in Minsk, where the team defeats "Electrostal Moscow", "Krasni Oktiabr Staliningrad", "Metallurg Leningrad" and loses in final to "Serp i Molot". In 1938 FC Metallurgi Zestafoni is engaged in Georgian Championship, where it participates regularly until 1989.
In various years of Soviet era "Metallurgi" was:
Silver medalist of Georgian Championship – 1967, 1970, 1982;
Runners-Up of Georgian Cup – 1966, 1967, 1971 years;
Georgian Cup's Winner – 1962.
Various football players from "Metallurgi" played for leading Georgian Football Clubs on various degrees, for example: Lokomotivi Tbilisi – Guram Shavdia, Zaur Chubinidze; Torpedo Kutaisi – Guram Nishnianidze; Dinamo Tbilisi – Giorgi (Jora) Chumburidze, Guram Kochiashvili, Dodik Khundadze, Guram Petriashvili, Kartlos Tsintsadze, Nodar Kiknadze.
Margveti Zestafoni (1990–2000)
In 1990 Georgian Football Federation leaves the Soviet Union's Football Federation. An Independent Georgian Football Federation is formed, that shortly after becomes a member of FIFA and UEFA, leading Georgian Clubs are engaged in National Championships.
In 1990 a new Football Club is founded in Zestafoni – FC Margveti Zestafoni, that holds the position of "Metallurgi" in Pirveli League of the Georgian National Championship and from the very first year becomes a member of Umaglesi league.
In 1993 and 1996 years "Margveti" is the semi-finalist of the Georgian National Cup. In 1996 "Margveti" is the Vice-Champion of Georgia and participates in UEFA Cup Qualification Round. Unfortunately, due to financial problems, at the end of the 20th century the club broke up.
In total, in the years of 1991–1998 FC "Margveti" participated in Umaglesi League 8 National Championships, held 247 matches, won 98 of them, draw 43, lost – 106, difference in scores 397–443.
In 2006 "Margveti-2006" was founded in the lower division and recently in Meore Liga, but it is different (municipal) club.
Season League Pos. Pl. W D L GF GA P Cup Europe Notes Manager 1990 Pirveli Liga 2 38 28 3 7 102 44 87 Round of 32 N/A Promoted 1991 Umaglesi Liga 8 19 8 3 8 32 32 27 1991–92 Umaglesi Liga 8 38 14 11 13 60 58 53 Round of 16 1992–93 Umaglesi Liga 6 32 15 5 12 49 54 50 Semi-finals 1993–94 Umaglesi Liga 8 1994–95 Umaglesi Liga 9 30 10 6 14 35 53 36 Round of 32 1995–96 Umaglesi Liga 2 30 22 2 6 85 37 68 Semi-finals 1996–97 Umaglesi Liga 7 30 12 2 16 44 66 38 Quarter-finals UEFA Cup Preliminary round 1997–98 Umaglesi Liga 16 30 2 7 21 21 75 13 Round of 32 Relegated
Metalurgi Zestafoni (1999–2004)
As FC Margveti Zestafoni faced financial problem and relegated in 1998. A new club using the city legend team name Metallurgi Zestafoni was formed in 1999. The club promoted to Umaglesi Liga in 2001. But the club faced financial problem and relegated in 2003. In 2003–04, the club finished bottom in Pirveli Liga and disestablished .
Season League Pos. Pl. W D L GF GA P Cup Europe Notes Manager 2001–2002 Umaglesi Liga 9 32 9 10 13 33 44 37 2002–2003 Umaglesi Liga 12 32 6 1 25 17 79 19 Relegated
FC Zestafoni (2004–)
On 18 June 2004 FC Zestafoni was established. The club was invited to join Umaglesi Liga. Although, FC Metallurgi, FC Margveti and FC Zestafoni came from the same city, played on same stadium. They never met in the Umaglesi league and all clubs came from the succession of Metallurg Zestafoni.
Season League Pos. Pl. W D L GF GA P Cup Europe Notes Manager 2004–05 Umaglesi Liga 5 36 16 5 15 38 48 53 Runner-up – 2005–06 Umaglesi Liga 4 30 18 7 5 44 22 61 Runner-up – 2006–07 Umaglesi Liga 4 26 16 9 1 55 11 57 Runner-up – 2007–08 Umaglesi Liga 3 26 18 5 3 56 16 59 Winner Intertoto 1st Round 2008–09 Umaglesi Liga 4 30 16 4 10 43 27 52 Quarter-finals UEFA Cup 1st qualifying round 2009–10 Umaglesi Liga 3 36 19 10 7 58 33 67 Quarter-finals UEFA Europa League 2nd qualifying round 2010–11 Umaglesi Liga 1 36 24 6 6 72 19 78 Semi-finals UEFA Europa League 3rd qualifying round 2011–12 Umaglesi Liga 1 36 24 7 5 73 33 79 Runner-up UEFA Champions League 2011–12 3rd qualifying round 2012–13 Umaglesi Liga 5 32 12 6 14 35 38 42 Round of 16 UEFA Champions League 2012–13 2nd qualifying round 2013–14 Umaglesi Liga 2 32 19 5 8 48 23 62 Round of 16 – 2014–15 Umaglesi Liga Round of 16 UEFA Europa League 2nd qualifying round
Stadium
David Abashidze stadium was built by "Zestafoni Ferro-alloy Plant", started operating in 1952. Though a couple of matches were held on the stadium before its opening in 1951.
In 1952–1989 and 1999–2003 participant of Georgian Championship, FC Metallurgi held matches on the Zestafoni central stadium, in 1990–1998 it was a home stadium for FC Margveti.
Since 2004 FC Zestafoni is holding domestic matches on the stadium.
In 1981 reconstruction works were done on arena, west stand was roofed, east stand was constructed, after these works capacity of the Stadium increased to 8,000 seats.
In 2004, after establishing FC Zestafoni, central Stadium was repaired and is still being repaired to renew the arena and comply with international standards.
In 2005 works were done to renew the grass surface on the Stadium. Georgian workers have constructed new drainage system of German technology. Field is watered by a watering system of an American Company "Rainbird" (by the way this watering system was successfully used on 8 Stadiums during 2004 European Championship in Portugal).
On the David Abashidze Stadium (former Central) Stadium field surface "Natural Green Carpet" is made by the Ukrainian firm "Lidia-Park".
FC Zestafoni management is building a new base for the club. Many new football fields have been constructed in Zestafoni (among them one with an artificial surface). Relevant infrastructure is being made – work out rooms are being repaired, building of a new tribunes with personal seats is planned, along with the installment of a modern score-board.
Today capacity of the Stadium increased to 4,558 individual seats.
On 9 April 2010 the stadium was named after David Abashidze who contributed tremendously to the development and revival of football in Zestafoni.
Honors
- Champions: 2007–08
- Champions: 2011, 2012
Zestafonian Clubs in Georgian Umaglesi Liga
- As of 12 April 2015
| Club | Seasons | Years | Matches | Wins | Draws | Loses | GF | GA | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC Margveti Zestafoni | 8 | 1991–1998 | 247 | 98 | 43 | 106 | 397 | 443 | 337 |
| FC Metallurgi | 2 | 2001–2003 | 64 | 15 | 11 | 38 | 50 | 123 | 56 |
| FC Zestafoni | 11 | 2004–2015 | 343 | 188 | 72 | 83 | 562 | 310 | 636 |
| Total | 21 | 1991–2015 | 654 | 301 | 126 | 227 | 1009 | 876 | 1029 |
FC Zestafoni. All competitions statistic
- As of 12 April 2015
| Competition | Wins | Draws | Loses | GF | GA | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgian Umaglesi Liga | 188 | 72 | 83 | 562 | 310 | 636 |
| Georgian Cup | 40 | 15 | 14 | 123 | 51 | |
| Georgian Super Cup | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
| UEFA Champions League | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | |
| UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League | 4 | 5 | 7 | 27 | 19 | |
| UEFA Intertoto Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Eurocups
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | UEFA Intertoto Cup | 1Q |  Tobol
|
2–0 | 0–3 |
| 2008–09 | UEFA Cup | 1Q |  Gyori ETO
|
1–2 | 1–1 |
| 2009–10 | UEFA Europa League | 1Q |  Lisburn Distillery
|
6–0 | 5–1 |
| 2Q |  Helsingborgs
|
1–2 | 2–2 | ||
| 2010–11 | UEFA Europa League | 1Q |  Faetano
|
5–0 | 0–0 |
| 2Q |  Dukla Banska Bystrica
|
3–0 | 0–1 | ||
| 3Q |  Karpaty Lviv
|
0–1 | 0–1 | ||
| 2011–12 | UEFA Champions League | 2Q |  Dacia Chisinau
|
3–0 | 0–2 |
| 3Q |  Sturm Graz
|
1–1 | 0–1 | ||
| 2011–12 | UEFA Europa League | PO |  Brugge
|
3–3 | 0–2 |
| 2012–13 | UEFA Champions League | 2Q |  Neftchi Baku
|
2–2 | 0–3 |
| 2014–15 | UEFA Europa League | 2Q | Spartak Trnava
|
0–0 | 0–3 |
Goals in Georgian Umaglesi Liga
Topscorers
| Name | Position | Country | Years | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikoloz Gelashvili | Forward |  |
2008–2016 | 63 |
| Jaba Dvali | Forward | |
2010–2012, 2014 | 55 |
| Zurab Ionanidze | Forward | |
2005–2009 | 48 |
| Rati Tsinamdzgvrishvili | Forward | |
2008–2013 | 24 |
| Tornike Gorgiashvili | Midfielder | |
2005–2013 | 21 |
| Gogi Pipia | Midfielder | |
2005–2011 | 21 |
| Shota Grigalashvili | Midfielder | |
2009–2012 | 18 |
Topscorers by season
| Season | Name | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2004/05 | Zaza Zirakishvili
|
10 |
| 2005/06 | Zurab Ionanidze
|
17 |
| 2006/07 | Gogi Pipia
|
13 |
| 2007/08 |  Gilvan Gomes
|
12 |
| 2008/09 | Nikoloz Gelashvili
|
20 |
| 2009/10 | Nikoloz Gelashvili
|
16 |
| 2010/11 | Nikoloz Gelashvili
|
18 |
| 2011/12 | Jaba Dvali
|
20 |
| 2012/13 | Tornike Gorgiashvili
|
7 |
| 2013/14 | Nikoloz Sabanadze
|
8 |
| 2014/15 | Jaba Dvali
|
10 |
| Goal N. | Name | Country | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giorgi Kurtsikidze |
|
Aug 2, 2004 |
| 100 | Zurab Ionanidze |
|
Nov 18, 2006 |
| 200 | Nikoloz Gelashvili |
|
Nov 2, 2008 |
| 300 | Nikoloz Gelashvili |
|
Aug 29, 2010 |
| 400 | Zaal Eliava |
|
Dec 14, 2011 |
| 500 | Giorgi Kukhianidze |
|
Mar 2, 2014 |
Matches in Georgian Umaglesi Liga
- As of 6 March 2015
| Name | Position | Country | Years | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roin Kvaskhvadze | Goalkeeper | |
2005–13 | 155 |
| Aleks Benashvili | Midfielder | |
2005–13 | 136 |
| Giorgi Khidesheli | Defender | |
2005–13, 2014 | 126 |
| Sevasti Todua | Defender | |
2005–10 | 116 |
| Tornike Aptsiauri | Midfielder | |
2010–13 | 114 |
| Zurab Ionanidze | Forward | |
2005–10 | 113 |
| Tornike Gorgiashvili | Midfielder | |
2005–13 | 112 |
| Jaba Dvali | Forward | |
2009–12, 2014 | 110 |
| Zaal Eliava | Defender | |
2009–12 | 108 |
| Irakli Dzaria | Midfielder | |
2005–11 | 108 |
| Nikoloz Gelashvili | Forward | |
2007–11 | 107 |
| Shota Grigalashvili | Midfielder | |
2009–12 | 101 |
| Murtaz Daushvili | Midfielder | |
2005–11 | 99 |
Current squad
?[1]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Management and Team's staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| General Director | Mikheil Khutsishvili
|
| Vice-Director | Vasil Gvelesiani
|
| PR-Manager & Press-officer | Sergo Putkaradze
|
| Manager of International Affairs | Tamara Nodia
|
| Head Coach | Giorgi Mikadze
|
| Assistant | Levan Bajelidze
|
| Assistant | Boris Goncharov
|
| Coach | Archil Ghurtskaia
|
Managers
Vladimir Zemlianoi (June 18, 2004 – Sept 18, 2004)
Zaza Gurielidze (Sept 20, 2004 – Oct 2, 2004)- Teimuraz Makharadze (Oct 5, 2004 – Oct 14, 2005)
- Koba Zhorzhikashvili (Oct 15, 2005 – Nov 12, 2005)
- Teimuraz Makharadze (Nov 13, 2005 – March 30, 2006)
- Koba Zhorzhikashvili (March 31, 2006 – May 30, 2006)
- Merab Kochlashvili (June 1, 2006 – Aug 30, 2006)
- Teimuraz Makharadze (Sept 1, 2006 – Nov 30, 2008)
- Gia Geguchadze (Dec 1, 2008 – Aug 16, 2011)
- Giorgi Chiabrishvili (Aug 18, 2011 – Sept 12, 2012)
- Davit Mujiri and Zaza Zamtaradze (Sept 14, 2012 – Dec 10, 2012)
- Kakhaber Kacharava (Dec 13, 2012 – May 31, 2013)
Ratko Dostanić (July 15, 2013 – Nov 1, 2013)- Gia Geguchadze (Nov 5, 2013 – Dec 31, 2014)
- Giorgi Mikadze (Jan 27, 2015–)
References
- ^ "Official website". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
External links
