Maccabi Ironi Ashdod F.C.
| Full name | Maccabi Ironi Ashdod | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Dolphins | ||
| Founded | 1961 as Maccabi Ashdod 1981 as Maccabi Ironi Ashdod 2015 (Re-established) |
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| Ground | Feeder Stadium, Ashdod | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 | ||
| Owner | "Ashdod's dolphins" Voluntary association | ||
| Chairman | Tal Esformes | ||
| Manager | Pini Ayash | ||
| League | Liga Bet South B | ||
| 2015–16 | Liga Gimel 1st (promoted) | ||
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Maccabi Ironi Ashdod F.C. (Hebrew: מכבי עירוני אשדוד), commonly known as Ironi Ashdod, is an Israeli football club based in Ashdod. In 1999, it merged with local rivals Hapoel Ashdod to create F.C. Ashdod.[1]
In 2015, the club was resurrected by its supporters.[2] The newborn club started its way in lowest tire of Israeli football - Liga Gimel. Ironi Ashdod were successful in their inauguration season and promoted to Liga Bet at the end.
Contents
History
The club was established in 1961 by the Maccabi Ashdod sports association.
In 1981 Maccabi Ashdod merged with Beitar Ashdod to create Maccabi Ironi Ashdod.[3]
In 1988–89 the club was promoted from Liga Bet to Liga Alef. In 1989–90 they finished runners-up to local rivals Hapoel in Liga Alef, and were promoted after beating Hapoel Daliyat al-Karmel and Maccabi Tamra in the play-offs. They were promoted again in 1992–93, reaching the top division for the first time in their history. After finishing one place above the relegation play-off zone in 1993–94, the club was relegated at the end of the 1994–95 season.
In 1996–97 Ironi finished runners-up to Hapoel Ashkelon, and returned to the top division. After two consecutive twelfth-placed finishes, the club merged in May 1999 with local rivals Hapoel, to F.C. Ashdod.
Re-establishment
During the 2014–15 season, Ironi Ashdod fans protested against F.C. Ashdod's chairman, Jacky Ben-Zaken, and cheered for the opponents of F.C. Ashdod during matches.[4] The protests were intensified following Ben-Zaken's decision to rename F.C. Ashdod to Hapoel Ashdod and to play in red shirts, while the fans announced their intention to re-establish Ironi Ashdod with the purpose of joining Liga Gimel in the 2015–16 season.[5]
The club is due to start the 2015–16 season in Liga Gimel. Pini Ayash has been appointed as head coach.[6]
Current squad
- As to 29 January 2016
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Honours
League
| Honour | No. | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Third tier | 1 | 1974–751 |
| Fourth tier | 3 | 1965–661, 1966–682, 1981–82 |
1. as Beitar Ashdod
2. as Maccabi Ashdod
See also
References
- ↑ History FC Ashdod (Hebrew)
- ↑ A tiding for the football fans- Ironi Ashdod will be resurrected Shimon Yaish, ashdodnet.com, 15 March 2015 (Hebrew)
- ↑ 1981/1982 season Dolphinim (Hebrew)
- ↑ Fans protest intensifies ashdod4u.com, 24 April 2015 (Hebrew)
- ↑ Ashdod fans protested in front of the mayor's house Igal Berman, One, 20 March 2015 (Hebrew)
- ↑ Ironi Ashdod began to work: Pini Ayash is coach, Tal Aspormas returned to the team Shahar Kakhlon, ashdodnet.com, 30 May 2015 (Hebrew)
External links
- Club website (Hebrew)
