FC Zestafoni

FC Zestafoni
Full name Football Club Zestafoni
Nickname(s) Zesta, Feroelebi (Ferroians), Margvelebi (Margvetians)
Founded 2004 (2004)
Ground David Abashidze Stadium
Zestafoni, Georgia
Ground Capacity 4,558
Owner Georgia (country) Ilia Kokaia
Manager Georgia (country) Giorgi Mikadze
2014–15 Umaglesi Liga, 16th (expelled)
Website Club home page

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 Zestafoni have their own club FC Metallurg Zestafoni. 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

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 20's 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 30's 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 30's, 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 semifinalist 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 20-th 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 382837 1024487 Round of 32 N/A Promoted
1991 Umaglesi Liga 8 19838 323227
1991–92 Umaglesi Liga 8 38141113 605853 Round of 16
1992–93 Umaglesi Liga 6 3215512 495450 Semi-finals
1993–94 Umaglesi Liga 8
1994–95 Umaglesi Liga 9 3010614 355336 Round of 32
1995–96 Umaglesi Liga 2 302226 853768 Semi-finals
1996–97 Umaglesi Liga 7 3012216 446638 Quarter-finals UEFA Cup Preliminary round
1997–98 Umaglesi Liga 16 302721 217513 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 3291013 334437
2002–2003 Umaglesi Liga 12 326125 177919 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 3616515 384853 Runner-up  
2005–06 Umaglesi Liga 4 301875 442261 Runner-up  
2006–07 Umaglesi Liga 4 261691 551157 Runner-up  
2007–08 Umaglesi Liga 3 261853 561659 Winner Intertoto 1-st Round
2008–09 Umaglesi Liga 4 3016410 432752 Quarter-finals UEFA Cup 1-st qualifying round
2009–10 Umaglesi Liga 3 36 19 10 7 58 33 67 Quarter-finals UEFA Europa League 2-nd qualifying round
2010–11 Umaglesi Liga 1 36 24 6 6 72 19 78 Semi-finals UEFA Europa League 3-rd qualifying round
2011–12 Umaglesi Liga 1 36 24 7 5 73 33 79 Runner-up UEFA Champions League 2011–12 3-rd qualifying round

UEFA Europa League Play-offs

2012–13 Umaglesi Liga 5 3212614 353842 Round of 16 UEFA Champions League 2012–13 2-nd qualifying round
2013–14 Umaglesi Liga 2 32195 8 48 23 62 Round of 16  
2014–15 Umaglesi Liga Round of 16 UEFA Europa League 2-nd 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. Lots of 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 of Zestafonian Clubs

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 Kazakhstan Tobol 2–0 0–3
2008–09 UEFA Cup 1Q Hungary Gyori ETO 1–2 1–1
2009–10 UEFA Europa League 1Q Northern Ireland Lisburn Distillery 6–0 5–1
2Q Sweden Helsingborgs 1–2 2–2
2010–11 UEFA Europa League 1Q San Marino Faetano 5–0 0–0
2Q Slovakia Dukla Banska Bystrica 3–0 0–1
3Q Ukraine Karpaty Lviv 0–1 0–1
2011–12 UEFA Champions League 2Q Moldova Dacia Chisinau 3–0 0–2
3Q Austria Sturm Graz 1–1 0–1
2011–12 UEFA Europa League PO Belgium Brugge 3–3 0–2
2012–13 UEFA Champions League 2Q Azerbaijan Neftchi Baku 2–2 0–3
2014–15 UEFA Europa League 2Q Slovakia Spartak Trnava 0–0 0–3

Goals in Georgian Umaglesi Liga

Topscorers

Name Position Country Years Goals
Nikoloz Gelashvili Forward Georgia (country) 2008–2011 63
Jaba Dvali Forward Georgia (country) 2010–2012, 2014 55
Zurab Ionanidze Forward Georgia (country) 2005–2009 48
Rati Tsinamdzgvrishvili Forward Georgia (country) 2008–201324
Tornike Gorgiashvili Midfielder Georgia (country) 2005–2013 21
Gogi Pipia Midfielder Georgia (country) 2005–2011 21
Shota Grigalashvili Midfielder Georgia (country) 2009–2012 18

Topscorers by season

Season Name Goals
2004/05 Georgia (country) Zaza Zirakishvili 10
2005/06 Georgia (country) Zurab Ionanidze 17
2006/07 Georgia (country) Gogi Pipia 13
2007/08 Brazil Gilvan Gomes 12
2008/09 Georgia (country) Nikoloz Gelashvili 20
2009/10 Georgia (country) Nikoloz Gelashvili 16
2010/11 Georgia (country) Nikoloz Gelashvili 18
2011/12 Georgia (country) Jaba Dvali 20
2012/13 Georgia (country) Tornike Gorgiashvili 7
2013/14 Georgia (country) Nikoloz Sabanadze 8
2014/15 Georgia (country) Jaba Dvali 10
Goal N. Name Country Date
1 Giorgi Kurtsikidze Georgia (country) Aug 2, 2004
100 Zurab Ionanidze Georgia (country) Nov 18, 2006
200 Nikoloz Gelashvili Georgia (country) Nov 2, 2008
300 Nikoloz Gelashvili Georgia (country) Aug 29, 2010
400 Zaal Eliava Georgia (country) Dec 14, 2011
500 Giorgi Kukhianidze Georgia (country) Mar 2, 2014

Matches in Georgian Umaglesi Liga

As of 6 March 2015
Name Position Country Years Matches
Roin Kvaskhvadze Goalkeeper Georgia (country) 2005–13 155
Aleks Benashvili Midfielder Georgia (country) 2005–13 136
Giorgi Khidesheli Defender Georgia (country) 2005–13, 2014 126
Sevasti Todua Defender Georgia (country) 2005–10116
Tornike Aptsiauri Midfielder Georgia (country) 2010–13 114
Zurab Ionanidze Forward Georgia (country) 2005–10 113
Tornike Gorgiashvili Midfielder Georgia (country) 2005–13 112
Jaba Dvali Forward Georgia (country) 2009–12, 2014 110
Zaal Eliava Defender Georgia (country) 2009–12 108
Irakli Dzaria Midfielder Georgia (country) 2005–11 108
Nikoloz Gelashvili Forward Georgia (country) 2007–11 107
Shota Grigalashvili Midfielder Georgia (country) 2009–12 101
Murtaz Daushvili Midfielder Georgia (country) 2005–11 99

Current squad

As of 5 March 2015[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
2 Georgia (country) DF David Mtivlishvili
3 Georgia (country) DF David Mosidze
5 Georgia (country) DF Mirian Robakidze
6 Georgia (country) MF George Vasadze
7 Georgia (country) MF David Razhamashvili
8 Georgia (country) MF Ivane Khabelashvili
9 Georgia (country) MF Demur Kandelaki
10 Georgia (country) FW Giorgi Iluridze
11 Georgia (country) MF Archil Meskhi
13 Georgia (country) GK Nika Jalaghonia
14 Georgia (country) MF Nodar Gachechiladze
17 Georgia (country) MF Irakli Sikharulidze
18 Georgia (country) DF David Lomaia
No. Position Player
20 Georgia (country) FW Mathe Kvirkvia
21 Georgia (country) MF Mikheil Vatcharadze
22 Georgia (country) DF Phiruz Marakvelidze
25 Georgia (country) MF Vazha Nemsadze
28 Georgia (country) GK Gia Makhatadze
32 Georgia (country) MF Pavle Khorguashvili
33 Georgia (country) DF Otar Khizaneishvili
37 Georgia (country) DF Giorgi Chikhradze
70 Georgia (country) MF George Beridze
77 Georgia (country) DF Lasha Mchedlishvili
80 Georgia (country) MF Zviad Sikharulia
88 Georgia (country) DF Malkhaz Gagoshidze
99 Georgia (country) MF Guram Samushia

Management and Team's staff

Position Name
General Director Georgia (country) Mikheil Khutsishvili
Vice-Director Georgia (country) Vasil Gvelesiani
PR-Manager & Press-officer Georgia (country) Sergo Putkaradze
Manager of International Affairs Georgia (country) Tamara Nodia
Head Coach Georgia (country) Giorgi Mikadze
Assistant Georgia (country) Levan Bajelidze
Assistant Georgia (country) Boris Goncharov
Coach Georgia (country) Archil Ghurtskaia

Managers

References

External links

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