Liga Gimel
| Country |
 Israel |
|---|---|
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) |
| Founded | 1951 |
| Number of teams | 16X8 |
| Level on pyramid | 5 |
| Promotion to | B League |
| Domestic cup(s) | State Cup |
| Current champions |
Beitar Kafr Kanna (Upper Galilee) F.C. Tzeirei Kafr Kanna (Lower Galilee) Ihud Bnei Baqa (Jezreel) F.C. Haifa Ruby Shapira (Samaria) Hapoel Pardesiya Noam (Sharon) Ironi Beit Dagan (Tel Aviv) F.C. Holon Yaniv (Central) Maccabi Segev Shalom (South) (2014–15) |
 2015–16 | |
Liga Gimel (Hebrew: ליגה ג', lit. C League) is the fifth and bottom tier of Israeli football league system, a position it has held since 2009.
History
Liga Gimel was first established in 1951 as a third division, below Liga Alef and Liga Bet. In 1955, after designating the first tier as Liga Leumit, Liga Gimel was demoted to the fourth tier. Further demotions followed in 1976, after the second tier Liga Artzit to the fifth tier and in 1999, after the establishment of Liga Ha'Al to the sixth tier. At the end of the 2008–09 season, Liga Artzit was scrapped and Liga Gimel was brought up back to the fifth tier.
Although currently Liga Gimel is the bottom tier in the Israeli league pyramid, from 1969–70[1] and up until the 1984-85 season a further tier, Liga Dalet was below Liga Gimel, until it was scrapped due to declining number of teams.
Structure
As of 2015-16 season, Liga Gimel consists of eight divisions of varying size, four in the north and four in the less-populated south, with a total of 111 member clubs.
If they meet criteria laid down by the IFA, the top club from each division is promoted at the end of the season to the Liga Bet (the fourth level). Teams are assigned to their new Liga Bet divisions based on their geographical locations. As it is the lowest division, no clubs are relegated.
Liga Gimel Upper Galilee
The champion of Liga Gimel Upper Galilee is promoted to Liga Bet North A. For the 2015–16 season, the division is composed of:
- Bnei Ma'alot Tarshiha
- F.C. Aramshe Danun
- F.C. Bnei M.M.B.E. HaGolan VeHaGalil
- F.C. Hatzor HaGlilit
- F.C. Julis
- Hapoel Bnei Bi'ina
- Hapoel Bnei Hurfeish
- Hapoel Bnei Peki'in
- Hapoel Bnei Rameh
- Hapoel Jat Yanuh HaGlilit
- Hapoel Merom HaGalil
- Hapoel Nahariya
- Hapoel Tarshiha
- Maccabi Ahva Yarka
Past champions
- 1996–97: Beitar Tiberias
- 1998–99: Maccabi Kiryat Shmona
- 1999–2000: Beitar Safed
- 2003–04: Hapoel Ironi I'billin
- 2004–05: Maccabi Kafr Yasif
- 2005–06: Maccabi Sha'ab
- 2006–07: Ahi Acre
- 2007–08: Hapoel Kaukab
- 2008–09: Ihud Bnei Majd al-Krum
- 2009–10: Hapoel Shefa-'Amr
- 2010–11: F.C. Bu'eine
- 2011–12: Hapoel Bnei Maghar
- 2012–13: Hapoel Bu'eine
- 2013–14: Hapoel Ironi Safed
- 2014–15: Beitar Kafr Kanna
Liga Gimel Lower Galilee
The champion of Liga Gimel Lower Galilee is promoted to Liga Bet North A. It was formed in 2013-14. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:
- Ahva Arraba
- F.C. Bnei Arraba
- F.C. Halat al-Sharif
- F.C. Tzeirei Ibtin Khawaled
- F.C. Tzeirei Tamra
- Hapoel Bnei Deir al-Asad
- Hapoel Bnei Nujidat
- Hapoel Ironi Bni I'billin
- Ironi Bnei Sha'ab
- Maccabi Basmat Tab'un
- Maccabi Bnei Deir Hanna
- Maccabi Kafr Manda
- Maccabi Ironi Tamra
- Maccabi Tzeirei Shefa-'Amr
Past champions
- 2013–14: Maccabi Ironi Yafa
- 2014–15: F.C. Tzeirei Kafr Kanna
Liga Gimel Jezreel
The champion of Liga Gimel Jezreel is promoted to Liga Bet North B. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:
- Beitar Afula
- Beitar al-Amal Nazareth
- Beitar Ein Mahil
- Beitar Umm al-Fahm
- Bnei Musheirifa Baiada
- F.C. Kfar Kama
- F.C. Nazareth Illit
- Hapoel al-Ittihad Nazareth
- Hapoel Bnei Ar'ara 'Ara
- Hapoel Bnei Fureidis
- Hapoel Bnei Musmus
- Hapoel Isfiya
- Maccabi Ahi Ar'ara 'Ara
Past champions
- 1996–97: Maccabi Beit She'an
- 1998–99: Beitar Iksal
- 1999–2000: Hapoel Yafa
- 2003-04: Hapoel Kafr Misr/Nein
- 2004-05: Hapoel Kfar Kama
- 2005-06: F.C. Tzeirei Bir al-Maksur
- 2006–07: Maccabi Beit She'an Nissim
- 2007–08: Hapoel Umm al-Ghanem Nein
- 2008–09: Maccabi Ahi Iksal
- 2009–10: F.C. Kfar Kama
- 2010–11: F.C. Daburiyya
- 2011–12: F.C. Tzeirei Tur'an
- 2012–13: Hapoel Bnei Nujeidat
- 2013–14: F.C. Al-Nahda Nazareth
- 2014–15: Ihud Bnei Baqa
Liga Gimel Samaria
The champion of Liga Gimel Samaria is promoted to Liga Bet North B. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:
- Beitar Hadera
- Beitar Pardes Hanna
- F.C. Hapoel Kiryat Yam
- Hapoel Ahva Haifa
- Hapoel Bnei Jisr az-Zarqa
- Hapoel Ein as-Sahala
- Hapoel Halissa
- Hapoel Ironi Or Akiva
- Hapoel Tirat HaCarmel
- Maccabi Neve Sha'anan Eldad
- Maccabi Ironi Barta'a
- Maccabi Ironi Tirat HaCarmel
- Maccabi Isfiya
Past champions
- 1996–97: Hapoel Asi Gilboa
- 1997–98: Ironi Zikhron Ya'akov
- 1998–99: Ironi Sayid Umm al-Fahm
- 1999–2000: Hapoel Baqa al-Gharbiyye
- 2003–04: Maccabi Or Akiva
- 2004–05: Maccabi Umm al-Fahm
- 2005–06: Ihud Bnei Baqa
- 2006–07: Maccabi Ironi Barta'a
- 2007–08: Maccabi Ironi Jatt
- 2008–09: Maccabi Or Akiva
- 2009–10: F.C. Givat Olga
- 2010–11: Hapoel Ironi Baqa al-Gharbiyye
- 2011–12: Hapoel Umm al-Fahm
- 2012–13: Hapoel Yokneam
- 2013–14: F.C. Baqa
- 2014–15: F.C. Haifa Ruby Shapira
Liga Gimel Sharon
The champion of Liga Gimel Sharon is promoted to Liga Bet South A. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:
- Beitar Tubruk
- Hapoel Ihud Bnei Jatt
- Hapoel Jaljulia
- Hapoel Kafr Bara
- Hapoel Oranit
- F.C. Bnei Qalansawe
- F.C. Bnei Ra'anana
- F.C. Ironi Ariel
- F.C. Kafr Qasim Nibrass
- F.C. Netanya
- Maccabi HaSharon Netanya
- Shimshon Bnei Tayibe
- Shimshon Kafr Qasim
Past champions
- 1996–97: Beitar Nes Tubruk
- 1997–98: Hapoel Tel Mond
- 1998–99: Hapoel Ar'ara
- 1999–2000: Shimshon Bnei Tayibe
- 2003–04: Beitar Kfar Saba
- 2004–05: Maccabi Ironi Amishav Petah Tikva
- 2005–06: Beitar Pardes Hanna
- 2006–07: Hapoel Pardesiya Noam
- 2007–08: Maccabi HaSharon Netanya
- 2008–09: Beitar Petah Tikva
- 2009–10: Maccabi Bnei Jaljulia
- 2010–11: F.C. Tira
- 2011–12: Hapoel Morasha Ramat HaSharon
- 2012–13: Shimshon Bnei Tayibe
- 2013–14: Hapoel Kafr Qasim Shouaa
- 2014–15: Hapoel Pardesiya Noam
Liga Gimel Tel Aviv
The champion of Liga Gimel Tel Aviv is promoted to Liga Bet South A. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:
- Beitar Ezra
- Beitar Jaffa Zion
- Bnei Yehud
- Elitzur Jaffa Tel Aviv
- Elitzur Yehud Yotel
- Hapoel Kiryat Shalom
- Hapoel Neve Golan
- Maccabi Hashikma Hen
- Maccabi Ironi Or Yehuda
- Maccabi Pardes Katz
- Maccabi Spartak Ramat Gan
- Otzma F.C. Holon
- Shikun Vatikim Ramat Gan
- Shimshon Tel Aviv
Past champions
- 1996–97: Maccabi HaShikma Ramat Hen
- 1997–98: Beitar Ramat Gan
- 1998–99: Maccabi HaShikma Ramat Hen
- 1999–2000: Beitar Holon City
- 2003-04: Hapoel Ramat Yisrael
- 2004-05: Agudat Sport Holon
- 2005-06: Shikun Vatikim Ramat Gan
- 2006–07: F.C. Ironi Or Yehuda
- 2007–08: Maccabi Ironi Or Yehuda
- 2008–09: Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa
- 2009–10: Hapoel Oranit Ironi
- 2010-11: Gadna Tel Aviv Yehuda
- 2011-12: Otzma F.C. Holon
- 2012-13: Hapoel Ramat Yisrael
- 2013–14: F.C. Roei Heshbon Tel Aviv
- 2014–15: Ironi Beit Dagan
Liga Gimel Central
The champion of Liga Gimel Central is promoted to Liga Bet South B. Until 2012-13 it was known as Liga Gimel Central-South. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:
- A.S. Nordia Jerusalem
- F.C. Rishon LeZion
- F.C. Tzeirei Lod
- Hapoel Abirei Bat Yam
- Hapoel F.C. Hevel Modi'in
- Hapoel Ironi Gedera
- Hapoel Matzliah
- Hapoel Mevaseret Zion
- Hapoel Ramla
- Hapoel Tirat Shalom
- Ironi Lod
- Maccabi Kiryat Ekron
Past champions
- 1996–97: Maccabi Jerusalem/Ma'ale Adumim
- 1997–98: Hapoel Bnei Lod
- 1998–99: Maccabi Kiryat Ekron
- 1999–2000: Hapoel Sde Uziyahu/Be'er Tuvia
- 2002–03: Maccabi Kiryat Malakhi
- 2003–04: Hapoel Tirat Shalom
- 2004–05: F.C. Maxim Lod
- 2005–06: Beitar Ma'ale Adumim
- 2006–07: Bnei Eilat
- 2007–08: Hapoel F.C. Ortodoxim Lod
- 2008–09: F.C. Kiryat Gat
- 2009–10: Bnei Yeechalal Rehovot
- 2010–11: Maccabi Be'er Ya'akov
- 2011–12: Ironi Modi'in
- 2012–13: Maccabi Ironi Sderot
- 2013–14: F.C. Beitar Yavne
- 2014–15: F.C. Holon Yaniv
Liga Gimel South
The champion of Liga Gimel South is promoted to Liga Bet South B. Since 2013-14, it split from Liga Gimel Central-South and re-formed after three seasons of inactivity. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:
- A.S. Ashdod
- A.S. Ashkelon
- Bnei al-Salam Rahat
- Elitzur Ironi Yehuda
- F.C. Arad
- F.C. Be'er Sheva Haim Levy
- F.C. Hapoel Bnei Ashdod
- F.C. Hapoel Yeruham
- F.C. Ironi Kuseife
- F.C. Maccabi Ashdod
- F.C. Tzeirei al-Hoshla
- Hapoel Tzeirei al-Mahdi
- Maccabi Dimona
- Maccabi Ironi Hura
- Maccabi Ironi Sderot
Past champions
- 1996–97: Maccabi Be'er Sheva
- 1997–98: Hapoel Masos Shaqib al-Salam
- 1998–99: Hapoel Bnei Lakhish
- 1999–2000: Hapoel Rahat
- 2003-04: Maccabi Ironi Netivot
- 2004-05: Hapoel Masos Segev Shalom
- 2009–10: Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem
- 2013–14: Hapoel Merhavim
- 2014–15: Maccabi Segev Shalom
Defunct division champions (since 1996–97)
Western Galilee
- 1996–97: Hapoel Kabul
- 1998–99: Maccabi Ironi Shlomi
- 1999–2000: Hapoel Maghar
- 2000-2001:Hapoel Karmiel
- 2003-04: Hapoel Bnei Julis
- 2004-05: Beitar Ihud Mashhad
Bay Area
- 1996–97: Ironi I'billin
- 1998–99: Hapoel Kaukab
- 1999–2000: Hapoel Bnei Manda
Haifa
- 1996–97: Hapoel Daliyat al-Karmel
- 1998–99: Hapoel Tel Hanan
- 1999–2000: Maccabi Tzur Shalom
Gush Dan
- 1996–97: Hapoel Jaljulia
- 1997–98: Hapoel Mahane Yehuda
- 1998–99: Maccabi Bnei Tira
- 1999–2000: Maccabi Yehud
External links
- ↑ Liga Dalet in Football Will Be Operated Starting Next Year Maariv, 17 October 1968, Historical Jewish Press (Hebrew)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||