Maccabi Ironi Ashdod F.C.

Maccabi Ironi Ashdod
מכבי עירוני אשדוד
Full name Maccabi Ironi Ashdod
Nickname(s) The Dolphins
Founded 1961 as Maccabi Ashdod
1981 as Maccabi Ironi Ashdod
2015 (Re-established)
Ground Feeder Stadium, Ashdod
Ground Capacity 2,000
Chairman Tal Esformes
Manager Pini Ayash
League Liga Gimel South
1998–99 Liga Leumit, 12th

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.

History

The old logo (1981–1999)

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
No. Position Player
1 Israel GK Matan Silvra
2 Israel DF Alon Zini
3 Israel DF Matan Evizret
4 Israel DF Avihay Shvili
5 Israel DF Aviran Ben Gigi
6 Israel MF Daniel Melsa
7 Israel MF Moshe Shalev
8 Israel MF Yaniv Yosef
9 Israel DF Hanan Peretz
10 Israel MF Daniel Tolmasov
11 Israel FW Ariel Trabelsi
12 Israel FW Elihay Abutbul
13 Israel FW Lior Avisror
No. Position Player
14 Israel MF Itzhak Yevrkan
15 Israel DF Yossi Kertsman
16 Israel MF Moti Samin
17 Israel MF Gadif Wakrat
18 Israel DF Roey Sabag
19 Israel DF Daniel Atias
20 Israel MF Shay Abuksis
21 Israel DF Golan Amos (Captain)
27 Israel FW Shay Talias
77 Israel MF Moshe Zimro
99 Israel GK Liran Shafir
Israel DF Harel Pinhas

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

  1. History FC Ashdod (Hebrew)
  2. A tiding for the football fans- Ironi Ashdod will be resurrected Shimon Yaish, ashdodnet.com, 15 March 2015 (Hebrew)
  3. 1981/1982 season Dolphinim (Hebrew)
  4. Fans protest intensifies ashdod4u.com, 24 April 2015 (Hebrew)
  5. Ashdod fans protested in front of the mayor's house Igal Berman, One, 20 March 2015 (Hebrew)
  6. 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

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