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Esporte Clube Santo André

Santo André
Esporte Clube Santo André
Full name Esporte Clube Santo André
Nickname(s) Ramalhão ("João Ramalho's nickname")
Founded September 18, 1967; 49 years ago (1967-09-18)
Stadium Bruno José Daniel, Santo André
Ground Capacity 18,000
President Celso Luiz de Almeida
Head coach Toninho Cecílio
League Campeonato Brasileiro Série D
2012 Série C, Group B, 9th (relegated)
Website Club home page

Esporte Clube Santo André, also known as Santo André, is a Brazilian football team from Santo André, São Paulo state.

Santo André greatest rival is São Caetano, the other team in ABC region. The club's mascot name is Ramalhão ("Big Ramalho") after the bandeirante João Ramalho. João Ramalho founded the city of Santo André in 1553.

Santo André was founded on September 18, 1967 by people that wanted to have a team in their city representing the professional football of the Municipality.

The first Santo André directorship was elected on October 4, 1967 and was composed by the following members: Newton Brandão, the President; Wigand dos Santos, Antonio Ferreira dos Santos and Hildebrando Mota Carneiro, the vice-presidents; Nelson Cerchiari and Durval Daniel, secretaries; Matheus Guimarães Jr. and João Manha, the treasurers.

The first official match of the club took place on April 8, 1968 at Américo Guazzelli stadium in a friendly match against Santos. Pelé did not play, but watched the game and participated in the festivities. Santo André won 2 - 1.

In 1984 Santo André were invited to play in Série A based on their State Championship performance. The team reached the third round (ranked 10th overall), but were not invited to compete the following year as the criteria changed.

Santo André next made headlines in 2003 when the team finished as runners-up to Ituano in Série C and thus were promoted to Série B.

In 2004, Santo André won their first national title when they defeated Flamengo in the Copa do Brasil final, gaining the right to compete in the following year's Copa Libertadores de América. Their first season in Série B was over before it started as the team was docked 12 points for playing an ineligible player. This meant at the time of the Copa do Brasil success their point tally on the local tournament was negative. The team recovered to comfortably avoid relegation.


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