F.C. Tirsense
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| Full name | Futebol Clube Tirsense |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1938 |
| Ground | Abel Alves de Figueiredo, Santo Tirso |
| Capacity | 12,000 |
| Chairman | Fernando Matos |
| Manager | Toni Pereira |
| League | Portuguese Second Division Serie A |
| 2011/12 | Portuguese Second Division Serie A – "Zona Norte", 7th |
| Website | Club home page |
Futebol Clube Tirsense, commonly known as just Tirsense, is a Portuguese football club from Santo Tirso, founded in January 5, 1938. They currently play in the Portuguese Second Division Serie A and finished last season in 2nd place, but lost in the playoffs in the 2007–08 season. They currently play their home games in Abel Alves de Figueiredo with a capacity of 12,000 spectators. Their current chairman is Vítor Carvalho and their manager is Joaquim Machado.
The club's finest hour came without doubt in 1948–49 when, under the management of Artur Pinga, they knocked the all-conquering Sporting Clube de Portugal side of the "Five Violins" out of the Portuguese Cup with a 2–1 victory. In 1994–95, they finished eighth (one win away from a UEFA Cup position) in the First Division, their highest-ever position. The following year, however, they were relegated, in the first of four consecutive demotions, dropping from the main championship in 1996 to the regional championships in 1999. The following year, the club was promoted to the Third Division. In spite of this, Tirsense has a usual attendance of 1,500 to 2,000, among the best in Portuguese non-professional championships. Assuming an amateur status since 2004, the club is making a successful task honouring debts, and aspires to make a comeback to the top in a near future. Marcelo (who later played in England), along with Emerson Thome (better known in Portugal as Paredão), and Everton Giovanella (Celta de Vigo), are the most internationally known former club players. Recent names like Caetano, Rui Manuel, or Batista are also well remembered by the fans. From the more distant years, António Luís and Festa (former Portuguese international) are some of the most sounding names. Tirsense is currently coached by Joaquim Machado, who at his first season at the club as head coach (2006–07), managed to promote Tirsense to the Second Division, where the club currently competes in its Serie A.
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