Gaziantepspor
 |
|
| Full name | Gaziantepspor |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Şahinler (The Falcons) |
| Founded | 25 February 1969 |
| Ground | New Gaziantep Arena, Turkey |
| Capacity | 35,574 |
| President | İbrahim Halil Kızıl |
| Manager | Bülent Uygun |
| League | Süper Lig |
| 2015–16 | Süper Lig, 14th |
| Website | Club home page |
Gaziantepspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Gaziantep. Formed in 1969, Gaziantepspor are nicknamed the Şahinler (The Falcons). The club colours are black and red, and they play their home matches at New Gaziantep Arena.
The first sports club in Gaziantep was founded by students at the American College in 1923. Several other clubs were founded soon after; Altınışık, Kilis İdman Yurdu Spor Kulübü, and Türkocağı Spor Kulübü. However, these clubs did not last long, with Altınışık and Türkocağı folding in 1929 and 1931 respectively. Türkocağı went on to merge with Sanatkarlar Spor Kulübü to form Gaziantep İdman Yurdu. The club did not register in time for the Gaziantep amateur league and were only permitted to compete in friendly matches. Gaziantep Idman Yurdu disbanded in 1932.
There were no clubs in Gaziantep until 1938, with the sports branch of the community centre taking over and running all sporting activities.
Gaziantepspor which bears the name of Gaziantep city was founded in the first days of 1969. Gaziantep city's leading people held a meeting under the chairmanship of Mayor Abdulkadir Batur and they made a first attempt for the foundation of the club.
Later on, as a result of continuing meetings, Gaziantepspor Club was founded in 1969. Important figures in Gaziantep held a meeting with then-mayor Abdülkadir Batur in order to form the club. A total of 58 people helped with the foundation of Gaziantepspor in 1969. Besir Bayram who was a founder member, has been a first president. The club contested friendly matches in their first season. They were allowed to join the 3.Lig in 1970.
Gaziantepspor finished its first season by playing friendly matches. The red–blacks started to play in the Turkish League in 1970–71 season through a decree executed in 1970 which allowed city teams play directly in the third division. In their first season of professional football, Gaziantepspor finished third in the 3.Lig, Yeşil Grup (Green Group).
The club finished second in the 2.Lig in 1974–75, barely missing promotion by three points. Gaziantepspor were promoted to the top-flight after the 1978–79 season. The club managed to stay afloat in their first season in the 1.Lig, finishing one point above the relegation zone. The club was relegated in 1983, but earned promotion back to the top-flight in 1990, where they have competed since. The club had the best position in the top-flight as 3rd in 1999–00 and 2000–01 seasons.
The club colours are red and black. The colours were chosen as a dedication to the martyrs who gave up their lives to defend Gaziantep; black for the martyrs, and red for the martyrs blood.
...
Wikipedia