Altay S.K.

Altay Spor Kulübü (English: Altay Sports Club) is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of İzmir. Formed in 1914, Altay are nicknamed Büyük Altay (Great Altay). The club colours are black and white, and they play their home matches at İzmir Alsancak Stadium.^[1]

Domestically, the club has finished third place for the Süper Lig three times and have won the Türkiye Kupası twice. They hold the record for most Izmir Football League titles with 15. They are the most successful İzmir-based club with 16 championships in various competitions.

History

Altay was founded in 1914 in İzmir as İstiklal. The initial aim of the club was to unite Turkish youth under sporting activities and to encourage them, because in the 1910’s minorities dominated sporting activities in İzmir. Under Ottoman rule, Turkish footballers were unable to compete. Altay was supported by Turkish politicians of the era. Celal Bayar worked very hard in foundation of the club and gave his full support.

Altay has an important place in Turkey's football history. The club had a key role in uniting the Turkish community during the Turkish War of Independence. Many players and supporters of Altay SK lost their lives in the Turkish War. After the Surname Law was adopted, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gave General Fahreddin Pasha the surname of “Altay”. Altay play in the former Stadium of Panionios and also use the former offices of the same club.^[2]

European Participations

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup:

Inter-Cities Fairs Cup/UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League:

UEFA Intertoto Cup:

List of chairmen

Current squad

As of 29 September, 2011. Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Honours

• Süper Lig
  • Third Place (2): 1969-70, 1976–77

• 1.Lig
  • Winners (1): 2001-02
  • Runners-up (2): 1983-84, 1990–91

• Türkiye Kupası
  • Winners (2): 1966–67, 1979–80
  • Runners-up (5): 1963–64, 1967–68, 1971–72, 1978–79, 1985–86

• Süper Kupa
  • Runners-up (2): 1967, 1980

• Başbakanlık Kupası
  • Runners-up (3): 1972, 1979, 1986

• İzmir Professional League
  • Winners (2): 1956–57, 1957–58

• Izmir Football League (Record)
  • Winners (13): 1923-24, 1924–25, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1930–31, 1933–34, 1936–37, 1937-38¹, 1940–41, 1945–46, 1947–48, 1950–51, 1953–54

• ¹Altay won the championship as "Üçok", an alliance between Altay, Altınordu, Bucaspor.

See also

• List of Turkish Sports Clubs by Foundation Dates

References

External links

• Official web site (Turkish)