Hapoel Beit She'an F.C.

Hapoel Beit She'an (Hebrew: הפועל בית שאן‎) was an Israeli football club based in Beit She'an. The club spent several seasons in the top division in the 1990s, but after several relegations, folded in 2006.

History

The club was founded in 1953, and was initially named Hapoel Beit She'an/Sde Nahum, as it replaced Hapoel Sde Nahum in Liga Bet. They remained in Liga Bet until the 1970s when they were promoted to Liga Alef, and in 1978, to Liga Artzit, then the second tier. The club was relegated back to Liga Alef at the end of the 1983-84 season, but returned to Liga Artzit in 1990 under the management of Elisha Levy. Although they were relegated again, they returned to the second tier in 1993. In 1993-94 they finished second, and were promoted to Liga Leumit (then the top division) for the first time.

Following promotion, the club played its first four home matches in Tiberias whilst their stadium was upgraded. In their first season in Liga Leumit the club survived on the final day of the season, coming from 2-0 down to Maccabi Haifa (who were playing to win the title) to win 3-2. A film was made about the campaign, entitled Underdogs: A War Story.

Levy left the club in 1995 but returned in 1997. On 2 May 1998 the club played Beitar Jerusalem (a match held at Kiryat Eliezer in Haifa on police advice) in a game that became known as the "shoelaces match", as Beit She'an were accused of allowing Beitar to win the match (and the title).

After several lower mid-table finishes, Hapoel were relegated at the end of the 1998-99 season. In 2001-02 they finished bottom of the second tier, and were relegated again. A third relegation occurred in 2003-04, this time to Liga Alef. At the end of the 2005-06 season they were relegated from Liga Alef, and folded.