İstanbulspor A.Ş.

İstanbulspor AŞ is a Turkish football and sports club, founded by Istanbul High School students in 1926. It had an unsuccessful season in 2004-2005 and were relegated from the Turkcell Super League to Bank Asya 1. Lig. It is the fourth most famous and well-developed professional football club from İstanbul, coming after Beşiktaş, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. After being bought by Uzan Family in 1990, it has been repossessed by the government and resold to third companies.

History

İstanbulspor was founded by Kemal Halim Gürgen and Istanbul High School students in 4 January 1926, being one of the first sports clubs of Republican Turkey period. In 1931-1932, İstanbulspor won both Istanbul League and Turkish Cup.

Until 1990, the club was managed by Istanbul High School foundation. During this period, İstanbulspor has relegated from and promoted to first league for several times. Also, it relegated to Amateur Level in 1979 and played as amateur for 2 seasons. In 1984, club was relegated to third league.

In 1990, Uzan Holding, led by Turkish businessman and old-graduate Cem Uzan, has bought the club and converted it into İstanbulspor A.Ş., İstanbulspor incorporation. After that, Istanbulspor was funded by Uzan Family and promoted back to first league in 1995. Istanbulspor became one of the most successful Turkish football clubs again, as placed in 4th place in 1997-1998 season and played in UEFA Cup.

Uzan Family withdrew its support from İstanbulspor in 2001. Because of this, İstanbulspor fell into financial crisis, and became 9th in 2002-2003. Finally, in 2003, government take over the financially collapsed club. However, Istanbulspor was relegated to second league in 2004-2005.

In 2006, İstanbulspor has been resold by government to former Turkish player Saffet Sancaklı's Marmara Spor Faaliyetleri San. ve Tic. A.Ş. for $3,250,000. 2007-2008 season is a disaster for her and she relegated to third Level of Turkey after a 3-2 loss away match against Giresunspor at Round 30.

In 2008, Ömer Sarıalioğlu, a Turkish businessman, bought the club from Saffet Sancaklı. İstanbulspor tried escaped from relegation at last 2 seasons. İstanbulspor escaped from relegation in 2008-2009 season after finishing 6th at 3rd Group. However, İstanbulspor finished 2nd Group of 2nd League next season and was finally relegated to Third League, fourth level of Turkish league.

Colours and Emblem

The colours of İstanbulspor are yellow-black, which are the colours of Istanbul High School. Also white is accepted as a third colour, but this is not official.

Having represented Turkey in an international competition, İstanbulspor was granted the privilege to use the Turkish flag in its emblem, located on the top left corner. The emblem of Istanbul High School is at the middle.

League participations

• First Level: 1958-67, 1968-72, 1995-05
• Second Level: 1967-68, 1972-75, 1981-84, 1992-95, 2005-08
• Third Level: 1975-79, 1984-92, 2008-10
• Fourth Level: 2010-
• Amateur Level: 1979-81

European Cups

Intertoto Cup:

UEFA Cup/Europa League:

Achievements

• Turkish Super League:
  • Runners-up (1): 1957-58
• Turkish Football Championship:
  • Winners (1): 1931-32
• Istanbul Football League:
  • Winners (1): 1931-32
• Turkish Second League:
  • Winners (1): 1967-68
  • Runner-Ups (1): 1994-95
• Turkish Third League:
  • Winners (1): 1991-92

Current squad

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

External links

• Official Site