F.C. Haifa
| Full name |
Sport Club Haifa Robi Shapira מועדון ספורט חיפה רובי שפירא | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | ||
| Ground | Avi Ran Stadium, Haifa | ||
| Manager |
 Hana Farhoud | ||
| League | Liga Bet North B | ||
| 2014–15 | Liga Gimel Samaria, 1st (Promoted) | ||
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F.C. Haifa Robi Shapira (Hebrew: מועדון ספורט חיפה רובי שפירא), also known as Hapoel Robi Haifa (Hebrew: הפועל רובי חיפה) is an Israeli football club based in Haifa. The club was formed in 2014 by Hapoel Haifa supporters, opposed to Hapoel Haifa owner, Yoav Katz. The club is currently playing in Liga Bet North B division.
Origins and formation
Hapoel Haifa was established in 1924 and enjoyed considerable success during its existence, winning the Israel State Cup three times, as well as several minor cups and spending most of its time in the Israeli top division. In 1992, the club was bought by businessman Robi Shapira, who led the club to its first championship in 1998–99.
Robi Shapira committed suicide in December 2001, and the club was managed by temporary liquidators until 2004, when it was bought by businessman Yoav Katz. Since 2004 a core of fans opposing Katz's regime has formed,[1][2][3][4] and in 2014 an alternate association was formed by the opposing fans, called "Ir Hapo'alim" (City of Workers, Hebrew: עיר פועלים), through which the club, initially called informally Hapoel Robi Haifa, was formed.[5][6]
In August 2014 the club was registered with the IFA. However, the IFA rejected the club choice of name since the name is registered with Hapoel Haifa's youth team, playing in the Israeli Noar Premier League.[7] The club therefore settled on the name "F.C. Haifa Robi Shapira", and was registered to the Shomron division of Liga Gimel.
During 2014-15 season, Hapoel association had authorized F.C. Haifa to add the association's name "Hapoel" to the club's name. Therefore, in the 2015-16 season, the club will be called "Hapoel Robi Shapira Haifa".
History
On 12 September 2014 the club played it first official match, beating Hapoel Tirat HaCarmel 3–0 in the second round of the State Cup.[8]
The club finished the 2014–15 season on top of Liga Gimel Samaria division, being undefeated throughout the whole season with 24 wins and 2 draws, and won promotion to Liga Bet.[9]
Shirt Sponsors and manufacturers
| Period | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Adidas | דן מור סוכנות לביטוח |
| 2015-? | ?? |
Current squad
As of 13 October 2014[10]
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Honours
- Liga Gimel Samaria:
- Winners (1): 2014-15
- State Cup (4th Division - North B)
- Winners (1): 2015-16
- State Cup (5th Division - Samaria County)
- Winners (1): 2014-15
External links
- F.C. Haifa Robi Shapira Israel Football Association (Hebrew)
- Ir Hapoalim (Hebrew)
References
- ↑ Yellow Card Shlomo Mann, 25 March 2013, The 7th Eye (Hebrew)
- ↑ Premier League: Hapoel Haifa Beat F.C. Ashdod 2:1 10 November 2012, walla.co.il (Hebrew)
- ↑ Two fans filed complaint with the police against Yoav Katz Doron Ben Dor, 6 November 2012, one.co.il (Hebrew)
- ↑ Yoav, No More – An Introduction to the Hapoel Haifa Revolution Oz Har Adir, 19 October 2012, debuzzer.com (Hebrew)
- ↑ Suddenly a Man Rises Karin Sharvit, 27 August 2014, sport5.co.il (Hebrew)
- ↑ Dror Marshalkowitz: "If There Was a Different Owner, We Wouldn't Have to Form a Fan's Team" Erad Tzafrir, 26 March 2014, haaretz.co.il (Hebrew)
- ↑ Hapoel or F.C.? "The Mention of Robi Is the Most Important" Ziv Amoyal, 9 September 2014, sport5.co.il (Hebrew)
- ↑ 3:0 to Hapoel Robi Shapira Haifa in Its Debut 12 September 2014, ynet.co.il (Hebrew)
- ↑ Liga Gimel Samaria - 2014/2015 The Israel Football Association (Hebrew)
- ↑ Hapoel Haifa Israel Football Association