Sparta F.C.

AE Sparta

Full name	Αθλητική Ένωση Σπάρτης (Athletic Union of Sparta)
Nickname(s)	Η Βασίλισσα του Νότου (The Queen of the South)
Founded	1991 (1991)
Ground	Sparta Municipal Stadium
Ground Capacity	1,500
Owner	Domestioco Limited (90%)[1]
Chairman	Dimitris Nikolaros
Manager	Panagiotis Tzanavaras
League	Football League
2016–17	Football League, 7th
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours

Athletic Union of Sparta F.C. (Greek: ΑΕ Σπάρτη ΠΑΕ, Αθλητική Ένωση Σπάρτης, Athlitiki Enosis Spartis, Athletic Union of Sparta), also known simply as Sparta is a Greek football club, based in Sparta, Laconia.

The club was founded in 1991. The football section of the club is the most successful. Struggling in Sparta Municipal Stadium, with a capacity of 1,500 spectators. They will play in Football League for the season 2016-17.

History

The club was founded in 1991 as Charisiakos F.C. and later renamed as Athletic Union of Sparta F.C. They won the Championship of Laconia in 2001, 2002, 2003 and participated in the Greek Fourth Division in 2002-03 season at the 8th group finishing in 5th place and in 2003-04 season finished in 15th place and was relegated to the Championship of Laconia.

In 2006-07 season the club was won the Championship of Laconia and was promoted to Greek Fourth Division at the 6th group finishing in 7th place.

In 2013-14 season the club was very nearly to promoted to Football League 2 but they failed in the last match against Ermis Kiveri which until the 95th minute was 1-1 and eventually finished 2-1 against Athletic Union of Sparta F.C. Next season, the club won the Championship and promoted as 1st because of their won against Kyparissia F.C. beating them 3-2 at Peristeri Stadium in Athens. In 2015-16 season the club finished 1st at the 3rd Group of Football League 2 and promoted to Football League.

Supporters

The fanatics supporters of Sparta are called 300. There is a strong relationship between them and Taranto's fans, where often lift banners in support of the fellow teams.

Players

Current squad

As of 2 August 2017

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

No. Position Player 3 DF Stavros Panagiotou 4 FW Panagiotis Katsikis 6 MF Kostas Banousis (2nd captain) 7 FW Alexandros Mouzakitis 8 MF Charalambos Oikonomopoulos (vice-captain) 11 FW Konstantinos Iliopoulos (3rd captain) 14 DF Giorgos Kornezos 19 FW Periklis Vellinis

No. Position Player 21 MF Evangelos Chadiaris 23 DF Christos Kartsambas 31 MF Manolis Rovithis FW Eric Warden MF Tawonga Chimodzi DF Giannis Savva FW José Emílio Furtado

Emblem

On 22 July 2016, the administration of the club decided to change the emblem after the promotion to the professional categories, recalling the deep roots of the club. The new emblem is a dynamic one, which stems from the history of the city and the philosophy of the ancient Spartans. Dominates the helmet of Spartan officer and on the basis the Greek flag.

Club officials

AE Sparta Football & Athletic Co management

Role	Name
Majority Shareholder	Domestioco Limited
Chairman	Dimitris Nikolaros
Manager	Panagiotis Tzanavaras
Assistant Manager	Kostas Sotiropoulos
Goalkeeping Coach	Panagiotis Apostolakos
U-19 Coach	Nikos Miliakos
Head Physiotherapist	Charis Veldekis
First Team Sports Scientist	Marios Tzortzakis
Sports Therapist	Nikos Kourakos

Honours

Domestic Titles and honours

• • Gamma Ethniki: 1
    • 2015-16
  • Championship of Laconia: 7
    • 1999-00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2013–14, 2014–15
  • Cup of Laconia: 7
    • 1999-00, 2001–02, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16

Notable former players

• Ilias Anastasakos

References