Girona Futbol Club, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Girona, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. Founded on 23 July 1930 it plays in La Liga, having been promoted at the end of the 2016/17, holding home games at Estadi Montilivi, which has a capacity of 13,500 spectators.
The club also has youth and amateur women's teams for competition.
History
On 23 July 1930, in the cafè Norat in La Rambla of Girona, Girona Fútbol Club was founded upon the disappearance of Unió Esportiva Girona for economic reasons. The team subsequently entered in the second division of the Catalan Championships, the first official match being against Colònia Artigas with the lineup: Florenza, Teixidor, Farró, Flavià, Comas, Corradi, Ferrer, Escuder, Clara, Torrellas and Taradellas.
1935–36 was the first season Girona played in Segunda División, and the club finished in top position in its group, subsequently appearing in the playoff stage against Celta de Vigo, Real Zaragoza, Arenas Club, Real Murcia and Xerez CD but finishing second from bottom, thus out of the La Liga promotion zone.
After the Spanish Civil War the club fluctuated between the second level and Tercera División, falling into the latter category in 1959 and being further demoted in 1980 – Segunda División B was created as the new division three in 1977, and the team lasted three years in the competition. In 1968 Estadi Montilivi began being built, with home matches being held there on a permanent basis from 1970 onwards, after nearly five decades at Vista Alegre.
In the following decades Girona alternated between the third and the fourth division, even spending three seasons in the regional championships (1982–83, 1997–99).[1] On 16 June 2008, after defeating Ceuta 1–0 in the play–offs, the Raúl Agné-led side achieved a second consecutive promotion, returning to the "silver category" after a 49-year absence.[2][3]
On 22 July 2010, a group of local businessmen led by Ramon Vilaró, Joaquim Boadas and Josep Slim bought 72% of the shares previously held by former president Josep Gusó and Josep Rofes, thus becoming the new owners of Girona. Vilaró was elected the new president, whilst Agné, after a spell with Recreativo Huelva, returned as manager for the upcoming second division campaign, lasting in the position until 14 January 2012 when he was sacked following a 0–3 loss at precisely his former club.[4]
In 2011 Girona created a reserve team, having previously grown a natural grass pitch in Palau.[5] On 9 May 2013 the board of directors, under the slogan "El Girona FC también es mío" (Girona FC is mine too), approved an increase of the club's capital in €300.000 to be distributed in €10 shares, aiming to balance its estate.[6]
In the last day of the 2014-15 season, Girona needed to beat Lugo at home to get promoted to La Liga, but were denied by a last-minute goal by the visitors. They had to settle for a play-off place, but were eliminated in the semifinals by Zaragoza, despite winning the first leg 3-0. In the next season they reached the play-off final but were defeated by Osasuna. They finally got promoted in 2017 by finishing runners-up to Levante UD.
Season to season
Current squad
- As of 31 July 2017[7]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Reserve team
Managers
See also
References
External links
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