Liga Gimel

Liga Gimel

Founded	1951 (1951)
Country	Israel
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Number of teams	16X8
Level on pyramid	5
Promotion to	B League
Domestic cup(s)	State Cup
Current champions	F.C. Julis (Upper Galilee) Maccabi Tzeirei Shefa-'Amr (Lower Galilee) Hapoel Bnei Arara 'Ara (Jezreel) Hapoel Tirat HaCarmel F.C. (Samaria) Hapoel Ihud Bnei Jatt (Sharon) Shimshon Tel Aviv (Tel Aviv) A.S. Nordia Jerusalem (Central) Maccabi Ashdod (South) (2015–16)
2015–16

Liga Gimel (Hebrew: ליגה ג'‎‎, lit. C League) is the fifth and bottom tier of Israeli football league system, a position it has held since 2009.

History

Liga Gimel was first established in 1951 as a third division, below Liga Alef and Liga Bet. In 1955, after designating the first tier as Liga Leumit, Liga Gimel was demoted to the fourth tier. Further demotions followed in 1976, after the second tier Liga Artzit to the fifth tier and in 1999, after the establishment of Liga Ha'Al to the sixth tier. At the end of the 2008–09 season, Liga Artzit was scrapped and Liga Gimel was brought up back to the fifth tier.

Although currently Liga Gimel is the bottom tier in the Israeli league pyramid, from 1969–70^[1] and up until the 1984-85 season a further tier, Liga Dalet was below Liga Gimel, until it was scrapped due to declining number of teams.

Structure

As of 2015-16 season, Liga Gimel consists of eight divisions of varying size, four in the north and four in the less-populated south, with a total of 111 member clubs.

If they meet criteria laid down by the IFA, the top club from each division is promoted at the end of the season to the Liga Bet (the fourth level). Teams are assigned to their new Liga Bet divisions based on their geographical locations. As it is the lowest division, no clubs are relegated.

Liga Gimel Upper Galilee

The champion of Liga Gimel Upper Galilee is promoted to Liga Bet North A. For the 2015–16 season, the division is composed of:

• Bnei Ma'alot Tarshiha
• F.C. Aramshe Danun
• F.C. Bnei M.M.B.E. HaGolan VeHaGalil
• F.C. Hatzor HaGlilit
• F.C. Julis
• Hapoel Bnei Bi'ina
• Hapoel Bnei Hurfeish
• Hapoel Bnei Peki'in
• Hapoel Bnei Rameh
• Hapoel Jat Yanuh HaGlilit
• Hapoel Merom HaGalil
• Hapoel Nahariya
• Hapoel Tarshiha
• Maccabi Ahva Yarka

Past champions

• 1996–97: Beitar Tiberias
• 1998–99: Maccabi Kiryat Shmona
• 1999–2000: Beitar Safed
• 2003–04: Hapoel Ironi I'billin
• 2004–05: Maccabi Kafr Yasif
• 2005–06: Maccabi Sha'ab
• 2006–07: Ahi Acre
• 2007–08: Hapoel Kaukab
• 2008–09: Ihud Bnei Majd al-Krum
• 2009–10: Hapoel Shefa-'Amr
• 2010–11: F.C. Bu'eine
• 2011–12: Hapoel Bnei Maghar
• 2012–13: Hapoel Bu'eine
• 2013–14: Hapoel Ironi Safed
• 2014–15: Beitar Kafr Kanna
• 2015–16: F.C. Julis

Liga Gimel Lower Galilee

The champion of Liga Gimel Lower Galilee is promoted to Liga Bet North A. It was formed in 2013-14. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:

• Ahva Arraba
• F.C. Bnei Arraba
• F.C. Halat al-Sharif
• F.C. Tzeirei Ibtin Khawaled
• F.C. Tzeirei Tamra
• Hapoel Bnei Deir al-Asad
• Hapoel Bnei Nujidat
• Hapoel Ironi Bni I'billin
• Ironi Bnei Sha'ab
• Maccabi Basmat Tab'un
• Maccabi Bnei Deir Hanna
• Maccabi Kafr Manda
• Maccabi Ironi Tamra
• Maccabi Tzeirei Shefa-'Amr

Past champions

• 2013–14: Maccabi Ironi Yafa
• 2014–15: F.C. Tzeirei Kafr Kanna
• 2015–16: Maccabi Tzeirei Shefa-'Amr

Liga Gimel Jezreel

The champion of Liga Gimel Jezreel is promoted to Liga Bet North B. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:

• Beitar Afula
• Beitar al-Amal Nazareth
• Beitar Ein Mahil
• Beitar Umm al-Fahm
• Bnei Musheirifa Baiada
• F.C. Kfar Kama
• F.C. Nazareth Illit
• Hapoel al-Ittihad Nazareth
• Hapoel Bnei Ar'ara 'Ara
• Hapoel Bnei Fureidis
• Hapoel Bnei Musmus
• Hapoel Isfiya
• Maccabi Ahi Ar'ara 'Ara

Past champions

• 1996–97: Maccabi Beit She'an
• 1998–99: Beitar Iksal
• 1999–2000: Hapoel Yafa
• 2003-04: Hapoel Kafr Misr/Nein
• 2004-05: Hapoel Kfar Kama
• 2005-06: F.C. Tzeirei Bir al-Maksur
• 2006–07: Maccabi Beit She'an Nissim
• 2007–08: Hapoel Umm al-Ghanem Nein
• 2008–09: Maccabi Ahi Iksal
• 2009–10: F.C. Kfar Kama
• 2010–11: F.C. Daburiyya
• 2011–12: F.C. Tzeirei Tur'an
• 2012–13: Hapoel Bnei Nujeidat
• 2013–14: F.C. Al-Nahda Nazareth
• 2014–15: Ihud Bnei Baqa
• 2015–16: Hapoel Bnei Ar'ara 'Ara

Liga Gimel Samaria

The champion of Liga Gimel Samaria is promoted to Liga Bet North B. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:

• Beitar Hadera
• Beitar Pardes Hanna
• F.C. Hapoel Kiryat Yam
• Hapoel Ahva Haifa
• Hapoel Bnei Jisr az-Zarqa
• Hapoel Ein as-Sahala
• Hapoel Halissa
• Hapoel Ironi Or Akiva
• Hapoel Tirat HaCarmel
• Maccabi Neve Sha'anan Eldad
• Maccabi Ironi Barta'a
• Maccabi Ironi Tirat HaCarmel
• Maccabi Isfiya

Past champions

• 1996–97: Hapoel Asi Gilboa
• 1997–98: Ironi Zikhron Ya'akov
• 1998–99: Ironi Sayid Umm al-Fahm
• 1999–2000: Hapoel Baqa al-Gharbiyye
• 2003–04: Maccabi Or Akiva
• 2004–05: Maccabi Umm al-Fahm
• 2005–06: Ihud Bnei Baqa
• 2006–07: Maccabi Ironi Barta'a
• 2007–08: Maccabi Ironi Jatt
• 2008–09: Maccabi Or Akiva
• 2009–10: F.C. Givat Olga
• 2010–11: Hapoel Ironi Baqa al-Gharbiyye
• 2011–12: Hapoel Umm al-Fahm
• 2012–13: Hapoel Yokneam
• 2013–14: F.C. Baqa
• 2014–15: F.C. Haifa Robi Shapira
• 2015–16: Hapoel Tirat HaCarmel

Liga Gimel Sharon

The champion of Liga Gimel Sharon is promoted to Liga Bet South A. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:

• Beitar Tubruk
• Hapoel Ihud Bnei Jatt
• Hapoel Jaljulia
• Hapoel Kafr Bara
• Hapoel Oranit
• F.C. Bnei Qalansawe
• F.C. Bnei Ra'anana
• F.C. Ironi Ariel
• F.C. Kafr Qasim Nibrass
• F.C. Netanya
• Maccabi HaSharon Netanya
• Shimshon Bnei Tayibe
• Shimshon Kafr Qasim

Past champions

• 1996–97: Beitar Nes Tubruk
• 1997–98: Hapoel Tel Mond
• 1998–99: Hapoel Ar'ara
• 1999–2000: Shimshon Bnei Tayibe
• 2003–04: Beitar Kfar Saba
• 2004–05: Maccabi Ironi Amishav Petah Tikva
• 2005–06: Beitar Pardes Hanna
• 2006–07: Hapoel Pardesiya Noam
• 2007–08: Maccabi HaSharon Netanya
• 2008–09: Beitar Petah Tikva
• 2009–10: Maccabi Bnei Jaljulia
• 2010–11: F.C. Tira
• 2011–12: Hapoel Morasha Ramat HaSharon
• 2012–13: Shimshon Bnei Tayibe
• 2013–14: Hapoel Kafr Qasim Shouaa
• 2014–15: Hapoel Pardesiya Noam
• 2015–16: Hapoel Ihud Bnei Jatt

Liga Gimel Tel Aviv

The champion of Liga Gimel Tel Aviv is promoted to Liga Bet South A. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:

• Beitar Ezra
• Beitar Jaffa Zion
• Bnei Yehud
• Elitzur Jaffa Tel Aviv
• Elitzur Yehud Yotel
• Hapoel Kiryat Shalom
• Hapoel Neve Golan
• Maccabi Hashikma Hen
• Maccabi Ironi Or Yehuda
• Maccabi Pardes Katz
• Maccabi Spartak Ramat Gan
• Otzma F.C. Holon
• Shikun Vatikim Ramat Gan
• Shimshon Tel Aviv

Past champions

• 1996–97: Maccabi HaShikma Ramat Hen
• 1997–98: Beitar Ramat Gan
• 1998–99: Maccabi HaShikma Ramat Hen
• 1999–2000: Beitar Holon City
• 2003-04: Hapoel Ramat Yisrael
• 2004-05: Agudat Sport Holon
• 2005-06: Shikun Vatikim Ramat Gan
• 2006–07: F.C. Ironi Or Yehuda
• 2007–08: Maccabi Ironi Or Yehuda
• 2008–09: Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa
• 2009–10: Hapoel Oranit Ironi
• 2010-11: Gadna Tel Aviv Yehuda
• 2011-12: Otzma F.C. Holon
• 2012-13: Hapoel Ramat Yisrael
• 2013–14: F.C. Roei Heshbon Tel Aviv
• 2014–15: Ironi Beit Dagan
• 2015–16: Shimshon Tel Aviv

Liga Gimel Central

The champion of Liga Gimel Central is promoted to Liga Bet South B. Until 2012-13 it was known as Liga Gimel Central-South. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:

• A.S. Nordia Jerusalem
• F.C. Rishon LeZion
• F.C. Tzeirei Lod
• Hapoel Abirei Bat Yam
• Hapoel F.C. Hevel Modi'in
• Hapoel Ironi Gedera
• Hapoel Matzliah
• Hapoel Mevaseret Zion
• Hapoel Ramla
• Hapoel Tirat Shalom
• Ironi Lod
• Maccabi Kiryat Ekron

Past champions

• 1996–97: Maccabi Jerusalem/Ma'ale Adumim
• 1997–98: Hapoel Bnei Lod
• 1998–99: Maccabi Kiryat Ekron
• 1999–2000: Hapoel Sde Uziyahu/Be'er Tuvia
• 2002–03: Maccabi Kiryat Malakhi
• 2003–04: Hapoel Tirat Shalom
• 2004–05: F.C. Maxim Lod
• 2005–06: Beitar Ma'ale Adumim
• 2006–07: Bnei Eilat
• 2007–08: Hapoel F.C. Ortodoxim Lod
• 2008–09: F.C. Kiryat Gat
• 2009–10: Bnei Yeechalal Rehovot
• 2010–11: Maccabi Be'er Ya'akov
• 2011–12: Ironi Modi'in
• 2012–13: Maccabi Ironi Sderot
• 2013–14: F.C. Beitar Yavne
• 2014–15: F.C. Holon Yaniv
• 2015–16: A.S. Nordia Jerusalem

Liga Gimel South

The champion of Liga Gimel South is promoted to Liga Bet South B. Since 2013-14, it split from Liga Gimel Central-South and re-formed after three seasons of inactivity. For the 2015-16 season, the division is composed of:

• A.S. Ashdod
• A.S. Ashkelon
• Bnei al-Salam Rahat
• Elitzur Ironi Yehuda
• F.C. Arad
• F.C. Be'er Sheva Haim Levy
• F.C. Hapoel Bnei Ashdod
• F.C. Hapoel Yeruham
• F.C. Ironi Kuseife
• F.C. Maccabi Ashdod
• F.C. Tzeirei al-Hoshla
• Hapoel Tzeirei al-Mahdi
• Maccabi Dimona
• Maccabi Ironi Hura
• Maccabi Ironi Sderot
• Maccabi Ironi Ashdod

Past champions

• 1996–97: Maccabi Be'er Sheva
• 1997–98: Hapoel Masos/Segev Shalom
• 1998–99: Hapoel Bnei Lakhish
• 1999–2000: Hapoel Rahat
• 2003-04: Maccabi Ironi Netivot
• 2004-05: Hapoel Masos Segev Shalom
• 2009–10: Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem
• 2013–14: Hapoel Merhavim
• 2014–15: Maccabi Segev Shalom
• 2015–16: Maccabi Ashdod

Defunct division champions (since 1996–97)

Western Galilee

• 1996–97: Hapoel Kabul
• 1998–99: Maccabi Ironi Shlomi
• 1999–2000: Hapoel Maghar
• 2000-2001:Hapoel Karmiel
• 2003-04: Hapoel Bnei Julis
• 2004-05: Beitar Ihud Mashhad

Bay Area

• 1996–97: Ironi I'billin
• 1998–99: Hapoel Kaukab
• 1999–2000: Hapoel Bnei Manda

Haifa

• 1996–97: Hapoel Daliyat al-Karmel
• 1998–99: Hapoel Tel Hanan
• 1999–2000: Maccabi Tzur Shalom

Gush Dan

• 1996–97: Hapoel Jaljulia
• 1997–98: Hapoel Mahane Yehuda
• 1998–99: Maccabi Bnei Tira
• 1999–2000: Maccabi Yehud

External links

• Israel Football Association