Cypriot Third Division

The Cypriot Third Division (Greek: Πρωτάθλημα Γ΄ Κατηγορίας) is the third tier football league competition in Cyprus, run by the Cyprus Football Association. Each year, the top finishing teams of the league are promoted to the Cypriot Second Division, and the lowest finishing teams are relegated to the STOK Elite Division.

Cypriot Third Division
Founded1970 (1970)
Country Cyprus
Number of teams16
Level on pyramid3
Promotion toCypriot Second Division
Relegation toSTOK Elite Division
Domestic cup(s)Cypriot Cup for lower divisions
Current championsAchyronas Liopetri FC (2nd title)
(2019–20)
Most championshipsAkritas (3 titles)
Ermis (3 titles)
PAEEK (3 titles)
THOI (3 titles)
Websitehttp://www.cfa.com.cy/
Current: 2020–21 Cypriot Third Division

History

The Cypriot Third Division was held for the first time in the 1970–71 season as the third level of the Cypriot football. All the teams played against each other twice, once at their home and once away. The team with the most points at the end of the season crowned champions. This is the league's current format until present time.

The only season when the championship not held was during the 1974–75 season. Due to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus which forced many teams that had their headquarters to the north Cyprus to be closed temporarily or permanently, CFA decided to have a Special mixed championship of Second & Third Division. In this championship could participate all the teams of the Second and Third Division. Participation was optional. The championship had two geographical groups. The winners of each group were playing against each other in the final phase and the winners were the champions of the league. The winner was considered as the 1974–75 Cypriot Second Division champions.

Until the 1983–84 season, the teams that were relegated from the Cypriot Third Division were taking part in the next season's amateur leagues. From the 1984–85 season until the 2013–14 season, the teams that were relegated from the Cypriot Third Division were taking part in the next season's Cypriot Fourth Division. Since the 2014–15 season, the teams that are relegated from the Cypriot Third Division are taking part in the next season's STOK Elite Division.

From 1971–72 season until 2007–08 season, the Third Division teams were taking part in the Cypriot Cup. No Third Division team ever reached the final or the semifinals, but they managed to qualify to the quarter-finals once (Chalkanoras Idaliou in 1987–88). Since 2008–09 season, the Third Division teams are not allowed to participate in the Cypriot Cup, but they can take part to the Cypriot Cup for lower divisions (participation in this cup is not compulsory).

Structure

The championship have the same structure since its foundation. All the teams are playing against each other twice, once at their home and once away. The team with the most points at the end of the season are crowned champions. In every season, the champions or the first teams were promoted to the Second Division, but in some seasons the relegation to the lower divisions didn't existed.

Current format (2018–19)

Sixteen clubs are competing in the league, playing each other twice, once at home and once away for a total of 30 games per team. The top four teams are promoted to the Cypriot Second Division and the bottom four are relegated to the STOK Elite Division.

Points system

The points system of the Cypriot Third Division changed during the years:

  1. From 1970–71 until 1990–91 season, teams were awarded two points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat.
  2. Since 1991–92 season (until present time), teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat.

Teams

The sixteen teams which participate in the 2020–21 Cypriot Third Division are: [1]

Winners

The table presents all the winners of the Cypriot Third Division.[2]

Season Winner
1970–71 Keravnos Stovolou
1971–72 Ethnikos Asteras Limassol
1972–73 Neos Aionas Trikomou
1973–74 Iraklis Gerolakkou
1974–75 Not held
1975–76 Ermis Aradippou
1976–77 Akritas Chlorakas
1977–78 Adonis Idaliou
1978–79 Orfeas Nicosia
1979–80 Iraklis Gerolakkou
1980–81 Kentro Neotitas Maroniton
1981–82 Digenis Akritas Ipsona
1982–83 THOI Lakatamia
1983–84 Adonis Idaliou
1984–85 Orfeas Athienou
1985–86 APEP Limassol
1986–87 Elpida Xylofagou
Season Winner
1987–88 Digenis Akritas Morphou
1988–89 Digenis Akritas Ipsona
1989–90 APEP Pelendriou
1990–91 Othellos Athienou
1991–92 PAEEK
1992–93 AEZ Zakakiou
1993–94 Othellos Athienou
1994–95 Ethnikos Latsion
1995–96 Ermis Aradippou
1996–97 Rotsidis Mammari
1997–98 AEZ Zakakiou
1998–99 Chalkanoras Idaliou
1999–00 THOI Lakatamia
2000–01 ASIL Lysi
2001–02 SEK Agiou Athanasiou
2002–03 PAEEK
2003–04 APOP Kinyras
Season Winner
2004–05 SEK Agiou Athanasiou
2005–06 AEM Mesogis
2006–07 Ermis Aradippou
2007–08 PAEEK
2008–09 Akritas Chlorakas
2009–10 Chalkanoras Idaliou
2010–11 Ethnikos Assia
2011–12 AEK Kouklia
2012–13 Karmiotissa Pano Polemidion
2013–14 Elpida Xylofagou
2014–15 THOI Lakatamia
2015–16 Akritas Chlorakas
2016–17 P.O. Xylotymbou
2017–18 Onisilos Sotira
2018–19 Digenis Akritas Morphou

Performance By Club
Club Winners Winning seasons
Akritas Chlorakas 3 1977, 2009, 2016
Ermis Aradippou 3 1976, 1996, 2007
PAEEK 3 1992, 2003, 2008
THOI Lakatamia 3 1983, 2000, 2015
Iraklis Gerolakkou 2 1974, 1980
Adonis Idaliou 2 1978, 1984
Digenis Akritas Ipsona 2 1982, 1989
Digenis Akritas Morphou 2 1988, 2019
Elpida Xylofagou 2 1987, 2014
AEZ Zakakiou 2 1993, 1998
Othellos Athienou 2 1991, 1994
Club Winners Winning seasons
SEK Agiou Athanasiou 2 2002, 2005
Chalkanoras Idaliou 2 1999, 2010
Keravnos Strovolou 1 1971
Ethnikos Asteras Limassol 1 1972
Neos Aionas Trikomou 1 1973
Orfeas Nicosia 1 1979
Kentro Neotitas Maroniton 1 1981
Orfeas Athienou 1 1985
APEP Pitsilia 1 1986
APEP Pelendriou 1 1990
Ethnikos Latsion 1 1995
Club Winners Winning seasons
Rotsidis Mammari 1 1997
ASIL Lysi 1 2001
APOP Kinyras 1 2004
AEM Mesogis 1 2006
Ethnikos Assia 1 2011
AEK Kouklia 1 2012
Karmiotissa 1 2013
P.O. Xylotymbou 1 2017
Onisilos Sotira 1 2018

Number of participating, promoted and relegated teams per season

The number of the participated teams and the number of the teams that were promoted to the Cypriot Second Division and the teams that were relegated were changed many times during the years.

Season N. P. R.
1970–71 12 2 0
1971–72 11 4 0
1972–73 14 1 01
1973–74 12 1 0
1975–76 8 1 0
1976–77 12 1 1
1977–78 11 1 1
1978–79 10 1 1
1979–80 12 1 0
Season N. P. R.
1980–81 13 2 2
1981–82 14 2 2
1982–83 14 2 2
1983–84 13 2 1
1984–85 16 2 3
1985–86 14 3 0
1986–87 14 2 3
1987–88 14 2 3
1988–89 14 2 3
Season N. P. R.
1989–90 14 2 3
1990–91 14 32 3
1991–92 14 23 3
1992–93 14 23 3
1993–94 14 14 55
1994–95 14 5 0
1995–96 14 3 3
1996–97 14 3 3
1997–98 14 3 3
Season N. P. R.
1998–99 14 3 3
1999–00 14 36 37
2000–01 14 3 0
2001–02 14 3 3
2002–03 14 3 3
2003–04 14 3 3
2004–05 14 3 3
2005–06 14 3 3
2006–07 14 3 3
Season N. P. R.
2007–08 14 3 3
2008–09 14 3 3
2009–10 14 3 3
2010–11 14 3 3
2011–12 14 3 28
2012–13 14 4 2
2013–14 14 2 3
2014–15 14 3 1
2015–16 16 3 2


1No relegation, but two teams were expelled from the CFA on the category of match-fixing.

2The 3rd placed team played playoff matches against the 12th team of the Second Division. The Third Division team won and promoted to the Second Division.

3The 3rd placed team played playoff matches against the 12th team of the Second Division and lost.

4The 2nd placed team played playoff matches against the 9th team of the Second Division and lost.

5The 9th placed team played playoff matches against the 2nd team of the Fourth Division. The Third Division team won and remained to the Third Division.

6The 4th placed team played playoff matches against the three last teams of the Second Division and lost.

7The last three teams played playoff matches against the 4th team of the Fourth Division. The winner was the 4th team of the Fourth Division and so the last three teams of the Third Division were relegated.

8The 12th placed team played playoff matches against the 4th team of the Fourth Division and won. So only 2 teams were relegated.


Participations per club

So far, 101 teams participated in the Cypriot Third Division since 1970–71 (including the 2016–17 season).[3]

Team Par.
Adonis Idaliou23
Ethnikos Assia21
Iraklis Gerolakkou20
AEK Kythreas19
Achyronas Liopetriou19
THOI Lakatamia18
Elpida Xylofagou17
Othellos Athienou16
AEZ Zakakiou15
Akritas Chlorakas14
Digenis Akritas Morphou14
Ethnikos Latsion13
A.O. Ayia Napa12
AEK Katholiki12
ASIL Lysi12
Neos Aionas Trikomou12
PAEEK12
Anagennisi Deryneia11
Digenis Akritas Ipsona11
Chalkanoras Idaliou11
Doxa Katokopias10
Ermis Aradippou10
ASO Ormideia9
ENAD Polis Chrysochous9
Kentro Neotitas Maroniton9
MEAP Nisou9
Team Par.
Anagennisi Germasogeias8
Achilleas Kaimakli8
Digenis Oroklinis8
Elia Lythrodonta8
Tsaggaris Peledriou18
Faros Acropoleos8
APEP Pitsilia27
Olimpiada Neapolis7
Orfeas Athienou7
Orfeas Nicosia7
OXEN Peristeronas7
Spartakos Kitiou7
Frenaros FC7
APEP Pelendriou6
ENAD Ayiou Dometiou6
Enosis Kokkinotrimithia6
SEK Agiou Athanasiou6
Ormideia FC6
AEK Ammochostos5
AEK Kakopetrias5
AEK Kouklia5
Apollon Lympion5
Ethnikos Asteras Limassol5
Ethnikos Defteras5
Kinyras Empas5
Team Par.
AEK/Achilleas Ayiou Theraponta4
AEM Mesogis34
AEM Morphou4
Rotsidis Mammari4
Anagennisi Larnacas3
ASOB Vatili3
Atromitos Yeroskipou3
ENAZ Agia Zoni Limassol3
Enosi Neon Ypsona-Digenis Ipsona3
Keravnos Strovolou3
Kissos FC Kissonergas3
LALL Lysi3
Libanos Kormakiti3
Omonia Aradippou3
Poseidon Larnacas3
Sourouklis Troullon3
Fotiakos Frenarou3
AEK Karava2
Amathus Ayiou Tychona2
Anagennisi Trachoni2
APEI Ipsona2
Apollon Athienou2
ATE PEK Ergaton2
Doxa Paliometochou2
Enosis Neon Parekklisia2
Team Par.
Livadiakos Livadion2
Nikos & Sokratis Erimis2
Olympias Lympion2
Olympos Xylofagou2
Onisilos Sotira2
Parthenon Zodeia2
P.O. Xylotymbou2
Finikas Ayias Marinas2
FC Episkopi1
AEN1
Alki Oroklini1
AMEP Parekklisia1
Ayia Napa1
APOP Kinyras1
Dynamo Pervolion1
Ethnikos Achna1
Ellinismos Akakiou1
Th.O.I Avgorou1
Karmiotissa Pano Polemidion1
Kouris Erimis1
Konstantios & Evripidis Trachoniou1
Livadiakos/Salamina Livadion1
Peyia 20141
PEFO Olympiakos1
POL/AE Maroni1

1 The team has 7 participations as Tsaggaris Peledriou and 1 participation as Sotirios Pelendriou.

2 The team has 4 participations as APEP Limassol and 3 participations as APEP Pitsilias.

3 The team has 2 participations as AEM Mesogis and 2 participations as AEM Mesogis/Giolou.

League or status at 2016–17:

2016–17 Cypriot First Division (6)
2016–17 Cypriot Second Division (11)
2016–17 Cypriot Third Division (16)
2016–17 STOK Elite Division (8)
No longer affiliated with CFA (18)
Clubs that no longer exist (42)

See also

References
  1. https://www.cfa.com.cy/En/competitions/18870447
  2. "Cyprus - List of Cypriot Third Division Champions". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  3. "Cyprus - Participations per club at Cypriot Third Division". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
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