F.C. Haifa

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 Alef North division.

F.C. Haifa
Full nameSport Club Haifa Robi Shapira
מועדון ספורט חיפה רובי שפירא
Founded2014
GroundNesher Stadium
OwnerWorkers city Association
PresidentRachel Shapira
ManagerAnnan Fero
LeagueLiga Alef North (Group B)
2019–20Liga Alef North, 4th

Origins and formation

Hapoel Haifa was established in 1924 and enjoyed considerable success during its existence, winning the Israel State Cup four 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]

The club finished his 2015–16 season on Liga Bet also in the first place, with 22 wins, 4 draws and 4 losses. The club was promoted to the 3rd league, Liga Alef.

Shirt Sponsors and manufacturers
Period Kit Manufacturer Shirt Sponsor
2014–15 Adidas דן מור סוכנות לביטוח
2015–16 מורג נכסים
2016–17 Macron מעוף המשאב האנושי
2017–18 Diadora סוכנות לביטוח ירושלים
2018–19 Givova Kopell Group
2019–20 Kelme

Current squad

As of 24 July 2020[10]

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ISR Vladimir Livșiț
2 DF  ISR Nissim Hamoud
3 DF  ISR Ahmed Zabih
4 DF  ISR Kamel Falah
5 MF  ISR Samer Waheb
6 DF  ISR Tamer Seikh Ahmed
7 FW  ISR Awagu Asefa
8 MF  ISR Raz Lev Tov
9 MF  ISR Weaam Zahalka
10 FW  ISR Gil Haddad
11 FW  ISR Tamer Ganem Atrach
14 MF  ISR Gal Shalhevet
17 MF  ISR Amit Taktouk
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 MF  ISR Gal Atias
21 DF  ISR Daniel Tesker
22 MF  ISR Mohammed Shaban
23 DF  ISR Natan Filtzer
29 MF  ISR Nissim Ben Zaken
33 GK  ISR Yagel Kozahi
66 MF  ISR Mahmoud Mane'a
82 MF  ISR Nil Verthaim
99 FW  ISR Roei Akiva
— DF  ISR Koren Refaeli
— FW  ISR Mahmmoud Sharabini
— FW  ISR Omer Midani

Honours

League
Honour No. Years
Fourth tier 1 2015–16
Fifth tier 1 2014–15

Cups
Honour No. Years
Liga Bet North B Division Cup 1 2015–16
Liga Gimel Samaria Division Cup 1 2014–15

References
  1. Yellow Card Shlomo Mann, 25 March 2013, The 7th Eye (in Hebrew)
  2. Premier League: Hapoel Haifa Beat F.C. Ashdod 2:1 10 November 2012, walla.co.il (in Hebrew)
  3. Two fans filed complaint with the police against Yoav Katz Doron Ben Dor, 6 November 2012, one.co.il (in Hebrew)
  4. Yoav, No More – An Introduction to the Hapoel Haifa Revolution Oz Har Adir, 19 October 2012, debuzzer.com (in Hebrew)
  5. Suddenly a Man Rises Karin Sharvit, 27 August 2014, sport5.co.il (in Hebrew)
  6. 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 (in Hebrew)
  7. Hapoel or F.C.? "The Mention of Robi Is the Most Important" Ziv Amoyal, 9 September 2014, sport5.co.il (in Hebrew)
  8. 3:0 to Hapoel Robi Shapira Haifa in Its Debut 12 September 2014, ynet.co.il (in Hebrew)
  9. Liga Gimel Samaria – 2014/2015 Archived 2015-06-11 at the Wayback Machine The Israel Football Association (in Hebrew)
  10. Club Profile on Israel Football Association
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