FC Maritsa Plovdiv

FC Maritsa was founded on 20 September 1921, after the Union of three smaller teams. The team, up until 1967, has competed in either the second or third divisions of Bulgarian football. The team managed to promote to the A PFG for the first time in 1967.

Maritsa's first season in the elite was largely unsuccessful. The team finished last (16th), with only 6 wins, 5 draws, and 19 losses. This earned them only 17 points, which was eight points below the relegation zone, thus being relegated after a single season.

Maritsa, however, did not have to wait long for their second season in the first league. This came just two seasons after their relegation, for season 1969-70. This time Maritsa managed to win 10 games and draw 3 times, earning them 23 points. This was enough for the team to ensure safety from relegation, as Minyor Pernik and Beroe Stara Zagora were relegated instead. Maritsa's third season in the elite was less successful, however. The team finished last, with only 4 wins and a total of 17 losses, only earning them 17 points. This ended Maritsa's two year spell in the elite category.

Between 1971 and 1996, Maritsa bounced between the second and third tiers of Bulgarian football. This changed in 1996, when Maritsa promoted back to the A PFG after a 25 year absence from the Bulgarian elite. Their return proved to be hard. The team fought bravely against relegation, however that was not enough, as the team placed 14th, three points behind Etar Veliko Tarnovo, thus were relegated again.

The club is particularly famous for its renowned youth program that has produced many Bulgarian talents over the years – Hristo Stoichkov, Dinko Dermendzhiev, Aleksandar Aleksandrov. Bulgarian national first-team players Georgi Georgiev, Kostadin Vidolov, Krassimir Chomakov, Valeri Domovchiyski, Yordan Todorov, Asen Nikolov had also came through the ranks at Maritsa.

In 2016–17 Third League season Maritsa Plovdiv finished second in their regional division, but gained promotion, because the first ranked team – FC Zagorets declined the offer to participate in the Second Professional League.[1][2] On 16 June 2017 the club signed a contract with Botev Plovdiv for collaboration. Botev sent 5 players on loan and allowed Maritsa to play their home games on their training base, the Botev 1912 Football Complex, until Maritsa Stadium is altered for professional matches. Maritsa was, however, relegated back to the third tier after only one season in the second league.[3]

A Group / Bulgarian First League:

• Fourtheenth (2): 1969–70, 1996–97

Bulgarian Cup:

• Semifinals (1): 1996–97