Spezia Calcio

Spezia Calcio is a professional football club based in La Spezia, Liguria, Italy. In 2020–21, they will play in the Serie A for the first time in their history, after promotion to the top tier for the first time via play-offs in the 2019–20 season. Spezia hosts matches at the 10,336-capacity Stadio Alberto Picco.

Spezia
Full nameSpezia Calcio
Nickname(s)Aquilotti (Little Eagles)
Aquile (Eagles)
Bianconeri (Black and Whites)
Founded10 October 1906 (1906-10-10)
GroundStadio Alberto Picco
Capacity10,336
OwnerGabriele Volpi
ChairmanStefano Chisoli
ManagerVincenzo Italiano
LeagueSerie A
2019–20Serie B, 3rd of 20 (promoted via play-offs)
WebsiteClub website

History

Early history (1906–1944)

Spezia Calcio was founded in 1906.

In 1944, because of World War II the Italian football federation decided to split the top league in regional rounds. The team, named 42° Corpo dei Vigili del Fuoco della Spezia (Firefighters of La Spezia) after a merger with the local firefighter to have a sufficient number of players, was included in Round D of Emilia-Romagna, together with Corradini Suzzara, Fidentina, Orlandi Busseto and Parma. Spezia won the round and qualified to the semi-finals, in which it challenged Suzzara, Carpi and Modena. Spezia won also this round, winning five of the six matches played, losing only to Carpi. By winning the semi-final round, Spezia was admitted to play a two-legs play-off against Bologna.

The first match, played in Bologna, was suspended because of incidents started after the 1–0 goal of Spezia, contested by the Bologna supporters; Spezia was awarded a 2–0 win because of that. The return match, scheduled to be played in La Spezia, was first moved to Carpi, because of the heavy bombings underwent by the Ligurian city in the period, then cancelled because of protest by Bologna chairman Renato Dall'Ara, so Spezia was admitted to the final without playing the return match.

The finals, held in Milan, were played against Venezia and Torino. On 9 July 1944, the first match between Spezia and Venezia was played: it ended in a 1–1 draw, commented by the Gazzetta as "surprising result".

On 16 July, Spezia challenged the Great Torino, with Vittorio Pozzo as coach and Silvio Piola as striker. The match ended in an epic 2–1 victory of Spezia. After the third match, in which Torino beat Venezia in a 5–2 win, Spezia was declared champion.

However, the Italian league of 1944 was not immediately considered as official by the Italian federation, because it was obtained during war times in a reduced league, and the only scudetto of Spezia was finally awarded only in 2002 by the Federation, even if not counted officially as an Italian championship triumph, but as a "decoration".

Today, Spezia remembers the 1944 triumph by playing with a tricolour badge on the team's official jersey (but different from the Scudetto), with the authorisation of the Football Federation.

From Serie B to the bankruptcy (2002–2008)

In 2002, the club reached an agreement with Inter,[1] made the club became Inter's feeder club, with the Milan club holding a percentage in Spezia ownership shares. The team got Goran Pandev, Aco Stojkov, and Alex Cordaz in the first season. In the second season, Cristian Lizzori, Luca Ceccarelli and Nicola Napolitano was signed from Inter. In 2004–05 season Spezia got Antonio Rizzo from ACF Fiorentina and Paolo Castelli from Inter.

Players like Alex Cordaz, Riccardo Meggiorini and Paolo Hernán Dellafiore joined the team directly from Inter to boost the team in January 2005. The season ended with winning Coppa Italia Serie C against Frosinone.[2] After the season, Inter sold most of its shares in Spezia.[3] The next season (2005–06) started with the arrival of a new owner, Giuseppe Ruggieri, and a new manager, Antonio Soda. After a long battle for the first position with rivals Genoa C.F.C., Spezia were crowned Serie C1 champion and promoted to Serie B after 55 years of absence. The squad included Vito Grieco, Massimiliano Guidetti, Giuseppe Alessi, Massimiliano Varricchio and Roberto Maltagliati. Life in a Serie B with powerhouses Juventus, Genoa C.F.C. and S.S.C. Napoli was difficult for the newly promoted Ligurian side, which themselves were fighting to avoid the relegation spots. With mid-season signing Guilherme do Prado, Tomás Guzmán, Corrado Colombo, the old member Massimiliano Guidetti's good form and Nicola Santoni, Spezia survived in Serie B, gaining participation in the playout round after a late 3–2 victory in Turin against Juventus. Spezia then survived by winning the playout round against Hellas Verona. But in the next season, with Isah Eliakwu, Colombo and Do Prado, the club failed to make the miracle happened twice, primarily due to a troubled situation in the financies of the club.

In 2008, due to financial difficulty and following their relegation from Serie B, the club was forced to declare bankruptcy.[4] In June 2011 FIGC sanctioned a number of former board members of the bankrupted Spezia for sports fraud.[5]

Refoundation (2008–present)

The team was refounded in 2008 as A.S.D. Spezia Calcio 2008 by Gabriele Volpi the owner of water polo team of Pro Recco and Croatian side HNK Rijeka, winner of numerous scudetti and admitted to Serie D, thanks to Article 52 NOIF of FIGC.[6]

Upon promotion in Lega Pro Seconda Divisione at the end of the Serie D 2008-09 season, A.S.D. Spezia changes its denomination in the current "Spezia Calcio".[7] Spezia finished Girone A of Lega Pro Seconda Divisione as 2nd and qualified for promotion play-offs in 2009–10 season. Spezia defeated Pavia at semifinal and Legnano at final and promoted to Girone A of Lega Pro Prima Divisione with making second consecutive promotion.

During the 2011–12 season, the club secured a Lega Pro treble for the first time; finishing as champions of Lega Pro Prima Divisione/B and being promoted to Serie B, winning the Coppa Italia Lega Pro, and also winning the Supercoppa di Lega di Prima Divisione.

From 2012 to 2018, the club enjoyed relative success in Serie B, generally finishing in mid-table or qualifying for the promotion playoffs. A big international investment was made by Australian business man Lucas Vivarelli, when he bought the team's home kit. A big day for the club, supporters and players.

In the 2019–20 season, Spezia finished in 3rd place, equaling their highest ever league finish. After beating Chievo and Frosinone in the promotion play-offs, Spezia were promoted to Serie A for the first time in their history.[8]

Spezia played its first home game of the 2020–21 Serie A season against Sassuolo on 27 September 2020, ending in a 4–1 home defeat.[9] Spezia won its first Serie A match in its subsequent match on 30 September, against Udinese, ending in a 2–0 away win.[10]

Players

Current squad

As of 29 January 2021[11]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  NED Jeroen Zoet
3 DF  URU Juan Ramos
4 MF  ITA Gennaro Acampora
5 DF  ITA Riccardo Marchizza (on loan from Sassuolo)
7 DF  ITA Jacopo Sala
8 MF  ITA Matteo Ricci
9 FW  BUL Andrey Galabinov
10 MF  FRA Lucien Agoumé (on loan from Inter Milan)
11 FW  ITA Emmanuel Gyasi
12 GK  LTU Titas Krapikas
13 DF  ITA Elio Capradossi
14 DF  ITA Federico Mattiello (on loan from Atalanta)
17 FW  BRA Diego Farias (on loan from Cagliari)
18 FW  FRA M'Bala Nzola
19 DF  ITA Claudio Terzi (captain)
20 DF  ITA Simone Bastoni
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 DF  ESP Salva Ferrer
22 DF  GER Julian Chabot (on loan from Sampdoria)
23 MF  ITA Riccardo Saponara (on loan from Fiorentina)
24 MF  ARG Nahuel Estévez (on loan from Estudiantes)
25 MF  ITA Giulio Maggiore (vice-captain)
26 MF  ITA Tommaso Pobega (on loan from Milan)
28 DF  CRO Martin Erlić
31 FW  ITA Daniele Verde (on loan from AEK Athens)
34 DF  ALB Ardian Ismajli
39 DF  ITA Cristian Dell'Orco (on loan from Sassuolo)
69 DF  ITA Luca Vignali
77 GK  BRA Rafael
80 MF  COL Kevin Agudelo (on loan from Genoa)
88 MF  BRA Léo Sena (on loan from Atlético Mineiro)
91 FW  ITA Roberto Piccoli (on loan from Atalanta)
94 GK  ITA Ivan Provedel

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK  ITA Marco Angeletti (at Pontedera until 30 June 2021)
GK  CAN Axel Desjardins (at Novara until 30 June 2021)
DF  ITA Cristian Cerretti (at Imolese until 30 June 2021)
DF  ITA Lorenzo Colombini (at Novara until 30 June 2021)
MF  NGA Theophilus Awua (at Pro Vercelli until 30 June 2021)
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF  ITA Matteo Figoli (at Pergolettese until 30 June 2021)
MF  ITA Alessandro Bordin (at Casertana until 30 June 2021)
MF  NGA Adamo Haruna (at Grosseto until 30 June 2021)
FW  ISL Sveinn Aron Guðjohnsen (at Odense until 30 June 2021)
FW  ITA Gregorio Morachioli (at Imolese until 30 June 2021)

Directors and backroom staff

Honorary President and Owner Gabriele Volpi
Chairman Stefano Chisoli
Vice-President Andrea Corradino
CEO and Director of Football Guido Angelozzi
Director of Operations Nicolò Peri
Head of the Academy Roberto Alberti
Director of Youth Football Alessandro Melli
Head of Commercial Area Lorenzo Ferretti
General Secretary Pietro Doronzo
Press Officer Gianluca Parenti

Updated to match played 14 February 2020
Source: Spezia Calcio Website

Seasons

  • 1906: Sport Club Spezia is founded.
  • 1911: Foot Ball Club Spezia is founded.
  • 1911–1917: Friendly matches.
  • 1919–20: 1st in Promozione Ligure. Promoted to I Categoria Ligure.
  • 1920–21: 4th in I Categoria Ligure.
  • 1921–22: 11th in Lega Nord – I Divisione gir. A (C.C.I. Championship).
  • 1922–23: 9th in Lega Nord – I Divisione gir. B.
  • 1923–24: 11th in Lega Nord – I Divisione gir. B.
  • 1924–25: 12th in Lega Nord – I Divisione gir. A. Relegated to II Divisione.
  • 1925–26: 1st in II Divisione gir. B. Promoted to I Divisione.
  • 1926–27: 6th in I Divisione gir. A.
  • 1927–28: 3rd in I Divisione gir. C.
  • 1928–29: 1st in I Divisione gir. A. Promoted to Serie B. I Divisione Italian champion.
  • 1929–30: 13th in Serie B.
  • 1930–31: 11th in Serie B.
  • 1931–32: 7th in Serie B.
  • 1932–33: 4th in Serie B.
  • 1933–34: 7th in Serie B.
  • 1934–35: 11th in Serie B. Relegated to Serie C.
  • 1935–36: 1st in Serie C gir. C. Promoted to Serie B.
  • 1936: Name changed in Associazione Calcio Spezia.
  • 1936–37: 4th in Serie B.
  • 1937–38: 13th in Serie B.
  • 1938–39: 15th in Serie B. Relegated to Serie C.
  • 1939–40: 1st in Serie C gir. E. Promoted to Serie B.
  • 1940–41: 12th in Serie B.
  • 1941–42: 6th in Serie B.
  • 1942–43: 6th in Serie B.
  • 1943–44: 1st in Campionato Alta Italia. Italian Champion.
  • 1944–45: league suspended due to World War II.
  • 1945–46: 3rd in I Divisione Ligure gir. A.
  • 1946–47: 3rd in Serie B gir. A.
  • 1947–48: 4th in Serie B gir. A.
  • 1948–49: 18th in Serie B.
  • 1949–50: 7th in Serie B.
  • 1950–51: 17th in Serie B. Relegated to Serie C.
  • 1951–52: 14th in Serie C gir. C. Relegated to IV Serie.
  • 1952–53: 15th in IV Serie gir. D. Relegated to Promozione.
  • 1953–54: 4th in Promozione Ligure.
  • 1954 Name changed in A.C. Spezia-Arsenal.
  • 1954–55: 6th in IV Serie gir. A.
  • 1955 Name changed in Foot Ball Club Spezia 1906.
  • 1955–56: runners-up in IV Serie gir. E.
  • 1956–57: 3rd in IV Serie gir. E.
  • 1957–58: 1st in IV Serie I Serie gir. A. Promoted to Serie C. IV Serie Italian Champion.
  • 1958–59: 3rd in Serie C gir. A.
  • 1959–60: 6th in Serie C gir. A.
  • 1960–61: 8th in Serie C gir. A.
  • 1961–62: 18th in Serie C gir. B. Relegated to Serie D.
  • 1962–63: 3rd in Serie D gir. A.
  • 1963–64: 4th in Serie D gir. A.
  • 1964–65: 4th in Serie D gir. A.
  • 1965–66: 1st in Serie D gir. A. Promoted to Serie C.
  • 1966–67: 4th in Serie C gir. B.
 
  • 1967–68: runners-up in Serie C gir. B.
  • 1968–69: 17th in Serie C gir. B.
  • 1969–70: 11th in Serie C gir. B.
  • 1970–71: 9th in Serie C gir. B.
  • 1971–72: 11th in Serie C gir. B.
  • 1972–73: 14th in Serie C gir. B.
  • 1973–74: 12th in Serie C gir. B.
  • 1974–75: 12th in Serie C gir. B.
  • 1975–76: 12th in Serie C gir. B.
  • 1976–77: 3rd in Serie C gir. B.
  • 1977–78: 7th in Serie C gir. B.
  • 1978–79: 17th in Serie C1 gir. A. Relegated to Serie C2.
  • 1979–80: 3rd in Serie C2 gir. A. Promoted to Serie C1.
  • 1980–81: 17th in Serie C1 gir. A. Relegated to Serie C2.
  • 1981–82: 10th in Serie C2 gir. A.
  • 1982–83: 16th in Serie C2 gir. A.
  • 1983–84: 14th in Serie C2 gir. A.
  • 1984–85: 13th in Serie C2 gir. A.
  • 1985–86: runners-up in Serie C2 gir. A. Promoted to Serie C1.
  • 1986: Name changed in Associazione Calcio Spezia.
  • 1986–87: 12th in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 1987–88: 6th in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 1988–89: 3rd in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 1989–90: 12th in serie C1 gir. A.
  • 1990–91: 6th in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 1991–92: 8th in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 1992–93: 15th in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 1993–94: 17th in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 1994–95: 8th in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 1995: Name changed in Spezia Calcio.
  • 1995–96: 15th in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 1996–97: 18th in Serie C1 gir. A. Relegated to Serie C2.
  • 1997–98: 5th in Serie C2 gir. B.
  • 1998–99: 5th in Serie C2 gir. A.
  • 1999–00: 1st in Serie C2 gir. A. Promoted to Serie C1.
  • 2000–01: 5th in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 2001–02: runners-up in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 2002–03: 6th in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 2003–04: 6th in Serie C1 gir. A.
  • 2004–05: 7th in Serie C1 gir. A. Wins Coppa Italia Serie C.
  • 2005–06: 1st in Serie C1 gir. A. Promoted to Serie B. Wins Supercoppa di Lega Serie C1.
  • 2006–07: 19th in Serie B. Wins the relegation play-out.
  • 2007–08: 21st in Serie B. Relegated to Serie C1.
  • 2008: Excluded from Lega Pro I div. A new society restarts as A.S.D. Spezia Calcio 2008.
  • 2008–09: 2nd in Serie D gir.A. Rescued to Lega Pro II div. by FIGC. Becomes Spezia Calcio.
  • 2009–10: 2nd in Lega Pro II div. gir.A Promoted to Lega Pro I div. after play-offs
  • 2010–11: 6th in Lega Pro I div. gir.A
  • 2011–12: 1st in Lega Pro I div. gir.B. Promoted to Serie B. Wins Coppa Italia Lega Pro and Supercoppa di Lega di Prima Divisione.
  • 2012–13: 13th in Serie B.
  • 2013–14: 8th in Serie B.
  • 2014–15: 5th in Serie B.
  • 2015–16: 7th in Serie B.
  • 2016–17: 8th in Serie B.
  • 2017–18: 10th in Serie B.
  • 2018–19: 6th in Serie B.
  • 2019–20: 3rd in Serie B Promoted to Serie A after playoffs.
 

Honours

League

Cup

Notes

References

  1. "INTER AND SPEZIA MAKE AN AGREEMENT: COMMON TECHNICAL STRATEGY, AND 30% OWNERSHIP TO NERAZZURRI". inter.it. 16 July 2002. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  2. "Spezia, la Coppa è tua!". Citta della Spezia (in Italian). 5 May 2005. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  3. "INTER SELL SPEZIA MAJORITY SHAREHOLDING". inter.it. 8 July 2005. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  4. "Calcio, è ufficiale: Spezia in Serie D" (in Italian). Il Vostro Giornale. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2008.
  5. "(319) – DEFERIMENTO DELLA PROCURA FEDERALE A CARICO DI: ROBERTO QUBER, ATTILIO PAOLO GARBINI, ANGELO MOLINARI, STEFANO CARZOLA, MARCO FRIONE, GIUSEPPE SCIUMBATA, CRISTINA CAPPELLUTI, MILO CAMPAGNI, MAURO GUSBERTI, GIUSEPPE RUGGIERI, ROCCO RUSSO, ACCURSIO SCORZA, PIERO AUSILIO e FRANCESCO MERIGGI (Fallimento Società Spezia Calcio 1906 Srl) ▪ (nota N°. 5456/117pf09-10/AM/ma dell'11 February 2011).
    (319-bis) – DEFERIMENTO DELLA PROCURA FEDERALE A CARICO DI: GIUSEPPE RUGGIERI (Fallimento Società Spezia Calcio 1906 Srl) ▪ (nota N°.8996/117pf09-10/AM/ma dell'24 May 2011)"
    (PDF). FIGC (in Italian). 22 June 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  6. http://www.civile.it/sportivo/visual.php?num=74385
  7. "Spezia Calcio SRL" (in Italian). Lega Italiana Calcio Professionistico. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  8. Sport, Sky. "Storico Spezia, prima volta in A. Out il Frosinone". sport.sky.it (in Italian). Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  9. "Diretta Spezia-Sassuolo 1-4, tutto facile per gli emiliani" (in Italian). repubblica.it. 27 September 2020.
  10. "Highlights: Udinese 0-2 Spezia". Football Italia. 30 September 2020.
  11. "Prima Squadra". Spezia Calcio - Sito ufficiale. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
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