Heraklion Football Clubs Association Explained
| Heraklion Football Clubs Association |
| Badge Size: | 100px |
| Founded: | 1929 |
| Region: | HFF |
| Website: | http://epsirak.gr/ |
| President: | Nikos Tzortzoglou |
The Heraklion Football Clubs Association (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Ένωση Ποδοσφαιρικών Σωματείων Ηρακλείου or Ε.Π.Σ.Η.) is an association responsible for administering football in the region of Heraklion. It is based in the city of Heraklion and is a member of the Hellenic Football Federation.[1] The association is responsible for organizing regional Championship and Cup competitions for both adult and youth teams playing in its divisions.
The association is currently one of the largest Football Clubs Associations in Greece, consisting of over 85 clubs. Its colors are blue and white and its crest features a Griffin, the official seal of the Municipality of Heraklion.
History
During 1925−1929, Heraklion football was dominated by the two major sporting clubs of the time, EGOI (est. 1924) and OFI (est. 1925). In the autumn of 1926, the first football league in Heraklion was organized and held with a limited number of participants, mainly feeder clubs for EGOI and OFI. This first, informal competition was won by EGOI, and was organized again two years later in 1928, when it was won by OFI.[2] In the meantime, several initiatives for the establishment of football clubs that would compete with OFI and EGOI were carried out during 1928−1932.[2] This rapid establishment of football clubs during 1925−1931 (e.g. Ergotelis and Olympiakos Heraklion in 1929, Iraklis Heraklion in 1930 and Ermis in 1932) birthed the need to create a governing body for the coordination and organization of football clubs and competitions. Therefore, the Cretan Football Association was established in 1929.[2] Two years later, and after several disputes over administration issues among the founding members, the union was reformed into the Heraklion Football Clubs Association, which was granted the full administrative and organizational control over the football events in the regions of Heraklion and Lasithi. The association was officially recognized by the HFF in 1931.[3]
Football League System
| Heraklion FCA Football Leagues |
| First: | 1928–29 |
| Divisions: | 4 |
| Promotion: | Gamma Ethniki |
| Levels: | 4–7 |
| Domest Cup: | Heraklion FCA Cup |
| Champions: | Poros (1st title) |
| Season: | 2017–18 |
| Most Successful Club: | OFI Crete (18 titles) |
| Tv: | Kriti TV (Highlights) |
| Website: | http://epsirak.gr/ |
| Current: | 2019−20 |
The Heraklion FCA football league system consists of four divisions, namely the A1 Division (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Α1 ΕΠΣΗ), the top-level football league in Heraklion (therefore also known as the Heraklion FCA Championship), the Α2 Division (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Α2 ΕΠΣΗ), second tier in the pyramid, the B Division (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Β ΕΠΣΗ) comprising two Groups and constituting the third tier of the league system and finally the C Division (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Γ ΕΠΣΗ), lowest regional division organized in Heraklion.
From its foundation to 1959 (they year of the foundation of the nationwide championship of the Alpha Ethniki), the Heraklion FCA organised a league that was considered the top tier of football in Crete, and later specifically the region of Heraklion (after Chania, Lasithi and Rethymno founded Football Clubs Associations of their own.[4]
2018−19 season
The following teams compete in the Heraklion FCA Championships during the 2018–19 season. The winner of the A1 Division Championship earns promotion to the Gamma Ethniki, the third tier of the Greek football league system.
A1 Division
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Last season |
|---|
| A.E. Katsampas | | AEK Stadium | N/A | |
| Agia Varvara | | Agia Varvara Stadium | N/A | |
| Almyros | Gazi | Almyros Stadium | N/A | |
| AO Tympaki | | Tympaki Stadium | 1,000 | |
| Anthestion | | Thrapsano Stadium | N/A | |
| Faistos | | Voroi Stadium | N/A | |
| Gortys | | Agioi Deka Stadium | N/A | |
| Minoiki Heraklion | Fortetsa | Heraklion University Stadium | N/A | |
| Moires | | Moires Stadium | N/A | |
| | Krousonas Municipal Stadium | 1,500 | |
| | Malia Stadium | N/A | |
| AO Poros | | | 600 | |
| Romanos Elia | | Elia Stadium | N/A | |
| Tritonia Astritsi | Astritsi | Astritsi Stadium | N/A | |
| Tylissos | | Tylissos Stadium | N/A | |
| Zaros | | Zaros Stadium | N/A | | | |
A2 Division
| Club Name |
|---|
| AO Asimi |
| AO Damasta |
| AO Dias |
| AO Kaminia |
| Athlopolis |
| Diagoras Anopoli |
| Elpides Karteros |
| Iraklis Nipiditos |
| Keravnos Heraklion |
| Lido |
| Marathon Kalesa |
| Neoi Ergoteli |
| O.F. Arkalochori |
| Chersonissos |
| PAO Gouves |
| Rouvas | |
B Division
| Group 1 | Group 2 |
|---|
| AO Garipa | Agios Dimitrios |
| AO Voni | AO Metaxochori |
| Charavgi Nea Alikarnassos | AO Pyrgiotissa |
| Doxa Heraklion | Asites |
| Dorieas Kastelli | Chimaros Choustouliana |
| Ethnikos Heraklion | EGOI |
| Ermis Atsalenio | Dafnes Temenos |
| Kanaria Ergoteli | Neoi Almyros |
| Mochos | OFAM |
| NA.PO Poseidon Heraklion | Paliani 2008 |
| Neoi Irodotou | PAO Dilina |
| Neoi Minoikis | Rafkos |
| Omonoia Kallithea | Therissos 1978 |
| Pigassos | − |
|
C Division
List of Champions
Informal (prior to the FCA)
| Season | Champion(s) |
|---|
| 1925−26 | EGOI |
| 1926−27 | Not held |
| 1927−28 | OFI |
| 1928−29 | OFI |
| 1929−30 | EGOI | |
Formal FCA Championship (1930−1959)
| Season | Champion(s) |
|---|
| 1930−31 | OFI | | 1931−32 | OFI, EGOI | | 1932−33 | OFI | | 1933−34 | EGOI | | 1934−35 | OFI | | 1935−36 | Not held | | 1936−37 | Iraklis Heraklion | | 1937−38 | EGOI | | 1938−39 | Νo data available | | 1939−40 | Not finished due to World War II | |
| | Season | Champion(s) |
|---|
| 1940−41 | Not held | | 1941−42 | Not held | | 1942−43 | Not held | | 1943−44 | Not held | | 1944−45 | Not held | | 1945−46 | Iraklis Heraklion | | 1946−47 | Νo data available | | 1947−48 | OFI[5] | | 1948−49 | OFI[6] | | 1949−50 | Ergotelis | |
| | |
FCA Championship A1 Division (1959−current)
| | Season | Champion(s) |
|---|
| 1974−75 | Ergotelis | | 1975−76 | Irodotos | | 1976−77 | Ergotelis | | 1977−78 | No data available | | 1978−79 | No data available | | 1979−80 | AO Agios Nikolaos | | 1980−81 | N.A.P.O. Poseidon Heraklion | | 1981−82 | No data available | | 1982−83 | EGOI | | 1983−84 | N.A.P.O. Poseidon Heraklion | | 1984−85 | Atsalenios, AO Tympaki | | 1985−86 | N.A.P.O. Poseidon Heraklion, Tylissos | | 1986−87 | Minoiki Heraklion | | 1987−88 | Atsalenios | | 1988−89 | N.A.P.O. Poseidon Heraklion | |
| | | |
Performance by club (1925−)
| Club | Titles | Years |
|---|
| OFI | 18 | 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1935, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 |
| Atsalenios | 9 | 1963, 1966, 1971, 1974, 1985, 1988, 1995, 1997, 2016 |
| EGOI | 8 | 1926, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1938, 1951, 1983, 1990 |
| Ergotelis | 7 | 1950, 1953, 1964, 1968, 1970, 1975, 1977 |
| Irodotos | 1965, 1969, 1972, 1976, 2001, 2002, 2017 |
| N.A.P.O. Poseidon Heraklion | 5 | 1973, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1989 |
| A.E. Katsampas | 3 | 1991, 2004, 2012 |
| AO Tympaki | 1992, 1994, 2005 |
| Zaros | 2011, 2013, 2014 |
| Iraklis Heraklion | 2 | 1937, 1946 |
| Minoiki Heraklion | 1987, 2003 |
| Olympiakos Chersonissos | 1993, 2000 |
| PANO Malia | 1996, 1998 |
| Asites | 2008, 2010 |
| Rouvas | 2009, 2015 |
| AO Agios Nikolaos | 1 | 1980 |
| OFI '94 | 1999 |
| P.A.O. Krousonas | 2006 |
| Mochos | 2007 |
| Giouchtas | 2018 |
| Poros | 2019 | |
Source:[2] [4]
1. Currently a member of the Lasithi Football Clubs Association.
Cup
The Heraklion FCA Cup (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Κύπελλο ΕΠΣΗ) is a football competition in which the clubs competing in any of the Heraklion FCA Football Leagues participate. The competition was founded in 1971, and has since been held annually. As of 2018, the winner of the FCA Cup becomes eligible to participate in next year's Greek Football Cup competition.[12]
Format
The current format features a minimum of 60 clubs. Participation of the teams competing in the A1 and A2 FCA Divisions along with the registered members of the FCA competing in the Gamma Ethniki is mandatory. Optionally, clubs competing in the FCA B and C Division may also participate, along with amateur outfits of professional registered members of the FCA. Teams are drawn at random to compete in single knockout matches, in which the club being drawn first is declared the home team. In case of a match-up between clubs playing at different competition levels, the club playing in the lower Division is declared the home team instead. This format is followed until the Semi-finals of the competition.
The Semi-finals are contested in double knock-out matches between the 4 remaining teams, and match-ups are determined by random draw. The two pairs of teams play each other home and away. In this case, away goals rule is in effect on the qualification, without however excluding the possibility for extra time or penalty shootout in the second leg.
The competition Final is contested by the qualifying teams of the Semi-finals. The Final is single match. In case of a draw, extra time is not held, but the winner is declared in an immediate penalty shootout.
List of Heraklion FCA Cup Winners
Performance by Club (1971−)
| Club | Titles | Years |
|---|
| Atsalenios | 12 | 1975, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2015, 2019 |
| Irodotos | 8 | 1976, 1995, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2017 |
| Ergotelis | 6 | 1977, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1996 |
| N.A.P.O. Poseidon Heraklion | 4 | 1972, 1973, 1974, 1990 |
| AO Asimi | 3 | 1992, 1993, 1994 |
| PANO Malia | 2000, 2007, 2018 |
| EGOI | 2 | 1979, 1989 |
| Almyros | 2005, 2014 |
| Giouchtas | 2009, 2010 |
| ΑΟ Agios Nikolaos | 1 | 1980 |
| Minoiki Heraklion | 1988 |
| Olympiakos Chersonissos | 1999 |
| OFI Amateurs | 2004 |
| Rouvas | 2011 |
| Patouchas Viannos | 2012 | |
1. Currently a member of the Lasithi Football Clubs Association.
Source:[13] [14] [15]
Super Cup
| Heraklion FCA Super Cup |
| Sport: | Football |
| Founded: | 2010 |
| Teams: | 2 |
| Country: | Greece |
| Champion: | Atsalenios (3rd title) |
| Most Successful Club: | Atsalenios (3 titles) |
The Heraklion FCA Super Cup (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Σούπερ Καπ ΕΠΣΗ) is a football one match competition, which is contested annually by the Heraklion FCA A1 Division champion, and the winners of the Heraklion FCA Cup. In case of a double winner, the Super Cup is contested between the winner and runner-up of the FCA Cup.
The matches
Source:[16]
Heraklion FCA Clubs National Titles & honours
Contemporary
Defunct
Heraklion FCA clubs in European competitions
Heraklion FCA Clubs European Titles & honours
Defunct
Notes and References
- http://www.epo.gr/iFrmEPS.aspx?n=24 ΝΟΜΟΣ ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΟΥ
- Web site: Δίκτυα κοινωνικότητας και σωματειακός αθλητισμός στο Ηράκλειο (1898-1940) (Greek). Zaimakis. Yiannis. academia.edu. 2012.
- Εφημερίδα Αθλητικά Νέα, από το ψηφιοποιημένο αρχείο της βουλής των Ελλήνων
- Web site: Πρωταθλητές ΕΠΣ ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΟΥ (ver.2) (Greek). Mastrogiannopoulos. Alexander. ellinikopodosfero, Greek Amateur Football blog. 5 June 2014.
- «Athlitiki Echo» newspaper, 17 July 1948, p.2
- «Athlitiki Echo» newspaper, 28 July 1949, p.4
- «Athlitiki Echo» newspaper, 5 January 1962, p.4
- «Kritikon Vima» newspaper, 8 June 1963, p.4
- «Kritikon Vima» newspaper, 30 May 1964, p.4
- «Athlitiki Echo» newspaper, 3 June 1965, p.3
- «Athlitiki Echo» newspaper, 8 April 1966, p.3
- Web site: Hellenic Football Federation. ΠΡΟΚΗΡΥΞΗ Κυπέλλου Ελλάδος περιόδου 2018-2019 (Greek) . 10 July 2018.
- http://mpalakritis.gr/5917-2/
- http://www.grandsport.gr/399410/kipello-flas-mpak-stous-18-proigoumenous-telikous/
- https://archive.today/20160705062452/http://mpalakritis.gr/focus-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85%CF%82-22-%CF%84%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%AF%CE%BF%CF%85%CF%82-%CF%84%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%BF%CF%8D%CF%82-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%BA%CF%85%CF%80%CE%AD/
- https://www.patris.gr/2017/09/06/simera-souper-kap-sto-martinegko-gia-tin-5i-koupa-o-irodotos-gia-tin-revans-o-zaros/
