Manisaspor
Full nameManisaspor Kulübü
Nickname(s)Tarzanlar (Tarzans)
Founded15 June 1965 (1965-06-15)
GroundManisa 19 Mayıs Stadium
Manisa, Turkey
Capacity16,597[1]
ChairmanTaner Kestaneci
ManagerSoner Seçilmiş
WebsiteClub website

Manisaspor is a Turkish professional football club located in the city of Manisa. Originally formed in 1931 as Sakaryaspor, the club changed its name to Manisaspor on 15 June 1965.[2] The club colours are red, white, and black. Manisaspor play their home matches at Manisa 19 Mayis Stadi.[1]

History

Manisaspor was founded in 1931 as Sakaryaspor, although the club was not located in Sakarya. The original club colours were black and white. Sakaryaspor won the Manisa Amateur League 15 times, and finished 3rd in the Turkish Amateur League in 1954.[2]

The club ceased operations during World War II but continued competing in 1946. In 1964, Manisaspor were allowed to compete professionally in the 1.Lig as Manisa Sakaryaspor.[3] In their first season, the club finished with 16 points, earning them relegation. However, on 15 June 1965 at 21:00, Sakaryaspor officially became Manisaspor, and the club was allowed to compete in the 1. Lig again.[2]

Manisaspor spent the first forty years of their existence in the lower leagues of the Turkish football league system. In 2001, they received a financial boost from Zorlu Holding, who injected the club with money. In turn, Manisaspor were re-branded as Vestel Manisaspor. Their first promotion to the Süper Lig came in 2005 under the guidance of manager Levent Eriş.[2]

Ersun Yanal was named new manager for the 2005–06 season. At the end of the winter break in the 2006–07 season, Manisaspor were flying high in fourth position. However, they could not keep up the results, finishing in 12th place, four points away from relegation.[2][4]

Manisaspor finally relegated from First League after finishing it as 16th in 2014–15 season and returned to third level after 13 years.

Colours and badge

Manisa SK's classic home kit

Manisaspor originally wore black and white kits.[2] The club changed their badge, removing the Vestel moniker and replacing it with the club's foundation year (1965).

League participations

  • Super League: 2005–2008, 2009–2012
  • First League: 1964–1978, 1980–1983, 1991–1993, 1994–1995, 2002–2005, 2008–2009, 2012–2015, 2016–2018
  • Second League: 1978–1980, 1984–1991, 1993–1994, 1995–2002, 2015–2016, 2018-
  • Amateur Level: 1931–1964, 1983–1984

Manisali Tarzan

The club has a loyal following in the city. Their ultras are known as ‘Tarzanlar’, named after a local hero known as ‘Manisa Tarzanı’ (Tarzan of Manisa). He was a veteran of WW1 decorated with military honors who gave up his privileges, giving all his money to the poor, to commit his life to the reforestation of Manisa after most of the city's trees and green areas were burned down during the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922).[5]

Current squad

As of 4 February 2018

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 Turkey TUR Mehmet Bakırbaş (on loan from Göztepe)
17 MF Turkey TUR Akın Açık
19 DF Turkey TUR Abdulkadir Korkut
21 DF Turkey TUR Berk Cambaz
23 MF Germany GER Timur Karagülmez
No. Pos. Nation Player
29 DF Turkey TUR Ümit Arslan
45 FW Turkey TUR Alper Önal
27 FW Nigeria NGA Atto Abbas
70 MF Turkey TUR Kemal Temel
77 MF Turkey TUR Kağan Miray Bağış
80 MF Turkey TUR Ömer Atiş
99 FW Republic of the Congo CGO Constantin Bakaki

Managers

References

  1. 1 2 MANİSASPOR tff.org (in Turkish), accessed 27 May 2010
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 TARİHÇE Archived 2009-12-19 at the Wayback Machine manisaspor.org.tr (in Turkish), accessed 28 May 2010
  3. ↑ 1964–1965 1. Lig turkish-soccer.com (Erdinç Sivritepe), accessed 28 May 2010
  4. ↑ Süper Lig 2005–06
  5. ↑ www.turkish-football.com Archived 2011-10-17 at the Wayback Machine
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