Overview of Apolonia Fier Football Team
Apolonia Fier is a professional football team from Fier, a city in southwestern Albania. It was founded on May 17, 1925, and plays in the Albanian Superliga, the top tier of Albanian football. The club has a long-standing history, and it has seen many ups and downs in the league over the years. However, it remains a popular and respected team among the Albanian football community.
History of the Team
Apolonia Fier was established in 1925 by a group of football enthusiasts who wanted to create a team to represent the city of Fier. The team initially played in local leagues, but in 1930, it joined the newly formed Albanian championship. In the early years, Apolonia struggled to gain success in the league, and it was not until the 1950s that they started to become a competitive team.
The 1960s and 1970s were the golden years of Apolonia Fier. They won the Albanian championship twice, in 1961 and 1979, and were finalists in the cup competitions several times. The team also played in the UEFA Cup, but they failed to progress past the first rounds. In recent years, Apolonia Fier has not achieved much success, and they have mostly been battling to avoid relegation from the top flight.
Notable Players
Apolonia Fier has produced some talented players over the years. One of the most famous is Asllan Rusi, who was a striker for the team in the 1960s and 1970s. Rusi was the top scorer of the Albanian championship in 1966 and helped Apolonia win the league title in 1979. Another notable player is Arjan Beqaj, who played as a midfielder for Apolonia in the 1990s and early 2000s. Beqaj later went on to play for several European clubs and the Albanian national team.
Coaches
Apolonia Fier has had many coaches over the years, some of whom have had success with the team, while others have not. One of the most successful coaches in the club’s history is Sabah Bizi, who led the team to win the Albanian championship in 1979. Other successful coaches include Agron Sulaj and Artan Mërgjyshi.
Most Successful Season
Apolonia Fier’s most successful season was in 1979 when they won the Albanian championship for the second time in their history. The team was coached by Sabah Bizi and had a squad that included some of its best players, such as Asllan Rusi, Sulejman Demollari, and Gezim Kupa.
Owner
Apolonia Fier is owned by the Municipality of Fier, which provides financial and logistical support to the team. The club is run by a board of directors, which includes representatives from the municipality and the fan club.
Stadium
Apolonia Fier plays its home matches at the Loni Papuçiu stadium, which has a capacity of 8,500 spectators. The stadium is located in the center of Fier and has undergone several renovations over the years. However, it does not meet the standards for international matches, and therefore, Apolonia Fier plays its European games at other stadiums in Albania.
Team Profile
| Team Name: | Apolonia Fier |
|---|---|
| Championships Won: | 2 (1961, 1979) |
| Owner: | Municipality of Fier |
| City and Country: | Fier, Albania |
| Mascot: | N/A |
| Stadium: | Loni Papuçiu Stadium |
| Team URL: | http://www.kfapoloniafier.com/ |
In conclusion, Apolonia Fier is a historic football team in Albania with a rich history and a loyal fan base. Though they have not achieved significant success in recent years, fans remain hopeful that the team will rise again and bring back the glory days.