Atlético Clube de Portugal

Atlético Clube de Portugal is a Portuguese sports club from the parish of Alcântara, within the city of Lisbon. It was founded on 18 September 1942 from the merger of two clubs located in Alcântara (Carcavelinhos Football Club) and Santo Amaro (União Foot-Ball Lisboa). In addition to Football, the club also has sections of Futsal and Basketball. Historically, the club had sections of Field Hockey, Swimming, Sport Fishing, Cycle-Touring, Table Tennis, Rugby, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Triathlon and Handball.

Atlético Clube de Portugal
Full nameAtlético Clube de Portugal
Nickname(s)Alcantarenses
Carroceiros (Wagoners)
Founded18 September 1942; 81 years ago (18 September 1942)
GroundEstádio da Tapadinha
Capacity4,000
ChairmanRicardo Delgado
ManagerTiago Zorro
LeagueLiga 3
2022–23Campeonato de Portugal, 1st (promoted)

History edit

Atlético Clube de Portugal was created after two clubs from the west Lisbon, Carcavelinhos and União, decided to merge in order to field a stronger side. To make the arrangement official, the members of Carcavelinhos and União de Lisboa met in a magna session in the cinematographic hall of the Sociedade Promotora de Educação Popular in Alcântara on the night of 18 September 1942.[1]

A decade of great glow edit

The early years of the new collective proved to be very successful for the infant club. Having pooled the talent and assets of two of the capital’s strongest sides, Atletico had outstanding results not only on the pitch, but in Basketball and Field Hockey as well.

The Club’s first title was won by their Basketball side, who would clinch the 1942/43 Regional Championship of Lisbon. It would be the first of Five Lisbon Championships won within a decade of the club’s inception.

In addition, the basketball team would win the Cup of Honor (predecessor of the Portuguese Cup) in 1943/44, a 2nd Division (1943/44) and a Portuguese Cup (1953/54).

Rugby, a section made up of former students of the Instituto Superior de Agronomia, would win two Regional Championship of Lisbon.

In the first decade of the club's football, the club achieved its most relevant results, with two appearances in the Portuguese Cup final in 1946,[2] having lost the on both occasions. Two places on the podium of the 1st Division and the conquest of the 2nd Division title in 1944/45, stand as the greatest achievements of Atletico in its history.

In 1945 the club inaugurates its renovated sports park, naming it the Campo da Tapadinha, later Estádio da Tapadinha.

In 1951, due to the cultural and athletic work of Atletico, in view of the efforts made in favor of the prestige of National Sports, the Club was awarded the rank of Official of the Military Order of Christ.

Consolidation edit

After the initial brilliance, Atlético enters a process of consolidation. In the football team begin to affirm the first players coming from the schools of the club, like Orlando Paulos, Tomé Antunes, Vítor Lopes, Carlos Gomes and, above all, Germano de Figueiredo. There are also players who have made history in Portuguese football like Carlos Gomes, José Henrique, Imbelloni, Castiglia, Messiano, Ben David and many others. However, the club settled in the middle of the 1st Division table, being relegated a few times. Until 1976/77 fell to the 2nd Division and never to return.

The awakening of amateur sports edit

In 1972 Atlético inaugurated its poly-sports pavilion, and the decade of 70 and 80 ends up being marked by the achievements of the amateur sports. Basketball, in particular, has spawned a few generations of valiant athletes, and has achieved several titles and standout rankings. Of note are the 3 National U-19 Championships and the 2 U-17 Championships, as well as a 2nd Division with the main team. Atlético became a regular presence among the "big boys" of national basketball, earning the respect of its opponents.

Other sports have benefited from the construction of the Pavilion Engº Santos e Castro, such as women's volleyball (winner of 3 Portuguese Cups and first team to participate in European competitions) and Handball (winner of the 2nd Division).

In 1981, Atlético Clube de Portugal was awarded the status of Public Utility Institution.

Decade of 90 with little brightness edit

Football, the main sport of the club, spent the last years of the 20th century on secondary stages. No major highlights. As well as all the other sports, with an honorable exception to futsal, which wins a District Championship and inaugurates the National Championship (where he participated several times in the final stages) and basketball.

In 1992, at the time of the commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Atlético, the Lisbon City Council decided to award the Municipal Gold Medal of Merit to the Club, while the Government of the Republic decided to award it with the Medal of Good Sporting Services.[3]

A new glow edit

The beginning of the millennium brings new titles for the club's showcases. The senior football team wins the 3rd Division twice, and in 2011 it rises to the 2nd League. In the youth the U-19 win the Lisbon Honor Division in 2006 and, for the first time, the National Championship of the 2nd Division in 2013. The U-17 return to the Nationals for the first time in 15 years in 2014.

Basketball sees its youth team conquer the Under-20 National Cup in 2007. The senior team conquered the National Championship of the 1st Division, third tier of the national Basketball, in a final against Vasco da Gama, in 2013/14, that returned the club to Proliga. Still in Basketball, in the 2015/16 season, Atlético win the 2nd place in the Proliga championship and obtained the sporting right to be present in the League (LPB), right that was not exercised,[4] relegating the team of Tapadinha again to the National Championship of the 1st Division (3rd national level).

The Futsal also lived moments of glory, with the achievement of the Division of Honor of the Lisbon Football Association in 2012/13. The following season, a new promotion, with the club returning to the 2nd National Division, eight years later.

Field Hockey, returned to the club in 2015, would win the National Indoor Hockey Championship in the 2015/16 season.[5]

The Triathlon wins 3 national championships,[6][7] with Sérgio Marques winning a bronze medal and a silver medal in European Championships.[8][9]

The club is once again developing water activities, with the concession of Alvito Municipal Pools that are under the management of the club since 2009.

Financial difficulties edit

Since the ascent to the 2nd League, Atlético started to have a financial burden that was not accustomed to. The increase in liabilities, together with the regulations of the Portuguese Professional Football League, led the club to approve the formation of a Sports Society in the General Assembly.[10]

With the formation of the Sports Limited Company, at the start of the 2013/14 season, new problems arise, with the Sports Limited Company managing to become incompatible with the club board. In the field, the professional team accumulates bad scores, relegated for 3 consecutive years, being saved by administrative decision in 2013/14 and 2014/15.

The chairman of the board of directors of the Sports Limited Company established in 2013 is the Chinese citizen Xialong Ji, appointed by the company that owns the rights of the Sports Limited Company, Anping Football Limited, owned by Eric Mao.

There are several rumors that involve the Sports Limited Company in the handling of results, including in a UEFA report,[11] a situation that contributes to the extreme relationship between club and Anping.

With the victory of Armando Hipólito in the elections of 2016,[12] the club definitively cuts off relations with the Sports Limited Company, prohibiting the professional team to attend the facilities of the club.[13]

The management of Armando Hipólito is marked by the deep economic crisis. The club loses the management of Alvito Municipal Pools, and in April the Board resigns,[14] calling for early elections.

The following month, Ricardo Delgado wins the elections, heading a unique list, and is the current president of Atlético Clube de Portugal.

At the end of September 2017, the Sports Limited Company-managed team would be disqualified from the regional championship after missing two straight games.[15]

Current squad edit

As of 29 January 2024

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   POR Francisco Lemos (on loan from Estoril)
3 DF   POR João Varudo
4 MF   CMR Nego Tembeng
6 DF   POR João Costa
7 FW   POR Tiago Rosário
8 MF   POR Pipo
9 FW   GNB Balotelli
10 MF   POR Didi
11 FW   COL Darwin Castillo
12 GK   POR Pedro Nunes
17 FW   POR David Silva
19 MF   POR Tomás Martins
20 DF   POR Daniel Almeida
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 MF   POR Tiago Morgado
23 DF   POR Bruno Almeida
24 DF   POR Hugo Ventosa
26 DF   POR João Freitas
29 DF   POR David Dinamite
31 DF   POR Paulinho
48 MF   POR Pipas
70 GK   POR Nélson Pinhão
77 DF   POR Fábio Pala
80 MF   POR Diogo Leitão
88 MF   POR Pedro Pinto (on loan from Leiria)
95 FW   BRA Paulo Marcelo

Sport sections in activity edit

Football edit

Football, since its foundation, has always been the most important sport in the club.

After the break with the Sports Public Limited Company at the end of the 2015/16 season by the Armando Hipólito board, the Club inscribed a team in the Lisbon Football Association and is inserted in the 1st Division of the respective association, taking the place of former reserve team of the Sports Public Limited Company, who had been champion of the 2nd Division in the previous season.[16]

The season turns out to be frustrating, with Atlético failing the promotion by four points, seeing the neighbors of Santo António de Lisboa climb in a championship won by the team of Mem Martins.[17]

In 2017/18 the Club announces that it will compete in the Women's Football, creating a team that competes in the Division of Promotion and in the Cup of Portugal.[18]

In the youth the club maintains teams that go from the under-10 to the under-19.

In 2021–22, the club reached promotion to Campeonato de Portugal after 4 years absence.

In 2022–23, the club reached promotion to Liga 3 for the first time in history and champions of Campeonato de Portugal.

Basketball edit

One of the most cherished sports by the associates, the senior team remains in the National Championship of the 1st Division, the third tier of the sport,[19] after the relegation from Proliga, due to the fact of having refused to play in the LPB in 2016/17.[20]

The club also has activities in various levels, male and female, as well as mini-basketball.

Futsal edit

Section in activity since 1986, Atlético was one of the powers of the sport, with two second places in the National Championship in 1991/92 and 1993/94, as well as three third places in 1992/93, 1999/00 and 2000 / 01.

However, the current reality is quite different, with the club fighting for survival and being forced, for financial reasons, to start again from scratch. Atlético currently competes in the lowest division of the Lisbon Football Association, the 1st Division.[21]

Ruben Simões, a UEFA Futsal Cup winner for Benfica in 2010, is the captain of the team.

The club also has a team in the youth level, which competes in the AFL Division of Honor U-19.[22]

References edit

  1. ^ Fernandes, Carlos (September 1953). "Assim nasceu o Atlético". O Atlético. Lisboa.
  2. ^ "Sporting 4-2 Atlético". zerozero.pt. Retrieved 23 May 2017. and 1949"Benfica 2-1 Atlético". zerozero.pt. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  3. ^ "O Clube". atleticocp.pt. 7 September 2014. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  4. ^ "Comunicado". atleticocp.pt. 27 June 2016. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Atlético: Campeão Nacional de Hóquei Indoor". atleticocp.pt. 31 January 2016. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  6. ^ "Atlético sagra-se Campeão Nacional". atleticocp.pt. 28 September 2015. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  7. ^ "Atlético Campeão Nacional". atleticocp.pt. 6 November 2016. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  8. ^ "Atlético de Bronze no Campeonato da Europa". atleticocp.pt. 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  9. ^ "Sérgio Marques é Vice-Campeão Europeu". atleticocp.pt. 24 July 2016. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Sócios Atlético aprovam constituição de sociedade desportiva para gerir futebol". jn.pt. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  11. ^ "Atlético: Quatro jogadores estão na lista negra de corrupção da UEFA". cmjornal.pt. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Armando Hipólito é o novo presidente". abola.pt. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  13. ^ "ATLÉTICO PROÍBE ACESSO DA EQUIPA AO ESTÁDIO DA TAPADINHA". record.pt. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  14. ^ "Renúncia de Mandato". atleticocp.pt. 12 April 2017. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  15. ^ "Equipa da SAD do Atlético foi desclassificada dos distritais". souatletico.net. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  16. ^ "AF Lisboa 2ª Divisão 2015/16". zerozero.pt. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  17. ^ "AF Lisboa 1ª Divisão - Série 2 2016/17". zerozero.pt. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  18. ^ "Comunicado". atleticocp.pt. 30 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  19. ^ "Federação Portuguesa de Basquetebol: Atlético Clube de Portugal". fpb.pt. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  20. ^ "Atlético desiste da Liga". souatletico.net. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  21. ^ "AF Lisboa 1ª Divisão Futsal 2017/18". zerozero.pt. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  22. ^ "AF Lisboa Divisão de Honra Ap. Manutenção Futsal Jun.A S19 2017/18". zerozero.pt. Retrieved 26 December 2017.

External links edit