Hapoel Ashkelon F.C. (Hebrew: מועדון כדורגל הפועל אשקלון, Moadon Kaduregel Hapoel Ashkelon) was an Israeli football club based in Ashkelon.

Hapoel Ashkelon
Full nameHapoel Ashkelon Football Club
מועדון כדורגל הפועל אשקלון
Founded1955
Dissolved2023
GroundSala Stadium, Ashkelon
Capacity5,250

History edit

After being founded in 1955, Hapoel Ashkelon spent their first few decades in the lower leagues of Israeli football. 1995–96 they won Liga Alef South division and promoted to Liga Artzit (then the second tier) and in 1996–97, they achieved second successive promotion, to Liga Leumit (then the top tier) as Liga Artzit champions. However, the club finished bottom of the division, with a points deduction. In 1999–2000, they were relegated to the third tier (which became Liga Artzit following the formation of the Israeli Premier League as the top tier in 1999), before returning to the second tier (now Liga Leumit), after winning Liga Artzit in the 2004–05 season. The club reached the State Cup final for the first time in 2007, but despite taking the lead, lost 5–4 on penalties to Hapoel Tel Aviv after a 1–1 draw. At the end of the season, the club finished 11th and relegated to Liga Artzit.

In 2008–09, the club finished as runners-up in Liga Artzit and promoted back to Liga Leumit.

In 2009–10, the club finished as runners-up in Liga Leumit and promoted back to the Israeli Premier League. Just a season later, the club finished 15th, and relegated back to Liga Leumit.

In 2013–14, the club finished 15th in Liga Leumit, and relegated to Liga Alef. The club made an immediate return to Liga Leumit, after winning Liga Alef South division in the following season. In 2015–16, the club won the Leumit Toto Cup following a victory of 1–0 against F.C. Ashdod. At the end of the season, they finished as runners-up and made a return to the Israeli Premier League, their second successive promotion under the guidance of Yuval Naim.[1]

Little Argentina edit

Over the years, Hapoel Ashkelon has developed a tradition of signing Argentine footballers, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Many times, there were two Argentine players who played together and developed an attacking partnership together.[2] Among those who have represented Argentina within the squad have been Bryan Man, Carlos Chacana, Naón Isidro, Jonny Tennenbaum, Fernando Fligman and Gastón Sangoy.

Current squad edit

As to 12 February 2022
No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   ISR Ehud Elisha
2 DF   ISR Yarin Avraham
3 DF   ISR Yakov Mamo
5 DF   ISR Ohad Lavi
6 MF   ISR Amos Shpirer
8 MF   ISR Rotem Baruch
9 FW   ISR Gilad Elkabetz
10 MF   ISR Yoni Yaacov
11 FW   ISR Sheliel Uzan
12 MF   ISR Amir Shniderman
13 FW   ISR Idan Ashtiya
14 DF   ISR Amit Yaacobi
15 FW   ISR Dolev Abergel
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 MF   ISR Gal Livne
18 FW   ISR Raphael de la Sousa
19 MF   ISR Ron Carmani
20 MF   ISR Steni Asefa
24 DF   ISR Aviel Badada
26 FW   ISR Roy Abuhatzira
45 DF   ISR Davit Woldgabriel
99 MF   ISR Shay Imlek
DF   ISR Amit Buhbut
DF   ISR Roei Sallem
FW   ISR Ron Jano
FW   ISR Mordechai Bin

Notable former players edit

Notable former managers edit

References edit

  1. ^ Very nice: Hapoel Ashkelon is officially in the Premier League Gil Michaeli, Doublepass, 6 May 2016 (in Hebrew)
  2. ^ Levy, Eli (2008-10-30). אשקלון ג'וניורס [Ashkelon Juniors] (in Hebrew). MyNet. Retrieved 14 September 2009.

External links edit