# FC Guria Lanchkhuti

FC Guria (Georgian: საფეხბურთო კლუბი გურია) is a Georgian association football club from Lanchkhuti. Following the 2024 season they were relegated to Liga 4, the fourth tier of the national league.
Being one of the strongest Georgian teams in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Guria played in the Soviet Top league, and also won the national Cup. They later played fifteen seasons in the Umaglesi Liga, twice claiming silver medals.
The team plays their home matches at the Evgrapi Shevardnadze Stadium.
100% share of the club currently belongs to the Lanchkhuti municipality.

## History
### Early period

Formed in 1924 as FC Kimi, the team ceased to exist after the start of World War 2 and resumed functioning in 1952 under the name "Kolmeurne".
In 1960 the club was renamed as Guria. The next year they gained a first title by becoming champions of the republican league. During the subsequent decade the team won the Georgian Cup three times and the domestic league two more times, in 1966 and 1971, which enabled them to advance to the Soviet Association football.

### 1972–79: in the Soviet second league

Starting from 1972 Guria played in the Second League, the third tier of the Soviet football league, for seven years.
In Second League after each season :
| YEAR | M | W | D | L | GF–GA | Pts | FP |
| 1972 | 36 | 12 | 7 | 17 | 46-49 | 31 | 13th |
| 1973 | 34 | 13 | 5 | 16 | 52-52 | 31 | 8th |
| 1974 | 38 | 10 | 17 | 11 | 56-53 | 37 | 11th |
| 1975 | 34 | 18 | 5 | 11 | 62-47 | 41 | 3rd |
| 1976 | 38 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 67-34 | 52 | 1st* |
| 1977 | 42 | 22 | 7 | 13 | 91-57 | 51 | 4th |
| 1978 | 46 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 82-48 | 59 | 2nd |
| 1979 | 46 | 31 | 4 | 11 | 110-50 | 66 | 1st |
*Note: Lost promotion play-offs to Uralmash Sverdlovsk
Overall results shown by Guria in II League are the following:
| M | W | D | L | GF–GA |
| 314 | 151 | 66 | 97 | 566:390 |
Guria's remarkable progress was largely attributed to Shalva Kakabadze, who worked as head coach for record twenty years continuously from 1959 until 1980, and local government chairman Evgrapi Shevardnadze, brother of the Soviet Communist Party leader in Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze.

### 1980–86: Road to the top flight

After the winning season in 1979 Guria were promoted to the First League, where they played for another seven consecutive years.
In First League after each season :
| YEAR | M | W | D | L | GF–GA | Pts | FP |
| 1980 | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 68-73 | 46 | 11th |
| 1981 | 46 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 50-56 | 44 | 14th |
| 1982 | 42 | 15 | 7 | 20 | 48-67 | 37 | 18th |
| 1983 | 42 | 19 | 4 | 19 | 52-71 | 42 | 9th |
| 1984 | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 49-52 | 42 | 10th |
| 1985 | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 50-52 | 37 | 17th |
| 1986 | 46 | 28 | 5 | 13 | 80-66 | 61 | 1st |
Source
The very fact of promotion to the Soviet Top League for the team representing a provincial town seemed amazing. Football fervour around Guria grew so high that in most cases not a single seat was available during their matches and some youngsters would climb up trees around the stadium to watch their favourite team. The pitch invasion during the 2–1 win over fierce rivals Daugava Riga resulted in the disqualification of the stadium for three matches. For this reason the final home game of the season against Yuri Semin's Lokomotive Moscow (1–0) was held in Batumi in front of 20,000 spectators.
Under head coach Begi Sikharulidze some players especially contributed to this huge achievement: Besik Pridonashvili with all 46 games played and 27 goals scored; Teimuraz Chkhaidze - 44 (8); Murman Akopian - 43 (7); Badri Danelia - 43 (1); Levan Melikia - 41; Vakhtang Kopaleishvili - 40 (16); Sergey Shvetsov - 40 (1); Enuki Tevzadze - 39 (5); Tariel Ebanoidze - 37 (1); Gigla Imnadze - 36; Alexander Kondratiev - 36; Merab Tevzadze - 30 (1); Gia Giligashvili - 26; Karlo Mchedlidze - 12; Davit Ugrelidze - 11 (5).

### 1987: the top league

Straight away after the promotion the football ground underwent a significant reconstruction and eventually the capacity of stadium in a town with 9,021 residents as of 1987 reached 22,000.
Between the 1983–84 and 1987–88 seasons the USSR occupied a second place after Italy in UEFA ranking, therefore, the Soviet Top League was a tough challenge for Guria. Being regarded as a decent home team, Guria beat Kairat 2–0, Neftchi 1–0, Dinamo Minsk 2–1, Dinamo Moscow 2–1 and Ararat 2–0, also played goalless draws against Dinamo Kyiv, Dinamo Tbilisi and future bronze medal holders Zalgiris, although poor results in away games doomed the club for relegation.

### 1988–89: Promotion battles

Guria did not succeed in a new promotion attempt, finishing in the 4th place in 1988, but the team still made headlines with a shock victory over Dinamo Kyiv (2–1) in the Cup 1/16 finals. The next year the Gurians once again displayed their powerful home run by winning all 21 games held in Lanchkhuti and earned a place in the Soviet Top League as runners-up of the 1989 season.
However, Guria were no longer destined to play again in the Soviet championship. On 15 February 1990, the Georgian Football Federation made a decision to break away from the Soviet Football Federation, withdraw all the teams from the Soviet leagues and form its own national championship with immediate effect.

### Since 1990: Georgian leagues

By entering Umaglesi Liga competition a new stage opened up for Guria. First several years they remained high-flying, winning the Georgian Cup title in 1990 and silver medals in 1990 and 1991. Later the decline started which saw the club moving up and down the first three divisions several times.
Their very name was subjected to changes, becoming Guria-Lokomotive-2 after the merger with Locomotive's reserve team in 2001, and Guria-2000 in 2008. In 2009 the team regained their popular name.
In the 2016 season Guria played in the top Georgian division, but within two years they slumped to Liga 3. Although the team managed to go up for 2019, their tenure there did not last longer than one season.
Throughout the shortened 2020 season Guria appeared poised for promotion. Yet, the decisive last two games lost to direct rivals spelled failure for their main goal. In contrast, a year later the team mostly stayed inside the drop zone, although due to the points picked up close to the end they barely escaped yet another relegation.
Guria reached a new low in 2024, when they finished at the bottom of the table and suffered relegation to Liga 4.

## Seasons

    Season League Pos P W D L GF GA Pts Cup 1987 Soviet Top League 16↓ 305817 183818 1988 Soviet First League 4 4223712 714453 1989 Soviet First League 2↑ 422796 783963 1990 Umaglesi Liga 2 342266 732072 Winner 1991 Umaglesi Liga 2 191441 381546 — 1991/92 Umaglesi Liga 4 3822313 895669 Round of 16 1992/93 Umaglesi Liga 12 3212218 375738 Round of 16 1993/94 Umaglesi Liga West 2 14905 362227 Quarterfinals Champ.Group 7 185211 305017 1994/95 Umaglesi Liga 13 308616 368130 Quarterfinals 1995/96 Umaglesi Liga 13 309021 357427 Round of 32 1996/97 Umaglesi Liga 13 3010317 336333 Round of 16 1997/98 Umaglesi Liga 14 306915 305827 Round of 16 1998/99 Umaglesi Liga 16↓ 303423 348713 Round of 32 1999/00 Pirveli Liga A 8 227114 364522 Round of 16 2000/01 Pirveli Liga 3 221255 312541 Fourth round Champ.Group 1↑ 10622 15920 2001/02 Umaglesi Liga 10↓ 223613 144415 Quarterfinals 2002/03 Pirveli Liga 12 309714 324434 Second round 2003/04 Pirveli Liga 10 3013611 383745 First round 2004/05 Pirveli Liga 10 3010812 304538 First round 2005/06 Pirveli Liga 9 3414515 504747 Round of 32 2006/07 Pirveli Liga 15↓ 348719 367631 First round 2007/08 Meore Liga West 2↑ 221561 491751 — 2008/09 Pirveli Liga 6 14725 242123 Round of 16 2009/10 Pirveli Liga 4 281657 533253 First round 2010/11 Pirveli Liga 6 3214414 505946 First round 2011/12 Pirveli Liga B 2 181233 411539 Round of 32 2012/13 Pirveli Liga A 1↑ 332742 862085 Quarterfinals 2013/14 Umaglesi Liga 6 3212020 315336 Round of 16 2014/15 Umaglesi Liga 9 3010911 384339 Round of 32 2015/16 Umaglesi Liga 11 306915 284927 Round of 16 2016 Umaglesi Liga White 6↓ 12327 82111 Round of 16 2017 Erovnuli Liga 2 8↓ 3611421 476837 Round of 16 2018 Liga 3 3↑ 3821107 593173 Round of 8 2019 Erovnuli Liga 2 8↓ 3610620 396436 Round of 16 2020 Liga 3 5 18828 263026 First round 2021 Liga 3 11 268513 334429 Third round 2022 Liga 3 12 3011415 424937 Quarterfinals 2023 Liga 3 9 3011613 445539 Third round 2024 Liga 3 16↓ 305619 307121 First round
* ↑ Lost to Telavi 2–3 on aggregate in play-offs
* ↑ Beat Samgurali on away goals in play-offs
* ↑ Lost to Aragvi 1–2 on aggregate in play-offs
Overall, seasons spent in Georgian leagues since 1990:
* Umaglesi Liga (1st tier): 15
* Pirveli Liga / Erovnuli Liga 2 (2nd tier): 14
* Meore Liga / Liga 3 (3rd tier): 7
Correct up to 2024 season

## Club honours

* Georgian Soviet Championship: (level 4)
** Winners: 1961, 1966, 1971
** Runners-up: 1960
* Georgian Soviet Cup:
** Winners: 1965, 1966, 1971
* Soviet First League: (level 2)
** Runners-up: 1986, 1989
* Soviet Second League: (level 3)
** Winners: 1976, 1979
* Georgian Cup:
** Winners: 1990
* Umaglesi Liga (level 1)
** Runners-up: 1990, 1991
* Pirveli Liga: (level 2)
** Winners: 2000–01, 2012–13 (West)
* Meore Liga/Liga 3: (level 3)
** Runners-up: 2007–08
** Third place: 2018

## Personal honours

* Otar Korghalidze – Top scorers – 14 goals, 1991 season
* Otar Korghalidze – Top scorers – 40 goals, 1991–92 season
* Zviad Endeladze – European Golden Boot – 40 goals, 1995–96 season (for Margveti Zestaponi)
In early 2020, by decree of the Georgian Ministry of Sport Begi Sikharulidze, Teimuraz Chkhaidze and Gigla Imnadze were awarded the Knight of Sport title for their distinguished contribution to Guria's victorious season in 1986.
A year later Begi Sikharulidze was awarded the title Honorary Citizen of Lanchkhuti.

## Current squad

As of 12 March 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | GEO | Irakli Khvedelidze |
| 2 | DF | GEO | Levan Vardiashvili |
| 3 | DF | GEO | Beka Beridze |
| 4 | DF | GEO | Beka Tsiklauri |
| 5 | DF | GEO | Dimitri Virubovi (C) |
| 7 | MF | GEO | Karlo Jikidze |
| 8 | MF | GEO | Luka Makharadze |
| 9 | FW | GEO | Sandro Chkhaidze |
| 10 | MF | | Davit Kerkhanochiev |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 11 | FW | GEO | Lasha Akhalaia |
| 12 | GK | GEO | Nikoloz Shapatava |
| 13 | DF | GEO | Davit Chankotadze |
| 15 | MF | GEO | Teimuraz Lomadze |
| 16 | DF | GEO | Giorgi Beraia |
| 17 | MF | GEO | Saba Ebralidze |
| 19 | MF | GEO | Luka Meskhidze |
| 21 | FW | GEO | Tornike Mumladze |
| 22 | DF | GEO | Sandro Bakhia |

## Topscorers by season

| Season | Name | Goals |
| 1966–67 | Omar Pertenava | 16 |
| 1967–68 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 23 |
| 1968–69 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 17 |
| 1969–70 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 18 |
| 1970–71 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 39 |
| 1971–72 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 13 |
| 1972–73 | Joni Abaishvili | 19 |
| 1973–74 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 15 |
| 1974–75 | Revaz Sanaia | 25 |
| 1975–76 | Besik Mchedlishvili | 20 |
| 1976–77 | Vasil Troian | 18 |
| 1977–78 | Vasil Troian | 15 |
| 1978–79 | Merab Megreladze | 26 |
| 1979–80 | Merab Megreladze | 20 |
| 1980–81 | Merab Megreladze | 11 |
| 1981–82 | Temur Ebanoidze | 9 |
| 1982–83 | Murtaz Akophiani | 14 |
| 1983–84 | Vakhtang Kopaleishvili | 13 |
| 1984–85 | Gia Tkebuchava | 11 |
| 1985–86 | Besik Phridonashvili | 27 |
| 1986–87 | Viktor Khlus | 5 |
| 1987–88 | Viktor Khlus | 21 |
| 1988–89 | Merab Zhordania | 25 |
| 1989–90 | Otar Korghalidze | 21 |
| 1990–91 | Otar Korghalidze | 14 |
| 1991–92 | Otar Korghalidze | 40 |

## Managers

* Givi Imnaishvili (1952–53)
* Vladimer Narimanidze (1954–55)
* Viktor Berezhnoi (1956)
* Boris Chitaia (1957–58)
* Shalva Kakabadze (1959–79)
* Aleqsandre Kotrikadze (1980)
* Murtaz Khurtsilava (1981–82)
* Shalva Kakabadze (1983–84)
* Begi Sikharulidze (1985–86)
* Aleqsandre Kotrikadze (1986)
* Mykhaylo Fomenko (1987–90)
* Gigla Imnadze (1990)
* Murtaz Khurtsilava (1990–93)
* Teimuraz Chkhiadze (1993–94)
* Gigla Imnadze (1994–95)
* Begi Sikharulidze (1995–96)
* Boris Dudarov (1996)
* Gigla Imnadze (1996–97)
* Gia Tavadze (1997)
* Avtandil Nariashvili (August 1997–??)
* Davit Makharadze (22 July 2013 – 18 September 2013)
* Roman Pokora (September – December 2013)
* Davit Makharadze (January – August 2014)
* Temur Loria (August 2014 – April 2015)
* Gigla Imnadze (April – May 2015)
* Kakha Gogichaishvili (August – September 2015)
* Badri Kvaratskhelia (September 2015)
* Gia Chkhaidze (October – December 2015)
* Viktor Demidov (February – April 2016)
* Temur Makharadze (April – August 2016)
* Oleh Leshchynskyi (August – November 2016)
* Gigla Imnadze (March – May 2017)
* Gia Guruli (May – October 2017)
* Davit Makharadze (October 2017 – August 2018)
* Giorgi Oniani (August – October 2018)
* Giga Imedaishvili (October – December 2018)
* Tengiz Pataraia (March – April 2019)
* Giga Imedaishvili (May 2019)
* Gela Sanaia (May – August 2019)
* Giorgi Chkhaidze (August 2019)
* Temur Loria (September 2019 – March 2020)
* Levan Khomeriki/Ivane Makharadze (April 2020 – February 2021)
* Giga Imedaishvili (February – September 2021)
* Giorgi Oniani (October 2021 – July 2022)
* Gigla Imnadze (August – December 2022)
* Davit Dighmelashvili (January – May 2023)
* Aleksandre Koshkadze (May 2023 – April 2024)
* Gigla Imnadze (since May 2024)