# FC Zestaponi

Football Club Zestaponi is a Georgian football club based in Zestaponi. They play their home games at David Abashidze Stadium. Zestaponi was founded on 18 June 2004 by the initiative of the shareholders of JSC Giorgi Nikoladze Zestaponi Ferro-Alloy Plant.
At that time Zestaponi have their own club FC Metallurg Zestaponi. A new club was formed as Margveti Zestaponi joined Pirveli Liga and promoted in the first season. Margveti was a member of Umaglesi Liga and achieved their best result in 1995–96 by finishing runner-up.

## History
### FC Metalurgi Zestaponi (1937–1989)

From the beginning of the 20th century football was given rise in Georgia. In 1906 the first football fan club was founded in Tbilisi. This happened by the patronage of Mr. Lgotac. He was the one who on 23 February 1907 established the first football club in Georgia. The club, called "Comet", had its own regulations, funds, uniforms and a stadium.
Though it should be mentioned, that football was played far earlier in Georgia, mainly in the sea-side cities, first of all in Poti, where local groups competed in "passing/tossing a ball" with British mariners. That's why Poti is considered to be a cradle of Georgian football.
As to Zestaponi, in out city, football has been played since the beginning of the 20th century. First football players from Zestaponi were students of the local gymnasium (currently secondary school #1). According to our data, Zestaponi football team held its first match with one of the clubs of western Georgia (according to different sources Senaki or Ozurgeti) in 1918, during a celebration organized to commemorate Independence of Georgia. First international match held in Zestaponi was also during the independence period, in 1920. Zestaponi team competed with a group of British Occupational Forces and defeated it by 2–1.
In the 1920s Zestaponi football players held various matches with teams of neighboring cities. In 1927 first Football Championship in held in Georgia. First Champion of Georgia is Team of Batumi.
In the 1930s two football teams are established in Zestaponi – "Mertskhali" (Swallow) and "Locomotive", that often take part in local and regional tournaments.
A truly new era in the history of Zestaponi football starts form the second half of the 1930s, after a metallurgical giant, "Zestaponi Ferro-Alloy Plant", has been put into exploitation. It was by the initiative of professional committee of the plant, that a meeting of workers of the physical culture was held on 10 May 1937. A decision of establishing a football team was made on the meeting. The team was called "Metallurgi".
In August 1938, "Metallurgi" participates in the union tournament held by sport-society "Metallurgist" in Minsk, where the team defeats "Electrostal Moscow", "Krasni Oktiabr Staliningrad", "Metallurg Leningrad" and loses in final to "Serp i Molot". In 1938 FC Metallurgi Zestaponi is engaged in Georgian Championship, where it participates regularly until 1989.
In various years of Soviet era "Metallurgi" was:
Silver medalist of Georgian Championship – 1967, 1970, 1982;
Runners-Up of Georgian Cup – 1966, 1967, 1971 years;
Georgian Cup's Winner – 1962.
Various football players from "Metallurgi" played for leading Georgian football clubs on various degrees, for example: Lokomotivi Tbilisi – Guram Shavdia, Zaur Chubinidze; Torpedo Kutaisi – Guram Nishnianidze; Dinamo Tbilisi – Giorgi (Jora) Chumburidze, Guram Kochiashvili, Dodik Khundadze, Guram Petriashvili, Kartlos Tsintsadze, Nodar Kiknadze.

### Margveti Zestaponi (1990–2000)

In 1990 Georgian Football Federation leaves the Soviet Union's Football Federation. An Independent Georgian Football Federation is formed, that shortly after becomes a member of FIFA and UEFA, leading Georgian Clubs are engaged in National Championships.
In 1990 a new Football Club is founded in Zestaponi – FC Margveti Zestaponi, that holds the position of "Metallurgi" in Pirveli League of the Georgian National Championship and from the very first year becomes a member of Umaglesi league.
In 1993 and 1996 years "Margveti" is the semi-finalist of the Georgian National Cup. In 1996 "Margveti" is the Vice-Champion of Georgia and participates in UEFA Cup Qualification Round. Unfortunately, due to financial problems, at the end of the 20th century the club broke up.
In total, in the years of 1991–1998 FC "Margveti" participated in Umaglesi League 8 National Championships, held 247 matches, won 98 of them, draw 43, lost – 106, difference in scores 397–443.
In 2006 "Margveti-2006" was founded in the lower division and recently in Meore Liga, but it is different (municipal) club.
    Season League Pos. Pl. W D L GF GA P Cup Europe Notes 1990 Pirveli Liga 2 382837 1024487 Round of 32 N/A Promoted 1991 Umaglesi Liga 8 19838 323227 1991–92 Umaglesi Liga 8 38141113 605853 Round of 16 1992–93 Umaglesi Liga 6 3215512 495450 Semi-finals 1993–94 Umaglesi Liga 8 3815716 716820/18 – 1994–95 Umaglesi Liga 9 3010614 355336 Round of 32 1995–96 Umaglesi Liga 2 302226 853768 Semi-finals 1996–97 Umaglesi Liga 7 3012216 446638 Quarter-finals UEFA Cup Preliminary round 1997–98 Umaglesi Liga 16 302721 217513 Round of 32 Relegated 1998–99 Pirveli liga 2 241842 782458 Round of 32 1999–00 Pirveli liga West Group A 1 221840 711858 Round of 16

### Metalurgi Zestaponi (1999–2004)

As FC Margveti Zestaponi faced financial problem and relegated in 1998. A new club using the city legend team name Metallurgi Zestaponi was formed in 1999. The club promoted to Umaglesi Liga in 2001. But the club faced financial problem and relegated in 2003. In 2003–04, the club finished bottom in Pirveli Liga and disestablished .
    Season League Pos. Pl. W D L GF GA P Cup Europe Notes 1999–00 Pirveli liga West Group A 4 221255 422741 Round of 32 2000–01 Pirveli liga 2 321787 483142/38 Round of 16 Promoted 2001–02 Umaglesi Liga 9 3291013 334437 Round of 16 2002–03 Umaglesi Liga 12 326125 177919 Round of 32 Relegated 2003–04 Pirveli liga 16 302127 18877 Round of 32 Initially relegated, but after the merger with FC Zestaponi were promoted to the Umaglesi Liga

### FC Zestaponi (2004–present)

On 18 June 2004, FC Zestaponi was incorporated. The club was invited to join Umaglesi Liga. Although, FC Metallurgi, FC Margveti and FC Zestaponi came from the same city, played on same stadium. They never met in the Umaglesi league and all clubs came from the succession of Metallurg Zestaponi.
    Season League Pos. Pl. W D L GF GA P Cup Europe Notes 2004–05 Umaglesi Liga 5 3616515 384853 Runner-up  – 2005–06 4 301875 442261 Runner-up  – 2006–07 4 261691 551157 Runner-up  – 2007–08 3 261853 561659 Winner Intertoto 1st Round 2008–09 4 3016410 432752 Quarter-finals UEFA Cup 1st qualifying round 2009–10 3 3619107 583367 Quarter-finals UEFA Europa League 2nd qualifying round 2010–11 1 362466 721978 Semi-finals UEFA Europa League 3rd qualifying round 2011–12 1 362475 733379 Runner-up 2011–12 UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round UEFA Europa League Play-offs 2012–13 5 3212614 353842 Round of 16 2012–13 UEFA Champions League 2nd qualifying round 2013–14 2 321958 482362 Round of 16  – 2014–15 16 306816 406126 Round of 16 UEFA Europa League 2nd qualifying round Expelled 2018 Regionuli Liga 4 281729 603323/30 Second round 2019 2 272052 1002923/42 Round of 32 Promotion to Liga 4 2020 Liga 4 6 14446 222016 Second round 2021 2 362394 762741/37 Round of 32 Promotion to Liga 3 2022 Liga 3 15 304323 187715 Second round 2023 13 3061113 334629 First round 2024 14 3061113 324926 Second round Relegated 2025 Liga 4

## Stadium

David Abashidze stadium was built by "Zestaponi Ferro-alloy Plant", started operating in 1952. Though a couple of matches were held on the stadium before its opening in 1951.
In 1952–1989 and 1999–2003 participant of Georgian Championship, FC Metallurgi held matches on the Zestaponi central stadium, in 1990–1998 it was a home stadium for FC Margveti.
Since 2004 FC Zestaponi is holding domestic matches on the stadium.
In 1981 reconstruction works were done on arena, west stand was roofed, east stand was constructed, after these works capacity of the Stadium increased to 8,000 seats.
In 2004, after establishing FC Zestaponi, central Stadium was repaired and is still being repaired to renew the arena and comply with international standards.
In 2005 works were done to renew the grass surface on the Stadium. Georgian workers have constructed new drainage system of German technology. Field is watered by a watering system of an American Company "Rainbird" (by the way this watering system was successfully used on 8 Stadiums during 2004 European Championship in Portugal).
On the David Abashidze Stadium (former Central) Stadium field surface "Natural Green Carpet" is made by the Ukrainian firm "Lidia-Park".
FC Zestaponi management is building a new base for the club. Many new football fields have been constructed in Zestaponi (among them one with an artificial surface). Relevant infrastructure is being made – work out rooms are being repaired, building of a new tribunes with personal seats is planned, along with the installment of a modern score-board.
Today capacity of the Stadium increased to 4,558 individual seats.
On 9 April 2010 the stadium was named after David Abashidze who contributed tremendously to the development and revival of football in Zestaponi.

## Honors

* Erovnuli Liga
** Champions: 2010–11, 2011–12
* Georgian Cup
** Champions: 2007–08
* Georgian Super Cup
** Champions: 2011, 2012

## Zestaponian Clubs in Georgian Umaglesi Liga

    As of 12 April 2015
| Club | Seasons | Years | Matches | Wins | Draws | Loses | GF | GA | Points |
| FC Margveti Zestaponi | 8 | 1991–1998 | 247 | 98 | 43 | 106 | 397 | 443 | 337 |
| FC Metallurgi | 2 | 2001–2003 | 64 | 15 | 11 | 38 | 50 | 123 | 56 |
| FC Zestaponi | 11 | 2004–2015 | 343 | 188 | 72 | 83 | 562 | 310 | 636 |
| Total | 21 | 1991–2015 | 654 | 301 | 126 | 227 | 1009 | 876 | 1029 |

## FC Zestaponi. All competitions statistic

    As of 12 April 2015
| Competition | Wins | Draws | Loses | GF | GA | Points |
| Georgian Umaglesi Liga | 188 | 72 | 83 | 562 | 310 | 636 |
| Georgian Cup | 40 | 15 | 14 | 123 | 51 |
| Georgian Super Cup | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| UEFA Champions League | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League | 4 | 5 | 7 | 27 | 19 |
| UEFA Intertoto Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |

## European Cups

| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away |
| 2007 | UEFA Intertoto Cup | 1Q | Tobol | 2–0 | 0–3 |
| 2008–09 | UEFA Cup | 1Q | Gyori ETO | 1–2 | 1–1 |
| 2009–10 | UEFA Europa League | 1Q | Lisburn Distillery | 6–0 | 5–1 |
| 2009–10 | UEFA Europa League | 2Q | Helsingborg | 1–2 | 2–2 |
| 2010–11 | UEFA Europa League | 1Q | Faetano | 5–0 | 0–0 |
| 2010–11 | UEFA Europa League | 2Q | Dukla Banska Bystrica | 3–0 | 0–1 |
| 2010–11 | UEFA Europa League | 3Q | Karpaty Lviv | 0–1 | 0–1 |
| 2011–12 | UEFA Champions League | 2Q | Dacia Chisinau | 3–0 | 0–2 |
| 2011–12 | UEFA Champions League | 3Q | Sturm Graz | 1–1 | 0–1 |
| 2011–12 | UEFA Europa League | PO | Brugge | 3–3 | 0–2 |
| 2012–13 | UEFA Champions League | 2Q | Neftchi Baku | 2–2 | 0–3 |
| 2014–15 | UEFA Europa League | 2Q | Spartak Trnava | 0–0 | 0–3 |

## Goals in Georgian Umaglesi Liga

Topscorers
| Name | Position | Years | Goals |
| Nikoloz Gelashvili | Forward | 2008–2016 | 63 |
| Jaba Dvali | Forward | 2010–2012, 2014 | 55 |
| Zurab Ionanidze | Forward | 2005–2009 | 48 |
| Rati Tsinamdzgvrishvili | Forward | 2008–2013 | 24 |
| Tornike Gorgiashvili | Midfielder | 2005–2013 | 21 |
| Gogi Pipia | Midfielder | 2005–2011 | 21 |
| Shota Grigalashvili | Midfielder | 2009–2012 | 18 |
Topscorers by season
| Season | Name | Goals |
| 2004/05 | Zaza Zirakishvili | 10 |
| 2005/06 | Zurab Ionanidze | 17 |
| 2006/07 | Gogi Pipia | 13 |
| 2007/08 | Gilvan Gomes | 12 |
| 2008/09 | Nikoloz Gelashvili | 20 |
| 2009/10 | Nikoloz Gelashvili | 16 |
| 2010/11 | Nikoloz Gelashvili | 18 |
| 2011/12 | Jaba Dvali | 20 |
| 2012/13 | Tornike Gorgiashvili | 7 |
| 2013/14 | Nikoloz Sabanadze | 8 |
| 2014/15 | Jaba Dvali | 10 |
| Goal N. | Name | Date |
| 1 | Giorgi Kurtsikidze | 2 August 2004 |
| 100 | Zurab Ionanidze | 18 November 2006 |
| 200 | Nikoloz Gelashvili | 2 November 2008 |
| 300 | Nikoloz Gelashvili | 29 August 2010 |
| 400 | Zaal Eliava | 14 December 2011 |
| 500 | Giorgi Kukhianidze | 2 March 2014 |

## Matches in Georgian Umaglesi Liga

    As of 6 March 2015
| Name | Position | Years | Matches |
| Roin Kvaskhvadze | Goalkeeper | 2005–13 | 155 |
| Aleks Benashvili | Midfielder | 2005–13 | 136 |
| Giorgi Khidesheli | Defender | 2005–13, 2014 | 126 |
| Sevasti Todua | Defender | 2005–10 | 116 |
| Tornike Aptsiauri | Midfielder | 2010–13 | 114 |
| Zurab Ionanidze | Forward | 2005–10 | 113 |
| Tornike Gorgiashvili | Midfielder | 2005–13 | 112 |
| Jaba Dvali | Forward | 2009–12, 2014 | 110 |
| Zaal Eliava | Defender | 2009–12 | 108 |
| Irakli Dzaria | Midfielder | 2005–11 | 108 |
| Nikoloz Gelashvili | Forward | 2007–11 | 107 |
| Shota Grigalashvili | Midfielder | 2009–12 | 101 |
| Murtaz Daushvili | Midfielder | 2005–11 | 99 |

## Managers

* Vladimir Zemlianoi (18 June 2004 – 18 September 2004)
* Zaza Gurielidze (20 September 2004 – 2 October 2004)
* Teimuraz Makharadze (5 Oct 2004 – 14 October 2005)
* Koba Zhorzhikashvili (15 Oct 2005 – 12 November 2005)
* Teimuraz Makharadze (13 Nov 2005 – 30 March 2006)
* Koba Zhorzhikashvili (31 March 2006 – 30 May 2006)
* Merab Kochlashvili (1 June 2006 – 30 August 2006)
* Teimuraz Makharadze (1 September 2006 – 30 November 2008)
* Gia Geguchadze (1 Dec 2008 – 16 August 2011)
* Giorgi Chiabrishvili (18 Aug 2011 – 12 September 2012)
* Davit Mujiri and Zaza Zamtaradze (14 September 2012 – 10 December 2012)
* Kakhaber Kacharava (13 Dec 2012 – 31 May 2013)
* Ratko Dostanić (15 July 2013 – 1 November 2013)
* Gia Geguchadze (5 Nov 2013 – 31 December 2014)
* Giorgi Mikadze (2015)
* Guram Mazmishvili (2018)
* Malkhaz Gongadze (2018–2020)
* Levan Jokhadze (2020)