FC Botoșani


Fotbal Club Botoșani , commonly known as FC Botoșani or simply Botoșani, is a Romanian professional football club based in the city of Botoșani, Botoșani County, currently playing in the Liga I.
In 2013, twelve years after being established, FC Botoșani became the first team from the county to be promoted to the top tier of the Romanian football league system. It recorded its first European appearance in the 2015–16 season, when they were eliminated by Legia Warsaw in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, after having defeated FC Tskhinvali in the previous stage.
Botoșănenii play in predominantly white home kits, while their away equipment is generally blue.

History

Predecessors

Before World War II, the main local team of the city of Botoșani was Venus. After the war ended, the team was successively named Flamura Roșie, Textila and Unirea, and played mostly in the regional championship and the third division without significant performances. In 1973, the team was renamed CS Botoșani. It won their series in the 1974–75 Divizia C and promoted for the first time to Divizia B, but only for a year. The team played again in Divizia B in the 1977–78 season, but was again relegated.
In the summer of 1979, CS Botoșani promoted for the third time to Divizia B, and at the end of the 1979–80 season, they obtained the highest position of 3rd; that had heretofore not been reached by any football team from Botoșani. After that performance, the team declined, occupying places in the middle of the league, reaching in the ending of '80s near relegation.
One of the most famous Romanian players, Nicolae Dobrin, ended his career at CS Botoșani. He played for the team in the 1985–86 season and was also the team manager.
CS Botoșani remained in Divizia B for 11 seasons, the most seasons spent by a football team from Botoșani. After that, at the ending of 1989–90 season the team was relegated to Divizia C. In 1993, the team was relegated to the county division and disbanded.
There was also a Unirea Botoșani team that played between 1998 and 2000. The team merged with Poli Iași, who played in Divizia C under the name Poli Unirea Iași.

Founding and early years (2001–2013)

The new Fotbal Club Botoșani was founded in 2001 by Salavastru and Sfaițer, with support from the local council, and started in Divizia C. In the summer of 2004, the team promoted to Divizia B.
In 2005 the president of the Administration Council, Valeriu Iftimie, took over the main projects of the club after the French model. Therefore, the first team played in Divizia B, the second team, formed with youngsters, played in the third league. Also, the club has a centre for children and youths who are prepared for the future of the first team.
Since the 2005–06 season, the matches of FC Botoșani were transmitted live on the radio, on "Radio AS". Until the beginning of the season, not even a radio station transmitted live. FC Botoșani participated in the second division of the Romanian football for nine consecutive seasons. In the 2005–06 season it finished on the 4th place, which was the highest position obtained until the 2012–13 season, when FC Botoșani won the series and promoted for the first time in Liga 1.

Promotion to the first division and recent history (2013–present)

The main objective for the 2013–14 season was to avoid relegation. At the start of the season, FC Botoșani was the only first league team that had only Romanian players. FC Botoșani made their debut in Liga I on 21 July 2013, in a 0–0 draw against CFR Cluj, with eight newcomers in a top tier level of the starting eleven and played the most of the match with nine-man as Ciprian Dinu received a red card in the ninth minute. The next matchday, on 26 July, saw FC Botoșani netting their first Liga I victory, in a 2–1 away win over Gaz Metan Mediaș. On 25 August, FC Botoșani beat 1–0 FC Vaslui to record their first ever home win in the top tier. However, after this record, Botoșani had a poor run and manager Cristian Popovici was sacked, letting the team on the 12th place, two points above relegation. Leontin Grozavu was named manager and lead the team to a tough fight to avoid relegation.
FC Botoșani started the next season with two important victories against Astra Giurgiu and Dinamo București, teams that fought for the championship title. At the end of the season they qualified for the first time ever in 2015–16 season of UEFA Europa League, because CFR Cluj, Petrolul Ploiești, CS U Craiova and Dinamo București failed to obtain UEFA licences. After a 4–4 draw with Viitorul Constanța, Botoșani again finished in eighth place.
On 2 July 2015, FC Botoșani made their debut in European competitions, in the first qualifying round of UEFA Europa League in a 1–1 tie against Spartaki Tskhinvali in the first leg in Botoșani. In the second leg in Georgia, FC Botoșani netted their first European victory in a 3–1 win over Spartaki Tskhinvali to advance to the next round, where they met Legia Warsaw.

Stadium

FC Botoșani plays its home matches at the Botoșani Municipal Stadium. It is located near the centre of the city, has a capacity of 7,782 seats and is equipped with an all-weather running track.

Support

The ultras of FC Botoșani are organized under the name of Dark Hooligans, Renegații and BT Pride.

Rivalries

The main rivalry of Botoșani is with Foresta Suceava, but they recently developed a rivalry with Politehnica Iași.

Honours

Domestic

Leagues

First team squad

Out on loan

Second team squad (Botoșani II)

Club officials

Board of directors

RoleName
Technical Director Mihai Ciobanu
Manager Marius Croitoru
Assistant managers Alin Bejan
Adrian Iordache
Goalkeeping coach Alin Bordeanu
Fitness coach Silviu Dobre
Kinetotherapist Dumitru Brânză
Club Doctor Petre Rădăuceanu
Masseurs Daniel Hodinescu
Silviu Siminiciuc
2nd Team Manager Cătălin Chirilă
2nd Team Fitness Coach Andrei Honceriu

European Cups history

SeasonCompetitionRoundClubHomeAwayAggregate
2015–16UEFA Europa League1Q Spartaki Tskhinvali1–13–14–2
2015–16UEFA Europa League2Q Legia Warsaw0–30–10–4
2020–21UEFA Europa League1Q

;Notes
Competition
UEFA Europa League1411246−2
Total1411246−2

League history

SeasonTierDivisionPlaceCupa României
2019–201Liga ITBDRound of 16
2018–191Liga I8thRound of 32
2017–181Liga I8thSemi-finals
2016–171Liga I10thRound of 32
2015–161Liga I9thRound of 16
2014–151Liga I8thRound of 32
2013–141Liga I8thRound of 16
2012–132Liga II 1st 'Round of 32
2011–122Liga II 5th
2010–112Liga II 7th

SeasonTierDivisionPlaceCupa României
2009–102Liga II 10th
2008–092Liga II 5thRound of 16
2007–082Liga II 9th
2006–072Liga II 11th
2005–062Divizia B 4th
2004–052Divizia B 8thRound of 32
2003–043Divizia C 1st '
2002–033Divizia C 6th
2001–023Divizia C 2nd

Notable former players

The footballers enlisted below have had international cap for their respective countries at junior and/or senior level and/or more than 80 caps for FC Botoșani.
;Romania
;Argentina
;Bulgaria
;Cameroon
;Curaçao
;France
;Greece
;Italy
;Lithuania