Hapoel Ashkelon
Wikipedia - Hapoel Ashkelon F.C.
Hapoel Ashkelon F.C. (Hebrew: מועדון כדורגל הפועל אשקלון, Moadon Kaduregel Hapoel Ashkelon) was an Israeli football club based in Ashkelon.
History
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.
Hapoel Ashkelon plays their home matches at the Ashkelon Municipal Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 5,500 spectators. The team's colors are red and white, and they are known for their passionate fan base and competitive spirit on the field.
Over the years, Hapoel Ashkelon has had success in various competitions, including winning the Liga Alef (third tier) in the 2015-2016 season. The team has a strong youth academy system, which has produced talented players who have gone on to play for top clubs in Israel and abroad.
Hapoel Ashkelon is known for their attacking style of play and strong defensive organization. The team's motto is "Unity, Strength, Success," reflecting their commitment to teamwork and determination to achieve their goals. With a rich history and dedicated fan base, Hapoel Ashkelon continues to be a respected and competitive force in Israeli football.