Futebol Clube Tirsense, commonly known as just Tirsense, is a Portuguesefootball club from Santo Tirso, founded on January 5, 1938. They currently play in the Divisão de Elite of AF Porto. They currently play their home games in Abel Alves de Figueiredo with a capacity of 15,000 spectators. Their current chairman is Fernando Matos and their manager is Tonau.
History
The club's finest hour came without doubt in 1948–49 when, under the management of Artur Pinga, they knocked the all-conquering Sporting Clube de Portugal side of the "Five Violins" out of the Portuguese Cup with a 2–1 victory. In 1994–95, they finished eighth in the First Division, their highest-ever position. The following year, however, they were relegated, in the first of four consecutive demotions, dropping from the main championship in 1996 to the regional championships in 1999. The following year, the club was promoted to the Third Division. In spite of this, Tirsense has a usual attendance of 1,500 to 2,000, among the best in Portuguese non-professional championships. Assuming an amateur status since 2004, the club is making a successful task honouring debts, and aspires to make a comeback to the top in a near future. Marcelo, along with Emerson Thome, and Everton Giovanella, are the most internationally known former club players. Recent names like Caetano, Rui Manuel, or Batista are also well remembered by the fans. From the more distant years, António Luís and Festa are some of the most sounding names. Tirsense was coached by Joaquim Machado, who at his first season at the club as head coach, managed to promote Tirsense to the Second Division, where the club competed in its Serie A.
Fans
The club has an organised fan group called Juve Negra and a small ultras group called the Black Lions, founded in 2012.
Communication
Nowadays, Futebol Clube Tirsense is one of the most dynamic clubs in social media communication on the AF Porto competitions. Their Facebook page is one of most seen and most active, earning a lot of attention in the Portuguese news. Tirsense's head of communication is João Filipe Coelho.
League and cup history
Total game history
Liga Portuguesa: 256 games, 65 wins, 73 ties, 118 losses, 219 GS 370 GA
Taça de Portugal 127 games, 58 wins, 18 ties, 51 losses, 183 GS, 180 GA
II Divisão B: 31 games, 15 wins, 6 ties, 10 losses, 38 GS, 32 GA
IV and III Divisão: 96 games, 46 wins, 21 ties, 29 losses, 134 GS, 93 GA
Former international footballers
The following footballers have been playing for their national football team while playing for Tirsense:
