Gaziantepspor was a Turkish football club located in the city ofGaziantep. Formed in 1969, Gaziantepspor are nicknamed the Şahinler. The club colours are black and red, and they played their home matches at New Gaziantep Stadium.
History
Background
The first sports club in Gaziantep was founded by students at the American College in 1923. Several other clubs were founded soon after; Altınışık, Kilis İdman Yurdu Spor Kulübü, and Türkocağı Spor Kulübü. However, these clubs did not last long, with Altınışık and Türkocağı folding in 1929 and 1931 respectively. Türkocağı went on to merge with Sanatkarlar Spor Kulübü to form Gaziantep İdman Yurdu. The club did not register in time for the Gaziantep amateur league and were only permitted to compete in friendly matches. Gaziantep Idman Yurdu disbanded in 1932. There were no clubs in Gaziantep until 1938, with the sports branch of the community centre taking over and running all sporting activities.
Foundation
Gaziantepspor which bears the name of Gaziantep city was founded in the first days of 1969. Gaziantep city's leading people held a meeting under the chairmanship of Mayor Abdulkadir Batur and they made a first attempt for the foundation of the club. Later on, as a result of continuing meetings, Gaziantepspor Club was founded in 1969. Important figures in Gaziantep held a meeting with then-mayor Abdülkadir Batur in order to form the club. A total of 58 people helped with the foundation of Gaziantepspor in 1969. Besir Bayram who was a founder member, has been a first president. The club contested friendly matches in their first season. They were allowed to join the 3.Lig in 1970.
Playing history
Gaziantepspor finished its first season by playing friendly matches. The red–blacks started to play in the Turkish League in 1970–71 season through a decree executed in 1970 which allowed city teams play directly in the third division. In their first season of professional football, Gaziantepspor finished third in the 3.Lig, Yeşil Grup. The club finished second in the 2.Lig in 1974–75, barely missing promotion by three points. Gaziantepspor were promoted to the top-flight after the 1978–79 season. The club managed to stay afloat in their first season in the 1.Lig, finishing one point above the relegation zone. The club was relegated in 1983, but earned promotion back to the top-flight in 1990, where they have competed since. The club had the best position in the top-flight as 3rd in the 1999–2000 and 2000–01 seasons. In the 2016–17 season, Gaziantepspor was relegated from the Super Lig. In the 2017–18 season, they were relegated from the 1.Lig.
Colours and emblem
The club colours are red and black. The colours were chosen as a dedication to the martyrs who gave up their lives to defend Gaziantep; black for the martyrs, and red for the martyrs blood. Gaziantepspor’s emblem represents the city's landmarks and was designed under the guidance of ex-chairman Celal Doğan. Gaziantep castle is symbolized by the outline of the logo. Above the Gaziantep banner lies the martyr's memorial, the checkered background represents the cities treat to the world, the famous desert ‘Baklava’. In the foreground is a Falcon which is the clubs nickname as well as the name of one of the cities heroes Şahinbey.
Support
The club enjoy most of their support from the city and surrounding provinces. Their main ultra group is called Gençlik 27,, 27 corresponds to the province's code. Gençlik 27 was founded in 1996 by Hasan Günoğlu also known as Hasan Reis. The supporter group are renowned for creating a great atmosphere at home games with their red flares flags and are found in the 5th and 6th stands behind the goal. Gaziantepspor fans also are known for being proud of their Anatolian heritage, playing national Turku Anadolu music, causing trouble, causing fights, violence and many crowd trouble is reported at games, which is caused by every fan and club in Turkish football as it is more than religion for the Turkish population.
Gaziantepspor play their home matches at Gaziantep Kamil Ocak Stadium. The stadium is named after former politician Kamil Ocak, who was a member of parliament and a minister of state responsible for sports between 1965 and 1969; he helped build sporting facilities in Gaziantep. The stadium was opened in 1974 and it currently seats 16,981 spectators. The field is covered with grass, and the stadium also has floodlights.
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