FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti

FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti is a Georgian football club based in Poti, which currently takes part in Liga 3, the third division of Erovnuli Liga.

Being registered in 1913, Kolkheti is considered one of the oldest clubs in the South Caucasus. They were a long-time participant of the first tier of Georgian national league.

History

Domestic leagues

The football club from Poti under the name Kolkhida for many years was a member of the Georgian Soviet championship until early 1960s. From 1962 to 1990, they spent 24 seasons in fourth and third divisions of the Soviet football system, including last consecutive 11 years in zone 9 of the Second league, with the 2nd place in 1989 being the best result.

When GFF formed the national league in early 1990, Kolkheti-1913 took part in an opening game against Iberia Tbilisi. The historic match held in Boris Paichadze stadium ended 1–0 in favour of the guest team.

Throughout the first decade, the Kolkhs were considered one of the strongest rivals. Apart from 1992/93, when they finished in 9th place, the club completed each season among top five teams with twice, in 1993-94 and 1996–97, coming second.

Starting from mid-1990s, Kolkheti was owned by the naval port of Poti, but in 2006, after a foreign business company took over the port administration, the football club abruptly lost a significant income. Despite being 10th among 16 clubs in 2005/06, due to the severe financial crisis, Kolkheti had to quit the league.

The club climbed back to Umaglesi Liga following the 2009/10 season, but returned to the second league three years later.

From 2014/15, Kolkheti were back in the top division, although further financial difficulties hit the club in 2018, which pushed them to the verge of bankruptcy. In an emergency statement, the club appealed for help. As Kolkheti amassed a large amount of debts, they were deducted six points. Eventually, they were relegated.

While in Liga 2, Kolkheti still could no

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