FC Torpedo Kutaisi

FC Torpedo Kutaisi is a Georgian professional football club based in Kutaisi, Georgia's third largest city. 'Torpedo Kutaisi' was founded in 1946 and in just three years the club became the winner of the Football Championship of that time. Torpedo's home ground is Ramaz Shengelia Stadium.

History

The Soviet period

FC Torpedo Kutaisi was founded in 1946 on the base of Kutaisi Automotive Plant. In 1949 the club became the winner of the Georgian SSR Championship. In 1959 two football clubs "FC Torpedo Kutaisi" and "FC Locomotive Kutaisi" were united and the name remained "FC Torpedo Kutaisi". In 1962 "FC Torpedo Kutaisi" became a first participant in the Soviet Top League. Many famous Georgian football players began their career in this club, among them Revaz Dzodzuashvili, Anzor Kavazashvili, Sergo Kutivadze, Givi Nodia, Manuchar Machaidze, Murtaz Khurtsilava. In addition, when Dinamo Tbilisi won UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1980–81, five footballers were the ex-players of FC Torpedo Kutaisi - Tamaz Kostava, Otar Gabelia, Nodar Khizanishvili, Tengiz Sulakvelidze and Ramaz Shengelia.

Torpedo spent one season in the Soviet Second league in 1988. The club also was represented for twenty years in the First league and for 14 more seasons between 1971 and 1990 in the top league, the first tier of the Soviet football.

Ups and downs in 1990s and 2000s

When the Georgian National Championships started in 1990, the club changed its name into "FC Kutaisi". But after three years the club restored the old name. The last years of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st were the most successful years in the club's history. During 1999–02 the club won five domestic titles. Many players from "FC Torpedo Kutaisi" were represented in the Georgia national football team, including Valeri Abramidze, Sevasti Todua, Malkhaz Asatiani, Levan Silagadze, Revaz Kemoklidze. Besides, Georgian managers (Jemal Kherkhadze, David Kipiani, Revaz Dzodzuashvili, Otar

This page also has a version in other languages :  Торпедо (Кутаиси) (russian)