Istanbulspor

Istanbulspor is a Turkish football and sports club founded by Istanbul High School students in 1926. In 2004–05 they were relegated from the Turkish Super Lig (Super League) to TFF 1. Lig. For many decades it was the fourth most famous and well-developed professional football club from Istanbul, coming after Besiktas, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahce. After being bought by the Uzan Family in 1990, it has been repossessed by the government and resold to third companies.

Their greatest success is the Turkish championship title won in 1932.

History

Istanbulspor was founded by Kemal Halim Gurgen and Istanbul High School students on 4 January 1926, being one of the first sports clubs of the Turkish Republican period. In the 1931–32 season, Istanbulspor won both the Istanbul League and Turkish Football Championship.

Until 1990, the club was managed by Istanbul High School foundation. During this period, Istanbulspor has relegated from and promoted to the top division for several times. Also, it relegated to Amateur Level in 1979 and played on amateur level for two seasons. In 1984, club was relegated to third league. In 1990, Uzan Holding, led by Turkish businessman Cem Uzan, has bought the club and converted it into Istanbulspor A.S., Istanbulspor incorporation. After that, Istanbulspor was funded by Uzan Family and promoted back to first league in 1995. Istanbulspor became one of the most successful Turkish football clubs again, as they reached the fourth place in the 1997–98 season and played in the UEFA Cup. Uzan Family withdrew its support from Istanbulspor in 2001. Because of this, Istanbulspor fell into financial crisis, and became ninth in the 2002–03 season.

Eventually, in 2003, the Turkish government took over the financially collapsed club. However, Istanbulspor were relegated to the second league in 2004–05. In 2006, Istanbulspor have been resold by the government to former Turkish player Saffet Sancakli's Marmara Spor Faaliyetleri San. ve Tic. A.S. for $3,250,00

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