Nomme Kalju

Nomme Kalju FC (Estonian pronunciation: [nɤmˈme ˈkɑlju]), commonly known as Nomme Kalju, or simply as Kalju (Estonian: "rock" or "cliff"), is an Estonian professional football club, based in Nomme, Tallinn, that competes in the Meistriliiga, the top flight of Estonian football. The club's home ground is Hiiu Stadium.

Founded in 1923 and re-established in 1997, the club has played in the Meistriliiga since the 2008 season and have never been relegated from the Estonian top division. Nomme Kalju have won two Meistriliiga titles, one Estonian Cup and one Estonian Supercup.

History

Founding and re-establishment (1923–2007)

Nomme Kalju football club was founded in 1923 as a division of the Kalju Sports Club by two professional wrestlers, Aleksander Sneider and Mart Liiv. The club's home ground was Hiiu Stadium in Nomme and the club remained active until World War II.

The club was re-established in 1997 by the former Estonia national team manager Uno Piir, Anton Siht and Varner Lootsmann. Nomme Kalju joined the Estonian football league system and began competing in the Northern division of the III liiga. The club finished their first season in second place, while Joel Lindpere was the top goalscorer with 13 goals. Nomme Kalju played in the III liiga for eight consecutive seasons.

In 2002, Kuno Tehva acquired the club with a goal of establishing a professional football club. Nomme Kalju were promoted to the third tier II liiga in 2004 and to the second tier Esiliiga in 2005. Nomme Kalju finished their first season in the Esiliiga in fifth place. In 2007, Getulio Fredo was appointed as manager. Nomme Kalju finished the 2007 season in sixth place and faced Kuressaare in the promotion play-offs. The club lost their first match home 0–1 but won the second leg away 2–1 and advanced to the Meistriliiga on away goals.

First league title (2008–2012)

In preparation for their Meistriliiga debut, Nomme Kalju rebuilt

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