Ascoli Calcio 1898
Encyclopedia
Ascoli Calcio 1898 is an Italian football
club based in Ascoli Piceno
, Marche
. The club was formed in 1898 and currently plays in Italian Serie B
, having returned to it after two seasons spent in Serie A
. Ascoli played in Serie A between periods of 1974–1976, 1978–1985, 1986–1990, 1991–1992, and 2005–2007.
The team's colours are black and white.
, who merged it with his own team to make the "Del Duca Ascoli". The stadium still bears his and his brother's name. In 1959 the team finally returned in Serie C for the first time since before the beginning of World War II. In 1971, under the chairmanship of Costantino Rozzi, who had acquired the team three years before, the team changed his denomination to the current one, finally being known as "Ascoli Calcio 1898". From that same year, the team, led by Carlo Mazzone
as coach, gained two consecutive promotions, being promoted in Serie B, and then Serie A, for its first time. The team stayed in Serie A for two seasons before being once again relegated to Serie B.
Ascoli returned to Serie A in 1978 and enjoyed a seven-year tenure in the top league, during which time they managed to finish a surprising 5th in 1980 and 6th in 1982. Some of the most notable players under the management of Mazzone and Giovan Battista Fabbri included Adelio Moro
, Alessandro Scanziani
, Gianfranco Bellotto, Walter Novellino and Andrea Mandorlini
, as well as Walter De Vecchi
and Giuseppe Greco
. After relegation in 1985, the club immediately bounced back and stayed for four more years. Another return to Serie A followed in 1991 but this lasted only one season. After just missing out on promotion for two year's running, the club went into decline and were relegated to Serie C1 in 1995. They would remain there for seven seasons, returning to B as Serie C1/B champions in 2002.
In August 2005, after the sentence of relegation from Serie A
for both Genoa and Torino respectively due to fraud and financial troubles, Ascoli, who obtained a place in the Serie B promotion playoffs the previous season under coach Marco Giampaolo
, have been arbitrarily admitted to Serie A as replacements, finishing a highly credible 12th. After the end of the season, Giampaolo, who gained a reputation as one of the finest young Italian coaches, resigned, for being replaced by Attilio Tesser
for the 2006/2007 season. Tesser, unable to obtain good results in his time with Ascoli, was fired after a 1–0 loss at home to Empoli F.C.
in the 11th matchday, and replaced by veteran coach Nedo Sonetti
.
Ascoli were the first team to be officially relegated to Serie B for the 2007–08 season after a 1–0 loss to Torino F.C.
on 7 May 2007. They ended the season in nineteenth place, one point above last-placed Messina
.
German striker Oliver Bierhoff
began his experience in Italian football with Ascoli.
and 1981–82
.
To complement Ascoli's success in Serie A, the club has also achieved 2 Cadetti (Serie B Championships) in 1977–78, and 1985–86. The 1977–78 season yielded a record championship with achieving 61 points (2 points for a victory). Ascoli have competed in Serie B 13 times, with a total of 5 promotion seasons.
Ascoli have made way to Serie B with only two winning seasons in Serie C and C1B. These were in 1971–72, and 2001–02.
Another one of Ascoli's successes is the fact for a city of 50 000, their record home attendance has reached 36 500 more than 70% than the cities population. In Serie A this was seen against Juventus and the famous season in 1982–83 where Ascoli saved themselves from relegation in the last game of the Serie A season against Cagliari, who were subsequently relegated. However with stadium restrictions the maxium attendance allowed in the Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca is 21 000 – 24 000. Nonetheless when filled it is still an amazing achievement from such a small city.
Other success were in the Mitropa Cup in 1986–87, the Capodanno Challenge, and the Red Leaf Cup. Ascoli were also finalists in the Anglo-Italia Cup, during Ascoli's last season in Serie B 1994–95, before Ascoli long await in Serie C1 before an emotional return to Serie B for the 2002–03 season.
Under the reign of the great president of Ascoli Calcio – Costantino Rozzi, Ascoli competed 14 of their amazing 16 seasons in Serie A, again another amazing achievement from a club who were once playing in the regional divisions of Marche. Not only this, but Rozzi was able to implement players who were born and raised through the ranks of Ascoli. In the mid to late 1980s saw Giuseppe Iachini
, Domenico Agostini, Giuseppe Carillo, and Lorenzo Scarafoni
, help Ascoli ensure a return to Serie A and survival the following season. Once Iachini left Agostini, Carillo and Scarafoni, were first team starters as well as Marino Fioravanti and Antonio Aloisi on the bench. Aloisi went on to compete in many season for Ascoli.
Another success is Carlo Mazzone, once at the heart of Del Duca Ascoli's defence playing 9 seasons, led Ascoli for another 10 or so seasons as manager. Mazzone guided Ascoli from Serie C to Serie A, including Ascoli's 6th placed finish in 1981–82.
is a city in the province of Ascoli Piceno
, and only 20 minutes from the city of Ascoli Piceno; the derby is fueled by intense local pride and rivalry on both sides, and remains passionate despite the length of time since it was last played.
The Ancona
derby is the second largest; Ancona and Ascoli are the two most successful clubs of Marche. This rivalry stems partly from the fact that Ancona is the capital of Marche, but Ascoli (Asculum) was the capital of ancient Picenun. The battles between the Ascolani and Anconetani have been intense, and there is very much a fight to be La Regina Delle Marche (the queen of Marche).
Fermana is the final significant derby for Ascoli; both teams are located near each other in the Province of Ascoli Piceno, alongside San Benedetto Del Tronto. Despite the fact that Fermana have historically been weaker than Ascoli, this still is a derby for the Ascolani and Fermani, with both supporters not wanting to lose this game.
Other Rivalries include Teramo
(a 30 minute drive in Abruzzo
), Livorno
, Pescara
, Ternana, Perugia
, Inter Milan
, Catania
, Fiorentina, Hellas Verona, Roma, and Rimini
.
.
Football in Italy
Football is the most popular sport in Italy. The Italian national football team has won the FIFA World Cup 4 times , trailing only Brazil . Italy's club sides have won 27 major European trophies, making them the most successful European nation in the subject of football...
club based in Ascoli Piceno
Ascoli Piceno
Ascoli Piceno is a town and comune in the Marche region of Italy, capital of the province of the same name. Its population is c. 51,400.-Geography:...
, Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
. The club was formed in 1898 and currently plays in Italian Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
, having returned to it after two seasons spent in Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
. Ascoli played in Serie A between periods of 1974–1976, 1978–1985, 1986–1990, 1991–1992, and 2005–2007.
The team's colours are black and white.
History
Founded in 1898 as "Candido Augusto Vecchi", the team changed his denomination to Ascoli Vigor in 1905, U.S. Ascolana in 1921, and A.S. Ascoli in 1945. In 1955, the team was acquired and saved from bankruptcy by publishing magnate, Cino Del DucaCino Del Duca
Cino Del Duca was an Italian-born businessman film producer and philanthropist who moved to France in 1923 where he made a fortune in the French publishing business.-Biography:...
, who merged it with his own team to make the "Del Duca Ascoli". The stadium still bears his and his brother's name. In 1959 the team finally returned in Serie C for the first time since before the beginning of World War II. In 1971, under the chairmanship of Costantino Rozzi, who had acquired the team three years before, the team changed his denomination to the current one, finally being known as "Ascoli Calcio 1898". From that same year, the team, led by Carlo Mazzone
Carlo Mazzone
Carlo "Carletto" Mazzone is an Italian football manager.A former centre back who played several seasons for his beloved team, AS Roma, other than Spal and Ascoli, where he played for nine season, Mazzone left the playing career in season 1968-1969, to become the manager of Ascoli itself, in Serie...
as coach, gained two consecutive promotions, being promoted in Serie B, and then Serie A, for its first time. The team stayed in Serie A for two seasons before being once again relegated to Serie B.
Ascoli returned to Serie A in 1978 and enjoyed a seven-year tenure in the top league, during which time they managed to finish a surprising 5th in 1980 and 6th in 1982. Some of the most notable players under the management of Mazzone and Giovan Battista Fabbri included Adelio Moro
Adelio Moro
Adelio Moro is an Italian professional football coach and a former player who played as a central midfielder....
, Alessandro Scanziani
Alessandro Scanziani
Alessandro Scanziani is an Italian professional football coach and a former player.He began his career at Meda before spending a season at Livorno. Three seasons at Como followed, in which he won promotion to Serie A. Although he impressed as a skilful midfielder with an eye for goal, this could...
, Gianfranco Bellotto, Walter Novellino and Andrea Mandorlini
Andrea Mandorlini
Andrea Mandorlini is an Italian football manager and former defender, currently in charge as head coach of Verona.-Playing career:...
, as well as Walter De Vecchi
Walter De Vecchi
Walter De Vecchi is an Italian professional football coach and a former player who played as a defender or midfielder. He is currently managing one of the youth teams of A.C. Milan....
and Giuseppe Greco
Giuseppe Greco (footballer born 1958)
Giuseppe Greco is an Italian footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He played for Torino and Lazio but is best known for his career with Ascoli....
. After relegation in 1985, the club immediately bounced back and stayed for four more years. Another return to Serie A followed in 1991 but this lasted only one season. After just missing out on promotion for two year's running, the club went into decline and were relegated to Serie C1 in 1995. They would remain there for seven seasons, returning to B as Serie C1/B champions in 2002.
In August 2005, after the sentence of relegation from Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
for both Genoa and Torino respectively due to fraud and financial troubles, Ascoli, who obtained a place in the Serie B promotion playoffs the previous season under coach Marco Giampaolo
Marco Giampaolo
Marco Giampaolo is an Italian association football manager.-Playing career:Born in Bellinzona, Switzerland, but originary from Giulianova, Giampaolo is a former midfielder who played for several Serie C teams, including Giulianova Calcio, Gubbio, Licata and Siracusa, before to make his Serie B...
, have been arbitrarily admitted to Serie A as replacements, finishing a highly credible 12th. After the end of the season, Giampaolo, who gained a reputation as one of the finest young Italian coaches, resigned, for being replaced by Attilio Tesser
Attilio Tesser
Attilio Tesser is an Italian football manager, currently in charge of Novara.-Playing career:Tesser, a defender, started his playing career with Treviso. He moved to Napoli in 1978, where he played two seasons. He then played for Udinese from 1980 to 1985, and then for some lower league teams,...
for the 2006/2007 season. Tesser, unable to obtain good results in his time with Ascoli, was fired after a 1–0 loss at home to Empoli F.C.
Empoli F.C.
Empoli Football Club is an Italian association football club located in Empoli, Tuscany, founded in 1920 and played its first official match in 1921.In recent years, the club has all too often been bouncing between Italy's two top divisions...
in the 11th matchday, and replaced by veteran coach Nedo Sonetti
Nedo Sonetti
Nedo Sonetti is an Italian veteran football manager.-Career:Sonetti was born in Piombino, southern Tuscany and lives now in Gorle.He played in Serie B and Serie C for Spezia Calcio 1906 and Reggina....
.
Ascoli were the first team to be officially relegated to Serie B for the 2007–08 season after a 1–0 loss to Torino F.C.
Torino F.C.
Torino Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Torino, is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont, that was founded in 1906. The club has spent most of its history in the top tier in Italian football....
on 7 May 2007. They ended the season in nineteenth place, one point above last-placed Messina
F.C. Messina Peloro
Associazione Calcio Rinascita Messina is an Italian football club based in Messina, Sicily. It currently plays in Serie D.- Brief history :The origins of the team go back to 1900 when Messina F.C was founded in the city. The club has spent most of its history in the lower Italian football leagues...
.
German striker Oliver Bierhoff
Oliver Bierhoff
Oliver Bierhoff is a retired German former football striker, who scored the first golden goal in the history of major international football, for Germany in the Euro 96 final...
began his experience in Italian football with Ascoli.
Success
Even though from a small city of 50 000 people, Ascoli have been able to punch above their weight. Ascoli have competed 16 seasons in Serie A since 1974, with an incredible 5th and 6th spot finish respectively in the seasons of 1979–80Serie A 1979-80
The 1979/1980 Serie A season was the 50th edition of Serie A, the top-level football competition in Italy. The championship was won by F.C. Internazionale Milano.-Final classification:-References:...
and 1981–82
Serie A 1981-82
The 1981/1982 Serie A season was won by Juventus F.C..-Final classification:Juventus FC became the first, and as of 2011, the only team in Italian football to be awarded two golden stars, to commemorate their 20th title win.-Results:...
.
To complement Ascoli's success in Serie A, the club has also achieved 2 Cadetti (Serie B Championships) in 1977–78, and 1985–86. The 1977–78 season yielded a record championship with achieving 61 points (2 points for a victory). Ascoli have competed in Serie B 13 times, with a total of 5 promotion seasons.
Ascoli have made way to Serie B with only two winning seasons in Serie C and C1B. These were in 1971–72, and 2001–02.
Another one of Ascoli's successes is the fact for a city of 50 000, their record home attendance has reached 36 500 more than 70% than the cities population. In Serie A this was seen against Juventus and the famous season in 1982–83 where Ascoli saved themselves from relegation in the last game of the Serie A season against Cagliari, who were subsequently relegated. However with stadium restrictions the maxium attendance allowed in the Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca is 21 000 – 24 000. Nonetheless when filled it is still an amazing achievement from such a small city.
Other success were in the Mitropa Cup in 1986–87, the Capodanno Challenge, and the Red Leaf Cup. Ascoli were also finalists in the Anglo-Italia Cup, during Ascoli's last season in Serie B 1994–95, before Ascoli long await in Serie C1 before an emotional return to Serie B for the 2002–03 season.
Under the reign of the great president of Ascoli Calcio – Costantino Rozzi, Ascoli competed 14 of their amazing 16 seasons in Serie A, again another amazing achievement from a club who were once playing in the regional divisions of Marche. Not only this, but Rozzi was able to implement players who were born and raised through the ranks of Ascoli. In the mid to late 1980s saw Giuseppe Iachini
Giuseppe Iachini
Giuseppe Iachini is an Italian football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of U.C. Sampdoria.-Playing career:...
, Domenico Agostini, Giuseppe Carillo, and Lorenzo Scarafoni
Lorenzo Scarafoni
Lorenzo Scarafoni is an Italian ex-footballer. Following his retirement in 1999, he has worked as a coach.-Club:Scarafoni, who could play as either a forward or a winger, began his playing career in the 1981-82 season with his hometown club, Ascoli...
, help Ascoli ensure a return to Serie A and survival the following season. Once Iachini left Agostini, Carillo and Scarafoni, were first team starters as well as Marino Fioravanti and Antonio Aloisi on the bench. Aloisi went on to compete in many season for Ascoli.
Another success is Carlo Mazzone, once at the heart of Del Duca Ascoli's defence playing 9 seasons, led Ascoli for another 10 or so seasons as manager. Mazzone guided Ascoli from Serie C to Serie A, including Ascoli's 6th placed finish in 1981–82.
Rivalries
The biggest derby in Marche is between Ascoli and Sambenedettese (Samb, Samba), although the derby with Ancona is better known. The last time the "derby" was played between Ascoli and Sambenedettese in a league season was in 1986. San Benedetto Del TrontoSan Benedetto del Tronto
San Benedetto del Tronto is a city and comune in Marche, Italy, in the province of Ascoli Piceno. It lies on the Adriatic Sea. San Benedetto del Tronto is an important little town on the Marche coast, an active fishing port and one of the main seaside resorts on the central Adriatic coast.Located...
is a city in the province of Ascoli Piceno
Province of Ascoli Piceno
The Province of Ascoli Piceno is a province in the Marche region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Ascoli Piceno.It has an area of 1,228 km², and a total population of 212,846 . There are 33 comuni in the province, see Comunes of the Province of Ascoli Piceno.-External links:**...
, and only 20 minutes from the city of Ascoli Piceno; the derby is fueled by intense local pride and rivalry on both sides, and remains passionate despite the length of time since it was last played.
The Ancona
A.C. Ancona
Associazione Calcio Ancona was a professional Italian football club, based in Ancona, Marche. It was founded in 1905 as Unione Sportiva Anconitana, changing its name to Ancona Calcio 1905 in 1981 and being refounded in 2004 with its last denomination....
derby is the second largest; Ancona and Ascoli are the two most successful clubs of Marche. This rivalry stems partly from the fact that Ancona is the capital of Marche, but Ascoli (Asculum) was the capital of ancient Picenun. The battles between the Ascolani and Anconetani have been intense, and there is very much a fight to be La Regina Delle Marche (the queen of Marche).
Fermana is the final significant derby for Ascoli; both teams are located near each other in the Province of Ascoli Piceno, alongside San Benedetto Del Tronto. Despite the fact that Fermana have historically been weaker than Ascoli, this still is a derby for the Ascolani and Fermani, with both supporters not wanting to lose this game.
Other Rivalries include Teramo
Teramo Calcio
Società Sportiva Dilettantistica Teramo Calcio is an Italian association football club, based in Teramo, Abruzzo. It is currently in the season 2011–12 playing in Serie D, the fourth division of Italian football...
(a 30 minute drive in Abruzzo
Abruzzo
Abruzzo is a region in Italy, its western border lying less than due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east...
), Livorno
A.S. Livorno Calcio
Associazione Sportiva Livorno Calcio is an Italian football club based in Livorno, Tuscany. The club was formed in 1915 and currently plays in Italian Serie B. The team's colors are dark red or maroon...
, Pescara
Pescara Calcio
Delfino Pescara 1936 is an Italian football club based in Pescara, Abruzzo.The club was formed in 1936 and currently plays in Italian Serie B. Pescara has competed in 5 seasons in Serie A...
, Ternana, Perugia
Perugia Calcio
Associazione Calcistica Perugia Calcio is an Italian association football club based in Perugia, Umbria, direct heir of the old Perugia Calcio and A.C. Perugia, excluded from Italian football because of financial troubles....
, Inter Milan
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
, Catania
Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania is an Italian football club founded in 1908 and based in Catania, Sicily. The club has spent much of its history in Serie B, gaining promotion to Italy's top league Serie A five times...
, Fiorentina, Hellas Verona, Roma, and Rimini
Rimini
Rimini is a medium-sized city of 142,579 inhabitants in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and capital city of the Province of Rimini. It is located on the Adriatic Sea, on the coast between the rivers Marecchia and Ausa...
.
Stadium
Ascoli play their home matches at the 20,550 capacity, Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca, located on the outskirts of Ascoli PicenoAscoli Piceno
Ascoli Piceno is a town and comune in the Marche region of Italy, capital of the province of the same name. Its population is c. 51,400.-Geography:...
.
Current squad
Out on loan
Achievements
- Serie BSerie BSerie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
:- Winners (2): 1977–78, 1985–86
- Supercoppa di Lega di Prima Divisione:
- Winners (1): 2001–02
- Serie C:
- Winners (1): 1971–72
Records
- Highest finish: 5th in Serie ASerie ASerie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
, 1979–80 - League victory: 4–1 v Avellino, 1983–84
- League defeat: 7–0 v JuventusJuventus F.C.Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
, 1983–84