Dijon FCO

 

Dijon FCO – Club Overview

Full name: Dijon Football Côte d'Or
Founded: 1998
Stadium: Stade Gaston Gérard, capacity of around 15,000
Location: Dijon, Burgundy, France
Club Colors: Red and White
Nickname: Les Rouges (The Reds)

---

History:

Dijon FCO was established in 1998 through the merger of two local clubs: Cercle Sportif Laïque Dijonnais and Dijon FC. From the late 1990s, the club steadily climbed the French football divisions.

In 2011, Dijon reached Ligue 1 (France’s top division) for the first time in its history. Although they were relegated the same season, the club returned in 2016 and remained in Ligue 1 for five consecutive seasons, until relegation in 2021.

---

Trophies & Achievements:

While Dijon FCO has not won any major national or international trophies, they have achieved the following honors in lower divisions:

• 🏆 Ligue 2 – Runners-up (Promotion): 2010–11, 2015–16

• 🏆 Championnat National (Third Division) – Winners: 2003–04

---

Notable Players & Coaches:

Key Players:

• Cédric Varrault – Iconic former captain

• Julio Tavares – Club's all-time top scorer

• Frédéric Sammaritano – Creative midfielder, key in the club's promotion

• Naïm Sliti – Star playmaker during Dijon’s Ligue 1 campaigns

Important Coaches:

• Olivier Dall'Oglio – Led the team to promotion and kept them in Ligue 1 for several seasons

• David Linarès – Former player and coach, who tried to prevent relegation during difficult times

---

Best Performances:

Domestic:

• The club's golden era was its five-season stay in Ligue 1 (2016–2021).

• Reached the Coupe de France quarterfinals in 2004 and 2020.

International:

• Dijon FCO has never competed in European tournaments.

---

Current Status (as of 2024):

Dijon is currently playing in Championnat National (France's third tier) after back-to-back relegations. The club is in a period of rebuilding, aiming to return to Ligue 2. Despite the drop in divisions, the fanbase remains loyal and supportive, and the club is working toward long-term stability.

---

Stadium – Stade Gaston Gérard:

• Location: Dijon

• Capacity: Approx. 15,000

• Renovations: Recently upgraded to meet Ligue 1 standards

• Atmosphere: Intimate and passionate, supported by a devoted local following

pic: transfermarkt

Exeter City

 

Exeter City was founded in 1904 and joined the Football League in 1920 as a founding member of the Third Division. Though the club has mostly played in the lower tiers of English football (League One and Two), it has a long and proud history of being a community-focused club.

One unique piece of history: Exeter City were the first team to play against the Brazil national team during a 1914 tour of South America — a notable fact celebrated by both clubs.

---

Trophies and Honours:

While Exeter City has not won major national trophies, it has achieved various lower-league honors, including:

• Football League Third Division South Cup: Winners (1933–34)

• Conference Premier Playoff Winners: 2008

• Multiple promotions between League Two and League One

---

Notable Players and Managers:

• Cliff Bastin – Perhaps the most famous player to come through the Exeter ranks, later becoming a legend at Arsenal and playing for England.

• Tony Kellow – Club legend and top scorer in the 1970s and 1980s.

• Matt Taylor – A respected recent manager (2018–2022), led Exeter to multiple playoff runs.

Current manager (as of 2024): Gary Caldwell, a former Wigan Athletic and Scotland defender, who took over in 2022.

---

Best Domestic and International Runs:

• Best FA Cup performance: Quarter-finals in 1930–31

• Best EFL Cup run: Fourth Round (1989–90)

• European history: No major international appearances, but their 1914 tour of South America and match against Brazil remain a historic highlight.

---

Current Status (2024):

As of the 2023–24 season, Exeter City are competing in EFL League One (the third tier of English football). They have had a mixed campaign but remain stable and competitive, aiming to push for the top half of the table or a potential playoff spot in the coming seasons. The club is known for nurturing young talent, often promoting academy players to the first team and selling them to bigger clubs.

---

Stadium – St James Park:

• Location: Exeter, Devon

• Opened: 1904

• Capacity: ~8,800

• Surface: Grass

• The stadium has seen several renovations and remains a tight, atmospheric ground that’s loved by fans for its close-knit feel and community spirit.

pic: transfermarkt

Armagh City FC

 

History:
Armagh City FC was founded in 1964 under the name Milford Everton. In 1988, the club moved to the city of Armagh and was renamed to Armagh City. It has participated for many years in the intermediate and lower divisions of Northern Irish football, with occasional appearances in the top flight.

Trophies:
While it hasn’t won major national titles, it has had success in intermediate competitions, including:

• IFA Intermediate League (1): 2004–05

• NIFL Championship 2 (1): 2013–14

• Mid-Ulster Cup (1): 2000–01

• Bob Radcliffe Cup (multiple times)

Notable Players and Coaches:
Although the team hasn’t had internationally renowned players, it has developed several talented locals. Among the notable figures is Shea Campbell, who served both as a player and currently as the coach.

Best Runs Domestically and Internationally:
The club’s best domestic period was in the mid-2000s when it played in the Irish Premier League (top division of Northern Ireland). Internationally, it hasn’t had notable appearances, as it hasn't qualified for European competitions.

Current Status:
In the 2023–24 season, Armagh City secured 2nd place in the NIFL Premier Intermediate League and won promotion to the NIFL Championship after beating Dergview in a dramatic playoff. The club is in a positive phase, preparing for the 2024–25 season with momentum.

Stadium:
The team plays at Holm Park, which has a capacity of around 3,000 spectators and features an artificial pitch. It has hosted local finals and youth international matches.

pic: transfermarkt

SK Líšeň

 

SK Líšeň is a Czech football club based in the Líšeň district of Brno, Czech Republic. The club has gradually risen through the Czech football league system and currently plays in the Czech National Football League (FNL), which is the second tier of Czech football.

---

Stadium

• Name: Stadion SK Líšeň

• Capacity: Approximately 2,500

• Location: Brno, Czech Republic

• It is a small but modern stadium that fits the club’s growing ambitions.

---

History

• Founded: 1924

• Originally a small community club, SK Líšeň spent much of its history in regional and lower-tier Czech competitions.

• In 2019, the club achieved promotion to the Czech National Football League, marking a significant milestone in its modern era.

---

Trophies & Achievements

• SK Líšeň has no major national trophies to date, as it's a relatively modest club in terms of resources and history.

• The biggest achievement so far has been:

  • Promotion to the second division (FNL) in 2019

  • Strong league finishes, including a top-5 position in some recent seasons.

---

Domestic & International Performance

• Best League Finish: Consistently finishing mid-table or higher in the FNL since promotion.

• Czech Cup: Occasional participation, but no major cup runs yet.

• No international competitions so far, due to not reaching the top division.

---

Notable Players

While SK Líšeň hasn't had internationally famous players, it has been known for:

• Developing local Czech talents

• Signing experienced players from higher divisions to stabilize their squad

• Players such as Jakub Černín and Martin Zikl have been standouts in recent years.

---

Current Status

• As of the 2024/2025 season, SK Líšeň is a competitive side in the Czech National Football League.

• The club is ambitious, aiming for potential promotion to the Fortuna Liga (top tier) in the coming years.

• Known for its community spirit, youth development, and stable management.

---

Notable Coaches

• The club's coaching strategy is centered on developing talent and tactical discipline.

• Milan Valachovič was a notable coach in recent years, helping them during their rise.

---

SK Líšeň is a growing club in Czech football, built on strong local roots and consistent development. While they haven't reached the top division yet or achieved major silverware, their story is one of progress and ambition. Their small but passionate home in Brno reflects their underdog spirit and community support.

pic: transfermarkt

FK Riteriai

 

FK Riteriai is a Lithuanian football club based in Vilnius, Lithuania. The club has been a regular competitor in the A Lyga, Lithuania’s top football division, and has gained recognition for its participation in European competitions over the years.

---

History & Achievements

• Founded: 2005 (originally as FK Trakai, rebranded to FK Riteriai in 2019).

• League Performance: A consistent team in A Lyga since 2014.

• Club Identity: Known for developing young players and competing for European qualification spots.

---

Trophies & Honours

• A Lyga Runners-up 🥈 (2015, 2016, 2017) – Strong league finishes behind Lithuania’s dominant clubs.

• Lithuanian Cup Finalists 🏆 (2016, 2018) – Came close to winning domestic silverware.

---

Best Performances

Domestic Success

• Three consecutive 2nd-place finishes (2015-2017) – One of the club’s strongest periods in A Lyga.

• Regular European qualification – Finished in top positions often enough to secure UEFA tournament spots.

European Competitions

• First European Qualification (2015-16 UEFA Europa League) – Competed in European football for the first time.

• Best European Run: Reached the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League (2017-18).

• Notable Wins: Defeated St Johnstone (Scotland) in the Europa League qualifiers.

---

Notable Players & Coaches

Key Players

• Justas Lasickas – A talented Lithuanian international.

• Donatas Kazlauskas – One of the team’s most technical players.

• Bogdan Vaštšuk – A key midfielder during the club’s European campaigns.

Notable Coaches

• Oleg Vasilenko – Helped establish the club as a competitive force.

• Francisco Javier Martín – One of the more recent coaches focused on player development.

---

Current Status

• Recent Performance: Mid-table A Lyga team, no longer a consistent title challenger.

• 2024 Season Goals: Aiming for a return to the top four and potential European qualification.

• Challenges: Competing with bigger clubs like Žalgiris Vilnius and FK Kauno Žalgiris.

---

Stadium – LFF Stadium

• Name: LFF Stadium

• Capacity: 5,067 spectators

• Location: Vilnius, Lithuania

• Surface: Artificial Turf

• Shared With: Lithuanian national team and FK Žalgiris.

---

FK Riteriai is a respected Lithuanian club, known for its European performances and strong finishes in the A Lyga during the mid-2010s. While they have struggled to maintain title-contending form, they remain an important club in Lithuanian football, focusing on developing young talent and returning to European competitions. Their LFF Stadium remains a key venue in Lithuanian football.

pic: transfermarkt