Manisaspor

Manisaspor was founded in 1931 as Sakaryaspor, although the club was not located in Sakarya. The original club colours were black and white. Sakaryaspor won the Manisa Amateur League 15 times, and finished 3rd in the Turkish Amateur League in 1954.[2]

The club ceased operations during World War II but continued competing in 1946. In 1964, Manisaspor were allowed to compete professionally in the 1.Lig as Manisa Sakaryaspor.[3] In their first season, the club finished with 16 points, earning them relegation. However, on 15 June 1965 at 21:00, Sakaryaspor officially became Manisaspor, and the club was allowed to compete in the 1. Lig again.[2]

Manisaspor spent the first forty years of their existence in the lower leagues of the Turkish football league system. In 2001, they received a financial boost from Zorlu Holding, who injected the club with money. In turn, Manisaspor were re-branded as Vestel Manisaspor. Their first promotion to the Süper Lig came in 2005 under the guidance of manager Levent Eriş.[2]

Ersun Yanal was named new manager for the 2005–06 season. At the end of the winter break in the 2006–07 season, Manisaspor were flying high in fourth position. However, they could not keep up the results, finishing in 12th place, four points away from relegation.[2][4]

Manisaspor finally relegated from First League after finishing it as 16th in 2014–15 season and returned to third level after 13 years.

Manisa SK's classic home kit

Manisaspor originally wore black and white kits.[2] The club changed their badge, removing the Vestel moniker and replacing it with the club's foundation year (1965).

• Super League: 2005–2008, 2009–2012
• First League: 1964–1978, 1980–1983, 1991–1993, 1994–1995, 2002–2005, 2008–2009, 2012–2015, 2016–2018
• Second League: 1978–1980, 1984–1991, 1993–1994, 1995–2002, 2015–2016, 2018-
• Amateur Level: 1931–1964, 1983–1984

The club has a loyal following in the city. Their ultras are known as ‘Tarzanlar’, named after a local hero known as ‘Manisa Tarzanı’ (Tarzan of Manisa). He was a veteran of WW1 decorated with military honors who gave up his privileges, giving all his money to the poor, to commit his life to the reforestation of Manisa after most of the city's trees and green areas were burned down during the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922).[5]

As of 4 February 2018

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  TUR Mehmet Bakırbaş (on loan from Göztepe) 17 MF  TUR Akın Açık 19 DF  TUR Abdulkadir Korkut 21 DF  TUR Berk Cambaz 23 MF  GER Timur Karagülmez

No. Pos. Nation Player 29 DF  TUR Ümit Arslan 45 FW  TUR Alper Önal 27 FW  NGA Atto Abbas 70 MF  TUR Kemal Temel 77 MF  TUR Kağan Miray Bağış 80 MF  TUR Ömer Atiş 99 FW  CGO Constantin Bakaki

• Reha Kapsal (2001)
• Mustafa Denizli (2003–04)
• Ersun Yanal (Oct 2005 – May 7)
• Giray Bulak (March 2007 – Jan 08)
• Yilmaz Vural (Jan 2008 – March 8)
• Levent Eriş (March 2008 – June 9)
• Mesut Bakkal (2009–10)
• Reha Kapsal (2010)
• Hakan Kutlu (July 2010 – Sept 10)
• Hikmet Karaman (Sept 2010 – June 11)
• Kemal Özdeş (Aug 2011 – Jan 12)
• Ümit Özat (2012)
• Taner Taşkın(?-)

• Official website
• Manisaspor on TFF.org
• Manisaspor and Turkish football club info and news in English (in English)

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