Liga Bet
Encyclopedia
Liga Bet is the fourth tier of the Israeli football league system
.
in 1949–50, a year after independence. However, the financial and security crises gripping the young nation caused the 1950–51 season to be abandoned before it had started. When football resumed in 1951–52, the new top division went by the name of Liga Alef with Liga Bet as the second division. The 1952–53 season was also not played, and Liga Bet resumed in 1953–54.
The following season, Liga Leumit
came into existence as the new top division, with Liga Alef becoming the second division and Liga Bet demoted to the third division. In the summer of 1974, restructuring saw the creation of Liga Artzit
as a new second tier, and the second demotion of Liga Bet, as it became the fourth division. Further restructuring to create the Israeli Premier League in the summer of 1999 saw Liga Bet demoted again, this time to the fifth tier. At the end of the 2008–09 season, Liga Artzit was scrapped as the Premier League and Liga Leumit were expanded to 16 clubs each, resulting in Liga Bet returning to the fourth tier.
, the divisions are not spread equally and the southernmost division, South B, covers about two-thirds of the country. Although this inequality is partially offset by the fact that there are so few clubs south of Be'er Sheva (Arad, Dimona
, Yeroham, Mitzpe Ramon
and Eilat are the only sizable towns south of the city), the northern clubs tend to be clustered in the Galilee
region, making travel to away matches much less of a chore.
Each division has sixteen clubs, who play each other home and away to make a 30-game season. The club finishing top of each regional division is promoted to Liga Alef
. The bottom two from each division are relegated to Liga Gimel
, the fifth and bottom tier, though at least one club is usually reprieved as there are a maximum of seven clubs from Liga Gimel eligible for promotion (i.e. the champion of each of the seven regional divisions) and many do not meet the promotion criteria. Coming into Liga Bet are the two clubs are relegated from each of the regional Liga Alefs and the seven clubs promoted from Liga Gimel, assuming they meet the promotion criteria. The clubs are then pooled and assigned to the most geographically appropriate of the four divisions.
Liga Bet North A
Liga Bet North B
Liga Bet South A
Liga Bet South B
1 Only 15 teams competed in the season 2001–02 and second-bottom Hapoel Bnei Manda were excused from relegation as numbers were made up.
2 Hapoel Sakhnin finished bottom but were not demoted.
3 Beitar Acre finished bottom but were not demoted.
4 Season played with only 15 teams.
5 Hapoel Dir Hana finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted as both teams relegated from the northern division of Liga Alef folded.
6 Maccabi Ma'alot finished bottom but were not relegated.
1 Hapoel Bnei Nazareth finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
2 Maccabi Daliyat al-Karmel finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
3 Season played with 15 teams. Maccabi Daliyat al-Karmel finished bottom but were not demoted as both teams relegated from the northern division of Liga Alef folded.
1 Season played with 18 teams.
2 Maccabi Yehud finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
3 Maccabi Yehud finished bottom but were transferred to Liga Bet South B.
1 Hapoel Aliyah Kfar Saba finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
2 Tzairi Rahat and Maccabi Yehud finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
3 Bnei Lakhish finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
4 Hapoel Arad were also promoted due to Tzafririm Holon
's relegation.
Israeli football league system
The Israeli football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Israel. The system has a hierarchical format with promotion and relegation between leagues at different levels, and allows even the smallest club to dream of rising to the very top of the system. There are...
.
History
League football started in IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
in 1949–50, a year after independence. However, the financial and security crises gripping the young nation caused the 1950–51 season to be abandoned before it had started. When football resumed in 1951–52, the new top division went by the name of Liga Alef with Liga Bet as the second division. The 1952–53 season was also not played, and Liga Bet resumed in 1953–54.
The following season, Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place...
came into existence as the new top division, with Liga Alef becoming the second division and Liga Bet demoted to the third division. In the summer of 1974, restructuring saw the creation of Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit was the third tier of Israeli football after the Premier League and Liga Leumit, and was run by the Israel Football Association.-Structure:...
as a new second tier, and the second demotion of Liga Bet, as it became the fourth division. Further restructuring to create the Israeli Premier League in the summer of 1999 saw Liga Bet demoted again, this time to the fifth tier. At the end of the 2008–09 season, Liga Artzit was scrapped as the Premier League and Liga Leumit were expanded to 16 clubs each, resulting in Liga Bet returning to the fourth tier.
Structure
Today, Liga Bet is split into four regional divisions, North A, North B, South A and South B. Because Israel's northern half is much more densely populated than the desert southNegev
The Negev is a desert and semidesert region of southern Israel. The Arabs, including the native Bedouin population of the region, refer to the desert as al-Naqab. The origin of the word Neghebh is from the Hebrew root denoting 'dry'...
, the divisions are not spread equally and the southernmost division, South B, covers about two-thirds of the country. Although this inequality is partially offset by the fact that there are so few clubs south of Be'er Sheva (Arad, Dimona
Dimona
Dimona is an Israeli city in the Negev desert, to the south of Beersheba and west of the Dead Sea above the Arava valley in the Southern District of Israel. Its population at the end of 2007 was 33,600.-History:...
, Yeroham, Mitzpe Ramon
Mitzpe Ramon
Mitzpe Ramon is a town in the Negev desert of southern Israel. It is situated on the northern ridge at an elevation of 860 meters overlooking a sizable erosion cirque known as the Ramon Crater.-History:...
and Eilat are the only sizable towns south of the city), the northern clubs tend to be clustered in the Galilee
Galilee
Galilee , is a large region in northern Israel which overlaps with much of the administrative North District of the country. Traditionally divided into Upper Galilee , Lower Galilee , and Western Galilee , extending from Dan to the north, at the base of Mount Hermon, along Mount Lebanon to the...
region, making travel to away matches much less of a chore.
Each division has sixteen clubs, who play each other home and away to make a 30-game season. The club finishing top of each regional division is promoted to Liga Alef
Liga Alef
-History:League football began in Israel in 1949–50, a year after independence. However, the financial and security crises gripping the young nation caused the 1950–51 season to be abandoned before it had started. When football resumed in 1951–52, the new top division went by the name of Liga Alef...
. The bottom two from each division are relegated to Liga Gimel
Liga Gimel
Liga Gimel is the fifth and bottom tier of Israeli football league system, a position it has held since 2009.-History:Between 1999 and 2009 it was the sixth tier after Liga Bet, Between 1974 and 1999 it was the fifth tier after the creation of Liga Artzit, and between 1949 and 1974 it was the...
, the fifth and bottom tier, though at least one club is usually reprieved as there are a maximum of seven clubs from Liga Gimel eligible for promotion (i.e. the champion of each of the seven regional divisions) and many do not meet the promotion criteria. Coming into Liga Bet are the two clubs are relegated from each of the regional Liga Alefs and the seven clubs promoted from Liga Gimel, assuming they meet the promotion criteria. The clubs are then pooled and assigned to the most geographically appropriate of the four divisions.
Current members
The following teams participating at the 2010–11 season:Liga Bet North A
- Beitar Haifa Ya'akovBeitar Haifa F.C.Beitar Haifa F.C. is an Israeli football club based in Haifa. The club currently plays in the North A division of Liga Bet.-History:The club was promoted to Liga Artzit in 1983. In 1985-86 they finished bottom of the league, winning only two league matches all season, and were relegated back to...
- Beitar Nahariya
- F.C. Ahva Kafr Manda
- F.C. Tzeirey Bir al-Maksur
- Hapoel Ahva Haifa
- Hapoel Bnei JadeidiHapoel Bnei Jadeidi F.C.Hapoel Bnei Jadeidi Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Jadeidi. They are currently in Liga Gimel and play at the Municipal Stadium in Nahariya, which is shared with Hapoel Nahariya, Beitar Nahariya.-History:...
- Hapoel Kafr Sumei
- Hapoel Kaukab
- Hapoel Nahariya
- Hapoel Sakhnin
- Hapoel Shefa-'Amr
- Ihud Bnei Majd al-Krum
- Maccabi Ironi Acre
- Maccabi Ironi Kabul
- Maccabi Kafr Sumei Jamil
- Maccabi Sektzia Ma'alot-Tarshiha
Liga Bet North B
- F.C. Giv'at Olga
- F.C. Kfar Kama
- Hapoel Beit She'an Mesilot
- Hapoel Bnei Jisr az-Zarqa
- Hapoel Iksal
- Hapoel Isfiya
- Hapoel Migdal HaEmek
- Hapoel Umm al-Ghanem Nein
- Ihud Bnei Baqa
- Ironi Nesher
- Maccabi Ahi Iksal
- Maccabi Daliyat al-Karmel
- Maccabi Ironi Ar'ara
- Maccabi Ironi Barta'a
- Maccabi Ironi Tirat HaCarmelMaccabi Ironi Tirat HaCarmel F.C.Maccabi Ironi Tirat HaCarmel Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Tirat Carmel. They are currently in Liga Alef, the third tier.-History:...
- Maccabi Or Akiva
Liga Bet South A
- Beitar Kfar Saba Shlomi
- Beitar Petah Tikva
- Beitar Ramat Gan
- F.C. Bnei Jaffa
- F.C. Ironi Or Yehuda
- F.C. Kafr Qasim
- Hapoel Azor
- Hapoel Bik'at HaYarden
- Hapoel F.C. Ortodoxim Jaffa
- Hapoel Ironi Oranit
- Hapoel Kiryat Ono
- Hapoel Mahane YehudaHapoel Mahane Yehuda F.C.Hapoel Mahane Yehuda is an Israeli football club based in the Mahane Yehuda neighbourhood of Petah Tikva. The club currently plays in Liga Bet, the fifth level of Israeli football, though in the past they have played in the top division.-History:...
- Hapoel Pardesiya Noam
- Maccabi Bnei Jaljulia
- Maccabi HaSharon Netanya
- Shikhun Vatikim Ramat Gan
Liga Bet South B
- Beitar Giv'at Ze'ev
- Beitar Ironi Ma'ale Adumim
- Bnei Yichalel Rehovot
- F.C. Be'er Sheva
- F.C. Dimona
- F.C. Kiryat GatFC Kiryat GatF.C. Hapoel Kiryat Gat is an Israeli football team based in the southern city of Kiryat Gat. To date, the club's best achievement has been promotion to the 4th Israeli League. the club is part of Hapoel Association, Since summer 2010.- History :...
- F.C. Shikhun HaMizrah
- Hapoel F.C. Ortodoxim Lod
- Hapoel Katamon JerusalemHapoel Katamon F.C.Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem F.C. is an Israeli fan-owned association football club in Jerusalem, Israel. It was conceived and founded in 2007 by Hapoel Jerusalem fans unhappy with the team’s management. The club currently plays in Liga Alef and is based at Teddy Stadium...
- Hapoel Merhavim
- Hapoel Mevaseret Zion
- Hapoel Rahat
- Ironi Ramla
- Maccabi Ironi Sderot
- Maccabi Sha'arayimMaccabi Sha'arayim F.C.Maccabi Sha'arayim is an Israeli football club based in Rehovot. They currently play in the South B division of Liga Bet, but spent seven seasons in the top division from 1963-1969 and in the 1985-86 season.-History:...
- Moadon Tzeirey Rahat
North A
| Season | Winner | Relegated |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth tier | ||
| 1998–99 | Hapoel Hurfeish | Hapoel Karmiel, Beitar Tiberias, Hapoel Bu'eine |
| Fifth tier | ||
| 1999–2000 | Tzairi Nahf | Hapoel Tel Hanan, Maccabi Givat HaRakafot |
| 2000–01 | Maccabi Ironi Shlomi | Beitar Safed, Ironi I'billin |
| 2001–02 | Hapoel Tuva | Ramot Menashe 1 |
| 2002–03 | Hapoel Makar | Hapoel Caesaria 2 |
| 2003–04 | Hapoel Bnei Jadeidi Hapoel Bnei Jadeidi F.C. Hapoel Bnei Jadeidi Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Jadeidi. They are currently in Liga Gimel and play at the Municipal Stadium in Nahariya, which is shared with Hapoel Nahariya, Beitar Nahariya.-History:... |
Maccabi Bir Makhsur 3 |
| 2004–05 | Maccabi Ma'alot | Beitar Acre 4 |
| 2005–06 | Beitar Safed | Ironi I'billin 5 |
| 2006–07 | Beitar Mashhad | Hapoel Reineh 6 |
| 2007–08 | Ahva Arraba | Maccabi Kafr Yasif, Hapoel Yanuh |
| 2008–09 | Maccabi Ironi Jatt | Bnei Abu Sanan, Beitar Kafr Kanna |
| Fourth tier | ||
| 2009–10 | Ahi Acre | Maccabi Kafr Sumei Jamil, Hapoel Halat El Sharif Tamra |
1 Only 15 teams competed in the season 2001–02 and second-bottom Hapoel Bnei Manda were excused from relegation as numbers were made up.
2 Hapoel Sakhnin finished bottom but were not demoted.
3 Beitar Acre finished bottom but were not demoted.
4 Season played with only 15 teams.
5 Hapoel Dir Hana finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted as both teams relegated from the northern division of Liga Alef folded.
6 Maccabi Ma'alot finished bottom but were not relegated.
North B
| Season | Winner | Relegated |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth tier | ||
| 1998–99 | Maccabi Hadera | Hapoel Ilut, Maccabi Umm al-Fahm |
| Fifth tier | ||
| 1999–2000 | Maccabi Ironi Tirat HaCarmel Maccabi Ironi Tirat HaCarmel F.C. Maccabi Ironi Tirat HaCarmel Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Tirat Carmel. They are currently in Liga Alef, the third tier.-History:... |
Ironi Zikhron Ya'akov, Hapoel Barta'a, Maccabi Beit She'an |
| 2000–01 | Hapoel Asi Gilboa Hapoel Asi Gilboa F.C. Hapoel Asi Gilboa is an Israeli football club based in Prazon on Mount Gilboa. The club currently plays in the northern division of Liga Alef. Their main rivals are Hapoel Afula.... |
Beitar Iksal, Ironi Umm al-Fahm |
| 2001–02 | Maccabi Tzur Shalom | Maccabi Baqa al-Gharbiyye, Hapoel Fureidis |
| 2002–03 | Hapoel Reineh | Hapoel Nakhalial 1 |
| 2003–04 | Hapoel Afula | Hapoel Bnei Nazareth 2 |
| 2004–05 | Hapoel Bnei Tamra Hapoel Bnei Tamra F.C. Hapoel Bnei Tamra Football Club was an Israeli football club based in Tamra.-History:During the 1980s the club played in Liga Alef , but were relegated to Liga Bet in 1988. The following season they dropped into Liga Gimel. In 1995 they were promoted back to Liga Bet, but were relegated again in... |
Hapoel Kfar Masar 2 |
| 2005–06 | Ahva Haifa | None 3 |
| 2006–07 | Ironi Umm Al-Fahm | Maccabi Daliyat al-Karmel, Hapoel Tel Hanan |
| 2007–08 | Maccabi Kafr Qara | Hapoel Yokneam, Maccabi Or Akiva |
| 2008–09 | Maccabi Umm Al-Fahm | Maccabi Kafr Sumei Jamil, Maccabi Sha'ab |
| Fourth tier | ||
| 2009–10 | Hapoel Daliyat al-Karmel | Beitar Ihud Mashhad, Hapoel Bnei Musmus Ma'ale Iron |
1 Hapoel Bnei Nazareth finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
2 Maccabi Daliyat al-Karmel finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
3 Season played with 15 teams. Maccabi Daliyat al-Karmel finished bottom but were not demoted as both teams relegated from the northern division of Liga Alef folded.
South A
| Season | Winner | Relegated |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth tier | ||
| 1998–99 | Hapoel Kiryat Ono | Maccabi Qalansawe, Hapoel Tel Mond, Maccabi Aharon Holon |
| Fifth tier | ||
| 1999–2000 | Hapoel Herzliya Hapoel Herzliya F.C. Hapoel Herzliya is an Israeli football club based in Herzliya. The club is currently in Liga Leumit and play their home matches at the Herzliya Municipal Stadium.-History:... |
Hapoel Ar'ara |
| 2001–02 | Maccabi HaShikma Ramat Hen Maccabi HaShikma Ramat Hen F.C. Maccabi HaShikma Ramat Hen Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Ramat Gan. They are currently in Liga Alef.-Notable active & former players:*David Lavi*Vicky Peretz*Liron Vilner*Israel Zviti... |
Beitar Ariel, Beitar Nes Tubruk 1 |
| 2002–03 | Maccabi Kafr Qasim | Bnei Tayibe 2 |
| 2003–04 | Hapoel Qalansawe | Maccabi Montefiore 3 |
| 2004–05 | Ironi Bat Yam Maccabi Ironi Bat Yam F.C. Maccabi Ironi Bat Yam is an Israeli football club based in Bat Yam. The club is currently in Liga Leumit and plays at the 3,100-capacity Bat Yam Municipal Stadium.-History:... |
Maccabi Bnei Tira, Beitar Kiryat Ono |
| 2005–06 | Maccabi Amishav Petah Tikva | Beitar Jaffa, AS Holon |
| 2006–07 | Maccabi Kfar Yona | Hapoel Kiryat Ono, Bnei Jaffa |
| 2007–08 | Hapoel Hadera Hapoel Hadera F.C. Ironi Sport Eran Hadera–Giv'at Olga F.C. is an Israeli football club from Hadera.The unorthodox name of the team is the result of the union of two city rivals, Hapoel Hadera and Maccabi Hadera.... |
Beitar Pardes Hana, Hapoel Qalansawe |
| 2008–09 | Shimshon Bnei Tayibe | Hapoel Ironi Hod HaSharon, Maccabi Ironi Or Yehuda |
| Fourth tier | ||
| 2009–10 | Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa | Otzma F.C. Holon, Hapoel Ramat Yisrael |
1 Season played with 18 teams.
2 Maccabi Yehud finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
3 Maccabi Yehud finished bottom but were transferred to Liga Bet South B.
South B
| Season | Winner | Relegated |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth tier | ||
| 1998–99 | IS Ramat Eliyahu | Beitar Beit Shemesh |
| Fifth tier | ||
| 1999–2000 | Hapoel Marmorek | None |
| 2000–01 | Ironi Ofakim | Hapoel Rahat1 |
| 2001–02 | Maccabi Be'er Sheva Maccabi Be'er Sheva F.C. Maccabi Be'er Sheva Football Club , is an Israeli football team based in Beersheba. While not nearly as popular as their city rivals, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, the club made great strides in recent years including gaining promotion from Liga Bet to the Liga Leumit in just four seasons... |
Maccabi Noah Alon Lod, Hapoel Aliyah Kfar Saba |
| 2002–03 | Beitar Giv'at Ze'ev | Hapoel Rahat, Hapoel Sde Ozia |
| 2003–04 | Hapoel Bnei Lod | Maccabi Kiryat Ekron, Hapoel Oranit |
| 2004–05 | Hapoel Arad | None 2 |
| 2005–06 | Maxim Lod | Maccabi Yehud 3 |
| 2006–07 | Ironi Netivot | Maccabi Kiryat Ekron, Bnei Lakhish |
| 2007–08 | Hapoel Mashsush Shaqib al-Salam 4 | Hapoel Tel Sheva, Hapoel Oranit |
| 2008–09 | Tzafririm Holon Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C. Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C. is an Israeli football club based in the city of Holon. The club was founded in 1985 by a merger of Hapoel Holon and Tzafririm Holon.-Hapoel Holon:... |
Hapoel F.C. Hevel Modi'in, Hapoel Jaljulia |
| Fourth tier | ||
| 2009–10 | Bnei Eilat | Hapoel Rahat, Hapoel Tirat Shalom |
1 Hapoel Aliyah Kfar Saba finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
2 Tzairi Rahat and Maccabi Yehud finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
3 Bnei Lakhish finished in the relegation zone but were not demoted.
4 Hapoel Arad were also promoted due to Tzafririm Holon
Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C.
Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C. is an Israeli football club based in the city of Holon. The club was founded in 1985 by a merger of Hapoel Holon and Tzafririm Holon.-Hapoel Holon:...
's relegation.