U.S. Siracusa
Encyclopedia
Unione Sportiva Siracusa, commonly referred to as simply Siracusa or the abbreviation US Siracusa, is an Italian association football
club located in Syracuse
, Sicily. The club was founded in 1924 and for most of its history has played in the lower divisions of professional Italian football. They currently play in Lega Pro Prima Divisione.
The highest position Siracusa have finished a season at within the Italian football league system
is 5th in Serie B
, this was achieved during 1950–51
. As well as gaining several promotions during its history, Siracusa have won the Coppa Italia Serie C
. For many years the club used the name Associazione Sportiva Siracusa, until they fell into financial troubles in the mid-1990s.
were brought to the city by English sailors. The earliest of which were named Ortigia 1907; as the name suggests that club was founded in 1907, Esperia and Insuperabile. However, cycling
remained the most popular sport by far during this time so these clubs did not reach much prominence.
league. Successively the team switched its denomination to Associazione Sportiva Siracusa.
In 1945–46, Siracusa was admitted to Serie B
, where played for seven consecutive seasons. After a relegation to the amateur leagues, Siracusa returned to Serie C in 1970–71, after two playoffs against Fincantieri, a team from Palermo
, both ended in a tie: then, Siracusa won a tie-breaking coin toss
and was awarded promotion.
In 1978–79, Siracusa won the Italian Serie C Cup, defeating Biellese
in the final. That same year, Siracusa promoted to Serie C1, where played for two season. Siracusa played Serie C2 until 1988, when, under coach Paolo Lombardo, the Sicilian club gained promotion to Serie C1. In 1994–95, despite serious financial troubles, Siracusa almost reached promotion to Serie B under head coach Giuliano Sonzogni, losing on playoffs to Avellino
. Successively, the team was not able to go on financially, and Siracusa was consequently cancelled by the Italian Football Federation. The second local team, U.S. Marcozzi Siracusa 1956 of regional Promozione league, successively switched to the current denomination, thus taking on the legacy of the old club.
. Siracusa returned to play Serie D in 2002; since then, the Sicilian team unsuccessfully tried to reach a spot into professional football until 2009, when they dominated the Girone I of Serie D, getting finally promoted back to Lega Pro Seconda Divisione (formerly known as Serie C2) in advance of six weeks, after a 2–0 home win to Rosarno in front of 5,000 local supporters.
In their first season back into professionalism, Siracusa have re-appointed Giuliano Sonzogni as head coach; fan favourite Sonzogin had already served as head coach in what proved to be the most successful season in the club history, in 1994–95.
Leonardo Colucci
Marco Giampaolo
Pasquale Marino
Alfredo DiBella Claudio Ranieri
Giuliano Sonzogni Čestmír Vycpálek
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 located in Syracuse
Syracuse, Italy
Syracuse is a historic city in Sicily, the capital of the province of Syracuse. The city is notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the preeminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes. This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in...
, Sicily. The club was founded in 1924 and for most of its history has played in the lower divisions of professional Italian football. They currently play in Lega Pro Prima Divisione.
The highest position Siracusa have finished a season at within the Italian football league system
Italian football league system
The Italian football league system is a series of interconnected leagues and national tournaments, set up by the Italian Football Federation , for football clubs in Italy with one club hailing from San Marino.-History:...
is 5th in 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...
, this was achieved during 1950–51
Serie B 1950-51
-Final classification:-Results:...
. As well as gaining several promotions during its history, Siracusa have won the Coppa Italia Serie C
Coppa Italia Serie C
Coppa Italia Lega Pro , formerly named Coppa Italia Serie C, is a straight knock-out based competition involving teams from Lega Pro in Italian football. All games, including the final, are on a home/away basis....
. For many years the club used the name Associazione Sportiva Siracusa, until they fell into financial troubles in the mid-1990s.
History
The earliest clubs representing the city of SyracuseSyracuse, Italy
Syracuse is a historic city in Sicily, the capital of the province of Syracuse. The city is notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the preeminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes. This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in...
were brought to the city by English sailors. The earliest of which were named Ortigia 1907; as the name suggests that club was founded in 1907, Esperia and Insuperabile. However, cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
remained the most popular sport by far during this time so these clubs did not reach much prominence.
Early years
This club was founded as Gruppo Sportivo Tommaso Gargallo on 1 April 1924, by two men who were part of the military, the lieutenant of the 75° infantry Genisio Pioletti and his advanced captain Luigi Santuccio. The club were entered into the Italian Serie CSerie C
The Lega Italiana Calcio Professionistico , commonly known as Lega Pro , is the governing body that runs the third and fourth highest football divisions in Italy, the Prima Divisione and Seconda Divisione respectively. It also includes the sole professional club of San Marino...
league. Successively the team switched its denomination to Associazione Sportiva Siracusa.
In 1945–46, Siracusa was admitted to 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...
, where played for seven consecutive seasons. After a relegation to the amateur leagues, Siracusa returned to Serie C in 1970–71, after two playoffs against Fincantieri, a team from Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
, both ended in a tie: then, Siracusa won a tie-breaking coin toss
Coin flipping
Coin flipping or coin tossing or heads or tails is the practice of throwing a coin in the air to choose between two alternatives, sometimes to resolve a dispute between two parties...
and was awarded promotion.
In 1978–79, Siracusa won the Italian Serie C Cup, defeating Biellese
A.S. Biellese 1902
Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Junior Biellese Libertas is an Italian football club, based in Biella, Piedmont that currently plays in Eccellenza Piedmont and Aosta Valley.-From U.S. Biellese to A.S. Biellese:...
in the final. That same year, Siracusa promoted to Serie C1, where played for two season. Siracusa played Serie C2 until 1988, when, under coach Paolo Lombardo, the Sicilian club gained promotion to Serie C1. In 1994–95, despite serious financial troubles, Siracusa almost reached promotion to Serie B under head coach Giuliano Sonzogni, losing on playoffs to Avellino
U.S. Avellino
Associazione Sportiva Avellino 1912 , since summer 2010, is the new name of the Italian football club, based in Avellino, Campania. The club was founded in 1912 and its traditional colours are green and white...
. Successively, the team was not able to go on financially, and Siracusa was consequently cancelled by the Italian Football Federation. The second local team, U.S. Marcozzi Siracusa 1956 of regional Promozione league, successively switched to the current denomination, thus taking on the legacy of the old club.
Return
The team reached Serie D in 1999, but quickly relegated to EccellenzaEccellenza
Eccellenza is the sixth level of Italian football. It is a regional league, composed of 28 divisions divided geographically. All 20 regions are represented by at least one division except for Piedmont and Aosta Valley which share 2 divisions...
. Siracusa returned to play Serie D in 2002; since then, the Sicilian team unsuccessfully tried to reach a spot into professional football until 2009, when they dominated the Girone I of Serie D, getting finally promoted back to Lega Pro Seconda Divisione (formerly known as Serie C2) in advance of six weeks, after a 2–0 home win to Rosarno in front of 5,000 local supporters.
In their first season back into professionalism, Siracusa have re-appointed Giuliano Sonzogni as head coach; fan favourite Sonzogin had already served as head coach in what proved to be the most successful season in the club history, in 1994–95.
First Team
As of 14 October, 2011.Notable former players
David BalleriDavid Balleri
David Balleri is a former Italian footballer .On 22 October 2006, he played his 300th Serie A match, in a 0–0 tie against Siena. He played first Serie A match on 8 September 1993....
Leonardo Colucci
Leonardo Colucci
Leonardo Colucci is an Italian footballer who currently plays for Modena.-Biography:Colucci started his career at hometown club Cerignola, where he played at regional league . In 1993-94 season. he signed for Siracusa of Serie C1. He performance made Serie A team signed him in mid of 1994-95 season...
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...
Pasquale Marino
Pasquale Marino
Pasquale Marino is an Italian football coach.-Playing career:In his playing career, started for his home team, Marsala, Marino never played in divisions higher than Serie C1, and ended his career for Catania in 1996/1997....
Alfredo DiBella Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri, is an Italian football manager, currently in charge as head coach of Internazionale.He has also managed many other well-known clubs in Europe, including Cagliari, Napoli, Fiorentina, Valencia, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Parma, Juventus and Roma.-Early life:Ranieri attended St...
Notable former managers
Enzo Benedetti Carlo Facchin Paolo Lombardo Mario PerazzoloMario Perazzolo
Mario Perazzolo was an Italian footballer. He was part of the 1938 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, Italy's second World Cup title. He earned 8 caps for the Italian national team in the 1930s. During his career he played for Genoa....
Giuliano Sonzogni Čestmír Vycpálek
Cestmír Vycpálek
Čestmír Vycpálek was a former Czech football player and manager. He was an uncle of noted football manager Zdeněk Zeman.-Playing career:...
Honours
- Serie CSerie CThe Lega Italiana Calcio Professionistico , commonly known as Lega Pro , is the governing body that runs the third and fourth highest football divisions in Italy, the Prima Divisione and Seconda Divisione respectively. It also includes the sole professional club of San Marino...
: - Promoted (2): 1940–41; 1945–46
- Coppa Italia Serie CCoppa Italia Serie CCoppa Italia Lega Pro , formerly named Coppa Italia Serie C, is a straight knock-out based competition involving teams from Lega Pro in Italian football. All games, including the final, are on a home/away basis....
: - Winners (1): 1979
- Serie C2Serie C2Lega Pro Seconda Divisione is the name of the fourth highest football league in Italy, the lowest with a professional status. Usually it consists of 54 teams, but in the season 2010–11 the teams are only 49 divided geographically into three divisions of 17, 16 and 16 teams each...
: - Runners-up (2): 1978–79; 1988–89
- Serie DSerie DSerie D is the top level of the Italian non-professional football association called Lega Nazionale Dilettanti. The association represents over a million football players and thousands of football teams across Italy. Serie D ranks just below Lega Pro Seconda Divisione , and is thus considered the...
/ I DivisioneSerie DSerie D is the top level of the Italian non-professional football association called Lega Nazionale Dilettanti. The association represents over a million football players and thousands of football teams across Italy. Serie D ranks just below Lega Pro Seconda Divisione , and is thus considered the...
: - Promoted (3): 1937–38; 1970–71; 2008–09
- Eccellenza SicilyEccellenza SicilyEccellenza Sicily is the regional Eccellenza football division for clubs on the Isle of Sicily, Italy. It is competed amongst 32 teams, in two different groups . The winners of the Groups are promoted to Serie D...
: - Winners (1): 1997–98
- Promoted (1): 2001–02
- Promozione SicilyPromozionePromozione is the name of a level of football in Italy. It is considered to be the 7th level in the Italian football league system. Each individual league winner within the Promozione level progresses to their closest regional league in the Eccellenza level...
: - Promoted (1): 1995–96