HapoelEilat(Hebrew:הפועל אילת) was an Israeli football club based inEilat,Israel'ssouthernmostcity. The club played four seasons inLiga Alef,then the second tier ofIsraeli football league system.
| Full name | HapoelEilat Football Club הפועל אילת |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1951 |
| Dissolved | 1999 |
History
editThe club was founded in 1951. During the 1950s, the club played mostly infriendliesagainst military teams,[1][2]and in regional independent league, comprising clubs from Eilat and nearby.[3][4]In 1958, Hapoel Eilat were admitted to theIsrael Football Associationand joinedLiga Gimel.[5]
At the end of the1959–60 season,Eilat were promoted toLiga Bet,the third tier of Israeli football at the time, after they finished at the top four of the Promotion play-offs forLiga Gimelclubs.[6]In the1968–69 season,the club won Liga Bet South B division, and were promoted toLiga Aleffor the first time in their history. In1969–70,the club's first season at the second tier, they reached their best placing ever, which was seventh. The club played in Liga Alef South division until the1972–73,in which they finished second bottom, and relegated back to Liga Bet, after four seasons playing in the second tier. In the1977–78 season,they finished second bottom in Liga Bet South B division, and dropped to Liga Gimel, which at the time became the fifth tier ofIsraeli football,since the creation ofLiga Artzitin 1976. In1984–85,the club returned to Liga Bet, where they played until they were suspended from the league, prior to the1999–2000 season,[7]and eventually folded.
A successor club,A.S. Eilat,was founded and reached Liga Bet. However A.S. Eilat folded as well, after last being active at the2004–05 season.[8]Currently football in Eilat is represented byBnei Eilat F.C.,which are not related to the football clubs which have previously operated in Eilat. (Hapoel Eilat and A.S. Eilat).[9]
Honours
edit| Honour | No. | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Third tier | 1 | 1968–69 |
| Fourth tier | 1 | 1959–60 |
| Fifth tier | 1 | 1983–84 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Eilat wins in footballAl Hamishmar, 31.12.51, Historical Jewish Press(in Hebrew)
- ^In a few linesDavar, 12.10.55, Historical Jewish Press(in Hebrew)
- ^Fourth place for Beitar in Eilat football leagueHeruth, 28.1.58, Historical Jewish Press(in Hebrew)
- ^Eilat love sports for its own sakeDavar, 16.11.58, Historical Jewish Press(in Hebrew)
- ^Eilat – To Liga GimelDavar, 7.12.58, Historical Jewish Press(in Hebrew)
- ^Hapoel Eilat promoted to Liga Bet (Page 4)Hadshot HaSport, 10.7.60, archive.football.co.il(in Hebrew)
- ^Israel Fifth Level 1999/2000RSSSF
- ^Liga Bet South BArchived2016-03-04 at theWayback MachineOne(in Hebrew)
- ^Team in a day: Bnei EilatDoublepass(in Hebrew)