Syrianska FC

Syrianska Football Club, also known as Syrianska FC or simply Syrianska,[2] is a Swedish professional football club based in Södertälje in Stockholm County. The club was founded by Syriac-Aramean immigrants in 1977 as Suryoyo Sportklubb, or Suryoyo SK. In 1986, its name was changed to Syrianska SK. The club adopted its present name as it grew and advanced through the league system. In 2010, after two years in Superettan, Syrianska was promoted to Allsvenskan (the highest tier in Swedish football) for the first time in club history.[3] This made Syrianska FC the 61st team to play in Allsvenskan.[4][5] Since the Syriac people do not have an official national team, Syrianska is often seen as a substitute.[6]

Not to be confused with Syrianska IF Kerburan.

Syrianska FC
logo
Full nameSyrianska Football Club (SFC)
Nickname(s)Suryoye[1]
Founded1 July 1977 (1977-07-01) as Suryoyo SK
GroundSödertälje Fotbollsarena, Södertälje
Capacity6,100
ChairmanIso Gursac
ManagerÖzcan Melkemichel
LeagueDivision 2
2022Division 2 Södra Svealand, 3rd of 14
WebsiteClub website

Syrianska FC has a worldwide fan base.[7][8][9] Their promotion to Allsvenskan received extensive coverage on Swedish TV sports programs and in documentaries and domestic and foreign magazines.[10][11][12]

History
See caption
Chart showing the progress of Syrianska FC through the Swedish football league system. The shades of gray represent league divisions.

The Syriac Federation, based in Södertälje, founded the Suryoyo Sportklubb in 1977.[13] The club was given a spot in Division 7 East. Six years later, it advanced from Division 7 to Division 6. In 1985, Suryoyo won the division and were promoted to Division 5. In 1986, the club changed its name to Syrianska SK. Two years later, Syrianska FC won Division 5 and advanced to Division 4 (where they played until 1990, when they advanced to Division 3).

Syrianska won the league as newcomers, and advanced to Division 2 (the third tier of Swedish football at the time) in 1993. In 1995, Syrianska FC was relegated to Division 3 for the first time in club history. The following year, its board set a goal of "Division 1 in 2001." In 1999, Syrianska was again promoted to Division 2. In 2000, Syrianska finished in third place after a strong season as newcomers and began investing in youth activities. The following year, they won Division 2 with 53 points and 65 goals. Syrianska attained their goal of winning the series, but did not advance to Superettan after their qualifier against Åtvidabergs FF. The series was played in two matches, the home match before a crowd of 6,435.

In 2003, Syrianska set a new goal of reaching Superettan by 2006. The following year, Syrianska had a mid-table position in Division 1 and again missed promotion in a Superettan qualifier. Syrianska lost at home against Qviding FIF 0–2, and won the away match 2–1. In 2006, with Özcan Melkemichel as coach, the club had their best season start and the new stadium in Södertälje became their home. After an injury-filled 2007 season, Syrianska defeated Assyriska 2–1 in a derby match before 7,146 fans. In the second match, Syrianska again defeated Assyriska 1–0 on a goal by Robert Massi in front of 6,313 spectators. The club would have won the division, but a points deduction derailed them to fourth place.

Before the series started in 2008, Syrianska played at home in the Svenska Cupen against Hammarby IF (a club from the Allsvenskan league) in a game broadcast by TV4. Hammarby led 4-0 into halftime, when Syrianska made a comeback. Goals from a Rabi Elias penalty, Mattias Metes' double and a Semir Metes one-strike tied the score at 4-4. Hammarby eventually scored two quick goals to win, 6–4.

Syrianska ensured a league victory with two rounds remaining, and finished with 59 points. In 2009, they played their first season in Superettan (Sweden's second-highest division). The club finished in fourth place, one point behind the third-place team. Syrianska won the Superettan league in 2010, with TV4 broadcasting nine of their matches. They ended the season with 56 points and 46 goals. Peter Ijeh led the team scoring with 17 goals, and for the first time in club history Syrianska was promoted to the Allsvenskan.[14]

In 2012 Syrianska played their second season in Allsvenskan, finishing in 13th place with 34 points and 35 goals. They remained in Allsvenskan for the following season, when they finished last and were relegated to Superettan. In 2014 the club finished in tenth place with 10 wins, 4 draws and 11 losses, earning them a stay in the Superettan. In 2015, Syrianska finished the Superettan season in seventh place with 43 points. The following year they finished in 13th place, and survived a relegation playoff for a fourth straight season in the Superettan. In 2017, however, Syrianska finished fifteenth (next to last) and were relegated to Division 1.

In 2019 Syrianska finished in last place in Superettan and where relegated to Division 1. However, on the 28 of February 2020 the SvFF announced that Syrianska would be relegated a further division, into Division 2. The reason for this was that the club had not made the correct employer payments.

Colours and badge
Yellow bird-shaped torch on a red background
Aramean-Syriac flag, on which the club's colours are based

The club's badge was created when it changed its name to Syrianska FC. The winged torch and colours are taken from the Aramean-Syriac flag, which represents the Aramean-Syriac people. The Aramaic inscription reads, ܚܘܕܪܐ ܣܘܪܝܝܐ ܒܣܘܕܪܬܠܝܐ (Hudro Suryoyo b-Södertälje; Syriac Sports Club in Södertälje).[15][16]

Stadium
Empty stadium stands, seen from across the pitch
Södertälje Fotbollsarena

Syrianska FC's current home is the Södertälje Fotbollsarena in Södertälje, which is also the home of local rival Assyriska Föreningen. The stadium holds 6,700 people, and is expandable for larger games. In 2009, Syrianska FC played a derby against Assyriska; with a large crowd expected, the stadium increased its capacity to 9,500 people and 8,453 people watched the match. The stadium was built in 2005 for €12 million, and was funded by the Södertälje Municipality. The pitch measures 105 x 68 metres, with an artificial turf surface.

The stadium is also known as Jallavallen, from the Syriac word jalla ("hurry"). Locally coined by Telgerevyn, it later became widespread.[17]

Supporters
See caption
The Syrianska team, with supporters waving a flag behind them

Gefe Fans, the Syrianska FC fan club, was founded in 2002 by a group of supporters in Södertälje.[18][19][20] Gefe means "wings", and refers to the wings in the flag of the Syriac-Aramean people.[21] The club has fans worldwide, since it is considered the national team of the Syriac-Aramean people.[22][23] The fan club, known for its tifos,[9][24] takes responsibility for supporters around the arena and community efforts.[7] Ultras 77 is a group of about 30 supporters who work with all tifo events during Syrianska FC games. During Gefe Fans' early years it was responsible for tifo events, but Ultras 77 was created when the supporter club merged with the football club.[25]

Players

First-team squad
As of 6 November 2020[26]

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 Sweden SWE Abdulmasih Keriakes
— GK Sweden SWE Felix Eriksson
— GK Sweden SWE Sebastian Kaburek
2 DF Sweden SWE Afram Hanna
5 DF Sweden SWE Jonathan Gürsac
14 DF Sweden SWE Sebastian Younan
18 DF Sweden SWE Reyad Poles
29 DF Sweden SWE Abdo Barhe
85 DF Sweden SWE Isa Demir
— DF Sweden SWE Godard Kabali
— DF Sweden SWE Adam Kasa
No. Pos. Nation Player
23 MF Sweden SWE Henry Sletsjöe
25 MF Sweden SWE Sharbel Touma
30 MF Sweden SWE Matteus Behnan
— MF Sweden SWE Kenneth Carlie
— MF Sweden SWE Kevin Dennerby
— MF Sweden SWE Christian Üre
9 FW Sweden SWE Bachir Katourgi
15 FW Sweden SWE Carlos Andrias Durmaz
— FW Sweden SWE Aziz Essaisi

Former players

Retired numbers
See also: Retired numbers in football

12 – Club Supporters (the 12th Man)

Youth

Youth activities at Syrianska FC have expanded, and interest in playing for the club is increasing. Syrianska is the club for over 500 children, youths in a number of age groups, and about 65 leaders. One of the club's goals is to have several teams in each age group and build a strong platform for social activities in the younger age groups. The club also aims to establish activities for the elderly. Regardless of skill, all are welcome to play.[27]

Honours

League

Season to season
Season Level Division Section Position Movements
2000 Tier 3 Division 2 West 3rd
2001 Tier 3 Division 2 West 1st Lost play-off
2002 Tier 3 Division 2 West 4th
2003 Tier 3 Division 2 East 9th
2004 Tier 3 Division 2 East 5th
2005 Tier 3 Division 2 East 1st Lost play-off
2006 Tier 3 Division 2 6th
2007 Tier 3 Division 1 North 4th
2008 Tier 3 Division 1 North 1st Promoted
2009 Tier 2 Superettan 4th
2010 Tier 2 Superettan 1st Promoted
2011 Tier 1 Allsvenskan 14th Won play-off
2012 Tier 1 Allsvenskan 13th
2013 Tier 1 Allsvenskan 16th Relegated
2014 Tier 2 Superettan 10th
2015 Tier 2 Superettan 7th
2016 Tier 2 Superettan 13th Won play-off
2017 Tier 2 Superettan 15th Relegated
2018 Tier 3 Division 1 North 2nd Promoted
2019 Tier 2 Superettan 16th Relegated 2 divisions
2020 Tier 4 Division 2 Östra Götaland 3rd

Managers

Head coaches

See also

References
  1. "Aktuellt". Syrianska FC. 8 February 2010. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  2. "Syrianska FC > Aktuellt". Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  3. "Historia". Syrianskafc.com. 8 February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  4. "> Splash". Syrianska FC. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  5. Kyringer, Anna (23 October 2010). "Syrianska klart för allsvenskan". Dagens Nyheter. DN.SE. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  6. "På lördag kan Syrianska FC bli historiskt. Minst en poäng mot Väsby och det syrianska landslaget tar sig för första gången upp i allsvenskan" (in Swedish). City. Archived from the original on 31 October 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
  7. "> Supporter". Syrianska FC. 8 February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 November 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  8. "Historisk premiär imorgon (läs idag)". bahro.nu. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  9. "Ett fel har inträffat - NWT". Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  10. / TT. "Syrianska till allsvenskan – Fotboll" (in Swedish). gp.se. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  11. Foto: Joel Marklund. "Ijeh sköt Syrianska mot allsvenskan – FotbollsExpressen – Senaste nytt | Expressen – Allsvenskan, Premier League och Serie A". Fotboll.expressen.se. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  12. "Syrianska till allsvenskan – Sport" (in Swedish). lt.se. 15 February 2011. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  13. "Syrianska Riksförbundet | Forum för levande historia". Levandehistoria.se. 11 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  14. "History", syrianskafc.com, webpage:SK Archived 3 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine.In 2011, Syrianska managed to stay in Allsvenskan after winning two qualifying games against Ängelholms IF.
  15. flag of Syriac-Aramiac People) flags Archived 18 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Syriac-Aramaic People (Syria) Archived 4 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  16. Syrianerna – En nation i förskringring, Assad Sauma Assad, 2005
  17. "Matchinformation: Assyriska FF – Syrianska FC –". Svenskfotboll.se. 31 May 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  18. "Västra Sidan: Bortaguiden :: Fotboll :: Syrianska FC". Archived from the original on 21 June 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  19. "SvenskaFans".
  20. "Syrianska FC:s officiella supporterklubb". Gefe Fans. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  21. "Syrianska - en stark nykomling - GIF Sundsvall - www.st.nu". Archived from the original on 5 April 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  22. – Wednesday (25 May 2010). "The strangest football derby in the world – The National". Thenational.ae. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  23. "Bildextra: Syrianskas fans firade derbyvinsten – Superettan – allt om superettan i fotboll". fotbollskanalen.se. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  24. Hans Jansson hans.jansson@dn.se (31 May 2009). "Syrianska vinnare i hett derby". DN.SE. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  25. "Syrianska FC:s officiella supporterklubb". Gefe Fans. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  26. "Laget" (in Swedish). Syrianska FC. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  27. "> Ungdom". Syrianska FC. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
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