Full name Lions Gibraltar F.C Ground Capacity 5000 Arena/Stadium Victoria Stadium Founded 1966 | Short name Lions Chairman Andrew Flowers Manager Rafael Bado Capacity 5,000 | |
 | ||
Ground Victoria Stadium,
Winston Churchill Avenue Gibraltar 2015–16 Gibraltar Premier Division, 4th League Gibraltar Premier Division | ||
Lions Gibraltar is a professional football club in Gibraltar. They play in the country's top level league, the Gibraltar Premier Division.
Contents
They were created by a merger of Gibraltar United F.C. and Lions FC in 2011.
History
Lions Gibraltar was founded as Lions Football Club in 1966 when a group of friends decided to take up a team after the euphoria of England winning the 1966 World Cup, thus the three lions on its club badge. After a quiet 45-year history, the club merged with league giants Gibraltar United in 2011 to create a much stronger side. After 3 years, however, Gibraltar United broke away to form their own side once again in 2014.
In February 2015 the club announced plans to become a feeder club with Premier League club Swansea City, however, these plans fell through.
After a disappointing season in which the club finished bottom of the league (avoiding relegation due to the league's expansion), the club announced in July 2015 that it was to be taken over by Hercules Sports Promotion, Ltd, headed by Andrew Flowers (who had previously attempted to purchase Leeds United in 2013). Significant investment by the new ownership meant that Lions would now become a semi-professional club with the aim of toppling Lincoln Red Imps' dominance. The following season saw immediate improvement, with the club finishing 4th, however they remained significantly off the pace compared to the region's top two sides Lincoln Red Imps and Europa FC. On May 31, the board announced former national team coach David Wilson as their new manager for the 2016–17 season.
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.