MKE Ankaragücü

Early years (1909–1959)

Ankaragücü is based in Ankara, but was founded in Zeytinburnu, Istanbul in 1904 as Altin Örs Idman Yurdu. The club competed in the Istanbul Friday League. It is unclear as to the motive behind the uprooting of the Istanbul-based club to Ankara. Another theory is that the club splintered, with some players following Şükrü Abbas and others following Agah Orhan. Şükrü Abbas founded Turan Sanatkaragücü in 1910. In 1938, both clubs merged to form AS-FA Gücü. The club name was changed for one last time in 1948, with both sides settling on Ankaragücü.

1. Lig Years and Relegation (1959–1981)

The club were one of the original sixteen in the 1959 Milli Lig. They were admitted into the league after finishing second in the Ankara Professional League. The club finished fifth in the Beyaz Grup (White Grup) in the first season of the Milli Lig.

Ankaragücü were relegated to the 2.Lig in 1967–68 after finishing second to last place. The club returned to the top league next season. Ankaragücü was again relegated in 1975–1976 season, but promoted to the 1st League next season. Ankaragücü was relegated for the third time in 1977–1978 season.

Back to 1. Lig (1981–2000)

Ankaragücü returned to the 1st League in 1981 due to a political decision, towards which the FIFA was still powerless back then. The Turkish president Kenan Evren and the Ankara governor Mustafa Gonul wanted a club from the capital in the 1. Lig and thus saw to that the club gained promotion despite only having finished second in the 2nd division, behind Sakaryaspor. Ankaragücü had won the Turkish Cup too. Ankaragücü has played in the 1st League since then. The club was occasionally successful during the 1990s.

Ersun Yanal Period (2000–2002)

Under Ersun Yanal's managership, the club has seen two successful seasons, becoming 6th in the 2000–2001 season and 4th in the 2001–2002 season.

The Disarray Years (2002–2009)

After Ersun Yanal left the club, Ankaragücü found it in a struggle to be saved from relegation each year and were in full-blown and widespread disarray. The club managed to stay clear of relegation at the last few matches during these years. Consequently, a financial crisis hit the club during the late 2000s.

Ahmet Gökçek's Presidency (2009–2011)

After the economic crisis, Ahmet Gökçek became the chairman replacing Cemal Aydın. He promised that the club would become a champion in upcoming years. He was formerly (informally) associated with Ankaraspor and TFF objected to the control of two clubs at the same time and relegated Ankaraspor. After the relegation of Ankaraspor, he merged the football squads of two teams, but he did not manage to form a squad that would win a championship.

Crisis (2011–on going)

The congress in which Ahmet Gökçek was elected annulled by Turkish court and Cengiz Topel Yıldırım returned to the chairman position. Due to the economic crisis, Cengiz Topel Yıldırım sold key players of the squad and the team was one of the weakest teams of Turkish Super League. Sami Altınyuva became the next chairman but did not solve the financial problems. Due to the ongoing financial crisis, many players left the club. Later, Bent Ahlat, Atilla Süslü and Mehmet Yiğiner became chairmans but the financial problems were not solved and the club relegated from Süper Lig in the 2011–2012 season and from PTT 1. Lig in the 2012–2013 season.

Special relationship with Bursaspor

In the early 1990s Bursaspor's ultra group Teksas had a leader called, 'Abdulkerim Bayraktar'. He went to study in Ankara, whilst in the city he started attending Ankaragücü games and started building ties between the two clubs.

In 1993 however, his life was cut short, during his military service he was killed by. This tragic event bought Bursaspor and Ankaragücü even closer together. During the first game after his death, Bursaspor organized a tribute to him, the events which happened next cemented the brotherhood between these two teams. A large group of Ankaragücü supporters made their way onto the pitch and unveiled a large banner reading, 'Our brother Abdul will never die, he lives on in our hearts'. The two supporter groups united and hundreds of Ankaragucu ultras attended his funeral. From that day on Bursaspor supporters would chant Ankaragucu's name in the 6th minute of every home game, 6 being significant due to 6 being Ankara's city code.

Ankaragücü supporters in return chant Bursaspor's name during the 16th minute, 16 being Bursa's city code. When the two sides play, the supporters sit together, its one of the rare occasions in which ultra from opposing teams watch a game together in a mixed environment, they bring 'Bursankara' scarfs (a merger of the two clubs names) to the games and create a fantastic atmosphere full of mutual respect.

Fans

Although Ankara is a city which was receiving immigrants, had sympathy and fanatics. In good days and bad days, fans never changed their supports. This is special side of Gecekondu which is name of Ankaragücü fans group. Also Bastır Ankaragücü march was arose at Tribune and Gecekondu members liked it so much.

Stadium

The club currently play their home matches at Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium. The stadium is shared with fellow-Ankara based clubs and rivals Gençlerbirliği. The stadium has a fully seated capacity of 19,209.

European participations

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup:

UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League:

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Honours