Nickname(s) Amaranto (Dark-reds) Owner Mimmo Praticò Location Reggio Calabria, Italy Manager Karel Zeman | Ground Capacity 27,763 Arena/Stadium Stadio Oreste Granillo Founded 1914 | |
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Full name Urbs Sportiva Reggina 1914 Ground Stadio Oreste Granillo,
Reggio Calabria, Italy 2015–16 Serie D/I, 4th (promoted) Leagues Lega Pro, Lega Pro Prima Divisione | ||
Urbs Sportiva Reggina 1914, commonly referred to as Reggina, is an Italian association football club, the main club of the city of Reggio Calabria. Founded in 1914, they currently play in Lega Pro, and play their home matches at the 27,763 seater Stadio Oreste Granillo. They are one of the few "big" teams to hail from Calabria. Their majority shareholder is Mimmo Praticò, former regional president of CONI. He took over control of the club in 2015 after bankruptcy was declared. They are nicknamed the amaranto (amaranth) after their official colours.
Contents
History
The club was founded on 11 January 1914 as Unione Sportiva Reggio Calabria, and changed name many times (Società Calcistica Reggio, Reggio Foot Ball Club, Associazione Sportiva Reggina, Società Sportiva La Dominante), finally assuming their current denomination in 1986. In recent years, Reggina have been alternating between the top two levels of the Italian league. They reached the Italian top division Serie A for the first time in 1999. Two years later, they lost a relegation playoff against Verona, being consequently relegated to Serie B. Reggina finished third in Serie B in 2002, earning a return to Serie A. In 2003, Reggina survived a relegation playout against Atalanta. They would spend the next 7 years maintaining their Serie A status until their eventual relegation in the 2008–09 season.
They were indicted in 2006 for sporting fraud as part of the second wave of Serie A scandal investigations. Originally punished with a 15-point deduction for the Serie A 2006-07, then reduced to 11 points following appeal. Despite the heavy deduction of points, Reggina managed to save themselves from relegation, defeating fresh UEFA Champions League winners Milan on the final matchday and ending the season with 40 points (including the deduction), just one single point above the third relegation spot, occupied by Chievo. They however poorly started their 2007–08 campaign, causing head coach Massimo Ficcadenti to be sacked and replaced by Renzo Ulivieri. A third managerial change, with Ulivieri fired and replacing with team scout Nevio Orlandi, proved to be successful as Reggina improved their results and performances, escaping relegation with key wins at Catania, and home to Empoli. Orlandi was subsequently confirmed at the helm of the amaranto for the 2008–09 season.
Serie B
Since their relegation in 2008–09 season, Reggina has become slightly inconsistent in their attempts to return Italy's top flight. The 2009–10 season would see three different coaches at the helm; Walter Novellino, Ivo Iaconi, Roberto Breda.Despite possessing Bonazzoli, Carmona, Tedesco, Brienza and home grown star Missiroli they were unable to gain a better position than 13th. Disappointing for a team just relegated from the top division. Top goal scorer for the campaign was Brienza with 12.
The 2010–11 season was regarded as one of the Amaranto's best in Serie B. Shockingly they would conduct their usual coaching merry go round, as Gianluca Atzori would lead them to a 6th-place finish and playoff's to Serie A. they would stumble at the last hurdle losing to Novara in a two legged play off. Top players include; Acerbi, Missiroli, Tedesco, Brienza, Bonazzoli (C) and Milan Loanee Adiyiah. Top goal scorer: Bonazzoli with 19 goals
The 2011–12 season was another disappointing season from the Amaranto, with a 12th-placed finish. Two coaches took charge of Reggina this season; Roberto Breda initially, before being sacked and replaced by Angelo Gregucci, only to be replaced by Breda again towards the end of the season. Unlike the previous season they did not make the play-offs. Top players in this season's squad include: Adejo, Emerson, (Ramos Borges Emerson), Missiroli, Bonazzoli (C), and Ceravolo. Top scorcer was Ceravolo with 11
The 2012–13 season would be marred with yet another controversy similar to that of 2006. Reggina were penalised for the latest match fixing scandal that hit Italian shores and were given a −4 penalty as a result. After appeal it was reduced to −2 instead. They were in contention for playoff places right until the last few rounds where poor form saw them end the season in 11th place. Aniello Cutolo led the scoring with 12 goals.
The 2013–14 season ended in disaster, as Reggina won just six out of 42 games and finished second bottom, resulting in relegation to Lega Pro. The season also marked Foti's retirement from his role as president, who was handed over to Giuseppe Ranieri.
Lega Pro
For the club's 2014–15 Lega Pro campaign, Reggina began the season with former captain Francesco Cozza as head coach. After a difficult start to the season and two coaching changes, youth team coach and former player Giacomo Tedesco was hired as head coach for the final three weeks of the season. Despite winning two of the final three matches, Reggina finished last in the league and would have to rely on an appeal of their point penalty to lift them out of the relegation zone. The appeal was successful and 2 points were returned to move them out of last place. Tedesco guided the team to survival in the playout over rivals Messina.
Serie D one-year stint
Despite avoiding relegation in the 2014–15 season, Reggina failed to meet the deadline to register for Lega Pro and the club declared bankruptcy. A new club, S.S.D. Reggio Calabria, would be reformed to play in Serie D for the 2015–16 season. The Reggina name could not officially be used because it was affiliated with the FIGC. Reggina ended the season in 4th place, losing in the first first round of playoffs against Cavese.
Back to Lega Pro
In July 2016, SSD Reggio Calabria purchased the rights to the history and name of Reggina. After just one season as SSD Reggio Calabria they would now be known as Urbs Sportiva Reggina 1914. The club has filed for Lega Pro repechage to fill one of the vacancies in the league for the 2016–17 season and was readmitted to the league.
Rivalries
Reggina are fierce rivals with neighbours Messina, who are just a fifteen-minute ferry ride apart from each other. Twice every season they clash in the Derby dello Stretto (Strait of Messina Derby). In the 2014–15 season, Reggina defeated Messina in both legs of the playout to send Messina down to Serie D. There is also a major Calabrian derby between Reggina and Crotone as well as a mini derby with Napoli.
Current squad
As of January 31, 2017Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.