Shirak SC

Shirak Gyumri Sports Club (Armenian: Շիրակ Գյումրի Մարզական Ակումբ), commonly known as Shirak is an Armenian professional sports club based in Gyumri. Shirak is known for its professional football team which is one of the oldest football clubs in Armenia, having been created in 1958. The club is the only team that participated in all seasons of the Armenian Premier League. since its creation in 1992. Shirak is one of the more successful clubs in Armenia, having won a total of 11 domestic titles including four Armenian Premier League titles,[1] two Armenian Cup,[2] and five Armenian Super Cup.

Shirak
Շիրակ
Full nameShirak Gyumri Sports Club
Nickname(s)Սև Հովազներ Sev Hovazner (Black Panthers)
Founded1958 (1958)
GroundGyumri City Stadium,
Gyumri
Capacity4,500
PresidentArman Sahakyan
ManagerVardan Bichakhchyan
LeagueArmenian Premier League
2019–204th
WebsiteClub website
Active departments of Shirak
FootballFutsalBasketball

Shirak has yet to qualify for an international tournament playoff round, yet frequently plays UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League qualifying matches.

Shirak's home stadium is the 4,500 seater Gyumri City Stadium, the oldest venue in Armenia. Shirak's youth academy has also produced successful players, including Artur Petrosyan and Harutyun Vardanyan.

History

Shirak was founded in Gyumri in 1958, when Armenia was still a part of the Soviet Union. The club was originally named Shirak Leninakan, the latter being the name for Gyumri during the Soviet Union.[3] From its creation to the fall of the Soviet Union, Shirak played all its matches in the Soviet third division First League.

Following the fall of the Soviet Union and the renaming of Leninakan, Shirak changed its name to Shirak Kumayri, and was placed in the Armenian Premier League with head coach Andranik Adamyan in charge.

1992 was the first Armenian Premier League season played in history, which ended with Shirak and Pyunik tied at the top with 37 points each. After failing to agree on a tie-breaking match, it was decided to award the title to both teams.[4] Thus, Shirak managed to win the league in the first domestic league in Armenian history.

Shirak once again changed its name in late 1992 after the name Kumayri was changed for Gyumri. Therefore 1993 was the first appearance as Shirak Gyumri in the Armenian Premier League. After finishing second in the 1993 league season, Shirak qualified to the Armenian Cup final for the first time, yet failed to claim the title after losing 3-1 to Ararat.

Shirak went on to win the 1994 and 1995 seasons, however was not given the 1995 title due to it being a transitional spring season.[5]

The next four seasons were not successful for the club, however Shirak managed to claim the league title again in 1999, with striker Arayik Adamyan scoring 16 goals.[6] The league title would end up being the last title Shirak would win until the 2011-12 Armenian Cup.

Shirak would eventually go on to win the 2012-13 Armenian Premier League and the 2016-17 Armenian Cup final.

Domestic history since 1992
Season League National Cup Top goalscorer Manager
Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Name League
1992 Armenian Premier League 1st 22 17 3 2 58 14 37 Semi-final Grigor Grigoryan 19 Andranik Adamyan
1993 2nd 28 24 1 3 101 20 49 Runner-up Abraham Khashmanyan 14
1994 1st 28 24 4 0 83 19 52 Runner-up Artur Petrosyan 15
1995 1st 10 7 3 0 23 6 24 Semi-final Hovhannes Tahmazyan Samvel Nikolyan Grigor Grigoryan 4
1995-96 2nd 22 16 3 3 67 23 51 Semi-final Arayik Adamyan 15
1996-97 4th 22 15 2 5 57 11 47 Quarter-final Artur Petrosyan 11
1997 2nd 18 12 5 1 46 8 41 Not held Artur Petrosyan 18
1998 2nd 26 19 4 3 72 25 61 Quarter-final Arayik Adamyan 13
1999 1st 32 23 4 5 93 29 73 Runner-up Arayik Adamyan 16
2000 3rd 28 17 7 4 64 21 58 Quarter-final Artur Petrosyan 15
2001 4th 22 14 5 3 52 19 47 Semi-final Ararat Harutyunyan Tigran Davtyan 9
2002 2nd 22 16 3 3 49 15 51 Quarter-final Ararat Harutyunyan 10
2003 3rd 28 17 2 9 63 34 53 Semi-final Tigran Davtyan 15
2004 8th 28 4 9 15 27 49 21 Semi-final Yervand Hakobyan 7
2005 8th 18 3 3 12 19 36 12 Quarter-final Karen G. Khachatryan Andranik Barikyan 5 Zhora Barseghyan
2006 7th 28 4 7 17 21 64 19 Quarter-final Ara Mkrtchyan 5
2007 6th 28 9 7 12 27 37 34 Quarter-final Artyom Bernetsyan 7
2008 7th 28 5 4 19 15 40 19 Quarter-final Andranik Barikyan 4
2009 6th 28 5 8 15 24 55 23 Quarter-final Andranik Barikyan 8
2010 8th 28 2 4 22 22 68 10 Quarter-final Mkrtich Nalbandyan 9 Vardan Bichakhchyan
2011 7th 28 6 7 15 27 42 25 Runner-up Andranik Barikyan 10 Samvel Petrosyan
2011-12Only Cup competition was held Winner Vardan Bichakhchyan
2012–13 1st 42 26 10 6 70 38 88 Runner-up Yoro Lamine Ly 18
2013–14 2nd 28 13 8 7 48 31 47 Quarter-final Serges Déblé 15
2014–15 3rd 28 14 7 7 51 32 49 Quarter-final Jean-Jacques Bougouhi 21
2015–16 2nd 28 15 7 6 41 27 52 Quarter-final Konan Odilon Kouakou 6
2016–17 3rd 30 16 5 9 31 24 53 Winner Viulen Ayvazyan 8
2017–18 4th 30 14 8 8 37 31 38 Semi-final Moussa Paul Bakayoko 7
2018–19 7th 32 7 15 10 26 30 36 First round Moussa Paul Bakayoko Aram Muradyan 4
2019–20 4th 28 13 7 8 40 30 46 Second round Mory Kone 23

European
As of match played 27 August 2020
Competition Pld W D L GF GA GD
UEFA Champions League 6 1 3 2 6 5 +1
UEFA Cup & UEFA Europa League 29 4 5 20 15 53 –38
UEFA Intertoto Cup 4 1 1 2 7 10 –3
Total 39 6 9 24 28 68 –40
Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
1995–96 UEFA Cup PR Zagłębie Lubin 0–1 0–0 0–1
1996–97 UEFA Cup PR Anorthosis Famagusta 2–2 0–4 2–6
1998–99 UEFA Cup 1Q Malmö 0–2 0–5 0–7
1999–00 UEFA Cup 1Q HJK Helsinki 1–0 0–2 1–2
2000–01 UEFA Champions League 1Q BATE Borisov 1–1 1–2 2–3
2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1R Tatabánya 1–3 3–2 4–5
2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1R Santa Clara 3–3 0–2 3–5
2003–04 UEFA Cup QR Nordsjælland Farum 0–2 0–4 0–6
2004–05 UEFA Cup 1Q Tiraspol 1–2 0–2 1–4
2012–13 UEFA Europa League 1Q Rudar Pljevlja 1–1 1–0 2–1
2Q Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv 0–1 0–2 0–3
2013–14 UEFA Champions League 1Q Tre Penne 3–0 0–1 3–1
2Q Partizan Belgrade 1–1 0–0 1–1
2014–15 UEFA Europa League 1Q Shakhter Karagandy 1–2 0–4 1–6
2015–16 UEFA Europa League 1Q HŠK Zrinjski Mostar 2–0 1–2 3–2
2Q AIK Fotboll 0–2 0–2 0–4
2016–17 UEFA Europa League 1Q Dila Gori 1–0 (aet) 0–1 1–1 (4–1 p)
2Q Spartak Trnava 1–1 0–2 1–3
2017–18 UEFA Europa League 1Q Gorica 0–2 2–2 2–4
2020–21 UEFA Europa League 1Q FCSB N/A 0–3 N/A

Kit and badge

For most of the club's history, the team's colours were orange and black, inspired on the dominant colours present in Gyumri's architecture, specifically the Holy Saviour's Church, located in the city.

As of 2019, Shirak has reached an agreement with Swiss sportswear company Fourteen to provide all match and training apparel.

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors
Period Kit Manufacturer Shirt Sponsors
2005-11KappaGyumri Beer
2012-14KappaSovrano, Fine
2014Adidas
2014-15VTB Bank
2015–16Anelik Bank
2016-17Menu.am
2017-18TotoGaming
2018-19
2019-Fourteen

Badge

The club's current badge design was inspired by Gyumri's seal, with the main feature being the lion and cross which were present on the flag of the Bagratuni dynasty, which ruled Bagratid Armenia during the middle ages.

Stadium
Main article: Gyumri City Stadium
Gyumri City Stadium

Shirak's home stadium has always been the Gyumri City Stadium, built in 1924 and currently the oldest football stadium in the country. Following renovation works in 1999, the stadium became an all-seater stadium with a capacity for 2,844. The stadium pitch and facilities were upgraded in 2012 to meet all UEFA stadium regulations, allowing Shirak to play its UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League qualifying matches at home.

The stadium capacity was once again increased, this time to the current 4,500 capacity following a second round of renovations in 2019. These renovations included new seating in the south end of the stadium.[7]

List of stadiums used by the club

Supporters

Shirak's fans are known as the Black Panthers, in honor of the panther that appears on the flag of the Bagratid dynasty. Shirak's supporters are also considered to be one of the best in Armenian football, with high match attendance and active supporters during matches. Supporters have rioted against club management when the club failed to reach desired results in the past.

Rivalries

Shirak's main rival is considered to be Gandzasar. This rivalry grew as both teams were the only teams in the league that weren't from Yerevan, and thus competed to be the best team from the provinces.[8]

Players

Current squad
As of 20 September 2020

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  ARM Sokrat Hovhannisyan
3 DF  ARM Hovhannes Nazaryan
4 DF  ARM Artyom Mikaelyan
5 DF  ARM Hakob Vardanyan
6 MF  ARM Erik Vardanyan (loan from Urartu)
7 MF  ARM Arman Aslanyan (vice-captain)
8 DF  ARM Hrachya Geghamyan (loan from Urartu)
9 FW  ARM Aram Muradyan
11 MF  ARM Martin Grigoryan
14 MF  ARM Emil Yeghiazaryan
17 FW  ARM Arlen Tsaturyan
18 MF  ARM Rafik Misakyan
20 MF  ARM Rudik Mkrtchyan
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 FW  RUS Artyom Gevorkyan
22 DF  ARM Arsen Sadoyan (loan from Urartu)
23 MF  ARM Petros Afajanyan
25 DF  ARM Aghvan Davoyan (captain)
37 DF  ARM Seryozha Urushanyan
38 FW  ARM Albert Darbinyan
39 FW  ARM Lyova Mryan
42 MF  ARM Levon Darbinyan
55 GK  ARM Lyova Karapetyan
95 DF  ARM Vardan Arzoyan
99 MF  CIV Junior Leibe
— GK  SRB Spasoje Stefanović
For recent transfers, see List of Armenian football transfers summer 2020.

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
44 MF  ARM Levon Darbinyan (at BKMA Yerevan)
No. Pos. Nation Player

Technical staff
Position Name
Head Coach Vardan Bichakhchyan
First Assistant Coach Felix Khojoyan
Assistant Coach Hovhannes Tahmazyan
Goalkeepers Coach Artur Hovhannisyan
Team Manager Ararat Harutyunyan
Masseur Armen Sukiasyan
Translator Harutyun Harutyunyan
Shirak-2 Coach Tigran Davtyan

Institutional

Executive board

Arman Sahakyan has been the President of Shirak since he purchased the club in 2010.[9]

Staff
  • Technical Director: Georgi Matevosyan
  • Sporting Director: Andranik Adamyan
  • Press Secretary: Arman Maloyan
  • Administrator: Suren Simonyan

Honours

League

National cups

Other sports sections
See also: Shirak SC Futsal and Shirak SC Basketball

Football reserves and academy

Shirak's youth academy has produced several notable players throughout its history. Artur Petrosyan is the most prominent academy product, having a successful career in Armenia and European football.

Shirak's reserves compete in the Armenian First League, the second division in Armenian football. The reserves are currently coached by Tigran Davtyan and also play their matches at the Gyumri City Stadium.

Futsal

On 8 September 2017, prior to the beginning of the 2017-18 Armenian Futsal Premier League season, Shirak Sports Club took over the Gyumri Futsal club, who were a founding member of the domestic futsal championship in Armenia which began in 1998. As a result, the futsal team was re-branded as Shirak SC Futsal.[10]

Basketball

On 19 September 2017, Shirak announced the creation of a basketball team that would compete in the newly created Armenia Basketball League A.[11]

References
  1. "Armenia - List of Champions". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  2. "FC Shirak achievements". Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  3. "Soviet Union 1958". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  4. "Armenia 1992". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  5. "Armenia 1995 Transitional Spring Season". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  6. "Armenia. 1999 Premier League". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  7. "hy:Գյումրին պատրաստ է ընդունել ֆուտբոլային տոնը". Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  8. "Championship of Derbies – The Armenian Premier League After the Winter Break". Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  9. "Bank VTB (Armenia) to sponsor Shirak football club". Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  10. "Գյումրիի "Շիրակ"-ը հայտարարել է ֆուտզալի թիմ հիմնելու մասին". Sportal.Am. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  11. "We continue to extend our Sport family!". FC Shirak at Instagram. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
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