FC Shukura Kobuleti
FC Shukura Kobuleti, commonly known as Shukura Kobuleti or simply Shukura, is a Georgian football club from Kobuleti, the second largest city of Adjara.
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| Full name | FC Shukura Kobuleti | ||
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| Founded | 1968 | ||
| Ground | Chele Arena | ||
| Capacity | 7,000 | ||
| Manager | Ucha Sosiashvili | ||
| League | Erovnuli Liga | ||
| 2022 | 1st in Erovnuli Liga 2, Promoted | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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After the 2022 season, they were promoted to Erovnuli Liga, the top tier of Georgian championship.
History
Established in 1968, Shukura played three seasons in the Soviet third division.[1]
After an independent Georgian league was formed in 1990, the club took part in II league competition before getting promoted to Umaglesi Liga for 1993/94. After one season, though, they lost the relegation battle.[2]
A decade later the team managed to earn another promotion after 2003/04, but facing severe financial problems, Shukura was unable to play in the first tier.[3]
In 2011/12 Shukura won the third division and advanced to II league. They had another successful season in 2013/14, when the club returned to the top flight and also for the first time reached the semifinals of David Kipiani Cup after Umaglesi Liga clubs WIT Georgia and Merani had been eliminated.[4]
In October 2019 Giorgi Shashiashvili took the helm of Shukura and a year later led the club to successful completion of their promotion goal,[5] although after one season the club returned to league 2.
The team came close to the Cup final in 2021. Having initially beaten Dinamo Tbilisi, Shukura was ahead of Samgurali three minutes before the stoppage time, but still lost a dramatic five-goal thriller.[6]
In 2022, Shukura sealed the first place in Liga 2 for the third time in a decade and claimed the champion's record-breaking fifth title in the history of this division.[7]
Seasons
| Season | Div. | Pos | Notes | Top goalscorer | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012/13 | 2nd | 3rd of 12 | Group B |  Giorgi Chelebadze - 13 | 1/8 |
| 2013/14 | 2nd | 1st of 13 | Group A, promoted | Giorgi Chelebadze - 22 | 1/2 |
| 2014/15 | 1st | 7th of 16 | Giorgi Chelebadze - 7 | 1/8 | |
| 2015/16 | 1st | 10th of 16 | Elguja Lobjanidze - 7 | 1/4 | |
| 2016 | 1st | 5th of 7 | White Group | Koba Shalamberidze - 4 | 1/16 |
| 2017 | 1st | 10th of 10 | Relegated | Davit Chagelishvili - 8 | 1/16 |
| 2018 | 2nd | 7th of 10 | Giorgi Chelebadze - 10 | 1/4 | |
| 2019 | 2nd | 6th of 10 | Giorgi Kurmashvili - 7 | 1/16 | |
| 2020 | 2nd | 1st of 10 | Promoted |  Jefinho - 11 | 1/16 |
| 2021 | 1st | 9th of 10 | Relegated | Mikheil Sardalishvili - 8 | 1/2 |
| 2022 | 2nd | 1st of 10 | Promoted | Zurab Museliani - 12 | 1/4 |
Current squad
As of 1 May 2023[8]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable players
Davit Khocholava, who later became Shakhtar Donetsk defender and the national team member, played 25 matches for Shukura in 2014/15.
Stadium
Chele Arena, home ground to FC Shukura, is named after Revaz Chelebadze, the famous football player born in Kobuleti. It has the capacity of 6,000 seats. In 2023 a plan to build a new stadium with a capacity of 8,000 seats is in works.
Other teams
Shukura have a reserve team, taking part in the Regionuli Liga tournament.[9]
Name
Shukura literally means a lighthouse, which is duly depicted on the club's emblem.
References
- "Shukura in 1960s". wildstat.com.
- "1993/94 in Umaglesi liga". soccerway.com.
- "Pirveli liga in 2003/04". soccerway.com.
- "Georgian Cup 2013/14". flashscore.com.
- "Liga 2 in 2020". gff.ge.
- "ზედიზედ მეორედ თასის ფინალში". samgurali.ge (in Georgian). 24 November 2021.
- "ქობულეთის ეროვნული 2-ის შუქურა ჩემპიონია". crystalsport.ge (in Georgian). 6 November 2022.
- "Players". erovnuliliga.ge. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
- "Regional league, 2022". gff.ge (in Georgian).