Mersin İdmanyurdu SK

Mersin İdmanyurdu SK

Full name	Mersin İdmanyurdu Spor Kulübü
Nickname(s)	Kırmızı Şeytanlar (Red Devils)
Founded	16 August 1925
Ground	Tevfik Sırrı Gür, Mersin (Capacity: 10.128[1])
President	Ali Kahramanlı
Manager	Nurullah Sağlam
League	Süper Lig
2011–12	Süper Lig, 13th
Website	Club home page
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Mersin İdmanyurdu (also Mersin İdman Yurdu, Mersin İY or MİY) is a Turkish sports club from Mersin in Eastern Mediterranean Region. The club is especially known for its football team which was playing in Süper Lig, Turkey's first level division by 2011–12 season. The team played in first division for 11 seasons previous to 1984. After 1983-84 season the football team played in second and third divisions. The team promoted to second level division after 2008–2009 season. MİY became the champions of second division in 2010-11 season and obtained to take a part of the first level division (Süper Lig) in 2011-12 season. They play at the 10.125 capacity Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadium.^[1] (In the next season (2011–12) a new stadium with 33.333 person capacity is planned to be built.) Their main rivals are Adana Demirspor. Adanaspor and Tarsus İdmanyurdu are also in rivalry with the team. Friend's clubs Bucaspor's.

Their nickname is "Şeytanlar" (meaning "Devils") or "Kırmızı Şeytanlar"("Red Devils"). Their song is "Şampiyon yap bizi / Cehennemde yak bizi" ("Make us the champs / Burn us in hellfire").

History

Club logo in 1960's

Club logo in 1970's

Mersin İdmanyurdu is one of the oldest clubs of the Mediterrenean region. The club was founded on 16 August 1925 in a meeting Edip Buran and his 11 friends parcicipated. The idea of founding a club was developed in Edip Buran's bedsitter. Those 11 names were İbrahim Yekta, Fevzi Serdengeçti, Asım Güler, Muhip Batıbeki, Necati Salim, Lütfi Resimci, Sami İstanbullu, Hayri Güntekin, Hakkı Cemal Üçer, Hasan Tahsin, Mustafa Lütfi. The aim was to provide Mersin's youth with activities to fill their spare time with sports in hot and long summer days of Mersin. Later club had got licence with the participation of other founders: İbrahim Bigam, İhsan Dağıstan, Hamit Abey, Rauf Süleymaniyeli, Semih Can, Ömer, Cevdet Türkmenli, Kazım Kırzade and Muharrem Yeğin.^[2]

The club was founded as Mersin Gençlerbirliği (English: Mersin Youth Union) in 1925. The first colors of the team was red-white. The club changed its name as Mersin İdman Yurdu in 1926 and colors determined as red-dark blue.^[3] The logo was three circles engaged (the one in the middle red and left and right ones dark-blue).

Mersin İdmanyurdu had won the regional title every year since its foundation until 1964, except 1949-50 season when Mersin Demirspor captured the title. In 1944 the team won third place in Turkish Championship. In 1952 Team's ground, "Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadyumu"^[4] has been inaugurated, and the opening match was tied 3-3 with Galatasaray.^[5]

In 1957, the club had gone under Çukurova Group sponsorship and taken the name Çukurova İdmanyurdu. The team again finished third in Turkish Amateur Championship.^[5] Çukurova İdmanyurdu, as "a rather well-known amateur club from the city of Mersin",^[6] turned professional and was accepted to Turkey's first second level league founded in 1963. Indeed, Çukurova İdmanyurdu was the amateur champions of Turkey in 1963. When they attended Turkey 2nd League they were one of three clubs of Second League, which were coming from outside İstanbul, Ankara and İzmir leagues. The other two were Adana Demirspor and Bursaspor.

The club changed its name to Mersin İdmanyurdu after three seasons (15.06.1966) and became champions of the 2nd League in the 1966-67 season. At the end of that season they won the Chancellor Cup (or Prime Minister's Cup) by defeating the Amateur League champions. Starting from 1967-68 season they have played at Turkey's top level league (Süper Lig) for 7 years consecutively and 11 years in total.

After 1982-83 season MİY has relegated from the top level league. They played in second level division until the formation of one-group second level division in 2001-02. Because of their place in 2000-01 season they were automatically delegated to third level formed with the name of "Second League, Category B". They have spent one season there and again promoted to second level (Second League, Category A). After 2005-06 season they have relegated to third level again (see League Participations below).

They finished 2008-09 season at TFF Second League (third level) play-offs in second place and advanced to second level, this time with the name of TFF First League, also known as Bank Asya 1. Lig. After spending two seasons in TFF First League, MİY became the champions of 2010-11 Bank Asya 1. Lig and promoted to 2011–12 Süper Lig after 28 years of absence. The championship was widely attributed to coach Nurullah Sağlam who took the team after 9th week.

Support

Mersin Idmanyurdu have a passionate fanbase, despite spending most of their history in the lower divisions. The club is nicknamed, Kırmızı Şeytanlar (Red Devils) as is their ultra group which led by Aynalı Reis (Murat Bulut). The supporters slogan is "Şampiyon yap bizi / Cehennemde yak bizi" ("Make us champions / Burn us in hellfire").^[7]

Female Support

The club is also renowned for having the countries only female only ultra group Dişi Şeytanlar (Female Devils). They have been given the nickname Melek Yüzlü Şeytanlar (Angel faced devils) and fill the home stands as well as traveling to away games. Their numbers have been swelling recently and their presence makes a change to the typically male dominated football crowds.^[7]

Achievements

• Winner: Chancellor Cup in 1967 (as champions of Second League in 1966–67, MİY won 2-0 against İzmir Denizgücü, amateur league winner of the season).
• Runner up: Turkish Cup, 1982-83 lost against Fenerbahçe. Cup participation and Fenerbahçe won the cup 4-1 in total.
• Represented Turkey in Cup Winners' Cup in 1983–84. As the finalist of last seasons cup finals, MİY participated 1983-84 Cup Winners Cup and lost against Spartak Varna from Bulgaria in total at first round.
• Third Place: 1969 Friendship Cup Represented Turkey in a friendly tournament. Played four matches against Pakistan, Spartak Moscow, Iran, and Iraq in a one-leg league system; finished third with 2 wins and 2 losts. See MİY 1968–69 season page for details.
• Winners (4): Adana Football League, regional amateur championship: 1926, 1927, 1931, 1933.
• Winner (1): Adana Football League, regional professional championship: 1959–60.
• Winner (1): Turkey Amateur Football Championship: 1963.

League participations

In Turkey a nation-wide league was formed in 1959. In 1963-64 a second level division was founded and MİY attended to that league, gaining professional status. Since then MİY continues to play in professional leagues and mostly in second level divisions. Starting from 2001–02, a new second level division was formed with the name of ""Lig A" which later became "First League" and former "Turkish First Footbal League" became "Super League" in 2007-08. With the formation of the new division MİY took place in third level whose name is "Second League" (before 2007 "Lig B"). In total MİY took place 11 times in first and 27 times in second level divisions before 2001. After 2001, MİY took place 1 time in first, 6 times in second and 4 times in third level divisions, as of 2011-12 season.

Before 2001

• First Level: First League: 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1982–83.
• Second Level: Second League: 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01.

After 2001

• First Level: Süper Lig: 2011–12
• Second Level: Lig A/TFF First League: 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2010–11.
• Third Level: Lig B/TFF Second League: 2001–02, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09.

All time league table

Note: 2011-12 stats are not included. Play-off games are not included. Before 1987 two-points-for-a-win rule was accepted.

Seasonal league table

Mersin İdmanyurdu professional league participations by season.^[8]

Note: Classification group statistics are accumulated on normal season.
Note (*): The team played as "Çukurova İdmanyurdu".
League and group colors: Green: Promoted; Lighth green: Qualified; Pink: Relegated.

Play-off games

• 1998-99 - Turkey Second League Play-offs Quarter Finals: Çaykur Rizespor-Mersin İdmanyurdu: 2-0.
• 1996-97 - Turkey Second League Play-offs Quarter Finals: Kartalspor-Mersin İdmanyurdu: 2-0.
• 1979-80 - Turkey Second League Championship Game: Kocaelispor-Mersin İdmanyurdu: 2-2 (penalties: 4-2).
• 1975-76 - Turkey Second League Championship Game: Samsunspor-Mersin İdmanyurdu: 3-1.
• 1966-67 - Turkey Second League Championship Game: Mersin İdmanyurdu-Bursaspor: 2-0.

Turkish Cup participations

Participated in Turkish Cup since 1962.

• Runner-ups: 1982-83.
• Eliminated at Quarter Finals: 1980-81.
• Eliminated at Sixth Round: 1981-82
• Eliminated at Fourth Round: 1975-76, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1983-84, 1997–98.
• Eliminated at Third Round: 1963-64, 1964-65, 1966-67, 1977-78, 1979-80, 1991–92, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2005–06 (group stage), 2009–10, 2010-11.
• Eliminated at Second Round: 1962-63, 1967-68, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1972-73, 1989-90, 1990–91, 1993–94, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2003–04, 2004–05.
• Eliminated at First Round: 1968-69, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87, 1992–93, 2002–03, 2006–07.

All time cup stats

Note: 2011-12 stats are not included. Before 1987 two-points-for-a-win rule was accepted. Serial penalties included in the match scores.

Seasonal cup stats

Note: Serial penalties added to match scores. Before 1987, two points for a win rule accepted.

European participations

European Cup Winners' Cup

Season	Round	Country	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1983–84	1R		Spartak Varna	0–0	0–1	0–1

Presidents

• Current President: Ali Kahramanlı since 2008. International Transportation Company owner. Born in Gaziantep on 1 January 1953.^[9]
• Honorary Manager: Bayram Birinci (Hacı)

Former presidents^[10]

.

Coaches

• Head Coach: Nurullah Sağlam (signed on 22.10.2010), previous team was Denizlispor. TFF manager page.

Former coaches^[11]

Head coach	Period
İlhan Taşucu	1964–1965
Fahrettin Cansever	1965–1966
Lefter Küçükandonyadis	20.01.1966–1967
Cihat Arman	1967–28.04.1968
Turgay Şeren	15.06.1968–25.03.1969
Bülent Giz	27.08.1969–31.05.1971
Dumitru Teodorescu	01.07.1971–29.08.1971
Turgay Şeren	31.08.1971–11.02.1973
Ion Motroc	09.09.1973–23.09.1973
Nazım Koka	30.09.1973–10.03.1974
Tomislav Kaloperović	23.03.1974–31.05.1974
Bülent Giz	08.1974–05.1975
Kadri Aytaç	08.1975–05.1977
Turgut Kafkas	08.1977–12.1977
Orhan Yüksel	01.1978–05.1978
Suat Mamat	08.1979–05.1980
İsmet Arıkan	02.06.1980–31.05.1981
Candan Dumanlı	1981–82
Gündüz Tekin Onay	1982–83
Kahraman Karataş	1983–85

Manager	Years
Aydın Tohumcu	1985–86
Kahraman Karataş	1986–87
Aydın Tohumcu	1987–88
İsmet Arıkan	1988–89
Ali Hoşfikirer	1988–89
Aydın Tohumcu	1989-90
Gerhart Block	1989–90
Kadri Aytaç	1990–91
Adnan Dinçer	01.06.1991–31.05.1992
Kadri Aytaç	22.06.1992–20.12.1992
Fevzi Zemzem	24.12.1992–25.04.1993
Nasır Belci	05.05.1993–31.05.1993
Aydın Tohumcu	01.07.1993–21.11.1993
Battal Toktay	01.11.1993–31.05.1994
Levent Arıkdoğan	01.07.1994–31.05.1996
Candan Dumanlı	28.02.1996–31.05.1996
Kasım Gündüz	1996-97
Zafer Bilgetay	03.07.1997–31.12.1997
Zafer Göncüler	12.02.1998–31.08.1998
Müjdat Yalman	01.08.1998–10.02.1999

Head coach	Period
Kahraman Karataş	11.02.1999–31.05.1999
Ali Gültiken	01.07.1999–29.09.1999
Müjdat Yalman	29.09.1999–31.05.2000
Levent Arıkdoğan	01.07.2000–31.05.2001
Nasır Belci	06.07.2001–31.05.2003
Yücel İldiz	13.01.2003–18.09.2003
Mehmet Şahan	19.09.2003–31.12.2003
Levent Eriş	22.01.2004–31.05.2004
Levent Arıkdoğan	26.08.2004–31.05.2005
Engin Korukır	18.11.2005–31.05.2006
Nasır Belci	17.03.2006–21.09.2006
İlyas Tüfekçi	02.10.2006–10.03.2007
Kahraman Karataş	13.03.2007–31.05.2007
Abdülkerim Durmaz	17.07.2007–31.05.2008
Ercan Albay	14.08.2008–31.05.2009
Serhat Güller	19.08.2009–31.01.2010
Ergün Penbe	05.02.2010–31.05.2010
Yüksel Yeşilova	03.06.2010–17.10.2010
Nurullah Sağlam	22.10.2010–present

.

Current squad

A Team:^[12]

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

No. Position Player 1 GK Hakan Arıkan 3 DF Joseph Boum 4 DF Çağdaş Atan 5 MF Erman Özgür 7 MF Nduka Ozokwo 11 FW Mert Nobre 12 GK Ibrahim Šehić 13 MF Wissem Ben Yahia 15 MF Hasan Üçüncü

No. Position Player 17 FW Erdal Kilicaslan 18 MF Baris Atas (on loan from Trabzonspor) 21 MF Danilo Bueno 22 GK Cengiz Biçer 23 DF Mustafa Keçeli 27 MF İbrahim Ferdi Coşkun 44 DF Erhan Güven 77 FW Spas Delev 78 DF İbrahim Kaş

See also

• Football in Turkey
• Türkiye Kupası
• Cup Winners Cup

References

External links

• Mersin İdmanyurdu SK official web site
• Mersin İdmanyurdu SK fan site
• Sports news in Mersin
• Mersin İdman Yurdu Ultras Group
• TFF (Turkish Football Federation) team page
• Transfermarkt team page