Homenetmen Beirut FC
Homenetmen Beirut Football Club (Arabic: نادي الهومنتمن بيروت لكرة القدم, Armenian: Հայ Մարմնակրթական Ընդհանուր Միութիւն (ՀՄԸՄ), lit. 'Armenian General Union of Body Culture') is the association football department of a multi-sports club based in Beirut, Lebanon, that competes in the Lebanese Third Division Group A.
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| Full name | Homenetmenen Beirut Football Club | |
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| Nickname(s) | Homenetmenagan (The Orange Devils) | |
| Founded | 1924 | |
| Ground | Bourj Hammoud Stadium, Beirut | |
| Capacity | 10,500 | |
| Chairman | Stephan Der Bedrossian | |
| Head Coach | Hassan Mashour Mido | |
| League | Lebanese Third Division Group A | |
| 2019–20 | Lebanese Third Division (season abandoned) | |
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Homenetmen Beirut is part of the pan-Armenian worldwide Homenetmen organization. The club competes in the Lebanese Second Division in football. Homenetmen Beirut was established in 1924, just 6 years after establishment of Homenetmen in Constantinople, i.e. Istanbul in modern Turkey in 1918.
The club have participated AFC Champions League by finishing third. They have also won seven League titles and three FA Cups, though they are yet to win a Lebanese Premier League title since 1969, having finished in second place on several occasions during the 90s since.
History
Vartan Ghazarian years (1993–2004)
Wartan Ghazarian arrived from Armenia at age 20 as a foreign player, quickly adapted the culture the fans loved him and became as a cult hero, scoring unbelievable goals long range, header, left foot, right foot he took the league by storm the club would finish 3rd. The following season Homentmen would finish 7th after a poor start of the season. During this period Homenetmen never won a championship but had an amazing games against Ansar, Nejmeh and Homenmen, and beating them in a 7-1 match. In the late 1990s the club started to play poorly and started to sell some of the best players due to time the club was struggling finically, but every year the club would survive on the final day. In the year 2001 the club would finish 2 win out of 22 and it was their worst season, but the Lebanese football federation would withheld the season due to match fixing scandals.
In the 2000–01 season, the Homenetmen FC would be relegated for the first time in the club's history, Homenetmen would loan out some of its star players. The team would finish first in the Lebanese Second Division with record of without losing any single match and with one draw in the final day, the club would be back in the following next season but would be relegated again with their Armenian rivals.
2013–present
In April 2013, after the club beating its fierce rival Homenemen 2–1 and guaranteeing it to the play-off spot in the Lebanese Third Division, they have qualified to the Lebanese Second Division for the first time in 7 years. After an unbelievable campaign in the Lebanese Second Division, the club only missed out by one point to qualify in the Lebanese First Division, the season was unforgettable with some famous victory's over Sagesse FC. In 2018, the club was relegated to the Lebanese Third Division after seven years in the Second Division.
Stadium
Homenetmen Beirut FC original home ground since the early 1950s was the Bourj Hammoud Municipal Stadium which is considered one of the most oldest stadiums in Lebanon. The stadium which can host around 10,500 spectators. Bourj Hammoud Municipal Stadium is still used as an alternative venue.
Training facilities
The training grounds of Homenetmen Beirut is located in Bourj Hammoud next to the Bourj Hammoud Municipality Stadium. The complex holds a capacity of 100 spectators, and there's a nearby indoor training pitch and many other small pitches. There are also basketball courts, and a restaurant.
Colours and kits
Since its foundation, the traditional colour of Homenetmen's home kit is orange with blue stripes and designs vary over the years. Therefore, the club is nicknamed The Orange Devils by the fans. The away kit may vary between a full Blue kit and a white kit with red stripes on the shirt.
Support
Homenetmen Beirut is one of the best supported clubs in Lebanon, with one of the highest average home attendance in Lebanon.
Rivals
Homenetmen Beirut longest-established rivalry is with fellow Armenian team Homenmen Beirut, against whom the club contest the Armenian derby. The rivalry between Homenetmen and Homenmen is political. The Armenian derby is usually sold out. Since the mid-1960s, '70s, '90s the rivalry has intensified both on and off the field.
Youth academy
Homenetmen Beirut run their own youth training academy in Bourj Hammoud. Many of the Homenetmen Beirut current players are graduates of the club's academy including Harout Sarkis, Mamas Kehyeyan, Kevork Koumashian, Alec Aldjian, Hagop Nadjarian, Johnny Kondjian, Harout Moumdjoghlian, Diko Vartan, Hagop Donabedian, Andrew Azzi, Serj Oskian, Sako Menassa
Current squad
As of 7 October 2016
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Staff
Notable former managers
Oganes Zanazanyan
Hovsep Yacoubian- Apo Kassabian
- Kevork Avinian
- Hrayr Der Torossian
- Hovaness ''Jockey'' Houssamian
- Levon Altounian
- Apo Nenejian
- Sako Nenejian
- Hagopig Kalfayan
- Hovsep Mounjoghlian
- Antranik Malian
- Kevork Artinian
- Varoujan Patrikian
- GeorgeRasgelenian
- Ragheb Shakker
- Tro Kehyeyan
- Vicken Tchakerian
- Panos Ghazarian
- Daron Darakjian
- Koko Khaloyan
- Jean Haddad
- Levon Darakjian
- Krikor Oundjian
- Ara Djansezian
- Jean Ayyoub
- Khatchig Djigardjian
- Vasken Kalaydjian
Honours
- Lebanese Premier League
- Winners (7): 1943–44, 1945–46, 1947–48, 1950–51, 1954–55, 1962–63, 1968–69
- Lebanese FA Cup
- Winners (3): 1942–43, 1947–48, 1961–62
- Lebanese Second Division
- Winners (1): 2002–03
Performance in AFC competitions
- AFC Champions League: 1 appearance
- 1970 AFC Champions League: 3rd place
External links
- Team profile - Soccerway.com