Çaykur Rizespor

Çaykur Rizespor

Full name	Çaykur Rize Gençlik ve Spor Kulübü Derneği
Nickname(s)	Karadeniz Atmacası (The Black Sea Sparrowhawk)
Short name	Rizespor
Founded	19 May 1953 (1953-05-19)
Ground	Rize City Stadium
Capacity	15,558
Owner	Çaykur
Chairman	İbrahim Turgut
Manager	İlhan Palut
League	Süper Lig
2023–24	Süper Lig, 9th of 20
Website	http://www.caykurrizespor.org.tr
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Çaykur Rizespor Kulübü is a Turkish professional football club based in Rize. The club plays in the Süper Lig. The club was founded on May 19, 1953, with green-yellow as club colours, but later changed to blue-green. Since 1990, the team has been sponsored by the Turkish tea company Çaykur, hence the name and the image of a tea leaf on the club's logo. The club plays its home games in Rize City Stadium.

History

Rize İdman Yurdu

Young people from Rize., still recovering from the scars of World War I, established the first sports club in Rize, Rize İdman Yurdu, on the first anniversary of the city’s liberation from Russian occupation. The club’s foundation was significantly influenced by Suphi Bey, who was stationed in Rize at the time, and İsmail Kentay, a high-ranking security officer who later served as the Deputy Director of Ankara Police. Other notable founders included Kalamozlu Ali Bey, Ali Kemal Kavrakoğlu, Memiş Kanburoğlu, Hamdi Tuzcuoğlu, Sadettin Türüt, Sabri Kolçak, Acente İbrahim, and Lazoğlu Ahmet Bey. Through their efforts, a clubhouse consisting of two rooms was set up next to the then Rize Municipality building.

Rize İdman Yurdu was initially active in sports such as football and gymnastics. Additionally, a music branch was established, forming the core of the Rize City Band. The musical instruments for the band were generously donated by Süleyman Sudi Sofuoğlu (Kartal), a Member of Parliament for Lazistan.

Şark İdman Ocağı

Şark İdman Ocağı began its activities on June 25, 1923, in a building known as Barış Oteli. The founding council of the club included Ali Kemal Kavrakoğlu, Rıfkı Tuzcuoğlu, İshak Turnaoğlu, Hamdullah Şadoğlu, Hasan Biber, Riyazi Diren, and Kamil Karadeniz.

The statement, “The presence of two rival clubs in the city, despite the conservative mindset of that time, consistently attracted an ever-growing audience,” beautifully encapsulates the spirit of Rizespor 80 years ago, expressed in the unadulterated language of that era.

The First Local Rize Derbies

The matches frequently played between the two clubs were reminiscent of a hidden local derby in history. On 7 November 1923, an unforgettable match took place, where Şark İdman Ocağı secured a 1–0 victory. The referee for the match was Captain İsmet Bey, an officer of the 7th Regiment, who was stationed in Rize at the time.

The Two Teams of Rize Football

In the early days of football in Rize, Şark İdman Ocağı and Rize İdman Yurdu played a significant role in shaping the sport’s rivalry within the region. It is evident that these two teams frequently challenged each other in competitive matches. Beyond local competition, the teams also organized trips to Trabzon and Samsun.

Additionally, apart from football, great emphasis was placed on gymnastics, with Suphi Bey being a notable figure who dedicated significant effort to this direction. Şark İdman Ocağı continued its sporting activities for about two years, while Rize İdman Yurdu underwent various stages of development and later became the foundation for Rize Fener Gençlik Kulübü.

Foundation

The club, named Rizespor, was founded in Rize on 19 May 1953, the 34th anniversary of the Turkish War of Independence. It was established with the aim of “enhancing the physical and cultural abilities of youth and contributing to their development through education in this field.” The founding members were Yakup Temizel (a draper), Atıf Taviloğlu (a draper), Bilsel (a draper), Yaşar Tümbekçioğlu (a tax officer), and Muharrem Kürkçü (a draper). The club’s colors were chosen as “Yellow”, representing the oranges and lemons that were abundant in Rize at the time, and “Green”, symbolizing tea, which remains the emblem of Rize to this day. Yaşar Dömekçioğlu, one of the founding members, was selected as the first president.

From 1953 to 1968, during its 15-year amateur period, many local footballers wore the club’s jersey, including Ahmet Durmuş, Ali Durmuş (Milli Ali), Kenan Tiryaki, Mustafa Erol, İrfan Akaslan, Mahmut Salih Yavuz, Salih Kazancı, Ahmet Kemal Yavuz, Hamil Kazancı, Mustafa Veziroğlu, Yılmaz Özkan, Yılmaz Balta, Ahmet Fenci, Akif Fenci, Oktay Arayıcı, Abdullah Kıtır, Mustafa Kazdal, Abdullah Şeker, and Ömer Çakır.

In 1968, with changes to the club’s charter, Rizespor transitioned to professionalism through the merger of Rize Güneşspor, Rizegücü, and Fener Youth Sports Club, under the new colors of Blue-Green. They began their journey in the TFF 2. Lig, after narrowly missing promotion to the TFF 3. Lig following a controversial 3–0 forfeit defeat to Sivasspor. Additionally, 2 points were deducted, and instead of Rizespor, Tarsus İdman Yurdu was promoted to the TFF 2. Lig.

This 3–0 forfeit marked a significant moment in Turkish football history as the first penalty of its kind applied to Rizespor. After a brief period, they fell back to Amateur Leagues but returned to the TFF 2. Lig in the 1978–1979 season as champions, earning the right to play in the TFF 1. Lig for the first time.

Recent History

On 9 February 1991, during an extraordinary general assembly, the club merged with Çaykur, the largest public organization in the Black Sea Region, and continued its activities in professional leagues under the name “Çaykur Rizespor Club.”

The club was relegated from the 2001–02 season, finishing in 16th place. However, it was promoted back to the Süper Lig after just one year. The club remained in the 2003–04 season without relegation until the 2007–08 season, when it was relegated, finishing in 17th place. In the following season, it competed in the TFF 1. Lig.

From 2008 to 2013, the team competed in the TFF 1. Lig, finishing the 2012–13 season in 2nd place and earning promotion back to the Süper Lig after a five-year absence. They competed in the 2016–17 season but were relegated to the TFF 1. Lig, finishing in 16th place. In the 2017–18 season, the club became champions and was promoted again to the 2018–19 season.

In February 2015, the club announced plans to engage in 20 additional sports disciplines, including basketball, handball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, mountaineering, rafting, swimming, gymnastics, athletics, judo, boxing, wrestling, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, cycling, and women’s football.

In the 2020–21 season, under the management of Stjepan Tomas, Çaykur Rizespor parted ways with Tomas after 19 weeks. He was replaced by Marius Şumudică, who mutually terminated his contract after three draws and four losses. Bülent Uygun then took over. The team finished the league in 13th place with 12 wins, 12 draws, and 16 losses, accumulating 48 points. In the 2020–21 Turkish Cup, they were eliminated in the round of 16 after a 1–0 loss to Beşiktaş.

The 2021–22 season ended with the club finishing 17th and being relegated to the TFF 1. Lig. During the 2022–23 season, they finished 2nd and were promoted back to the Süper Lig after one year.

On 13 June 2023, After Bülent Korkmaz's contract with Çaykur Rizespor came to an end, the club decided to appoint İlhan Palut as their new coach. In his first season in charge, Palut led Çaykur Rizespor to a 9th-place finish in the Süper Lig, with the team securing 14 wins, 8 draws, and 16 losses over 38 matches, finishing with 50 points and a goal difference of -10.

Rivalries

Çaykur Rizespor-Trabzonspor rivalry is also known as the Black Sea derby. They are considered rivals due to their geographical proximity and their shared history of competing against each other in local and regional tournaments.

Stadium

The club hosts their home games at Rize City Stadium since 2009–10 season. The opening game of the stadium was held on 12 August 2009, when Çaykur Rizespor hosted Fenerbahçe for an exhibition game.

Honours

• TFF First League:
  • Winners (3): 1978–79 (Group White), 1984–85 (Group A), 2017–18 TFF First League
  • Runners-up (3): 2002–03, 2012–13, 2022–23
  • Play-off winners (1): 1999–2000
• TFF Third League:
  • Winners (1): 1993–94 (Group 2)
  • Runners-up (2): 1973–74 (Group Red)

League participation

• Süper Lig

1979–81, 1985–89, 2000–02, 2003–08, 2013–17, 2018–22, 2023–

• TFF First League

1974–79, 1981–85, 1989–93, 1994–00, 2002–03, 2008–13, 2017–18, 2022–23

• TFF Second League

1968–74, 1993–94

European history

UEFA Intertoto Cup

Season	Round	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
2001	2R	FK Pobeda	0–2	1–2	1–4

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Period	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor	Ref
2008–09	Adidas	Turkcell
2009–10	Lotto	Çaykur
2010–11	Umbro
2011–12	Lotto
2012–13
2013–14
2014–15
2015–16
2016–17	Nike
2017–18
2018–19
2019–20
2020–21
2021–22
2022–23	Umbro
2023–	Nike

Players

Current squad

As of 20 September 2024

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

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	TUR	Tarık Çetin (3rd captain)
2	DF	UZB	Husniddin Aliqulov
3	DF	TUR	Halil İbrahim Pehlivan (vice-captain)
4	DF	HUN	Attila Mocsi
5	DF	DEN	Casper Højer (captain)
6	MF	GRE	Giannis Papanikolaou
7	FW	TUR	Benhur Keser
8	MF	BIH	Dal Varešanović
9	FW	GAM	Ali Sowe (on loan from Rostov)
10	FW	NGA	Ibrahim Olawoyin
15	FW	CZE	Václav Jurečka
16	DF	TUR	Seyfettin Anıl Yaşar
17	FW	TUR	Emrecan Bulut
18	MF	BIH	Muhamed Buljubašić

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
19	FW	ALG	Rachid Ghezzal
20	MF	BIH	Amir Hadžiahmetović (on loan from Beşiktaş)
27	DF	TUR	Eray Korkmaz
28	FW	NGA	Babajide David
30	GK	CRO	Ivo Grbić (on loan from Sheffield United)
37	DF	TUR	Muhammet Taha Şahin
40	GK	TUR	Canberk Yurdakul
45	DF	TUR	Ayberk Karapo (on loan from Manisa)
54	MF	TUR	Mithat Pala
77	FW	KOS	Altin Zeqiri
90	FW	BUL	Martin Minchev
95	DF	TUR	Habil Özbakır
97	FW	TUR	Doğanay Avcı
98	DF	TUR	Muhammet Mert Karaca

Out on loan

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

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
—	GK	TUR	Zafer Görgen (to Bandırmaspor until 30 June 2025)
—	DF	TUR	Mustafa Şengül (to Erbaaspor until 30 June 2025)
—	DF	TUR	Aziz Aksoy (to Fethiyespor until 30 June 2025)
—	DF	TUR	Hüseyincan Kırıkcı (to Edirnespor until 30 June 2025)
—	MF	TUR	Ozan İsmail Koç (to Erbaaspor until 30 June 2025)
—	MF	TUR	Eren Emre Aydın (to 24 Erzincanspor until 30 June 2025)

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
—	MF	TUR	Emirhan Yılmaz (to Düzcespor until 30 June 2025)
—	MF	FIN	Janne-Pekka Laine (to Esenler Erokspor until 30 June 2025)
—	FW	SEN	Mame Mor Faye (to Esenler Erokspor until 30 June 2025)
—	FW	TUR	Güvenç Usta (to Balıkesirspor until 30 June 2025)
—	FW	TUR	Efe Tecimer (to Zonguldak Kömürspor until 30 June 2025)
—	FW	TUR	Remzi Kolcuoğlu (to Kepez Spor Futbol until 30 June 2025)

Coaching history

Tenure	Name
1968–69	Şenol Birol
1969–70	Ahmet Şamlıoğlu
1970–72	Münacettin Barut
1972–74	Gazanfer Olcayto
1974–75	Turgut Kafkas
1975–76	Suat Mamat
1976–77	Tekin Yolaç
1977	İlhan Uralgil
1977–78	Erdoğan Gürhan
1978–79	Gürsel Aksel
1979–80	Zeynel Soyuer
1980–81	Cevdet Soyluoğlu
1981	Halil Güngördü
1981–82	Turgut Kafkas
1982–83	Tezcan Uzcan
1983–84	Suphi Varol
1984–85	Cesarettin Alptekin
1985–86	Enver Katip
1986–87	Nedim Günar
1987–88	Fethi Demican
1988	Davut Şahin
1988–89	Adolf Remy
1989–90	Cesarettin Alptekin
1990–92	Enver Katip
1992–93	Numan Kanburoğlu
1993–95	Giray Bulak
1995–96	Kadir Özcan
1996–97	Ömer Kaner
1997	Ali Kemal Denizci
1997–98	Yaşar Elmas
1998–99	Celal Kıbrızi
1999	Hikmet Karaman
1999–00	Cem Pamiroğlu
2000	Rasim Kara
2000–02	Karol Pecze
2002–03	Fuat Yaman
2003	Hikmet Karaman
2003–04	Yılmaz Vural
2004–05	Rıza Çalımbay
2005	Erdoğan Arıca
2005	Metin Yıldız
2005	Sakıp Özberk
2005–06	Güvenç Kurtar
2006	Safet Sušić
2006–07	Rıza Çalımbay
2007	Samet Aybaba
2007–08	Safet Sušić
2008	Erdoğan Arıca
2008	Metin Diyadin
2008–09	Suat Kaya
2009	Raşit Çetiner
2009	Oktay Çevik
2009–10	Mehmet Şansal
2010	Ümit Kayhan
2010–12	Hüseyin Kalpar
2012	Giray Bulak
2012	Engin Korukır
2012–13	Mustafa Denizli
2013	Rıza Çalımbay
2014	Uğur Tütüneker
2014	Mehmet Özdilek
2014–17	Hikmet Karaman
2017–18	İbrahim Üzülmez
2018–19	Okan Buruk
2019	İsmail Kartal
2020	Ünal Karaman
2020–21	Stjepan Tomas
2021	Marius Şumudică
2021–22	Bülent Uygun
2022	Hamza Hamzaoğlu
2022–23	Bülent Korkmaz
2023–	İlhan Palut

Presidential history

As of 4 November 2021

Tenure	Name
1968–1973	Bahattin Coşkun
1973–1975	Reşat Uçak
1975–1978	Mustafa Zeki Rakıcıoğlu
1978	Köksal Mataracı
1978–1980	Nuri Akbulut
1980–1981	Paşa Ali Alaman
1981	Nuri Akbulut
1981–1983	Ali Rıza Feyiz
1984	Hasan Kemal Yardımcı
1985	Fehmi Ekşi
1986	Servet Takış
1987–1988	Mehmet Turgut Yılmaz
1988–1989	Şadan Tuzcu
1989	Şeref Keçeli
1989–1990	Ahmet Akyıldız
1990	Muharrem Kürkçü
1990	Hamit Oral
1990–1991	Hasan Basri Çillioğlu
1991–1992	Nejat Ural
1992	Süreyya Turgut
1992–1995	Tuncer Ergüven
1995	Ruşen Kukul
1995	Tuncer Ergüven
1995–1996	İsmail Topçu
1996	Ali Baba Çillioğlu
1996	Cemal Aydoğdu
1996–1997	Mehmet Cengiz
1997–1998	Mehmet Hikmet Aslankaya
1998–2002	Mehmet Cengiz
2002–2007	Ekrem Cengiz
2007–2009	Abdülkadir Çakır
2009–2010	Halim Mete
2010–2017	Metin Kalkavan
2017–2018	Hasan Kemal Yardımcı
2018–2021	Hasan Kartal
2021–2022	Tahir Kıran
2022–	İbrahim Turgut

External links

• Official website
• Rizespor on TFF.org
• Rizespor