Fútbol Club Cartagena, commonly known as FC Cartagena, is a professional football club based in Cartagena, a city in the autonomous community of Murcia, Spain. The club was founded on 25 July 1995 and currently competes in the Segunda División, the second tier of the Spanish football league system.
History
- Foundation and Early Years (1995–2000): FC Cartagena was established through the merger of several local clubs, aiming to consolidate football activity in the city. The team began its competitive participation in the Tercera División, the fourth level of Spanish football.
- Promotion to Segunda División B (2000): After successive promotions, the club reached Segunda División B (the third tier) in 2000, where it remained for several seasons, achieving occasional playoff appearances for further promotion.
- Financial Difficulties and Reorganization (2012–2015): The club faced significant financial challenges, leading to administration and restructuring. In 2015, a new ownership group acquired the club, stabilizing its finances and setting a strategic plan for sporting success.
- Return to Segunda División (2020–present): FC Cartagena secured promotion to the Segunda División at the conclusion of the 2019–20 season, finishing first in the Segunda División B promotion group. Since then, the team has competed in the professional league, maintaining its position and aiming for eventual promotion to La Liga.
Stadium
- Cartagonova Stadium: The club's home ground is the Estadio Cartagonova, inaugurated in 1988. It has a seating capacity of approximately 15,105 spectators and features a grass playing surface. The stadium is located in the El Albujón district of Cartagena.
Colors and Badge
- Kit Colors: The primary kit traditionally consists of a red shirt, white shorts, and red socks, reflecting the city’s historic colors. The secondary (away) kit often incorporates a combination of white and dark blue.
- Badge: The club's badge incorporates the image of the Roman theater of Cartagena and the city's coat of arms, symbolizing the local heritage.
Supporters and Rivalries
- Supporter Base: FC Cartagena enjoys a dedicated local fan base, with organized supporter groups such as "Los Búhos" and "La Guardia del Mar".
- Rivalries: The club's principal rivalry is with Murcia CF, another team from the Murcia region, with matches between them referred to as the "Derby del Mediterráneo". Additional regional rivalries exist with Real Murcia and CD Alcoyano.
Recent Performance (2023–24 season)
- As of the 2023–24 Segunda División campaign, FC Cartagena is positioned mid‑table, having secured a mixture of wins, draws, and losses. The team is managed by Luis Carrión, who emphasizes a tactical approach combining defensive solidity with rapid counter‑attacking play.
Management and Ownership
- Owner: The club is owned by a consortium led by Javier García, who acquired majority shares in 2015.
- President: The current president is Manuel Martínez, overseeing administrative and sporting operations.
- Head Coach: The first‑team head coach is Luis Carrión, appointed in 2022.
Notable Players
- Mikel Saizar: Forward who contributed significantly to the club’s promotion campaign in 2020.
- Álex Pérez: Midfielder known for his play‑making abilities and consistent performances in the Segunda División.
- Javier Gómez: Goalkeeper who earned recognition for his shot‑stopping record during the 2021–22 season.
Youth Development
FC Cartagena maintains a youth academy, the Cartagena Academy, which competes in the Spanish youth league system. The academy focuses on developing local talent and has produced players who have advanced to the senior squad and other professional clubs.
References
- Official website of FC Cartagena: https://www.fccartagena.com
- Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) competition records.
- Historical archives of the Spanish football league system.
This entry reflects information available up to the 2023–24 season.