 | ||
| Founded | 1924 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ground | Evgrapi Shevardnadze Stadium,Lanchkhuti,Georgia | |
| Capacity | 4,500 (3,030 seats) | |
| Chairman | Giga Imedaishvili | |
| Head Coach | Temur Loria | |
| League | Liga 4 | |
| 2024 | Liga 3, 16th of 16 (relegated) | |
FC Guria (Georgian:საფეხბურთო კლუბი გურია) is aGeorgianassociation football club fromLanchkhuti. Following the2024 season they were relegated toLiga 4, the fourth tier of the national league.
Being one of the strongest Georgian teams in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Guria played inthe Soviet Top league, and also won thenational Cup. They later played fifteen seasons in theUmaglesi Liga, twice claiming silver medals.
The team plays their home matches at theEvgrapi Shevardnadze Stadium.
100% share of the club currently belongs to the Lanchkhuti municipality.[1]
Formed in 1924[2] as FC Kimi, the team ceased to exist after the start ofWorld War 2 and resumed functioning in 1952 under the name "Kolmeurne".
In 1960 the club was renamed as Guria. The next year they gained a first title by becoming champions of the republican league. During the subsequent decade the team won the Georgian Cup three times and the domestic league two more times, in 1966 and 1971, which enabled them to advance to theSovietAssociation football.[3]
Starting from 1972 Guria played in theSecond League, the third tier of the Soviet football league, for seven years.
| YEAR | M | W | D | L | GF–GA | Pts | FP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 36 | 12 | 7 | 17 | 46-49 | 31 | 13th |
| 1973 | 34 | 13 | 5 | 16 | 52-52 | 31 | 8th |
| 1974 | 38 | 10 | 17 | 11 | 56-53 | 37 | 11th |
| 1975 | 34 | 18 | 5 | 11 | 62-47 | 41 | 3rd |
| 1976 | 38 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 67-34 | 52 | 1st* |
| 1977 | 42 | 22 | 7 | 13 | 91-57 | 51 | 4th |
| 1978 | 46 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 82-48 | 59 | 2nd |
| 1979 | 46 | 31 | 4 | 11 | 110-50 | 66 | 1st |
*Note: Lost promotion play-offs toUralmash Sverdlovsk
Overall results shown by Guria in II League are the following:
| M | W | D | L | GF–GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 314 | 151 | 66 | 97 | 566:390 |
Guria's remarkable progress was largely attributed to Shalva Kakabadze, who worked as head coach for record twenty years continuously from 1959 until 1980, and local government chairman Evgrapi Shevardnadze, brother of theSoviet Communist Party leader inGeorgiaEduard Shevardnadze.[4]
After the winning season in 1979 Guria were promoted to theFirst League, where they played for another seven consecutive years.
| YEAR | M | W | D | L | GF–GA | Pts | FP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 68-73 | 46 | 11th |
| 1981 | 46 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 50-56 | 44 | 14th |
| 1982 | 42 | 15 | 7 | 20 | 48-67 | 37 | 18th |
| 1983 | 42 | 19 | 4 | 19 | 52-71 | 42 | 9th |
| 1984 | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 49-52 | 42 | 10th |
| 1985 | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 50-52 | 37 | 17th |
| 1986 | 46 | 28 | 5 | 13 | 80-66 | 61 | 1st |
The very fact of promotion to theSoviet Top League for the team representing a provincial town seemed amazing. Football fervour around Guria grew so high that in most cases not a single seat was available during their matches and some youngsters would climb up trees around the stadium to watch their favourite team. The pitch invasion during the 2–1 win over fierce rivalsDaugava Riga resulted in the disqualification of the stadium for three matches. For this reason the final home game of the season againstYuri Semin'sLokomotive Moscow (1–0) was held inBatumi in front of 20,000 spectators.[5]
Under head coach Begi Sikharulidze some players especially contributed to this huge achievement:[6]Besik Pridonashvili with all 46 games played and 27 goals scored; Teimuraz Chkhaidze - 44 (8); Murman Akopian - 43 (7); Badri Danelia - 43 (1); Levan Melikia - 41;Vakhtang Kopaleishvili - 40 (16); Sergey Shvetsov - 40 (1); Enuki Tevzadze - 39 (5); Tariel Ebanoidze - 37 (1); Gigla Imnadze - 36; Alexander Kondratiev - 36; Merab Tevzadze - 30 (1); Gia Giligashvili - 26;Karlo Mchedlidze - 12; Davit Ugrelidze - 11 (5).
Straight away after the promotion the football ground underwent a significant reconstruction and eventually the capacity of stadium in a town with 9,021 residents as of 1987 reached 22,000.[7]
Between the 1983–84 and 1987–88 seasons theUSSR occupied a second place afterItaly inUEFA ranking,[8] therefore, theSoviet Top League was a tough challenge for Guria. Being regarded as a decent home team, Guria beatKairat 2–0,Neftchi 1–0,Dinamo Minsk 2–1,Dinamo Moscow 2–1 andArarat 2–0, also played goalless draws againstDinamo Kyiv,Dinamo Tbilisi and future bronze medal holdersZalgiris, although poor results in away games doomed the club for relegation.
Guria did not succeed in a new promotion attempt, finishing in the 4th place in 1988, but the team still made headlines with a shock victory overDinamo Kyiv (2–1) inthe Cup 1/16 finals.[9] The next year the Gurians once again displayed their powerful home run by winning all 21 games held inLanchkhuti and earned a place in theSoviet Top League as runners-up of the 1989 season.[10]
However, Guria were no longer destined to play again in the Soviet championship. On 15 February 1990, theGeorgian Football Federation made a decision to break away from theSoviet Football Federation, withdraw all the teams from the Soviet leagues and form its own national championship with immediate effect.[11]
By enteringUmaglesi Liga competition a new stage opened up for Guria. First several years they remained high-flying, winning theGeorgian Cup title in 1990[12] and silver medals in 1990 and 1991. Later the decline started which saw the club moving up and down the first three divisions several times.
Their very name was subjected to changes, becoming Guria-Lokomotive-2 after the merger withLocomotive's reserve team in 2001, and Guria-2000 in 2008. In 2009 the team regained their popular name.
In the2016 season Guria played in thetop Georgian division, but within two years they slumped toLiga 3. Although the team managed to go up for 2019, their tenure there did not last longer than one season.
Throughout the shortened2020 season Guria appeared poised for promotion. Yet, the decisive last two games lost to direct rivals spelled failure for their main goal.[13] In contrast, a year later the team mostly stayed inside the drop zone, although due to the points picked up close to the end they barely escaped yet another relegation.
Guria reached a new low in 2024, when they finished at the bottom of the table and suffered relegation toLiga 4.
| Season | League | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Soviet Top League | 16↓ | 30 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 18 | 38 | 18 | |
| 1988 | Soviet First League | 4 | 42 | 23 | 7 | 12 | 71 | 44 | 53 | |
| 1989 | Soviet First League | 2↑ | 42 | 27 | 9 | 6 | 78 | 39 | 63 | |
| 1990 | Umaglesi Liga | 2 | 34 | 22 | 6 | 6 | 73 | 20 | 72 | Winner |
| 1991 | Umaglesi Liga | 2 | 19 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 38 | 15 | 46 | — |
| 1991/92 | Umaglesi Liga | 4 | 38 | 22 | 3 | 13 | 89 | 56 | 69 | Round of 16 |
| 1992/93 | Umaglesi Liga | 12 | 32 | 12 | 2 | 18 | 37 | 57 | 38 | Round of 16 |
| 1993/94 | Umaglesi Liga West | 2 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 36 | 22 | 27 | Quarterfinals |
| Champ.Group | 7 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 30 | 50 | 17 | ||
| 1994/95 | Umaglesi Liga | 13 | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 36 | 81 | 30 | Quarterfinals |
| 1995/96 | Umaglesi Liga | 13 | 30 | 9 | 0 | 21 | 35 | 74 | 27 | Round of 32 |
| 1996/97 | Umaglesi Liga | 13 | 30 | 10 | 3 | 17 | 33 | 63 | 33 | Round of 16 |
| 1997/98 | Umaglesi Liga | 14 | 30 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 30 | 58 | 27 | Round of 16 |
| 1998/99 | Umaglesi Liga | 16↓ | 30 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 34 | 87 | 13 | Round of 32 |
| 1999/00 | Pirveli Liga A | 8 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 36 | 45 | 22 | Round of 16 |
| 2000/01 | Pirveli Liga | 3 | 22 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 31 | 25 | 41 | Fourth round |
| Champ.Group | 1↑ | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 9 | 20 | ||
| 2001/02 | Umaglesi Liga | 10↓ | 22 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 14 | 44 | 15 | Quarterfinals |
| 2002/03 | Pirveli Liga | 12 | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 32 | 44 | 34 | Second round |
| 2003/04 | Pirveli Liga | 10 | 30 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 38 | 37 | 45 | First round |
| 2004/05 | Pirveli Liga | 10 | 30 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 30 | 45 | 38 | First round |
| 2005/06 | Pirveli Liga | 9 | 34 | 14 | 5 | 15 | 50 | 47 | 47 | Round of 32 |
| 2006/07 | Pirveli Liga | 15↓ | 34 | 8 | 7 | 19 | 36 | 76 | 31 | First round |
| 2007/08 | Meore Liga West | 2↑ | 22 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 49 | 17 | 51 | — |
| 2008/09 | Pirveli Liga | 6 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 24 | 21 | 23 | Round of 16 |
| 2009/10 | Pirveli Liga | 4 | 28 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 53 | 32 | 53 | First round |
| 2010/11 | Pirveli Liga | 6 | 32 | 14 | 4 | 14 | 50 | 59 | 46 | First round |
| 2011/12 | Pirveli Liga B | 2 | 18 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 41 | 15 | 39 | Round of 32 |
| 2012/13 | Pirveli Liga A | 1↑ | 33 | 27 | 4 | 2 | 86 | 20 | 85 | Quarterfinals |
| 2013/14 | Umaglesi Liga | 6 | 32 | 12 | 0 | 20 | 31 | 53 | 36 | Round of 16 |
| 2014/15 | Umaglesi Liga | 9 | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 38 | 43 | 39 | Round of 32 |
| 2015/16 | Umaglesi Liga | 11 | 30 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 28 | 49 | 27 | Round of 16 |
| 2016 | Umaglesi Liga White | 6↓ | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 21 | 11 | Round of 16 |
| 2017 | Erovnuli Liga 2 | 8↓[a] | 36 | 11 | 4 | 21 | 47 | 68 | 37 | Round of 16 |
| 2018 | Liga 3 | 3↑[b] | 38 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 59 | 31 | 73 | Round of 8 |
| 2019 | Erovnuli Liga 2 | 8↓[c] | 36 | 10 | 6 | 20 | 39 | 64 | 36 | Round of 16 |
| 2020 | Liga 3 | 5 | 18 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 26 | 30 | 26 | First round |
| 2021 | Liga 3 | 11 | 26 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 33 | 44 | 29 | Third round |
| 2022 | Liga 3 | 12 | 30 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 42 | 49 | 37 | Quarterfinals |
| 2023 | Liga 3 | 9 | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 44 | 55 | 39 | Third round |
| 2024 | Liga 3 | 16↓ | 30 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 30 | 71 | 21 | First round |
Overall, seasons spent in Georgian leagues since 1990:
Correct up to 2025 season
Otar Korghalidze – Top scorers – 14 goals,1991 seasonOtar Korghalidze – Top scorers – 40 goals,1991–92 seasonZviad Endeladze –European Golden Boot – 40 goals,1995–96 season (forMargveti Zestaponi)In early 2020, by decree of theGeorgian Ministry of Sport Begi Sikharulidze, Teimuraz Chkhaidze and Gigla Imnadze were awardedthe Knight of Sport title for their distinguished contribution to Guria's victorious season in 1986.[14]
A year later Begi Sikharulidze was awarded the titleHonorary Citizen of Lanchkhuti.[15]
As of 3 April 2025[16]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
| Season | Name | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1966–67 | Omar Pertenava | 16 |
| 1967–68 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 23 |
| 1968–69 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 17 |
| 1969–70 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 18 |
| 1970–71 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 39 |
| 1971–72 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 13 |
| 1972–73 | Joni Abaishvili | 19 |
| 1973–74 | Vakhtang Dzidziguri | 15 |
| 1974–75 | Revaz Sanaia | 25 |
| 1975–76 | Besik Mchedlishvili | 20 |
| 1976–77 |  Vasil Troian | 18 |
| 1977–78 | Vasil Troian | 15 |
| 1978–79 | Merab Megreladze | 26 |
| 1979–80 | Merab Megreladze | 20 |
| 1980–81 | Merab Megreladze | 11 |
| 1981–82 | Temur Ebanoidze | 9 |
| 1982–83 | Murtaz Akophiani | 14 |
| 1983–84 | Vakhtang Kopaleishvili | 13 |
| 1984–85 | Gia Tkebuchava | 11 |
| 1985–86 | Besik Phridonashvili | 27 |
| 1986–87 |  Viktor Khlus | 5 |
| 1987–88 | Viktor Khlus | 21 |
| 1988–89 | Merab Zhordania | 25 |
| 1989–90 | Otar Korghalidze | 21 |
| 1990–91 | Otar Korghalidze | 14 |
| 1991–92 | Otar Korghalidze | 40 |
| Name | Coun. | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Givi Imnaishvili |  | 1952 | 1953 |
| Vladimer Narimanidze | | 1954 | 1955 |
| Viktor Berezhnoi | | 1956 | 1956 |
| Boris Chitaia | | 1957 | 1958 |
| Shalva Kakabadze | | 1959 | 1979 |
| Aleksandre Kotrikadze | | 1980 | 1980 |
| Murtaz Khurtsilava | | 1981 | 1982 |
| Shalva Kakabadze | | 1983 | 1984 |
| Begi Sikharulidze | | 1985 | 1986 |
| Aleksandre Kotrikadze | | 1986 | 1986 |
| Mykhailo Fomenko | | 1987 | 1990 |
| Gigla Imnadze |  | 1990 | 1990 |
| Murtaz Khurtsilava | | 1990 | 1993 |
| Temur Chkhaidze | | 1993 | 1994 |
| Gigla Imnadze | | 1994 | 1995 |
| Begi Sikharulidze | | 1995 | 1996 |
| Boris Dudarov |  | 1996 | 1996 |
| Gigla Imnadze | | 1996 | 1997 |
| Gia Tavadze | | 1997 | 1997 |
| Avtandil Nariashvili | | 1997 | ? |
| Davit Makharadze | | 2013 | 2013 |
| Roman Pokora | | 2013 | 2013 |
| Davit Makharadze | | 2014 | 2014 |
| Temur Loria | | 2014 | 2015 |
| Gigla Imnadze | | 2015 | 2015 |
| Kakha Gogichaishvili | | 2015 | 2015 |
| Badri Kvaratskhelia | | 2015 | 2015 |
| Gia Chkhaidze | | 2015 | 2015 |
| Viktor Demidov | | 2016 | 2016 |
| Temur Makharadze | | 2016 | 2016 |
| Oleh Leshchynskyi | | 2016 | 2016 |
| Gigla Imnadze | | 2017 | 2017 |
| Gia Guruli | | 2017 | 2017 |
| Davit Makharadze | | 2017 | 2018 |
| Giorgi Oniani | | 2018 | 2018 |
| Giga Imedaishvili | | 2018 | 2018 |
| Tengiz Pataraia | | 2019 | 2019 |
| Giga Imedaishvili | | 2019 | 2019 |
| Gela Sanaia | | 2019 | 2019 |
| Gia Chkhaidze | | 2019 | 2019 |
| Temur Loria | | 2019 | 2020 |
| Levan Khomeriki / Ivane Makharadze | | 2020 | 2021 |
| Giga Imedaishvili | | 2021 | 2021 |
| Giorgi Oniani | | 2021 | 2022 |
| Davit Digmelashvili | | 2023 | 2023 |
| Aleksandre Koshkadze | | 2023 | 2024 |
| Gigla Imnadze | | 2024 | 2025 |
| Temur Loria | | 2025 |
