Sincan Belediyesi Ankaraspor Kulübü, commonly known as Ankaraspor (Turkish pronunciation:[ˈaŋkaɾaspoɾ]), is a Turkish professional football club based in the country's capital Ankara. Founded in 1978, the club competes in the TFF Second League. The club was known as Osmanlıspor from 2014 to 2020.
History
Previous club logo in Osmanlıspor era
Ankaraspor was founded as "Ankara Belediye Spor Kulübü" (Ankara Municipality Sport Club) in 1978. The club has undergone several name changes throughout its history. In 1984, they were renamed "Ankara Büyükşehir Belediye Spor Kulübü" (adding "Metropolitan" to the name). The name was simply switched to "Büyükşehir Belediye Ankaraspor Kulübü" in 1998. "Büyükşehir Belediye Ankaraspor Kulübü" has many sub-divisions branching from its main football division. These include badminton, basketball, boxing, handball, ice hockey, judo, oil wrestling, table tennis, wrestling. Finally, in 2005, the football club changed its name to "Ankaraspor A.Ş." and only focused on football, while "Büyükşehir Belediye Ankaraspor Kulübü" continued its activity on branches other than football.
On 15 September 2009, Ankaraspor was demoted from the Turkish Super League by The Professional Football Disciplinary Committee (PFDK) over its unsportsmanlike relationship with Ankaragücü, which was deemed contrary to sporting competitiveness. All Ankaraspor games in the 2009–10 season were cancelled and awarded 3–0 to Ankaraspor's opponents by default. Ankaraspor was expelled from the Turkish leagues by TFF on 4 August 2010 due to being sued by TFF for objecting to forced relegation in 2009–10. No league operations for the season from 2010 to 2011 Ankaraspor (A2)B Team for season year for one year until 2010/2011
In the 2013–14 season, they were readmitted to TFF First League. In the 2014–15 season, they were champions of the division, resulting in their promotion to the Süper Lig.
On 29 June 2014, the club adopted the name "Osmanlıspor", which refers to Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire.
On 8 September 2020, Osmanlıspor was renamed Ankaraspor, their former name.
Club badge and colours
Ankaraspor's home colours are blue and white.
The previous badge consisted of a blue and white colored shield, which bore the name and the foundation year of the club. The shield featured a view of an Anatolian leopard with some hexagon panels of a football in its head and chest. This animal, which lived in Anatolia and especially near Ankara for a period of time, symbolized the power and dignity of the club.
Stadium
Ankaraspor play their home matches at
Yenikent Stadium which was opened in 1974 and renovated in 2008.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
