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Pisa Calcio is an Italian football club, based in Pisa, Tuscany. The club was founded in 1909 as Pisa Sporting Club and refounded in 1994 as A.C. Pisa (and registered to the Eccellenza, that is the sixth football division in Italy), after the cancellation of the old one because of economical troubles. It assumed the current denomination in 1995. The team's colors are blue and black.
Notable former players include Dunga, Henrik Larsen, Diego Simeone, Marco Tardelli and José Antonio Chamot.
Pisa has won two Mitropa Cup, in 1985 and 1988. The local stadium is named after Romeo Anconetani, the chairman who brought and led the club in Serie A.
Pisa currently plays in Serie C1/B, having last been in Serie A in 1991. In 2005/2006, the team, initially thought to be a protagonist for the promotion, was in continuous struggles; despite having changed its coach several times, the team will now battle in the relegation playoffs in two derbies against Massese.
History
After promotion to Serie B in 1965, Pisa took three years to reach Serie A for the first time. Despite a brave effort, Pisa were relegated on the final day of 1968-69 season.
Spending much of the 70s in Serie C, Pisa returned to Serie B in 1979 (by which time the club had come under the presidency of the much-loved Romeo Anconetani) and were promoted to Serie A in 1982 and embarked on a period of six out of nine seasons in Serie A. With Danish international Claus Berggreen among its stars, Pisa managed a credible 11th place in Serie A with 27 points and 27 goals scored and conceded in 30 games. The following season brought relegation (during which they recored just 3 wins and 16 draws) with 10,000 fans travelling to Milan for the fateful penultimate game.
Promotion followed in 1985, and the team seemed capable of staying up until losing their last three games. The cycle was repeated in 1987, only for a side containing players like Dunga and Paul Elliott to stay up. The last promotion to Serie A was achieved in 1990, and with the talents of players like Maurizio Neri, Michele Padovano and Lamberto Piovanelli up front and Diego Simeone and Aldo Dolcetti in midfield, the side started well only to suffer another relegation.
Relegation brought considerable financial strains to the club, and by 1994 they had lost a relegation play-off and were condemned to Serie C1. Bankruptcy saw Pisa reformed in the lower leagues, only to return to Serie C2 in 1996 and C1 in 1999. Pisa have since worked towards attaining Serie B status, which has yet to be realised. Their crowds have been among the better in Italy's lower divisions owing to the dedication of their fans.
Notable former players
- Klaus Berggreen
- Dunga
- José Antonio Chamot
- Wim Kieft
- Henrik Larsen
- Roberto Muzzi
- Lamberto Piovanelli
- Gianluca Signorini
- Diego Simeone
- Marco Tardelli
- Christian Vieri
Notable former managers
External links
"Pisa Calcio"