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Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C.
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Hapoel Be'er Sheva Football Club (Hebrew: מועדון הכדורגל הפועל באר שבע, Moadon HaKaduregel Hapoel Be'er Sheva) is an Israeli professional football club from the city of Be'er Sheva, that competes in the Israeli Premier League. The club was established in 1949, and since 2007 it has been run by businesswoman Alona Barkat, who serves as the club's owner. The club also fields youth teams, and a women's side. There is also a football academy.[1]
Key Information
The home uniform colors of the club are red and white. Until 1959, the club played its home games at a stadium that was located in the old city of Be'er Sheva. In 1960, the club moved to Vasermil Stadium. Starting from the 2015–16 season, the home ground of the team is Turner Stadium.
The club began to win titles in the 1970s. Throughout the years, the team has won five championships, four Israel State Cup, four Toto Cup (One in Liga Leumit), four Israel Super Cup (One in the Second Division) and one Lilian Cup. Be'er Sheva is also the first team in the history of Israeli football to play in a European competition, together with Beitar Jerusalem, and the first team in the history of Israeli football that played in the UEFA Cup together with Hapoel Tel Aviv.
History
[edit]Early years
[edit]The team started in 1949, when Zalman Caspi was a footballer at Hapoel Ramat Gan. He set up a department to find young talents in the transit camps in the Be'er Sheva area, in order to eventually establish a soccer team. In April 1950, the group was established in the framework of the Hapoel Center.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva played for the first time on 1 May 1950 and won 5–4 Hapoel Mefalsim, a team made up of players who immigrated to Israel from South America. The goals were scored by Marcus Abergil (duo), Henry Lev (duo) and Baruch Cohen. At that time, the team participated in friendly matches against teams from the two senior leagues, and Derby was held against Maccabi Be'er Sheva, which ended with a 3–3 draw.
In 1952, the club official activity was suspended after the Association decided that the geographical distance would not allow its participation, but in 1954 the group was re-registered in the 1954–55 league in the Negev region of Liga Gimel, the third league at the time. Be'er Sheva finished the season in the seventh and final place in the Negev region with one win from 12 games, 22 mandatory goals and only 5 goals.
The 1955–56 season, under the guidance of coach Yosef Azran, finished first in the Southern District of Liga Gimel, the fourth league at the time. In the qualifying games for relegation to Liga Bet, Be'er Sheva competed against Hapoel Lod, Hapoel Ramla and Hapoel Holon, and in the decisive game in Rehovot she beat Hapoel Jaffa 0–5 and qualified for the second division. In the 1956–57 season, the team finished seventh in the league in the Southern District.
In the 1957–58 season, Lonia Dvorin replaced Yosef Azran at the coaching post. In the same season, the Football Association stopped all the leagues under the first division towards their end, with Be'er Sheva in second place leading to the first round of tests, following suspicions of bribes and biases, all of which have been frozen for the season. At the end of the season the team reached the final of the "Football Association Cup", but lost 7–1 to Hapoel Tiberias.
In the 1958–59 season the team finished second in the league in the Southern District and qualified for the first stage of the tests. In the first test game she lost 0–5 to Hapoel Afula and Dvorin resigned from the team coaching. Former Israeli national team coach Jack Gibbons took his place and led the team to Liga Alef after winning the decisive game against Hapoel Netanya in Rehovot 2–1.
1960s
[edit]In the 1959–60 season, Hapoel Be'er Sheva moved to play on a lawn in the municipal stadium in Be'er Sheva. This season, Yechiel Mor, 27-year-old from Hapoel Ramat Gan, joined the team and began to serve as player-coach. Under his guidance, the team finished ninth in Liga Alef. In preparation for the 1960–61 Beer Sheva played their first game against an international team when she hosted Cyprus Anorthosis Famagusta for a friendly game, which ended in a 1–2 loss. This season they finished ninth again.
In the 1961–62 season, Rober Eryol was appointed coach of the team, but after five matches Be'er Sheva remained without points, and the club decided to fire Eryol and rehire coach Yechiel Mor back. In the same season, the team reached the semi-finals of the State Cup for the first time in history, in the Liga Alef, after beating Hapoel Ramla 2–1 in the eighth round. In the quarterfinals, Hapoel Tel Aviv won 3–1 and was eliminated after a loss 3–0 to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the semi-finals.
In the 1963–64 season, the league was divided into two districts – North and South, and Be'er Sheva finished as the "winter champion" in the Liga Alef South. Be'er Sheva struggled with Beitar Tel Aviv to advance to the national league in the Southern District, and at the end of the season Beitar Tel Aviv finished first with a better goal differential.
In the 1964–65 season, under the guidance of Yugoslav coach Slavko Milošević, the team competed for the national league against Beitar Ramla and Beitar Jerusalem, and finally finished first in the Liga Alef South league, with a gap of nine points from second place, and qualified for the national league for the first time in its history. In addition, the team reached the quarterfinals of the State Cup after defeating Hapoel Haifa from the Liga Leumit. In the quarterfinals they lost 2–4 to Hapoel Tel Aviv after an extension. During the season of promotion, Eliyahu Offer, midfielder-striker Abraham Noma and purchasing player Haim Cohen, who was the team top scorer with 20 goals this season, were conspicuous in the season.
In the 1965–66 season, Yugoslav Selvole Stanković was named coach of the team and was joined by midfielder Yitzhak Gozlan, who came from Hapoel Ofakim. This season, Be'er Sheva promised to stay only in the last round, when she beat Maccabi Netanya 4–0 and finished 13th in the league.
In the summer of 1966, Yehiel Mor was again appointed coach of the team, and the offensive midfielder Meir Barad was joined from the Youth department to the first team. After 12 rounds the team led the league table and later joined the team of youth player Rafi Eliyahu. At the end of the double season 1966–68, the team finished ninth in the table, and Abraham Noma won the Israeli Footballer of the Year award.
In the 1968–69 season, Selvole Stepanović was appointed coach of the team, but already at the beginning of the season to they fell into last place in the league. As a result, the management summoned the former coach of the team, Lonia Dvorin, to serve as a professional manager. After the 16th round, Stepanović was fired and replaced by Moshe Litbek. Under his guidance, the team managed to finish in 14th place and remain in the league. In addition, the team reached the quarterfinals of the State Cup after a 2–1 victory over Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv in the eighth round. In the quarterfinals the team lost 2–3 to Maccabi Sha'arayim.
The early 1970s
[edit]In the 1969–70 season, under the guidance of Avraham Menchel, the team scored only a few goals, finishing with only 24 goals, and was soaking it up when it finished with 49 goals against. Among other things, the team lost 0–8 to Hapoel Tel Aviv. The team finished the season in the 16th and final place in the table, and went down to Liga Alef after five years in the Liga Leumit.
In the 1970–71 season, Moshe Litbek returned to the position of coach of the team. Which began on the basis of its young players at the end of the season, the team returned to the top league from first place in the Liga Alef South, with a gap of 14 points from the second Hapoel Yehud, when Meir Barad finished the season as the team's top scorer with 18 goals. The decision was made by the champions of Liga Alef North, Maccabi Jaffa, in the Super Cup to the second league.
At the beginning of the 1971–72 season, Be'er Sheva was in the top ranks of the Liga Leumit, but Meir Barad injury and a dispute between the club's management and Rafi Eliyahu led the team to the bottom of the league. The return of Barad and Eliyahu two months later did not change their luck, and the team finished 12th in the table with just 25 goals, with Barad finishing the season as king of the team with 11 goals. In the same season, the team met with Aston Villa, one of the top three teams in England at the time, and won it 3–1.
In the 1972–73 season, Eli Fuchs was appointed coach of the team, and was joined by the pioneer Shalom Avitan from Beitar Be'er Sheva. The team opened at the bottom, but improved with the progress of the season thanks to Avraham Numa who was the team top scorer with 14 goals this season, finishing fifth in the table, the best position in its history until then.
The 1973–74 season, started poorly, and after 18 matches Be'er Sheva was in 14th place in the league, but as the league progressed, it improved and finished the season in seventh place in the table. In addition, the team reached the quarter-finals of the State Cup, in which it lost 1–3 to Hapoel Petah Tikva in summing up two games.
First honours
[edit]
In the 1974–75 season, Amazia Levkovich was appointed coach of the team when he was 37, and was considered a young coach in relation to the leading and leading coaches in Israel. Levkovich was the first coach to introduce the style of the attacking defenders in Israel, a style taken from German football. Levkovich combined young players, among them 20-year-old Uri Benjamin as a right-wing defender and 18-year-old Jacob Cohen as a left-wing defender. The team was one of the young players in the league, and included only four players who had reached the age of 25. The team started the season with three wins, including a victory over last season champions Maccabi Netanya, without conceding a single goal. During the season she competed for the championship against Maccabi Netanya, and the decision came one season before the end of the season. Be'er Sheva played against Maccabi Jaffa, with one point separating it from Maccabi Netanya from the second place, and winning 1–0 from the gate of Efraim Zvi Hapoel Be'er Sheva was crowned the country's Liga Leumit champion for the first time in its history, with most of the players being home players. Efraim Zvi finished the season as the team's top scorer with 10 conquests, and Uri Benjamin won the title Footballer of the Year in Israel.
In the summer 1975 the team participated in the Super Cup game for the first time in its history, and won the title after a 2–1 victory over Hapoel Kfar Saba.
In the 1975–76 season, Be'er Sheva opened the league in a disappointing way when it finished twice in the first two rounds, but in the following rounds improved, and in the fifth round it was ranked first in this season in the first place in the table. During the season she fought for the first place against Beitar Jerusalem, and in the closing round Be'er Sheva again met Maccabi Jaffa for a decisive game. This time Jaffa fought against the decline and had to win to stay in the Liga Leumit, while Be'er Sheva wanted to win to secure the championship Beitar Jerusalem met Maccabi Tel Aviv, which also fought against the decline, and had to win. Maccabi Jaffa won 1–0, but after the defeat of Beitar Jerusalem, Be'er Sheva won a second consecutive championship. Shalom Avitan, who returned to the team at the beginning of the season, finished him as the team's top scorer with 11 conquests.
In the summer of 1976 Be'er Sheva and Beitar Jerusalem were the first teams in the history of Israeli football to play in a UEFA Intertoto Cup. Be'er Sheva was drawn to Group 2 and held six games in a "home-away" Against the groups Køge BK from Denmark, Herta Berlin from (Germany) and Standard Liège from Belgium The balance of the team in the factory was one victory, 2–1 on Køge BK at Vasermil Stadium, three draw results and lost 2 consecutive wins for the second time in a row, losing to the Beitar Jerusalem Super Cup holder 2–3 after the extension.
The late 1970s
[edit]In the 1976–77 season, Be'er Sheva almost became the first champion team to go down in the league. Under the guidance of Eli Fuchs, who returned to coaching the team, Be'er Sheva opened the season badly and fell to the bottom. As a result, after 16 rounds Fuchs resigned from the coaching team, and Eliyahu Offer, who retired from regular activity as a player during the season and also served as Fuchs's assistant, was named coach. Two rounds to the end of the season the team met outside with Maccabi Haifa for a survival game, with only a goal difference separating the two teams in the table. Be'er Sheva won 1–0 and managed to stay in the league while Maccabi Haifa dropped to the second division. In addition, the team reached the quarterfinals of the Israeli Cup again after beating Maccabi Haifa 2–0 in the eighth-finals and was eliminated after losing 0–3 to Beitar Tel Aviv.
In the 1977–78 season, the team displayed a good offensive ability throughout the season, led by its top scorer Shalom Avitan, with 12 goals and his deputy Victor Seroussi, with 10 goals, but at the same time showed less defensive ability. Be'er Sheva finished the season in fifth place in the table with 43 goals, the highest in a single season in the history of the team in the first division until then (except for the double season of 1966–68, which scored 71 goals).
In the 1978–79 season, the team finished ninth. In addition, she reached the quarter-finals of the State Cup for the sixth time in her history, following a 2–1 win over Hapoel Kfar Saba in the eighth-finals. In the quarterfinals she lost to Beitar Tel Aviv with a penalty kick.
The 1980s
[edit]Towards the 1979–80 season, Amatzia Levkovich returned to coaching the team, and was joined by the young Efraim Davidi of Maccabi Be'er Sheva. The team did not open the season well, and then gave Levkovich a chance to play with other young players. The number of duty gates, 27, was the lowest since the season of the first championship under Levkovich (1974–75), but the offense was deficient and the team rarely scored goals. The team finished in the tenth place in the table with only seven wins.
Towards the 1980–81 season, Eliyahu Offer returned to the coach position and opened the season well. However, just as the team scored more goals, it was also a great hit, and finished the season in 11th place.
In preparation for the 1981–82 season, the team appointed Shimon Shenhar, and the team opened the season with four losses, two draws and a win, leading to 15th and last place in the league. From the eighth round onwards, the team achieved a series of 11 cycles without loss. At the end of the 18th round, the team ranked in fourth place in the table, which they managed to keep until the end of the season. Be'er Sheva showed a good attacking ability during the season, scoring 43 goals and equaling the record for one season. King of the team's gates was Shalom Avitan with 14 goals. In addition, the team reached their semi-finals in the history of the State Cup, after beating Maccabi Netanya in the eighth round, 1–0, and in the quarterfinals they won 4–0 in Ramat Gan. In the semi-finals she met Hapoel Tel Aviv and lost 3 to 5 in the penalty kick after 2–2 at the end of the extension.
The fourth place in the league gave Be'er Sheva a ticket to the Lilian Cup, a tournament that was played in the 1980s. In preparation for the 1982–83 season, the team played in the tournament and won 3–1 against Maccabi Netanya. In this season, Be'er Sheva played a very good defensive ability and took only 23 duty gates, the lowest number of duty gates since the first season. Be'er Sheva finished third in the table, and the reigning king was again Shalom Avitan with 11 conquests.
In preparation for the 1983–84 season, Eliyahu Offer returned to the position of coach. The team played again against Maccabi Netanya in the Lilian Cup final and lost 2–3. In the league, the team failed to maintain stability, rocking throughout the season between mid-table and bottom, and finally finished seventh in the table. In addition, she reached the finals of the Israeli Cup for the first time in her history, after winning 4–2 in the quarterfinals of Hapoel Tel Aviv in a penalty shootout after a replay, and in the semi-finals she defeated Maccabi Netanya. In the final, the team lost 2–3 penalties to Hapoel Lod after 0–0 at the end of the extension.
In preparation for the 1984–85 season, Zvi Rosen was appointed coach of the team, who scored few goals and finished the season with the lowest number of conquests since the 1976–77 season, and faced the danger of a drop to the relegation. Three seasons to the end of the season, with a lag of 5 points from where they remain in the league, Rosen was fired and replaced by former teammate Jackie Dekel, who managed to keep the team in the top league.
In preparation for the 1985–86 season, Nahum Stelmach was appointed coach, and his assistant was appointed former player of the team Alon Ben Dor. This season, the team reached their final Toto Cup for the first time in their history, after beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 2–1 in the semi-finals. In the final she lost to Hapoel Petah Tikva 1–2. In the league, the team barely scored and finished the season with 24 goals, but also scored a low 24 points, the lowest since the 1969–70 season. Throughout the season the team wandered between the bottom and middle of the table, finally finishing eighth in the table.
In preparation for the 1986–87 season, Nino Bargig was appointed coach of the team, which started the season with two losses and a draw. Bargig was dismissed and replaced by Dror Bar-Nur. Under his defense, the team improved the defense game and finished with only 19 goals, but continued to harden the game and scored only 20 goals. The team's number of goals and goals was the lowest in its history in the first division. Throughout the season, she struggled with the bottom, finishing her 11th in the table.
In preparation for the 1987–88 season, the team appointed Nissim Bakhar as coach. During this season the team maintained a high defense capability and improved its offensive ability. The team finished third in the table and won the Lilian Cup for the third time since the tournament was established.
For the 1988–89 season, the team won 1–0 against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Lilian Cup final. Later in the season, the team reached the final of the Toto Cup and won the Cup for the first time in its history after a victory over Maccabi Netanya. In the league, the team did not list, and in the 22nd round they broke up with coach Nissim Bakhar, when Shimon Shenhar came in for a second term as team coach. Be'er Sheva scored only 22 goals, 29 assists and finished fifth in the table.
The 1990s
[edit]In the 1989–90 season was the first season in which foreign players were allowed to participate in the Israeli league, and Be'er Sheva joined the Argentinian attackers Claudio Dykstra and Ricardo Cacchione. During the season, the team replaced four coaches, Shimon Shenhar, who finished in the fifth round, past players Haim Cohen and Alon Ben Dor, and Eliyahu Offer, who was appointed towards the end of the season in which the team finished ninth in the league.
In the 1990–91 season, the team qualified for the playoffs, finishing sixth in the table. In the 1991–92 season, the team received 43 duty rates, the highest number of duty rates since the 1969–70 season. On the other hand, the team also scored a great deal, ending the season with 40 goals, the highest number of goals since 1981–82, and finished the season in tenth place in the table.
In the 1992–93 season, Uri Malmilian and Hisham Zuabi joined the team. After five rounds Eliyahu Offer was fired and replaced by assistant coach Vico Haddad. Be'er Sheva showed a good offensive ability during the season, when Zuabi finished as deputy king of the league with 17 goals, and sets a record for conquering Be'er Sheva in the senior league. The entire team finished the season with 52 goals, the highest number of goals ever scored in one season in the top league, as well as their best ever goal difference in the top division, and fourth in the table.
In the 1993–94 season, the team again broke the record for the season in the Premier League and scored 54 goals, and returned their best goal difference in the Premier League. Amir Avigdor finished the season as the team's top scorer with 16 conquests, the team finished third and won the UEFA Cup for the first time in which Israeli teams participated.
In the 1994–95 season Vitaly Savchenko of Ukraine was appointed to coach the team. In the UEFA Cup, the team was defeated against Aris Thessaloniki from Greece, losing twice to the team and being eliminated from the team.
In the 1995–96 Liga Leumit season, Vico Haddad was again appointed to the team's training. In the first qualifying phase of the UEFA Cup, the team beat SK Tirana of Albania, and was then knocked out of the factory after a double encounter against FC Barcelona in which she lost 0–7 at home and 5–0 outside. Later in the season Haddad was fired and replaced by former coach Vitaly Savchenko, The team won the second time in their history in the Toto Cup, after beating Hapoel Kfar Saba in the final game, and the team showed poor ability to score, and Savchenko was replaced by Eli Guttman, who finished with 32 points and 10th in the table.
In the 1996–97 season, Guttman led the team to their first win in the State Cup, following a 1–0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the final game, from Giovanni Rosso goal. In the league, the team finished the season in third place, after missing the second place in the last round of the season, with 25 goals and the best goalscorer in their history in the top league.
In the summer of 1997, then-owner Eli Lahav decided to release many of the leading players in the team, including Giovanni Rosso, Sejad Halilović and Shai Holtzman, and then left the team and transferred ownership to Eli Zino. As a result, the team opened the 1997–98 season with a small staff. Due to the lack of players, the team brought youth player Yossi Benayoun to the senior team at the age of 17, and coach appointed Benny Tabak. In the first qualifying phase of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the team FK Žalgiris from Lithuania, and was then knocked out of the factory by Roda JC from Netherlands, who lost 4–1 at home and 10–0 away. After the defeat Tabak resigned, replacing Jackie Dekel again. Yossi Benayoun scored 15 goals this season, including a dramatic goal in a 1–0 win over Maccabi Haifa in the final round, but due to her opponent's victory in the Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv team, the team dropped to the second division after 27 consecutive years in the Liga Leumit. The number of high duty rates in its history in one season in the Liga Leumit.
In preparation for the 1998–99 season, in the Liga Artzit, Shiye Feigenbaum was appointed coach of the team, and during the season was replaced by Gili Landau. The team struggled with Maccabi Netanya to join the Premier League, but finally finished in third place in the table.
The beginning of the millennium
[edit]In preparation for the 1999–2000 season, Eliyahu Offer returned to coaching the team, and was later replaced by Motti Ivanir. Towards the end of the season Ivanir was replaced by Eyal Lahman, and the team failed again in their attempt to qualify for the first division after finishing seventh in the table, while Beitar Be'er Sheva was fifth and above in the table.
In the 2000–01 season, Eyal Lahman continued on the sidelines, but was fired during the season and was replaced by Shlomo Scharf, who resigned after two rounds, and Lufa Kadosh replaced him as Be'er Sheva returned to the top of the Liga Leumit to fight for the Premier League. this season the team met with Beitar Jerusalem in the Premier League in the framework of the State Cup, and won 3–2 after an extension. Be'er Sheva met Hapoel Ramat Gan for the first division game, Be'er Sheva won 5–0 and ensured her rise to the Premier League from the first place.
In the first two seasons after her return to the Premier League, the team finished twice in fifth place, and in the 2002–03 season it even reached the finals of the State Cup after beating Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. 1–0 with a 1–0 win at Bloomfield Stadium and a 3–0 win in Maccabi Haifa. In the final, Be'er Sheva met Hapoel Ramat Gan of the Liga Leumit, but was beaten by a penalty kick from 11 meters after 1–1 after the extension.
In the 2003–04 season Eli Guttman returned to the position of coach, and Alon Mizrahi, Dedi Ben Dayan, Ofir Haim and Blessing Kaku were prominent. In this season Be'er Sheva finished fourth, which earned them a ticket for the UEFA Intertoto Cup factory.
In the 2004–05 season, the team suffered financial problems and at the end of the game the team dropped to the Liga Leumit after most of the players were released. The economic problems continued to accompany the team in the next two seasons, finishing fourth in the Liga Leumit.
The beginning of the era of Alona Barkat
[edit]In July 2007, businesswoman Alona Barkat purchased the team from Eli Zino. On 29 August 2007, during a training match against Maccabi Be'er Sheva, the team pioneer Chaswe Nsofwa collapsed and died of cardiac arrest.
In the first season of the Alona Barkat season, the 2007–08 season, the team finished fourth in the Liga Leumit and failed to qualify for the Premier League. In the 2008–09 season, Guy Levy was appointed coach of the team, and the midfielder Maor Melikson signed in the club. This season the team managed to return to the Premier League after four years in the Liga Leumit. In the same season, the team won the Toto Cup for the Liga Leumit, after beating Maccabi Herzliya 1–0 in the final.
In the 2009–10 season, Guy Azouri was appointed coach of the team, who signed a number of new players in the team, including David Revivo, Siraj Nassar and Brazilian William Soares, who joined in January. The team presented a weak ability and its supporters protested and demanded Azouri resignation. In March 2010, following a violent incident by Fan towards the coach, Azouri decided to resign. The owner, Barkat, announced that following the fans behavior, she will leave the team at the end of the season. The fans launched a campaign to keep her at the club, and eventually Barkat stayed at Be'er Sheva. The professional director of the youth department at the time, Vico Haddad, served as coach until the end of the season, when the team finished ninth.
In the 2010–11 season, Nir Klinger was appointed coach of the team. The team started the season well, but in January 2011 the team star Maor Melikson was sold to Wisła Kraków, and after that there was a significant decline in its ability. In the last round of the regular season she managed to reach the midfield playoffs, after a 2–0 away win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, and finished the season for the second time in a row in ninth place.
In the 2011–12 season, owner Alona Barkat decided to build on young home players, including the left defender Ofir Davidzada, with experienced players, but the season started badly, when the team lost six consecutive games. In the seventh round the team won 0–2 Hapoel Haifa, and at the end of the game Klinger decided to resign. Nir Klinger was replaced by Guy Levy, who returned to another term as coach of the team and signed a contract until the end of the season. In the last round, the team won 3–1 at Beitar Jerusalem, and then finished in 13th place and stayed in the Premier League.
In the 2012–13 season, owner Alona Barkat signed outgoing coach of Maccabi Haifa Elisha Levi. This season a senior goalie in the form of Austin Ejide signed. In the same season, the team reached the Toto Cup final against Hapoel Haifa and lost 0–1, when Ido Axebrad, missed a Penalty kick in the 88th minute. In this season the team reached the playoffs, Location. Following the victory, Be'er Sheva finished eighth, and Maccabi Netanya was relegated to the Liga Leumit.
Return to the top
[edit]In preparation for the 2013–14 season, Alona Barkat decided to sign Elisha Levi for another season, and to bring together players with a name and potential for the future. As a result, Alona Barkat increased the budget Accordingly, senior actors in the form of Elyaniv Barda, Maor Buzaglo, Glynor Plet signed. These signings led the team to its best season since the championship season, finishing the season in second place. As a result, the club received a ticket to the UEFA Europa League preliminaries.
In the 2014–15 season, the team returned to the European competitions after 18 years of absence playing against RNK Split in the preliminaries of the UEFA Europa League. Due to the security situation at that time, the Israeli teams were forced to host the home game in Cyprus. The first game was held in Croatia and ended 1–2 in favor of Croatia, Be'er Sheva was eliminated from Europe after the return leg finished 0–0 in Cyprus. That season, a number of senior players were signed in the form of Maor Melikson and Shlomi Arbeitman who returned from Europe. In addition, John Ogu from Nigeria and Ovidiu Hoban from Romania were signed. In the semi-finals of the State Cup, Be'er Sheva defeated Hapoel Afula and qualified for the State Cup final, losing 2–6 to Maccabi Tel Aviv. In the league, the team finished the season in third place.
In the 2015–16 Barak Bakhar was appointed as the team new coach. In addition, a number of leading players were signed in the form of Anthony Nwakaeme, Shir Tzedek, Maharan Radi and Ben Sahar. As part of the UEFA Europa League, Be'er Sheva was drawn against FC Thun from Switzerland for a home-away game encounter. In the first game held at Teddy Stadium the game ended with a 1–1 draw. Following a 1–2 defeat in the return leg at Stockhorn Arena Be'er Sheva was eliminated from the Europa League. In the fourth round of the season, the team inaugurated the Turner Stadium which was built in the city, in a match against Maccabi Haifa in front of 16,126 spectators. On 21 May 2016. the team won the third championship in its history after 40 years. During the season the team had 29 games without a loss, and throughout the season Be'er Sheva suffered only three losses. In the deciding game of the last round, Be'er Sheva defeated Bnei Sakhnin 3–1 at Turner Stadium and won the championship title.
In the 2016–17 season, Be'er Sheva won the title of Super Cup after winning 4–2 against the cup holder Maccabi Haifa. That season the team participated in the UEFA Champions League qualification reaching the playoffs after beating Sheriff Tiraspol from Moldova and Olympiacos from Greece. In the playoffs the team was eliminated by Celtic and as a result fell to the UEFA Europa League stage. In the group stage the club won twice against Inter Milan, managed two draws against Southampton and lost twice to Sparta Prague finishing second in the Group and progressing beyond the group stage of a European competition for the first time in their history. In the round of 32, Be'er Sheva was drawn against Beşiktaş from Turkey, and was eliminated after losing 2–5 in the final two games. On 28 December 2016, the team won the Toto Cup of the Israeli Premier League, the third most important Israeli football competition, after a 4–1 win over Ironi Kiryat Shmona in the final game held in Netanya Stadium. On 29 April, Be'er Sheva won 2–1 Maccabi Tel Aviv in Netanya Stadium achieving the second consecutive championship with three games remaining for the season.
In the 2017–18 season, Be'er Sheva won the title of Super Cup after winning 4–2 the cup holder Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv. This season the team took part in qualifying for the UEFA Champions League and reached the playoff stage after beating Budapest Honvéd from Hungary and Ludogorets Razgrad from Bulgaria. In the playoffs, the team was eliminated against Maribor from Slovenia and as a result fell to the UEFA Europa League stage. At the end of the season the team won the fifth championship in its history, and for the third time in a row.
In the 2019–20 season, Be'er Sheva won the title of State Cup for the second time in their history after winning 2-0.
In the 2021–22 season, Be'er Sheva won the State Cup for the second time in three years, in the final game played at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem and ended in a 2–2 draw plus overtime and in the penalty shootout, in which the club won 3–1 with goalkeeper Omri Glazer stopping three of four kicks.
In the 2024–25 season, Be'er Sheva won the State Cup , in the final game played at Bloomfield_Stadium Vs Beitar Jerusalem and ended in a 2–0
In the 2024–25 season, Be'er Sheva won the title of Super Cup after winning 2–1 Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Stadium and facilities
[edit]
Since its inception in 1949, the club Hapoel Be'er Sheva has played in 3 different plots, starting out playing on the soil surface at the stadium which was located in the old city.
In 1959, the municipal stadium was built and inaugurated in Be'er Sheva on 31 October 1959 in a Hapoel Be'er Sheva game against Hapoel Tel Aviv. December 1988 ended in a major overhaul of the stadium, the contribution of Mrs. Lilly Friedman-Vasermil, and the stadium was named for Arthur Vasermil. Ms. Friedman-Vasermil perpetuated the name of her son, who was murdered in the Holocaust by the Nazis, in 1943, Majdanek extermination camp, at the age of seven.
In 1995, in honor of her portrayal of Hapoel Be'er Sheva in front of a Barcelona UEFA Cup group, the stadium was renovated and plastic seats were installed at the bleachers instead of exposed concrete.
In 2009 the rest of the seats were installed in the galleries, following the return of Hapoel Be'er Sheva Premier League.
On 30 May 2015 the last game was played in Vasermil Stadium, which increased Hapoel Be'er Sheva 4–0 on the team Beitar Jerusalem.
On 16 September 2015, Turner Stadium opened for the first time to some 4,000 fans who watched the team public show practice. The first game hosted by the stadium took place on 21 September 2015 against Maccabi Haifa, and ended with a 0–0 draw. Before the game there was a dedication ceremony for a house and the setting of mezuzot in the presence of Mayor Rubik Danilovich.
Compound Vasermil
[edit]Be'er Sheva Municipality decided during 2015 to commemorate the legendary stadium named Arthur Vasermil that carries on a meaningful story.
This compound serves mainly the youth department groups Hapoel Be'er Sheva, but sometimes even the older group.
Compound five training facilities include a field with artificial turf as required by FIFA.
In 2013 the building was inaugurated "at the Association". The project includes 750 square meters of computer rooms, professional spaces, dressing rooms, doctor's room, coaches room, an area for gatherings, logistics and other rooms with modern elements of the most advanced in the country and meets all the standards of the Israel Football Association Premier leagues. There is a possibility of building another floor to the club in the future, to continue activities such as a football academy construction project.
Fans
[edit]Hapoel Be'er Sheva fans spread throughout the country and are one of the largest audiences in Israel.
The 2012–13 season fans won the title of Be'er Sheva year's fair audience.
Ultras Organization – UltraSouth
[edit]UltraSouth was founded in 2014 out of a union between 2 groups – The Camels 2005 & and The South Side. Its activity was centered in Gate 5 at Vasermil Stadium. At Turner Stadium it runs behind the gate in the south gallery. The organization focuses on encouraging the group and preparing a stage for the games. In addition, the organization helps organize the fans of the group in ways of reaching out. Since the group moved to Turner Stadium, the organization has begun to present advanced sets of encouragement. In the 2016–17 season, the fans organization launched a fundraising campaign to purchase crankshafts for the southern pavilion to assist in the layout of the sets. The sum they sought to reach was 100,000 Shekels and the end of the campaign was about a month, but after 24 hours the money was raised in full. The organization advocated political isolation and the ultras of "ULTRAS NO POLITICA". The approach of the UltraSouth organization to avoid political affiliation turned out to be successful. After the display of Palestinian flags in Celtic Park, the organization emphasized that anyone who wanted to bring the Israeli flag to the tour was welcome, but it would not be related to the group.
The organization takes care to make flags and signs in high-level deployment to increase the standard of decor in the stands. There is a songwriter for the group and for the players. In addition, the organization is in regular contact with the fans through Facebook, a dedicated Telegram channel, and other social media.
Crest
[edit]With the establishment of the club, it was decided by the management team that a crest, labeled below with Hapoel Be'er Sheva, would be placed on jerseys. This symbol has served the club until 1993.
In 1993 the club management decided to change the group crest, and because over the years the club had earned the nickname "Camel", the club tried to create a symbol for it. Between 1993 and 1995 the crest had a modified camel hump below, a soccer ball in the center circle, and the team name written in Hebrew and English at the edges.
From 1995 to 2016, Hapoel Be'er Sheva flaunted symbol whose lower half was a soccer ball, and the top half contained a chimney that symbolizes the municipal building, a symbol of the original executive, and the slogan "the pride of the Negev" to describe the team from the capital of the Negev.

On 21 June 2016 the club's management presented the official emblem at the 2016–17 season press conference. The current symbol is based on the symbol that served the club from the 1995–96 season to the 2015–16 season: the lower half circle shape is half a soccer ball, the top half contains a chimney symbolizing the municipal building, a symbol of the original executive, and the top edges of the circle display the club's Hebrew and English name. In addition, the crest is displayed below a star; this star represents that the club has won five championships.
Kit manufacturers and sponsors
[edit]Kit manufacturers
[edit]The shirt and shorts of Hapoel Be'er Sheva have been red and white since its inception; the group's third costume is blue.
At some point in time, the team has added a rather black color. During the 1990s, the team also played in costumes that are not related to their traditional colors, such as a purple outfit, which represents the forum club that was then the main sponsor. The club's famous uniforms are red and white striped shirts, the first and second championship seasons.
The uniform of the team beginning with the 2019–20 season are made by the Kelme company. Over the years, Hapoel Be'er Sheva has used uniforms from Kappa, Adidas, Nike, Diadora, Lotto, Puma and Umbro.
Here are the manufacturers of team uniforms starting in 1975:
| Period | Kit manufacturer |
|---|---|
| 1975–1980 | Umbro |
| 1980–1983 | Adidas |
| 1983–1986 | Umbro |
| 1986–1995 | Diadora |
| 1995–1998 | Lotto |
| 1998–2000 | Diadora |
| 2000–2004 | Kappa |
| 2004–2005 | Nike |
| 2005–2008 | Lotto |
| 2008–2011 | Diadora |
| 2011–2016 | Kappa |
| 2016–2019 | Puma |
| 2019–2023 | Kelme |
| 2023–present | Umbro |
Sponsors
[edit]Since its inception Hapoel Be'er Sheva has worked with a number of sponsors recognized locally as Solel Boneh in the 1980s, and the South Korean car company Kia and Forum Club at the beginning and middle of the decade.
As of 2020, the main sponsor is Mahsanei HaShuk. Secondary Hapoel Be'er Sheva sponsors include the company Metropoline, Fattal Hotels, Kelme and Eurotec group.
Here are the main sponsors of the team from 2012:
| Period | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|
| 2012–2015 | O-Mobli |
| 2015–2016 | Get Stocks |
| 2016–2020 | Tadiran |
| 2020–2022 | Mahsanei HaShuk |
| 2022–present | Victory |
Honours, records and achievements
[edit]Honours
[edit]
- Premier League:
- Second League:
- State Cup:
- Super Cup:
- Super Cup (Second League):
- Winners (1): 1970–71
- Toto Cup:
- Toto Cup (Second League):
- Lilian Cup:
Team records
[edit]- Seasons in top division – 52 (Includes season 2025–26)
- The first group in the history of Israeli football that played in a European competition (together with Beitar Jerusalem, 1976–77)
- The first team in the history of Israeli football who played in the UEFA Cup (together with Hapoel Tel Aviv, 1994–95)
- The highest victory of an Israeli team in the semi-finals of the Israel State Cup – 0–7 (against Hapoel Afula, 2014–15)
- The biggest loss of an Israeli team in a European competition – 0–10 (against Roda JC, 1997–98)
- Biggest 'undefeated' streak in the league – 29 (09/05/16 – 03/10/15)
- Biggest 'undefeated away matches' streak in the league – 14 (25/04/16 – 16/10/15)
- Record League – Home Games without loss – 51 (12/05/18 – 21/09/15)
- Record of wins for a season – 26 (2016–17)
- Record consecutive victories – 10 (2016–17)
- Record of home victories for a single season – 16 (2016–17)
- Record consecutive home victories – 10 (22/02/16 – 03/10/15)
- Record consecutive away victories – 7 (25/04/16 – 16/01/16)
- Record losses for the season – 21 (1966–68)
- Record goals for the season – 73 (2016–17)
- Record goals for the season at home – 45 (2016–17)
- Record of gate absorption for the Season – 62 (1966–68)
- The low gate absorption for the season – 18 (2016–17)
- Record of league minutes without conceding a goal – 450 (1996–97)
- Biggest league goals difference in a single season – 55 (2016–17)
- Most points in a season – 85 (2016–17)
Personal records
[edit]- Highest number of league appearances: Shlomo Iluz, 515 performances
- Top league scorer: Shalom Avitan, 100 goals
- Most goals in a single season: Hisham Zuabi in 1992–93 season, 17 goals
- Most Assists in a single season: Maor Buzaglo (2013–14 season) and Maor Melikson (2015–16 season), 14 Assists
- Most goals in European competitions in a single season: Anthony Nwakaeme (2015–2018), 8 goals
- Highest number of European competition appearances: Miguel Vítor (2016–Present), 51 performances
Most appearances
[edit]| # | Name | Games | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shlomo Iluz | 515 | 1977–1996 |
| 2 | Eliyahu Offer | 450 | 1959–1978 |
| 3 | Stav Elimelech | 431 | 1987–1997, 1998–2005 |
| 4 | Rafi Eliyahu | 419 | 1966–1984 |
| 5 | Meir Barad | 344 | 1966–1977, 1978–1982 |
| 6 | Shalom Avitan | 251 | 1972–1973, 1975–1980, 1981–1985 |
| 7 | Evyatar Iluz | 249 | 2001–2005, 2006–2015 |
| 8 | Maor Melikson | 230 | 2008–2011, 2014–2020 |
| 9 | Elyaniv Barda | 207 | 1998–2003, 2013–2018 |
| 10 | Miguel Vítor | 205 | 2016– |
Most League Goals
[edit]| # | Name | Goals | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shalom Avitan | 100 | 1972–1973, 1975–1980, 1981–1985 |
| 2 | Meir Barad | 80 | 1966–1977, 1978–1982 |
| 3 | Rafi Eliyahu | 66 | 1966–1984 |
| 4 | Eliyahu Offer | 64 | 2059–2076 |
| 5 | Avraham Numa | 64 | 1964–1978 |
| 6 | Ben Sahar | 62 | 2015–2020 |
| 7 | Efraim Tzvi | 55 | 1968–1980 |
| 8 | Elyaniv Barda | 53 | 1998–2003, 2013–2018 |
Won the title of top scorer of the Premier League
[edit]| Season | Name | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–04 | Ofir Haim | 16 | Together with Shay Holtzman from Ashdod |
| 2018–19 | Ben Sahar | 15 | – |
Won the title of footballer this season
[edit]- The players have won 5 times in the Israeli Premier League this season, according to the following table:
| Season | Name | Group titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966–68 | Avraham Numa | – | Maariv footballer of the year |
| 1973–74 | Meir Barad | – | Yedioth Ahronoth footballer of the year |
| 1974–75 | Uri Benjamin | Championship | – |
| 2015–16 | Elyaniv Barda | Championship | "Leagues Manager" and "ONE" footballer of the year |
| 2016–17 | Miguel Vítor | Championship, Super Cup and Toto Cup | "Leagues Manager" footballer of the year |
| 2017–18 | Hanan Maman | Championship | "Leagues Manager" footballer of the year |
Hapoel Be'er Sheva in Europe
[edit]UEFA Team Ranking
[edit]- Bold row-separators indicate change of ranking system.
- Italic font indicate ongoing season.
| Season | Rank | T.Points | S.Points | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | 117 |
14.000 | 1.500 | [2] |
| 2024–25 | 109 |
16.500 | 2.000 | [3] |
| 2023–24 | 99 |
17.000 | 2.000 | [4] |
| 2022–23 | 93 |
17.000 | 6.000 | [5] |
| 2021–22 | 109 |
14.000 | 2.500 | [6] |
| 2020–21 | 91 |
17.500 | 4.000 | [7][8] |
| 2019–20 | 106 |
14.000 | 2.500 | [9][10] |
| 2018–19 | 109 |
12.000 | 2.000 | [11][12] |
| 2017–18 | 122 |
10.000 | 3.000 | [13][14] |
| 2016–17 | 150 |
10.875 | 7.350 | [15] |
| 2015–16 | 275 |
4.725 | 0.950 | [16] |
| 2014–15 | 278 |
4.700 | 0.775 | [17] |
Players
[edit]Current squad
[edit]- As of 13 Semptember, 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Other players under contract
[edit]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
[edit]
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Retired numbers
[edit]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Foreigner players for 2025–26 season
[edit]Only up to eight non-Israeli nationals can be in an Israeli club squad (only five can play at the same time). those who have played in Israel for an extended period of time (Miguel Vítor), can claim a passport or permanent residency which would allow them to play as if they were Israeli citizens.
Professional staff
[edit]| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager | |
| Assistant manager | |
| Goalkeeping coach | |
| Fitness coach |
- Last updated:13 September 2025
Coaches
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Youth department
[edit]Hapoel "Hashlosha" Be'er Sheva, which represents the country's main southern football, and one of the largest youth departments in Israel.
During most of the club's years, the club enjoys a strong youth department. Until 1969 Hapoel Be'er Sheva had one youth team, and it even won the first Israeli Youth Championship this year. At the end of the championship season, another group, Hapoel "Hashlosha", was established in Be'er Sheva after three employees of the "Makhteshim" factory who died in a work accident. The "Hashlosha" coach was Chaim Sne and within a short time the "Hashlosha" became the senior youth group in the city. "Hashlosha" won the first Israeli youth championship in 1973–74. Until the end of the 1980s Hapoel "HaShlosha" Be'er Sheva was regularly ranked in the top ranks of the Youth Super League and even won four State Youth Championships. From the mid-1960s, Hapoel Be'er Sheva youth teams relied on the talents discovered in the municipal youth leagues, founded by Aharon Ben Yaakov, who in their heyday numbered thousands of boys who played in hundreds of teams. As the group moved into private hands in the 1990s, the investment in the youth department declined and the youth group dropped to the re-election after a few years. Since 2007, when Alona Barkat has purchased the club, many funds have been invested to bring the youth departments back to the forefront, and in recent years the youth group has gradually returned to the top of the youth league.
Youth department groups
[edit]Professional director of the Youth Department: Shmulik Hanin
| Team name | League | Head coach |
|---|---|---|
| Hapoel "Hashlosha" Be'er Sheva | Youth Premier League | |
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva | U17 Premier League | |
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva | U16 Premier League | |
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva | U15 Premier League | |
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva | U14 Center Premier League | |
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva | U13 Center Premier League | |
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva | U12 Center Premier League | |
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva | U11 Center Premier League | |
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva | U10 Center Premier League | |
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva | U09 Center Premier League |
Honours
[edit]- Youth Israeli champions:
- Winners (4): 1969–70, 1973–74, 1975–76, 1984–85
- Youth Super Cup:
- Winners (1): 1984–85
In popular culture
[edit]The title character of the Israeli sitcom Shemesh, is a devoted supporter of the club, and the club appears in the show's main setting and is mentioned several times throughout the show.
The love for Hapoel Be'er Sheva is at the center of Asher Halperin book, "I was crazy about it: a story about love and football."
References
[edit]- ^ "Profile of Hapoel Be'er Sheva in UEFA". UEFA. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2026". kassiesa.net. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2025". kassiesa.net. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2024". kassiesa.net. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2023". kassiesa.net. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2022". kassiesa.net. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ "2020–21 Club Coefficient". UEFA. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2021". kassiesa.net. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "2019–20 Club Coefficient". UEFA. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2020". kassiesa.net. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "2018–19 Club Coefficient". UEFA. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2019". kassiesa.net. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "2017–18 Club Coefficient". UEFA. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2018". kassiesa.net. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2017". kassiesa.net. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2016". kassiesa.net. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "UEFA 5-year Club Ranking 2015". kassiesa.net. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
External links
[edit]- Hapoel Be'er Sheva – Israel Football Association (archived 19 July 2016)
Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C.
View on GrokipediaHistory
Foundation and early years
Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. was established in 1949 as a workers' club affiliated with the Histadrut, Israel's General Federation of Labor, shortly after the city's liberation during the 1948 War of Independence.[10][11] The club was founded by Zalman Kaspi, a footballer from Hapoel Ramat Gan, who sought to develop local talent in the Negev region by scouting young players among transit camp residents and new immigrants.[11] In its formative phase, the team faced significant barriers to formal competition, as the Israel Football Association initially rejected its application to join national leagues due to the logistical challenges of long-distance travel to Be'er Sheva, a remote southern outpost with limited infrastructure.[11] The club's early activities centered on friendly and regional matches against other southern teams, marking its grassroots development in a developing desert city.[11] The first official victory came on May 1, 1950, with a 5-4 win over Hapoel Mefalsim, a team composed of South American immigrants from Kibbutz Mefalsim near the Gaza border.[11] By 1955, under coach Yosef Ezran, Hapoel Be'er Sheva gained formal registration with the Israel Football Association and entered Liga Gimel, Israel's lowest national division at the time, achieving promotion to Liga Bet in the same season.[11] Continued progress in the late 1950s solidified the club's foundations, as Arie Lunia Duborin took over as coach in 1957 and led the team to victory in Liga Bet, securing promotion to Liga Alef—the second tier—for the 1958 season.[11] These achievements highlighted the determination of early figures like Kaspi and Ezran amid Be'er Sheva's sparse facilities and isolation, setting the stage for further ascent in the national leagues during the 1960s.[11]Rise in the 1960s and 1970s
In the 1960s, Hapoel Be'er Sheva began its transformation from a regional club into a national contender. The team secured promotion to the top-tier Liga Leumit at the conclusion of the 1964/65 season in Liga Alef, under the leadership of Yugoslav coach Slabljo Stankovic, who instilled a disciplined playing style that emphasized defensive solidity and counterattacks. Their inaugural campaign in the 1965/66 Liga Leumit resulted in a mid-table finish of 13th place out of 16 teams, with 9 wins, 9 draws, and 12 losses, marking a stable entry into elite competition despite the challenges of facing established urban clubs like Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Key contributors included versatile defender Moshe Malach and forward Chaim Cohen, whose efforts helped the team avoid relegation and build momentum for subsequent seasons. This period also saw the club relocate to Vasermil Stadium in 1960, a 13,000-capacity venue that provided a dedicated home base and symbolized the growing infrastructure in Be'er Sheva's southern periphery.[11][12][13] The 1970s represented the pinnacle of the club's early rise, driven by strategic coaching and squad development. Under Amatzia Levkovich, appointed in the early 1970s, Hapoel Be'er Sheva captured its first Liga Leumit title in the 1974/75 season, finishing with 40 points from 30 matches (15 wins, 10 draws, 5 losses), edging out Maccabi Netanya by a narrow margin and ending decades of dominance by central Israel teams. This breakthrough was fueled by a balanced squad featuring midfield maestro Eliyahu Offer, who provided creative playmaking, and striker Avraham Numa, whose goal-scoring prowess—netting crucial strikes in key fixtures—proved instrumental. The following year, 1975/76, saw the team defend the crown successfully, accumulating 42 points (14 wins, 14 draws, 6 losses) in 34 matches, with Levkovich's tactical emphasis on high pressing and set-piece efficiency securing back-to-back triumphs. These victories not only elevated the club's status but also prompted investments in talent, including domestic acquisitions to bolster depth amid increasing competition.[14][15][16] The dual championships ignited fervent celebrations and substantial fan growth, transforming Hapoel Be'er Sheva into a symbol of Negev pride. The 1976 title clinch, following a hard-fought season finale, sparked citywide parades and gatherings at Vasermil Stadium, where thousands of supporters—drawn from Be'er Sheva's expanding population and surrounding Bedouin communities—gathered to honor the achievement, fostering a loyal ultras base that persists today. Stadium attendance surged during this era, with average crowds exceeding 8,000 for home matches, reflecting the team's role in unifying a peripheral region often overlooked by national media. Ongoing developments at Vasermil, including improved seating and lighting by the late 1970s, accommodated this enthusiasm while underscoring the club's commitment to local infrastructure. These successes established Hapoel Be'er Sheva as a viable challenger to traditional powerhouses, setting the stage for sustained competitiveness through the decade.[15][11]Decline in the 1980s and 1990s
Following the successes of the 1970s, Hapoel Be'er Sheva experienced a period of decline in the 1980s, settling into mid-table finishes in Liga Leumit without challenging for major honors. The club recorded positions such as 5th in 1988/89 and 9th in 1989/90, but consistent contention for titles eluded them as stronger rivals like Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv dominated.[17] The 1990s marked a further downturn, characterized by inconsistent performances and yo-yo status between the top flight and the second division. Under coaches including Shlomo Scharf in the early part of the decade and Eli Guttman from 1996 to 1997, the team achieved occasional high placements, such as 3rd in 1993/94 and 1994/95, and even won the Israel State Cup in 1997. However, financial strains and internal challenges contributed to instability, prompting the sale of key players to balance the books and limiting squad depth.[17] A notable low point came in the 1997/98 season, when Hapoel Be'er Sheva finished 15th in Liga Leumit and were relegated to Liga Artzit, despite a 1-0 win over Maccabi Haifa on May 9, 1998, with a 90th-minute goal by Yossi Benayoun, as other results confirmed the demotion. Early cup exits, such as in the 1990s State Cup rounds, compounded the frustrations, with the team often failing to advance beyond preliminary stages despite prior highs like the 1997 triumph.[18][17] The club bounced back quickly, finishing 3rd in Liga Artzit during 1998/99 and securing promotion to Liga Leumit via playoffs, defeating Hapoel Ramat Gan 5–0 in the decisive match to return to the top flight for the 1999/2000 season. This rapid ascent highlighted the yo-yo nature of their existence, with no sustained top-tier presence. Throughout the decade, internal club politics, including disputes over management and resources, hampered long-term planning.[17] Vasermil Stadium, the club's home since 1960, saw little infrastructure development during this era, leading to stagnation that affected matchday experiences and training conditions. The aging facility, with its 13,000 capacity and lack of modern amenities, symbolized the broader decline, as funds were diverted to on-field survival rather than upgrades.[19]Modern revival from 2000s onward
In 2007, Alona Barkat acquired Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. from previous owner Eli Zino, becoming the first woman to own a professional football club in Israel, at a time when the team was facing financial difficulties and competing in the second division.[20][21] Under her leadership, the club invested significantly in its youth academy and infrastructure, including sponsorship of specialized centers for disadvantaged children and a 2018 partnership with Atlético Madrid to establish a new academy base aimed at bolstering talent development and increasing first-team integration of young players.[22][23] These efforts contributed to the team's promotion back to the Israeli Premier League in 2009, marking a steady resurgence.[24] The club's modern revival accelerated with its relocation to the newly constructed Turner Stadium in September 2015, a 16,000-seat venue that replaced the outdated Vasermil Stadium and provided a modern home advantage during its push for major honors.[13] This momentum culminated in Hapoel Be'er Sheva's first Israeli Premier League title in the 2015–16 season, ending a 40-year championship drought under manager Elisha Levy.[25] The success continued with consecutive league titles in 2016–17 and 2017–18, establishing the club as a dominant force and qualifying it for UEFA competitions, including the Champions League group stage in 2016–17.[6] In 2019–20, the club won the State Cup with a 2–0 final victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva.[26] Subsequent achievements included State Cup victories in 2021–22, secured via a 3–1 penalty shootout win over Maccabi Haifa in the final after a 2–2 draw, and in 2024–25, with a 2–0 triumph against Beitar Jerusalem at Bloomfield Stadium.[3] Additionally, the club claimed the 2025 Israel Super Cup, defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv 2–1 on July 13, 2025, to cap a strong start to the season.[27] The 2020–21 season presented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated financial pressures and led to Alona Barkat temporarily transferring ownership to a trustee in March 2020 after players rejected proposed salary reductions, though she resumed control later.[28] In 2022–23, the team narrowly missed another title, finishing third in the league behind Maccabi Haifa, amid efforts to maintain financial sustainability through prudent investments and youth development.[6] By mid-2024, Ran Kozuch was appointed as head coach on a two-year contract, bringing experience from Maccabi Petah Tikva to guide ongoing development.[29]Club identity
Emblem and colors
The traditional colors of Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. are red and white, reflecting the club's affiliation with the broader Hapoel sports movement rooted in Israel's labor federation, the Histadrut.[30] Red symbolizes the workers' movement and socialist ideals that founded Hapoel clubs in the early 20th century, while white represents purity and is commonly paired in the movement's iconography.[31] These colors are prominently featured in the club's home kits, typically with red shirts and white shorts, and in away kits as inverted combinations, establishing a visual identity tied to Be'er Sheva's working-class heritage.[31] The club's original emblem, introduced in 1949, incorporated a red circle divided by a football at the base, topped by an athlete's figure merged with a hammer and sickle—enduring symbols of the industrial and agricultural proletariat central to the Hapoel movement.[31] This design underscored the club's ties to socialist labor organizations, with the hammer denoting urban workers and the sickle rural laborers, a motif shared across Hapoel teams to evoke unity in the workers' struggle.[30] Further redesigns occurred in the 1990s, including a 1993 version that refined the athlete-hammer-sickle motif, followed by a 1995 iteration introducing local Be'er Sheva symbols such as a chimney representing the city's industrial factories and a Bedouin tent honoring the region's cultural heritage.[31] The current crest, adopted in 2016, features a bold red background with a white silhouette of Be'er Sheva's city skyline and a stylized Bedouin tent at its center, symbolizing the club's deep connection to the Negev desert city's landscape and Bedouin influences.[31] This design shift moved away from overt political symbols like the hammer and sickle toward a focus on local pride and modernity, while preserving the red-and-white scheme; it is trademarked by the club to protect its visual identity in commercial contexts.[32]Kit suppliers and sponsors
Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. has partnered with various kit manufacturers over the years, reflecting changes in commercial strategies and design trends in Israeli football. The club's apparel deals have typically spanned several seasons, with manufacturers providing home, away, and third kits that incorporate the team's traditional red and white colors. A comprehensive timeline of kit suppliers is outlined below, based on documented releases and official kit archives.| Period | Kit Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| 2023–present | Umbro |
| 2019–2023 | Kelme |
| 2016–2019 | Puma |
| 2011–2016 | Kappa |
| 2008–2011 | Diadora |
| 2007–2008 | Lotto |
| 2004–2005 | Nike |
| 1999–2004 | Kappa |
Stadium and facilities
Turner Stadium
Turner Stadium, officially known as Yaakov Turner Toto Stadium, serves as the primary home venue for Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. in Be'er Sheva, Israel. Constructed to replace the aging Vasermil Stadium, it opened in September 2015 at a cost of approximately ₪250 million and boasts a capacity of 16,126 seats with covered stands on all sides. Owned and operated by the Be'er Sheva Municipality, the stadium features modern amenities including a natural grass pitch and an enclosed bowl design that enhances acoustics and air circulation.[36][37][13] The stadium received UEFA Category 4 certification shortly after opening, enabling it to host high-level European matches for the club and occasionally the Israel national team. Its inaugural competitive fixture took place on September 21, 2015, when Hapoel Be'er Sheva hosted Maccabi Haifa in a 0–0 draw attended by 15,100 spectators, marking a significant upgrade in facilities for the team. A standout moment came during the 2015–16 season's title-clinching game on May 21, 2016, where Hapoel Be'er Sheva secured the Israeli Premier League championship with a 3–1 victory over Bnei Sakhnin before a crowd exceeding 14,000.[38][39][40] Subsequent upgrades have maintained the venue's standards, including LED floodlights that deliver 2,000 lux illumination across the pitch. While primarily dedicated to match-day events, the stadium occasionally supports training sessions for the first team.[41][36]Training facilities and academy grounds
Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. utilizes the Vasermil Compound as its historical training base, established in the 1960s. The site features multiple pitches for practice sessions and a gymnasium for fitness conditioning, and as of 2025, it primarily supports the youth department while occasionally accommodating senior team activities.[42] The club's training infrastructure also centers on facilities integrated with the Turner Stadium complex in northern Be'er Sheva, which includes dedicated training fields for first-team and youth sessions. This complex, developed alongside the stadium, provides support for daily training.[36][43] In July 2018, Hapoel Be'er Sheva established a collaborative youth academy with Atlético de Madrid in Be'er Sheva to bolster its development program. The partnership introduces Atlético's coaching methodologies and values, enhancing youth player integration into the senior team and accommodating various age groups. Under owner Alona Barkat, the academy emphasizes talent nurturing.[23][44] The youth grounds support comprehensive development, facilitating sessions for multiple teams and contributing to the club's homegrown talent pipeline.[45]Supporters and rivalries
Fan base and ultras
The fan base of Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. draws primarily from the local population of Be'er Sheva and the broader Negev region, encompassing a diverse mix of Jewish residents—who form the majority in the city—and Bedouin communities from surrounding areas.[46][47] With the club's modern revival, attendance trends have shown marked growth, rising from averages of around 3,000–5,000 per home match in the early 2000s to over 10,000 in recent seasons at Turner Stadium, peaking at 15,000 during the 2015/16 championship year.[48] This surge reflects heightened local pride and national interest, with supporters spread across Israel contributing to one of the league's largest audiences.[49] The ultras group UltraSouth, active since at least the mid-2010s, forms the core of the club's most passionate supporters, organizing chants, pyrotechnic displays, and large-scale tifos to energize the crowd. Founded amid the club's resurgence under owner Alona Barkat, the group has become synonymous with vibrant matchday atmospheres, including community-oriented events like street art initiatives and urban gatherings in Be'er Sheva.[50] A notable example is their 2016 tifo unveiled during the title-clinching season, featuring dramatic banners that captured the "You win or you die" spirit of the campaign.[51] Following the 2015/16 league triumph, women's participation in the fan base has grown, with emerging groups aligned to the club's newly established women's team fostering greater female involvement in supporter activities.[52] Fan initiatives have also extended beyond stadiums, including membership programs that encourage community engagement and charity efforts, such as support drives during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic to aid local families affected by restrictions.[47]Key rivalries
Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. engages in several key rivalries that reflect the competitive and cultural landscape of Israeli football, with origins tracing back to the club's ascent in the 1970s. The South derby against F.C. Ashdod has been a key regional fixture since Ashdod's establishment in 1999, representing the competition between the two major clubs in southern Israel and fostering strong local engagement. On the national level, rivalries with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa stand out for their role in title deciders and challenges to established power. The clashes with Maccabi Tel Aviv intensified during the 2016–17 season, where Hapoel Be'er Sheva's 1–0 home win against them was a turning point in securing the league championship, heightening the stakes between the ambitious southern club and the traditional powerhouse.[53] The rivalry with Maccabi Haifa, meanwhile, embodies Hapoel Be'er Sheva's push against northern dominance, with the teams having met 67 times in league play, Maccabi Haifa holding a historical edge but Hapoel Be'er Sheva claiming recent successes like four consecutive league wins leading into 2025.[54] Matches against Bnei Sakhnin are notable for underlying ethnic and cultural tensions, influenced by Be'er Sheva's substantial Bedouin population and Bnei Sakhnin's Arab identity, often leading to charged atmospheres. The rivalry's intensity was further evident in the 2024 league match at Turner Stadium, which was abandoned after Hapoel Be'er Sheva fans stormed the pitch in response to Bnei Sakhnin supporters turning their backs on the national anthem, resulting in clashes and 12 arrests.[55] The 1970s marked a pivotal era for escalating fan involvement in these rivalries, as Hapoel Be'er Sheva's success in Israel State Cup ties against top teams drew larger crowds and amplified passions, laying the foundation for the club's enduring competitive relationships. The ultras groups within the fan base continue to play a central role in sustaining this fervor during derby days.Achievements and records
Domestic honours
Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. has secured five Ligat Ha'Al titles, establishing itself as a prominent force in Israeli football during two distinct eras of dominance. The club's first championship came in the 1974–75 season, marking their inaugural top-flight triumph after promotion to Liga Leumit two years prior; they accumulated 40 points from 30 matches (15 wins, 10 draws, 5 losses), finishing with a goal difference of +15 ahead of runners-up Maccabi Netanya. This victory was followed by a successful defense in the 1975–76 season, where Hapoel clinched their second consecutive title with 42 points from 34 matches (14 wins, 14 draws, 6 losses) and a +11 goal difference, edging out Beitar Jerusalem on goal difference in a competitive league expanded to 18 teams. These early successes under coach Momi Bar Buzaglo laid the foundation for the club's identity as a rising power from the Negev region.[56] The club experienced a prolonged title drought until the mid-2010s, when under Elisha Levy and later Barak Bakhar, Hapoel embarked on a remarkable three-year reign. In the 2015–16 season, they ended a 40-year wait for major silverware by winning the Ligat Ha'Al with 83 points from 36 matches (25 wins, 8 draws, 3 losses), boasting the league's best defensive record by conceding just 24 goals; this achievement qualified them for the UEFA Champions League and was celebrated as a breakthrough for southern Israeli football. The following 2016–17 campaign saw Hapoel retain the title with a record-breaking 85 points from 36 matches (26 wins, 7 draws, 3 losses), scoring 73 goals while maintaining defensive solidity, securing back-to-back championships for the first time since the 1970s. Their dominance peaked in 2017–18, claiming a third straight title with 76 points from 38 matches (22 wins, 10 draws, 6 losses) and a +38 goal difference, though they narrowly missed a fourth consecutive crown the next season. These modern triumphs, fueled by key signings like Tony Šunjić and Maor Buzaglo, transformed Hapoel into consistent contenders and boosted attendance at Turner Stadium.[57] In addition to league success, Hapoel has won the Israel State Cup four times, providing crucial domestic cup glory. The first triumph came in 1996–97, when they overcame Maccabi Tel Aviv 3–0 in the final at Ramat Gan Stadium, ending a two-decade wait for major silverware. Hapoel added to their tally in the 2019–20 season amid the COVID-19 disruptions, securing a 2–0 win over Maccabi Petah Tikva in a behind-closed-doors final at Bloomfield Stadium—their first cup since 1997. In 2021–22, they defeated Maccabi Haifa 3–2 in the final on 24 May 2022 at Bloomfield Stadium. Most recently, in the 2024–25 edition, Hapoel lifted the trophy with a 2–0 victory against Beitar Jerusalem on May 29, 2025, at Sammy Ofer Stadium, with goals from Hélder Lopes and another, marking their fourth State Cup and sparking widespread celebrations in Be'er Sheva.[26][58][7] Hapoel has also claimed the Toto Cup four times, split between the top-flight (Al) and second-division (Leumit) editions, highlighting their consistency across levels. Wins in the Toto Cup Al came in 1988–89 (2–0 vs. Maccabi Netanya), 1995–96 (3–0 vs. Hapoel Kfar Saba), and 2016–17 (4–1 vs. Ironi Kiryat Shmona), while their Leumit success occurred in 2008–09 (1–0 vs. Maccabi Herzliya) during a promotion push. These victories often served as morale boosters en route to larger achievements.[59] The Israel Super Cup, contested between the league champion and State Cup winner, has been won by Hapoel five times. Early success included the 1974–75 edition (2–1 vs. Hapoel Kfar Saba), followed by modern wins in 2015–16 (4–2 vs. Maccabi Haifa) and 2016–17 (4–2 vs. Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv), capitalizing on their league dominance. In 2021–22, as cup holders, they defeated league champions Maccabi Haifa 1–1 (4–3 on penalties). The most recent triumph came in the 2024–25 Super Cup on July 13, 2025, with a 2–1 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv at Bloomfield Stadium—goals from Ofir Davidzada and Eylon Almog sealing a fifth title despite playing with 10 men late on—ushering in the new season on a high note.[60][61]Individual and team records
Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. has achieved several notable team records in domestic competitions, including a remarkable 47-game unbeaten streak at home during the mid-2010s, spanning multiple seasons and highlighting the club's defensive solidity under coach Elisha Levy.[62] The team's highest recorded attendance in a domestic league match reached 16,126 spectators at Turner Stadium, underscoring the growing fan support in Be'er Sheva following the club's resurgence.[63] In the 2016–17 Ligat ha'Al season, Hapoel Be'er Sheva set a benchmark with 68 points from 26 regular season matches, securing the league title with 21 wins and 5 draws while remaining undefeated.[64] This performance established the club as a dominant force, with the team scoring 73 goals and conceding just 18 across the full 36-match campaign.[65]Most appearances
The following table lists players with the most appearances for Hapoel Be'er Sheva across all competitions since the mid-2010s resurgence, based on available data (all-time leader: Shlomo Iluz with 515 league appearances):| Player | Appearances | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Miguel Vítor | 207 | 2018–present |
| Maor Buzaglo | 153 | 2013–2017 |
| Hélder Lopes | 129 | 2018–present |
| Ben Sahar | 127 | 2015–2018, 2020–2022 |
Most league goals
Hapoel Be'er Sheva's leading league goalscorers in the 21st century reflect the club's reliance on prolific forwards in recent decades (all-time top: Shalom Avitan with 100 goals):| Player | Goals | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Sahar | 65 | 2015–2022 |
| Anthony Nwakaeme | 40 | 2015–2018 |
| Dovev Gabay | 39 | 2018–2023 |
| Maor Buzaglo | 35 | 2013–2017 |
European participation
Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. first participated in European football during the 1976 Intertoto Cup, becoming one of the inaugural Israeli clubs to compete on the continental stage alongside Beitar Jerusalem. Their debut in a UEFA competition occurred in the 1994–95 UEFA Cup preliminary round, where they suffered defeats to Aris Thessaloniki (1-3 away, 1-0 home). Over the years, the club has appeared in 15 European seasons, primarily in qualifying rounds, with a record of 27 wins, 20 draws, and 41 losses across 88 matches.[69] The club's most successful European campaign came in the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League, where they reached the round of 32—the deepest run in their history—after dropping from the Champions League qualifiers. Starting in the Champions League second qualifying round, they advanced past Sheriff Tiraspol (0–0 away, 3–2 home) with goals from John Ogu, Elyaniv Barda, and Maharan Radi in the return leg. Elimination in the third qualifying round by Olympiacos (0–0 home, 1–0 away) transferred them to the Europa League play-offs, where they overcame Honvéd (2–1 home, 3–2 away). In the group stage (Group K), Hapoel topped the table with seven points from wins over Inter Milan (3–2 home) and Southampton (1–0 home), alongside draws against both and losses to Sparta Prague. They were eliminated in the round of 32 by Beşiktaş (1–2 home, 1–3 away). This season marked their first progression beyond the group stage in UEFA competitions.[70][69] Subsequent campaigns saw mixed results in qualifying phases. In the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League, Hapoel reached the play-offs, defeating Honvéd as noted, before losing to Maribor (2–1 home, 1–2 away on aggregate). Dropped to the Europa League group stage (Group G), they earned four points from a 1–1 draw with Steaua București (home) and a 1–0 win over Viktoria Plzeň, but finished third and exited. The 2019–20 Europa League saw them eliminated in the play-off round by Universitatea Craiova (1–1 home, 1–4 away; 2–5 aggregate loss). In the 2020–21 Europa League, they finished third in Group C with six points from home wins over Slavia Prague (3–1) and Nice (1–0), but losses in the other four group matches (including 2–4 and 1–4 vs. Bayer Leverkusen, 0–1 and 0–3 vs. Nice and Slavia away), leading to elimination after the group stage.[5][69] More recent efforts have been confined to early qualifying exits. In the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League, Hapoel advanced past Dinamo Minsk (3–1 aggregate) in the second qualifying round but were eliminated in the play-offs by Maribor (1–2 away, 0–0 home). The 2022–23 Conference League group stage (Group C) yielded three points from six matches, with a sole win over Villarreal (3–0 home) insufficient for progression. For the 2024–25 season, they entered the Conference League second qualifying round as Israeli Cup winners, defeating Cherno More (0–0 away, 2–1 home) before a third qualifying round exit to Mladá Boleslav (1–1 home, 2–4 away). In the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League, as 2024–25 cup winners, they entered the second qualifying round but were eliminated in the third qualifying round by AEK Athens (0–1 aggregate).[71][72] As of the 2025 UEFA rankings, Hapoel Be'er Sheva holds a five-year club coefficient of 16.500 points, positioning them 109th overall and contributing to Israel's 19th country ranking. This reflects consistent qualifying appearances but limited advancement beyond early stages, with total UEFA prize money exceeding €7 million across campaigns. Notable individual contributions include forward Maor Buzaglo's two goals in the 2020–21 group stage and midfielder John Ogu's versatile scoring in 2016–17 qualifiers.[73][74]| Season | Competition | Round Reached | Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994/95 | UEFA Cup | Preliminary | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1995/96 | UEFA Cup | First | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2014/15 | Europa League | Second Qualifying | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015/16 | Europa League | Second Qualifying | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016/17 | Champions League / Europa League | Round of 32 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| 2017/18 | Champions League / Europa League | Group Stage | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 2018/19 | Champions League / Europa League | Third Qualifying | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2019/20 | Europa League | Play-off | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 2020/21 | Europa League | Group Stage | 12 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| 2021/22 | Conference League | Play-off | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022/23 | Conference League | Group Stage | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2024/25 | Conference League | Third Qualifying | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2025/26 | Conference League | Third Qualifying | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Players and staff
Current first-team squad
As of November 2025, Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C.'s first-team squad for the 2025–26 Israeli Premier League season features 29 registered players, adhering to the league's limit of eight foreign players (non-Israeli nationals). The squad emphasizes a mix of experienced leaders and emerging talents, with an average age of 27.3 years. Ofir Marciano serves as captain, providing stability in goal.[9][75] Key foreign players include Djibril Diop (Senegal), Hélder Lopes (Portugal), Lucas Ventura (Brazil), Kings Kangwa (Zambia), Yoan Stoyanov (Bulgaria/Israel), Joseph Sabobo (Zambia), Igor Zlatanović (Serbia), and Arnold Garita (Cameroon/France). Several young players are currently out on loan, such as goalkeeper Ben Gordin to Hapoel Jerusalem and forward Yoav Koren to Hapoel Kfar Saba.[9][76] The squad is organized below by position, including squad numbers, player names, nationalities, ages, join dates (where available), and contract expiry dates.Goalkeepers
| No. | Player | Nationality | Age | Joined | Contract End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | Niv Eliasi | Israel | 23 | 2022 | 30 Jun 2028 |
| 1 | Ofir Marciano (Captain) | Israel/Portugal | 36 | 2023 | 30 Jun 2026 |
| 36 | Yonatan Shani | Israel | 19 | 2024 | — |
Defenders
| No. | Player | Nationality | Age | Joined | Contract End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Or Blorian | Israel/Portugal | 25 | 2023 | 30 Jun 2026 |
| 3 | Matan Baltaxa | Israel/Poland | 30 | 2021 | 30 Jun 2026 |
| 44 | Djibril Diop | Senegal | 26 | 2024 | 30 Jun 2028 |
| 4 | Miguel Vítor | Israel/Portugal | 36 | 2021 | 30 Jun 2026 |
| 22 | Hélder Lopes | Portugal | 36 | 2023 | 30 Jun 2026 |
| 13 | Ofir Davidzada | Israel | 34 | Jul 2025 | 30 Jun 2027 |
| 2 | Guy Mizrahi | Israel/Spain | 24 | 2023 | 30 Jun 2028 |
| 18 | Roy Levy | Israel/Portugal | 25 | Jul 2025 | 30 Jun 2028 |
| 30 | Or Dadia | Israel/Portugal | 28 | 2024 | 30 Jun 2026 |
| 16 | Mor Siman Tov | Israel | 22 | 2025 | 30 Jun 2029 |
Midfielders
| No. | Player | Nationality | Age | Joined | Contract End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Lucas Ventura | Brazil | 27 | 2024 | 30 Jun 2027 |
| 19 | Shai Elias | Israel/Portugal | 26 | 2023 | 30 Jun 2026 |
| 20 | Kings Kangwa | Zambia | 26 | 2023 | 30 Jun 2028 |
| 7 | Eliel Peretz | Israel/Portugal | 28 | 2024 | 30 Jun 2027 |
| 8 | Mohamad Kanaan | Israel | 25 | 2022 | 30 Jun 2029 |
| 27 | Yoan Stoyanov | Bulgaria/Israel | 24 | 2024 | 30 Jun 2028 |
| 23 | Itay Hazut | Israel/Spain | 19 | 2024 | 30 Jun 2030 |
Forwards
| No. | Player | Nationality | Age | Joined | Contract End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Amir Ganah | Israel/Portugal | 21 | 2023 | 31 Dec 2027 |
| 12 | Joseph Sabobo | Zambia | 19 | 2024 | 30 Jun 2029 |
| 29 | Eylon Almog | Israel/Portugal | 26 | 2022 | 30 Jun 2027 |
| 10 | Dan Biton | Israel | 30 | 2024 | 30 Jun 2027 |
| 9 | Zahi Ahmed | Israel | 24 | 2023 | 30 Jun 2027 |
| 66 | Igor Zlatanović | Serbia | 27 | 2025 | 30 Jun 2028 |
| 14 | Arnold Garita | Cameroon/France | 30 | 2024 | — |
| 17 | Alon Turgeman | Israel | 34 | 2023 | 30 Jun 2026 |
| 70 | Samir Farhud | Israel/Armenia | 24 | 2023 | 30 Jun 2028 |
Coaching and management staff
The coaching staff of Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. is headed by Ran Kozuch, who was appointed manager on July 1, 2024, with a contract running until June 30, 2026.[77] Kozuch, aged 44, previously served as assistant coach at Maccabi Petah Tikva before taking the top role at Be'er Sheva.[77] Supporting him are assistant manager Ben Binyamin and fitness coach Israel Zviti, both appointed on July 1, 2024.[78] The club's ownership is held by Alona Barkat, a businesswoman who acquired the team in 2007, becoming the first woman to own a professional football club in Israel.[22] Barkat has overseen significant investments in infrastructure and talent development during her tenure. In a recent leadership update, Nir Katz serves as managing director, serving as a key deputy in administrative operations.[79] The board, comprising the owner, managing director, and senior executives, plays a central role in transfer decisions, approving major signings and budget allocations in collaboration with the technical team.[1] The medical and training staff includes physiotherapist Guy Bar-Zakai, who has been with the club since May 2017, focusing on injury prevention and rehabilitation.[80] Fitness and conditioning efforts are led by Zviti, emphasizing performance optimization for the first team. Following the 2022 season, the club enhanced its support structure by integrating specialized roles in performance analysis, though specific hires in data analytics remain integrated within the broader technical department.[78]Youth system
Academy structure
The youth academy of Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C., known as the Hapoel Be'er Sheva Youth Department, has been operational since 1965 and serves as a foundational program for developing football talent from Be'er Sheva and the broader Negev region.[81] It aligns with Israel Football Association standards, organizing teams across multiple age groups to foster technical, tactical, and physical skills tailored to developmental stages.[81] The structure emphasizes education, excellence, and personal empowerment alongside football training, creating a supportive environment that promotes values such as tolerance and non-violence.[81] The academy features competitive teams from U-19 down to U-7, with approximately 10 squads participating in top youth leagues.[81] For younger players, the program divides into three tracks: HBS LITE for kindergarten through 5th grade (ages 5-11), focusing on foundational skills; HBS PRO for 2nd through 5th grade, emphasizing competitive play; and HBS ELITE for 6th through 8th grade (ages 11-14), providing advanced training with exposure to senior team elements.[82] Specific age-group teams include U-19 (Noadr), U-17 (Naarim Alef), U-16 (Naarim Bet), U-15 (Naarim Gimel), U-14 (Yeladim Alef), U-13 (Yeladim Bet), U-12 (Yeladim Gimel), U-11 (Trum Alef), U-10 (Trum Bet), and U-9 (Trum Gimel), ensuring progressive development from early introduction to elite preparation.[81] Facilities support comprehensive training, including dedicated pitches at the Turner Stadium complex for matches and sessions, as well as a specialized gym offering advanced fitness programs starting from 2nd grade.[82] A scouting network throughout the Negev region identifies and recruits promising local talent, broadening access to the program beyond urban Be'er Sheva.[81] Key programs include the 360° program for PRO and ELITE tracks, incorporating mental training, goalkeeper-specific sessions, and professional fitness regimens.[81][82] Development pathways emphasize annual promotions based on performance, allowing top talents to progress from youth squads to reserve and first-team integration.[81] This structured progression supports professional career trajectories while maintaining strong ties to the Negev community.[81]Youth achievements
The youth academy of Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. has garnered notable success in Israeli youth competitions, alongside multiple victories in regional Negev leagues that underscore the program's regional dominance.[45] Prominent alumni from the academy include Dan Biton and Itamar Shviro, who progressed through the youth ranks to feature in the first team. Since 2015, over 15 academy products have debuted for the first team, highlighting the pathway's effectiveness in player progression.[83]Cultural impact
In popular culture
Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. has been featured in several documentaries that highlight the club's role in promoting unity and success in Israel's diverse Negev region. The 2021 documentary Playing for Peace, directed by Arielle Thomas Sabol, chronicles the team's three consecutive Israeli Premier League titles from 2016 to 2018 under owner Alona Barkat, emphasizing the integration of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Druze players as a model for tolerance amid the club's 40-year championship drought.[84][85] The film, screened at festivals like Kicking + Screening, portrays the players' personal stories and the transformative impact of Barkat's vision on Be'er Sheva's social fabric.[86] In music, the club inspires a vibrant array of fan anthems and chants, particularly from the UltraSouth supporters' group, which has produced tracks celebrating key victories since the 2010s. A notable example is the 2016 championship anthem "Shir Ha'Alifut Shel Hapoel Be'er Sheva," composed by Eti Bitton, which captures the euphoria of ending decades of underachievement and became a staple at Turner Stadium.[87] Additional UltraSouth chants, shared widely on platforms like YouTube, include pyro-accompanied songs during European matches, reinforcing the group's passionate identity tied to the club's red colors and Negev roots.[88] The club appears in Israeli cinema as a symbol of aspiration in the periphery. The 2007 film Vasermil, directed by Mushon Salmona, is set in Be'er Sheva and named after the club's former stadium, following three disadvantaged teenagers who idolize Hapoel Be'er Sheva players while navigating poverty and family strife through their love of football.[89] This portrayal underscores the team's cultural significance as a beacon of hope for local youth in the Negev. While direct literary references are sparse, the club features in journalistic works on regional history, such as Aryeh Rappaport's 2007 book on Be'er Sheva's development, which discusses Hapoel's role in the city's labor movement heritage.[90]Community involvement
Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. has prioritized community engagement through its youth development programs, particularly under the leadership of owner Alona Barkat since 2007. The club operates specialized initiatives aimed at integrating marginalized groups, including Bedouin and Ethiopian immigrant children, into local society via soccer. These programs provide training and mentorship to approximately 600 disadvantaged youths annually (as of 2016), fostering physical activity, social skills, and a sense of belonging in the diverse Negev region.[20] In addition to grassroots outreach, the club sponsors four dedicated centers for underprivileged children, where participants receive professional coaching from club staff to develop soccer talents while addressing broader social challenges. These efforts promote diversity in Be'er Sheva, a city with significant Bedouin, Ethiopian Jewish, and Arab populations, by encouraging cross-cultural interactions on the field and emphasizing inclusion as a core value. The initiatives align with the club's vision of using soccer as a tool for social cohesion in the Negev.[22] The club also contributes to national anti-racism and anti-violence campaigns in Israeli football, collaborating with organizations like the New Israel Fund to produce educational content featuring players advocating for equality and tolerance. These partnerships highlight Hapoel Be'er Sheva's role in combating discrimination, drawing on the sport's popularity to amplify messages of unity amid ongoing societal tensions.[91] As of 2024, the club's youth programs continue to promote tolerance and integration among diverse groups in the Negev, serving as a model amid regional challenges.[92]References
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4875423
