FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti

The football club from Poti under the name Kolkhida (Colchis) for many years was a member of the Georgian Soviet championship until early 1960s. From 1962 to 1990, they spent 24 seasons in fourth and third divisions of the Soviet football system, including last consecutive eleven years in zone 9 of the Second League, with the 2nd place in 1989 being the best result.{{cite web |title=Kolkheti in USSR II league |url=http://wildstat.com/p/7701/club/URS_Kolkheti_Poti |publisher=wildstat.com}}

When GFF formed the national league in early 1990, Kolkheti-1913 took part in an opening game against Iberia Tbilisi. The historic match held at the Boris Paichadze stadium ended 1–0 in favour of the guest team.{{cite web |title=ასე იწყებოდა: ეროვნული ჩემპიონატის პირველი მატჩი 30 წლის წინ გაიმართა |trans-title=1st game of national championship held 30 years ago |url=https://europop.ge/article/21799-ase-icqeboda-erovnuli-chempionatis-pirveli-matchi-30-clis-cinat-gaimarta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603081759/https://europop.ge/article/21799-ase-icqeboda-erovnuli-chempionatis-pirveli-matchi-30-clis-cinat-gaimarta |url-status=dead |archive-date=2023-06-03 |publisher=popsport.com (in Georgian) |date=30 March 2020}} Therefore, Kolkheti became the first club to win a game in the history of Georgian national leagues.

Throughout the first decade, the Kolkhs were considered one of the strongest rivals. Apart from 1992–93, when they finished in 9th place, the club completed each season among top five teams with twice, in 1993–94 and 1996–97, coming second.{{cite web |title=Kolkheti - overall stats |url=http://wildstat.com/p/7701/club/GEO_Kolkheti_Poti |publisher=wildstat.com}} In this period the team also earned the bronze medals three times.

This success of the club was largely contributed to their sponsors from the mid-1990s, the naval port of Poti.

In 2006, after a foreign business company took over the port administration, the football club abruptly lost a significant income.{{cite web |title=კოლხეთის განცხადება: "ისტორიული კლუბი მავანთა გამო კრიზისში ყოფნას არ იმსახურებს" |trans-title=Kolkheti: "This historic club does not deserve crisis resulting from certain individuals" |url=https://www.crystalsport.ge/news/19206 |publisher=crystalbet.com (in Georgian) |date=22 October 2019}} Despite being 10th among 16 clubs in 2005–06, due to the severe financial crisis Kolkheti had to quit the league.{{cite web |title=2005–06 season |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/georgia/umaglesi-liga/2005-2006/regular-season/r2428/ |publisher=soccerway.com}}

The club climbed back to the Umaglesi Liga following the 2009–10 season, but returned to the second league three years later.{{cite web |title=Umaglesi Liga 2012/13 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/georgia/umaglesi-liga/20122013/regular-season/r18161/ |publisher=soccerway.com}} In 2011, a sponsorship deal with the naval port resumed to a less extent, which lasted for four years.{{cite web |title=ფოთის "კოლხეთი" - მილიონერთა ქალაქის გაჭირვებული გუნდი |trans-title=A struggling team of the city of millionaires |url=https://sportall.ge/fexburti/qarthuli-fekhburthi/chempionati/73267-fothis-qkolkhethiq-milionertha-qalaqis-gatcirvebuli-gundi.html |website=sportall.ge (in Georgian), 29 December 2014}}

Kolkheti were back in the top division in 2014–15, although further financial difficulties hit the club in 2018, which pushed them to the verge of bankruptcy. As Kolkheti amassed a large amount of debts, they were deducted six points. Eventually, the team was relegated.{{cite web |title=Final table in 2018 |url=https://erovnuliliga.ge/en/tables?season=255 |publisher=eliga.ge}}

While in Liga 2, Kolkheti still could not afford to pay off debts. In an emergency statement, the club appealed for urgent help.{{cite web |title=შესაძლებელია ქართული საფეხბურთო რუკიდან გავქრეთ |trans-title="We may disappear from Georgian fooball map" |url=https://popsport.com/article/13706-shesadzlebelia-kartuli-sapekhburto-rukidan-gavkret-kolkhetis-gantskhadeba |publisher=popsport.com (in Georgian) |date=29 June 2019}} Meanwhile, they were slapped with another six-point deduction.{{cite web |title=ფოთის კოლხეთმა ფეხბურთელებთან შეთანხმებას მიაღწია |trans-title=Kolkheti reaches agreement with players |url=https://www.livepress.ge/ka/sporti/article/30197-fothis-kolkhethma-fekhburthelebthan-shethankhmebas-miaghtsia.html |publisher=livepress.com (in Georgian) |date=20 August 2019}} The overall situation badly affected the team. Three managers were sacked for unsatisfactory results within initial five months of the season.{{cite news |title=ფოთის საფეხბურთო კლუბი მეოთხე მწვრთნელის მოლოდინშია |trans-title=Kolkheti in anticipation of its fourth coach |url=https://1tv.ge/news/kolkheti-1913-krasovskim-datova-fotis-safekhburto-klubi-meotkhe-mwvrtnelis-molodinshia/ |website=1tv.ge (in Georgian) |date=27 August 2019}} The tide remained unchanged, though. Only on the last matchday did Kolkheti manage to avoid automatic relegation, but after being thrashed by Samgurali in play-offs they slumped to the third division.{{cite web |title=Samgurali vs Kolkheti-1913 |url=https://www.flashscore.com/match/E3zfIRLS/#match-summary |publisher=flashscore.com}}

In the initial two seasons Kolkheti were among primary promotion-chasers, although in both cases they suffered a setback in pursuit for an automatic promotion spot. The play-off results proved also unsuccessful despite the team's unbeaten aggregate score in the regular time. First they failed to beat WIT Georgia on penalties,{{cite web |title=2020 play-offs |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/georgia/play-offs-23/2020/s18431/final-stages/ |publisher=soccerway.com}} and a year later lost in extra time to Rustavi on away goals.{{cite web |title="ვიტ ჯორჯია" და "რუსთავი" ეროვნულ ლიგა 2-ში დარჩნენ |trans-title=WIT Georgia and Rustavi to stay in Liga 2 |url=https://1tv.ge/news/vit-jorjia-da-rustavi-erovnul-liga-2-shi-darchnen-1tvsport/ |website=1tv.ge (in Georgian) |date=11 December 2021}}

In 2022, too, Kolkheti ended up in the 2nd place. However, due to changes made in the competition format before this season, the club ended its three-year tenure in this division and won automatic promotion back to Liga 2.{{cite web |title=ლიგა 2-ში "კოლხეთი 1913" და "დინამო თბილისი 2" ითამაშებენ |trans-title=Kolkheti 1913 and Dinamo Tbilisi-2 are promoted to Liga 2 |url=https://1tv.ge/news/liga-2-shi-kolkheti-1913-da-dinamo-tbilisi-2-itamasheben-1tvsport/ |website=1tv.ge (in Georgian), 14 November 2022}} This year another event occurred which had a big impact on Kolkheti. On 29 August, the municipal club was handed over to a company linked to football manager Mamuka Jugeli.{{cite web |title=შპს "საფეხბურთო კლუბი კოლხეთი 1913" |url=https://poti.gov.ge/მუნიციპალიტეტისთვის-დაქ/შპს-საფეხბურთო-კლუბი-კოლ/#1589390935787-cd11f383-d2f3 |trans-title=FC Kolkheti 1913 Ltd |website=poti.gov.ge (in Georgian) |access-date=31 December 2023}}

Kolkheti achieved a remarkable success in 2023. While reaching the national cup semifinals, the team under head coach Davit Kvirkvelia emerged victorious after a dramatic hard-fought battle against Gareji for the first place, which enabled them to return to the Erovnuli Liga after a five-year absence.{{cite web |title=ფოთის "კოლხეთი" ეროვნულ ლიგაში დაბრუნდა |trans-title=Kolkheti Poti returns to Erovnuli Liga |url=http://www.worldsport.ge/ge/page/234136_fotis-kolxeti-erovnul-ligashi-dabrunda |website=worldsport.ge (in Georgian) |access-date=3 December 2023}}

Based on successful performance in Umaglesi Liga, Kolkheti-1913 represented Georgia on UEFA Cup for four consecutive seasons from 1996 until 2000.

The only victory achieved in this competition against Dinamo Minsk was insufficient for qualifying for the next round. Having lost the first leg 1–0, Kolkheti conceded an early goal at home and scored twice afterwards, but the away goals rule gave a final advantage to their opponents.{{cite web |title=Kolkheti vs Dinamo Minsk |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/54073--kolkheti-vs-dinamo-minsk/ |date=30 July 1997 |website=UEFA}}

{{Notelist}}

Seasons spent in Georgian leagues since 1990:

• Umaglesi Liga / Erovnuli Liga (1st tier): 26

• Pirveli Liga / Erovnuli Liga 2 (2nd tier): 6

• Meore Liga / Liga 3 (3rd tier): 3

Correct up to 2025 season

As of 26 March 2025{{cite web |title=Players |url=https://erovnuliliga.ge/ge/club/kolkheti-1913/squad |website=eliga.ge}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no= 1|nat=UKR|pos=GK|name=Yaroslav Kotlyarov}}

{{Fs player|no= 4|nat=GEO|pos=MF|name=Akaki Giunashvili}}

{{Fs player|no= 6|nat=GEO|pos=DF|name=Archil Datuashvili}}

{{Fs player|no= 7|nat=GEO|pos=MF|name=Giorgi Kharebava}}

{{Fs player|no= 8|nat=GEO|pos=MF|name=Giorgi Moistsrapishvili}}

{{Fs player|no= 9|nat=GEO|pos=FW|name=Lado Chikhradze}}

{{Fs player|no=10|nat=GEO|pos=MF|name=Giorgi Abuashvili}}

{{Fs player|no=11|nat=GEO|pos=FW|name=Tsotne Chikovani}}

{{Fs player|no=13|nat=GEO|pos=MF|name=Saba Piranashvili}}

{{Fs player|no=14|nat=GEO|pos=MF|name=Davit Khelaia}}

{{Fs player|no=15|nat=GEO|pos=DF|name=Beka Kharshiladze}}

{{Fs player|no=16|nat=GEO|pos=DF|name=Giorgi Akhaladze}}

{{Fs player|no=17|nat=GEO|pos=MF|name=Erekle Jijavadze}}

{{Fs player|no=18|nat=GEO|pos=MF|name=Davit Inaishvili}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=19|nat=GEO|pos=FW|name=Sandro Avaliani}}

{{Fs player|no=20|nat=GEO|pos=MF|name=Andria Bartishvili}}

{{Fs player|no=21|nat=GEO|pos=DF|name=Davit Paghava}}

{{Fs player|no=22|nat=RUS|pos=FW|name=Kirill Klimov}}

{{Fs player|no=23|nat=GEO|pos=DF|name=Rati Grigalava}}

{{Fs player|no=25|nat=COL|pos=MF|name=Juan Asprilla}}

{{Fs player|no=27|nat=GEO|pos=FW|name=Davit Krasovski}}

{{Fs player|no=30|nat=GEO|pos=FW|name=Davit Zurabiani}}

{{Fs player|no=32|nat=UKR|pos=GK|name=Myroslav Znovenko}}

{{Fs player|no=33|nat=GEO|pos=DF|name=Tornike Shekiladze}}

{{Fs player|no=34|nat=NGA|pos=MF|name=Tim Oloko-Obi|other={{small|on loan from Torpedo Kutaisi}}}}

{{Fs player|no=37|nat=BRA|pos=MF|name=Gabriel Paz}}

{{Fs player|no=40|nat=GEO|pos=MF|name=Dito Pachulia}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=GEO|pos=MF|name=Nikoloz Tskhovrebashvili}}

{{Fs end}}

• Georgian Soviet Championship
• Winners (2): 1978, 1988[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/georchamp.html Georgia – List of Champions] – rsssf.org
• Soviet Second League Zone IX (Caucasus)
• Runners-up (1): 1989
• Third place (4): 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987
• Umaglesi Liga
• Runners-up (2): 1993–94, 1996–97
• Third place (3): 1994–95, 1995–96, 1997–98
• Pirveli Liga/Erovnuli Liga 2
• Winners (1): 2023
• Runners-up (2): 2009–10, 2013–14 (A Group)
• Liga 3
• Runners-up (3): 2020, 2021, 2022

The Fazisi arena was built in 1961. Its reconstruction got under way in 2013, but it took seven years before the works were completed. Meanwhile, Kolkheti held their home games on Rugby Arena in Poti or in some neighbouring cities. Football returned to Fazisi in October 2019.{{cite news |title=ფოთის ცენტრალურ სტადიონზე შვიდი წლის შემდეგ პირველი მატჩი მიმდინარეობს |trans-title=First game in seven years is underway at Poti central stadium |url=https://1tv.ge/news/fotis-centralur-stadionze-shvidi-wlis-shemdeg-pirveli-matchi-mimdinareobs/ |website=Georgian Public TV (in Georgian)|date=6 Oct 2019}}

After promotion to the Erovnuli Liga in 2024, Kolkheti was the only team unable to hold domestic games at home due to its failure to meet UEFA requirements. Therefore, the club chose to use a recently built football ground in Kobuleti{{cite news |title=დასრულდება თუ არა უაზროდ დაგეგმილი სტადიონების მშენებლობა? |trans-title=Will poorly planned construction of stadiums be completed? |url=https://lelo.ge/article/ინფრასტრუქტურა-დასრულდება-თუ-არა-უაზროდ-დაგეგმილი-სტადიონების-მშენებლობა-49364 |access-date=9 April 2025 |work=Lelo |date=5 November 2024 |language=KA}} until the problem was fixed in late March 2025.

{{Reflist}}

• [https://us.soccerway.com/teams/georgia/fc-kolkheti-1913-poti/955/ Team profile] at Soccerway
• [https://www.flashscore.ge/team/poti/UPLe0mWk/results/ Kolkheti 1913 Results] at Flashscore

{{Erovnuli Liga teamlist}}

Kolkheti-1913 Poti

Category:Poti

Category:1913 establishments in Georgia (country)

Category:Association football clubs established in 1913