SPAL

{{Short description|Italian association football club based in Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna}}

{{for|the police service|Longueuil Agglomeration Police Service}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}

{{Infobox football club

| clubname = S.P.A.L.

| fullname = Società Polisportiva Ars et Labor

| image = SPAL Ferrara.svg

| upright = 0.6

| nickname = I Biancazzurri (The White and Blues){{cite news|url=https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/la-spal-gioca-contro-il-coronavirus-tutte-le-iniziative-dei-biancazzurri-1371856|title=La SPAL gioca contro il Coronavirus: tutte le iniziative dei biancazzurri|date=15 April 2020|access-date=21 May 2020|first=Davide|last=Soattin|website=tuttomercatoweb.com|language=it}}
Gli Estensi (The House of Este){{cite news|url=https://www.rivistaundici.com/2017/04/18/spal-nobilta-estense/|title=Nobiltà estense|date=8 April 2017|access-date=1 April 2024|first=Francesco Paolo|last=Giordano|website=rivistaundici.com|language=it}}

| founded = {{start date and age|df=yes|1907}} as Circolo Ars et Labor
{{start date and age|df=yes|2005}} (refounded)
{{start date and age|df=yes|2012}} (refounded)

| ground = Stadio Paolo Mazza,
Ferrara, Italy

| capacity = 16,134{{cite news|url=https://www.spalferrara.it/club/stadio-paolo-mazza|title=Stadio Paolo Mazza|access-date=1 April 2024|website=spalferrara.it|language=it}}

| owner = Tacollano Holdings LLC{{cite news|url=https://www.lospallino.com/2024/01/25/il-nome-nuovo-alla-spal-e-quello-dellinvestitore-statunitense-marcello-follano/|title=Il nome nuovo alla SPAL è quello dell'investitore statunitense Marcello Follano|date=25 January 2024|access-date=1 April 2024|first=Alessandro|last=Orlandin|website=lospallino.com|language=it}}

| chairman = Joe Tacopina

| manager = Francesco Baldini

| mgrtitle = Head coach

| league = {{Italian football updater|SPAL}}

| season = {{Italian football updater|SPAL2}}

| position = {{Italian football updater|SPAL3}}

| current = 2024–25 SPAL season

| website = {{URL|http://www.spalferrara.it/}}

|pattern_b1 = _spal2324h

|body1 = 0a94cd

|pattern_la1 = _spal2324home

|leftarm1 = 0a94cd

|pattern_ra1 = _spal2324home

|rightarm1 = 0a94cd

|pattern_sh1 =

|shorts1 = ffffff

|pattern_so1 = _spal2021h

|socks1 = ffffff

|pattern_b2 = _spal2324a

|body2 = 1a1a20

|pattern_la2 = _spal2324h

|leftarm2 = 1a1a20

|pattern_ra2 = _spal2324h

|rightarm2 = 1a1a20

|pattern_sh2 =

|shorts2 = 1a1a20

|pattern_so2 = _spal2324a

|socks2 = 1a1a20

| pattern_la3 =

| pattern_b3 =

| pattern_ra3 =

| pattern_sh3 =

| pattern_so3 =

| leftarm3 =

| body3 =

| rightarm3 =

| shorts3 =

| socks3 =

}}

Società Polisportiva Ars et Labor, commonly referred to by the acronym SPAL ({{IPA|it|spal}}), is a professional football club based in Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The team plays in Serie C, the third tier of the Italian football league system.

Founded in 1907, since 1928 they have played their home matches at Stadio Paolo Mazza, named after Paolo Mazza (chairman of the club 1946–1977).

In total, SPAL have participated in 24 top-tier, 28 second-tier, 43 third-tier, 7 fourth-tier and 1 fifth-tier league seasons. The club's best finish was when they came fifth in the 1959–60 Serie A; they also reached the 1961–62 Coppa Italia final.

The club is chaired by the American lawyer and businessman Joe Tacopina and the current manager is Francesco Baldini.

History

=From foundation to World War II=

File:Celebrazione del decennio dalla fondazione della S.P.A.L..jpg

The club was founded in March 1907 as Circolo Ars et Labor (Latin for Art and Work Club) by the Salesian priest Pietro Acerbis. In the early stages, it was mainly a cultural and religious association, then in 1913 it became a multi-sports company, taking the name of Società Polisportiva Ars et Labor (a mixture of Italian and Latin meaning Sports Club Society of Art and Work). The team began its professional activity under the aegis of the Italian Football Federation (Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio) in 1919, competing in the second-tier tournament.

SPAL played in the top flight league from 1920 to 1925, reaching the qualification playoff for the National Finals in 1921–22. From 1925 until the Second World War, they played in Serie B and Serie C: in this period, the club's all-time top striker Mario Romani scored 130 goals in 189 games during two different periods with the white-blues (1925–32 and 1937–38).

Between 1939 and 1943 the club temporarily changed its name to Associazione Calcio Ferrara, wearing the black and white colours of the city. After the suspension of the championships due to war, in 1945 the club returned to the name SPAL and to the light blue and white kits.

=The golden period in Serie A=

File:Paolo Mazza.jpg

In 1946 Paolo Mazza became chairman of the club. After five consecutive seasons in Serie B, SPAL won promotion to Serie A after finishing the championship first in 1950–51. The white-blues subsequently stayed in the top division for most of the 1950s and 1960s, competing in 16 out of 17 Serie A seasons from 1951 to 1968.{{cite news|url=https://www.spalferrara.it/club/storia|title=La storia della S.P.A.L.|access-date=1 April 2024|website=spalferrara.it|language=it}}

SPAL finished fifth in 1959–60, thus obtaining the best placement in its history. Also, in 1961–62 they played in the Coppa Italia final, losing against Napoli. In the early stages of 1962–63 season, in which the club finished in eighth place, the white and blues reached the top of the league table. During those years, the club was a launchpad for many young players, among them Fabio Capello.

File:1966–67 SPAL - Fabio Capello.jpg

In 1963–64 they were relegated to Serie B, but they came back to Serie A after only one year, and remained in the top division until 1968. At the end of the last season in the top flight, SPAL won the Cup of Italian-Swiss Friendship.

=From 1970s to 21st century=

During 1970s, 1980s and 1990s SPAL played mostly in Serie B and Serie C/C1.

Paolo Mazza quit the presidency in December 1976 and was replaced by Primo Mazzanti. The former chairman died in December 1981 and three months later Ferrara's Stadio Comunale was named after him.

In 1990, Giovanni Donigaglia became chairman of the club: between 1990 and 1992 SPAL obtained back-to-back promotions from Serie C2 to Serie B, under the management of Giovan Battista Fabbri. Donigaglia left the presidency in 2002 with the squad in Serie C1. He was replaced by Lino di Nardo.

=Recent years =

The club went bankrupt in 2005,{{Cite news|url=https://talksport.com/football/who-are-spal-incredible-rise-serie-new-boys-club-prepare-first-top-flight-fixture-1968|title=Who are SPAL? The incredible rise of Serie A's new boys as club prepare for first top-flight fixture since 1968|last=Hooper|first=Alasdair|date=18 August 2017|access-date=23 March 2018|work=talkSPORT|language=en}} and were reformed as SPAL 1907, under the terms of Article 52 of N.O.I.F.{{cite press release|url=http://www.figc.it/Assets/contentresources_2/ContenutoGenerico/82.$plit/C_2_ContenutoGenerico_6942_lstAllegati_Allegato0_upfAllegato.pdf|title=Comunicato Ufficiale Nº66/A (2005–06)|date=16 August 2005|access-date=19 January 2018|department=Consiglio Federale|first=Franco|last=Carraro|publisher=Italian Football Federation|publication-place=Rome|language=it}} In the summer of 2012, after suffering a second bankruptcy, the club was refounded for the second time as Real SPAL and would begin life in Serie D{{cite web|url=http://www.estense.com/?p=237685|title=FIGC registers SPAL in Serie D|date=8 August 2012|access-date=25 March 2018|work=il Resto del Carlino|language=it}} under the same N.O.I.F. article.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/ferrara/sport/calcio/2012/08/03/753618-real_spal_primo_giorno_scuola_tornera_livelli_competono.shtml|title=First day in school for SPAL: It will return to his real level|date=3 August 2012|access-date=25 March 2018|work=estense.com|language=it}}

At the end of the 2012–13 season the club took back its original name. Giacomense, a club founded in 1967 at Masi San Giacomo, a frazione of Masi Torello, had moved to the city of Ferrara; on 12 July 2013, owner Roberto Benasciutti made a deal with the Colombarini family for a merger between SPAL and Giacomense, with the latter giving its sports title to SPAL and continuing to play in Ferrara. The club initially adopted the name S.P.A.L. 2013, in order to continue the football history of the whiteblues, then they took back the original denomination of S.P.A.L.. Walter Mattioli became president, with Simone and Francesco Colombarini as main shareholders.

File:Curva Ovest SPAL-Bari 2017.jpg

They finished the 2013–14 Lega Pro Seconda Divisione season in sixth place, thus qualifying for the inaugural unified 2014–15 Lega Pro season. In 2015–16, the squad won promotion to Serie B for the first time since the 1992–93 season, after finishing first in group B of the Lega Pro. The following year they came first in Serie B, thus obtaining promotion to Serie A after a 49-year absence.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/102525/serie-b-spal-promoted-serie|title=SPAL promoted to Serie A|date=13 May 2017|access-date=25 March 2018|work=Football Italia|language=en}} In their first season back in Serie A, SPAL avoided relegation by finishing in 17th place.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/119942/serie-basement-battle/|title=Serie A basement battle|website=football-italia.net}} At the end of the 2018–19 season they confirmed their presence in the top flight for a third consecutive year, finishing 13th. The club had mixed fortunes in the 2019–20 season and, after gaining just 15 points in 23 games, coach Leonardo Semplici was dismissed in February 2020, replaced by Luigi Di Biagio.{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/2020/02/10/news/spal_ufficiale_l_esonero_di_semplici_in_arrivo_di_biagio_gia_12_le_panchine_saltate_in_a-248245817/|title=Spal: ufficiale l'esonero di Semplici, al suo posto Di Biagio|date=10 February 2020|access-date=13 May 2020|work=la repubblica.com|language=it}} SPAL were relegated to Serie B, finishing in last place with 20 points. The club reached the 2020–21 Coppa Italia quarter-finals, becoming the only team from Serie B to advance to that stage in the competition.

In August 2021, the club was acquired by the American lawyer and businessman Joe Tacopina. Some media say that the real owners behind Mr. Tacopina are brothers Alessandro Bazzoni and Lorenzo Bazzoni, Italian businessmen presumed to be linked with the government of Nicolas Maduro.{{cite web|url=https://www.estense.com/2022/954530/spal-una-famiglia-italiana-top-secret-al-fianco-di-tacopina/|title=Spal, una famiglia italiana 'top-secret' al fianco di Tacopina|date=11 March 2022|website=estense.com|language=it}}{{cite web|url=https://primerinforme.com/investigacion/de-londres-a-dubai-de-zurich-a-mexico-df-y-caracas-la-red-que-movio-millones-de-la-corrupcion-de-pdvsa/|title=De Londres a Dubai, de Zurich a México DF y Caracas: la red que movió millones de la corrupción de Pdvsa|date=2023-05-16|work=Primer Informe|language=es|first=Casto|last=Ocando}} SPAL was relegated to Serie C at the end of the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|publisher=Football Italia|url=https://football-italia.net/serie-b-benevento-and-spal-relegated/|title=Serie B: Benevento and SPAL relegated|date=13 May 2024}} On January 25, 2024, Tacopina revealed the name of the new co-owner of the club, American broker and businessman Marcello Follano, with whom he founded a new parent company controlling SPAL, Tacollano Holdings LLC.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/ferrara/cronaca/spal-irrompe-il-finanziere-del-new-jersey-6b822fab|title=Spal, irrompe il finanziere del New Jersey|date=25 January 2024|access-date=1 April 2024|first=Mauro|last=Malaguti|website=ilrestodelcarlino.it|language=it}}

Colours, badge and nicknames

The team's colours are light blue and white, which derive from the Salesians' emblem. The home kit, since 1962, has been composed of a vertical striped light blue-white shirt, white trainers and white socks. The only exception to light blue and white was when the club adopted a black and white kit between 1939 and 1943 (when it was named A.C. Ferrara), in honour of Ferrara's civic colours.

The team's badge features an oval-shaped light blue escutcheon, with a white band in the upper section, on which is written the acronym S.P.A.L. in golden characters. Also, in the lower section, the black and white emblem of the city is featured. From 1980 until mid-1990s, the official badge featured a fawn, another symbol of the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.lospallino.com/2018/03/19/il-cerbiatto-sacrificale-si-ribella-e-le-stelle-stanno-a-guardare-alla-faccia-dei-pronostici/|title=Il cerbiatto sacrificale si ribella e le stelle stanno a guardare, alla faccia dei pronostici|date=19 March 2018|access-date=1 April 2024|first=Cristiano|last=Mazzoni|website=lospallino.com|language=it}}

SPAL's most common nicknames are Biancazzurri (from the club colours, light blue and white) and Estensi (from the House of Este, ancient European noble dynasty that ruled Ferrara from 1264 to 1598).{{cite news|title=Gli Estensi|url=https://www.castelloestense.it/it/il-castello/la-storia/gli-estensi|access-date=1 April 2024|website=castelloestense.it|language=it}}

Stadium

{{main|Stadio Paolo Mazza}}

File:0 Stadio Paolo Mazza - Ferrara - SPAL - 2018 - 07.jpg

  • Campo di Piazza d'Armi (1919–28)
  • Stadio Paolo Mazza (1928–)

The current home ground of SPAL is the 16,134 seater Stadio Paolo Mazza. The stadium was opened in September 1928 as Stadio Comunale, then took on its current name in February 1982, in honour of the former president of the club Paolo Mazza, who died two months earlier.

Initially it had a capacity of 4,000. Then, in concomitance with the promotion of SPAL to Serie A, in 1951 it was subjected to a heavy restructuring that brought capacity to 25,000. Between 1960s and 1980s it was renovated again, reducing the number of possible spectators to 22,000 until the mid-2000s.

From 2005 to 2016 the stadium capacity was limited to 7,500 due to safety reasons and cost containment. In 2016–17, after the club's promotion to Serie B and then to Serie A, the stadium was restructured again to match the modern needs of comfort and safety. In the summer of 2018 a further remodeling took place, in order to bring the total capacity from 13,135 seats to 16,134.{{cite news|title=SPAL receives boost to further expand stadium|url=http://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2017/12/20/spal-receives-boost-expand-stadium/|access-date=25 March 2018|work=TheStadiumBusiness|date=20 December 2017}}

Sponsors

= Kit sponsors =

  • 1981–86: Adidas
  • 1986–87: Meyba
  • 1987–89: Fitness
  • 1989–91: WBS
  • 1991–04: Asics
  • 2004–05: Zeus
  • 2005–09: Legea
  • 2009–10: Asics{{cite news|title=Presentate le nuove maglie della Spal 2009/2010|url=http://multimedia.quotidiano.net/?tipo=photo&media=12232|access-date=1 April 2024|website=multimedia.quotidiano.net|language=it}}
  • 2010–12: Givova{{cite news|title=Givova sponsor tecnico con alcune novità|url=http://www.lospallino.com/2011/06/18/givova-sponsor-tecnico-con-alcune-novita/|access-date=1 April 2024|website=lospallino.com|language=it}}
  • 2012–13: Legea{{cite news|title=Accordo ufficiale con la Legea sponsor tecnico|url=http://lanuovaferrara.gelocal.it/sport/2012/08/25/news/accordo-ufficiale-con-la-legea-sponsor-tecnico-1.5594009|access-date=1 April 2024|website=lanuovaferrara.gelocal.it|language=it}}
  • 2013–16: Erreà{{cite news|title=Strisce strette e verde fluo, le maglie della SPAL 2015-2016|url=https://www.passionemaglie.it/maglie-spal-errea-lega-pro-2015-2016/|access-date=1 April 2024|website=passionemaglie.it|language=it}}
  • 2016–17: HS Football{{cite news|title=Le maglie della SPAL 2016-2017 per il grande ritorno in Serie B|url=https://www.passionemaglie.it/maglie-spal-2016-2017-serie-b/|access-date=1 April 2024|website=passionemaglie.it|language=it}}
  • 2017–25: Macron{{cite news|title=Macron sponsor tecnico della SPAL per le prossime quattro stagioni|url=http://www.spalferrara.it/macron-sponsor-tecnico-della-spal/|access-date=1 April 2024|website=spalferrara.it|language=it}}

Players

{{see also|Category:SPAL players}}

=Current squad=

{{updated|3 February 2025|{{cite news|title=Rosa giocatori|url=https://www.spalferrara.it/squadra|access-date=23 August 2024|work=spalferrara.it}}}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=3|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Matteo Bruscagin}}

{{Fs player|no=4|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Fabrizio Paghera}}

{{Fs player|no=5|pos=MF|nat=NGA|name=Theophilus Awua}}

{{Fs player|no=6|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Alessandro Fiordaliso}}

{{Fs player|no=7|pos=FW|nat=ITA|name=Mirco Antenucci|other=captain}}

{{Fs player|no=8|pos=MF|nat=MAR|name=Omar El Kaddouri}}

{{Fs player|no=9|pos=FW|nat=ISL|name=Óttar Magnús Karlsson}}

{{Fs player|no=10|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Igor Radrezza}}

{{Fs player|no=11|pos=FW|nat=ITA|name=Emanuele Rao}}

{{Fs player|no=12|pos=GK|nat=ITA|name=Cesare Galeotti}}

{{Fs player|no=14|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Fabio Parravicini}}

{{Fs player|no=15|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Hamza Haoudi}}

{{Fs player|no=16|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Edoardo Sottini}}

{{Fs player|no=17|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Giuseppe Iglio}}

{{Fs player|no=18|pos=DF|nat=FRA|name=Jean-Claude Ntenda|other=on loan from Juventus}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=19|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Daniele Mignanelli}}

{{Fs player|no=20|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Roberto Zammarini}}

{{Fs player|no=22|pos=GK|nat=ITA|name=Marco Meneghetti}}

{{Fs player|no=23|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Matteo Arena|other=vice-captain}}

{{Fs player|no=25|pos=FW|nat=ARG|name=Juan Ignacio Molina|other=on loan from Vis Pesaro}}

{{Fs player|no=26|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Alessandro Bassoli}}

{{Fs player|no=27|pos=FW|nat=ITA|name=Vittorio Parigini}}

{{Fs player|no=28|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Luca Calapai}}

{{Fs player|no=29|pos=MF|nat=TOG|name=Steven Nador}}

{{Fs player|no=30|pos=FW|nat=ITA|name=Umberto Camelio}}

{{Fs player|no=33|pos=FW|nat=ITA|name=Ludovico D'Orazio}}

{{Fs player|no=40|pos=FW|nat=ITA|name=Cristian Spini|other=on loan from Trapani}}

{{Fs player|no=77|pos=FW|nat=MAR|name=Soufiane Bidaoui}}

{{Fs player|no=90|pos=MF|nat=CIV|name=Ladji Mori Kane}}

{{Fs player|no=99|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Christian Nina|other=on loan from Vis Pesaro}}

{{Fs end}}

=Youth sector=

SPAL Primavera players that received a first-team squad call-up during the current season.

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=31|pos=GK|nat=ITA|name=Alexander Zenti}}

{{Fs player|no=34|pos=GK|nat=ITA|name=Tommaso Stagni}}

{{Fs player|no=91|pos=FW|nat=GUI|name=Oumar Conté}}

{{Fs player|no=92|pos=FW|nat=ITA|name=Leroy Cecchinato}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=94|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Alex Roda}}

{{Fs player|no=95|pos=FW|nat=ITA|name=Simone Tarolli}}

{{Fs player|no=96|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Lorenzo Andreoli}}

{{Fs end}}

=Out on loan=

{{updated|3 February 2025}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|pos=GK|nat=ITA|name=Lorenzo Abati|other=at Pergolettese}}

{{Fs player|pos=GK|nat=ITA|name=Francesco Costantini|other=at Igea Virtus}}

{{Fs player|pos=GK|nat=ITA|name=Luca Martelli|other=at Forlì}}

{{Fs player|pos=GK|nat=ITA|name=Luca Romagnoli|other=at Treviso}}

{{Fs player|pos=GK|nat=ITA|name=Riccardo Melgrati|other=at Lucchese}}

{{Fs player|pos=GK|nat=SEN|name=Demba Thiam|other=at Juve Stabia}}

{{Fs player|pos=DF|nat=AUT|name=Philipp Breit|other=at Catanzaro}}

{{Fs player|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Vincenzo Polito|other=at Lecco}}

{{Fs player|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Federico Ribello|other=at Corticella}}

{{Fs player|pos=DF|nat=SVK|name=Michal Svoboda|other=at Dukla Prague}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|pos=DF|nat=ITA|name=Riccardo Vesprini|other=at Reggina}}

{{Fs player|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Alessandro Boccia|other=at Pistoiese}}

{{Fs player|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Andrea Carbone|other=at Siracusa}}

{{Fs player|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Nicolò Contiliano|other=at Carpi}}

{{Fs player|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Alessandro Murgia|other=at Hermannstadt}}

{{Fs player|pos=MF|nat=ITA|name=Filippo Puletto|other=at Carpi}}

{{Fs player|pos=FW|nat=ITA|name=Tommaso Angeletti|other=at Castelfidardo}}

{{Fs player|pos=FW|nat=SUI|name=Salah Aziz Binous|other=at Sant'Angelo}}

{{Fs player|pos=FW|nat=ITA|name=Andrea La Mantia|other=at Catanzaro}}

{{Fs player|pos=FW|nat=ITA|name=Alessandro Orfei|other=at Union Clodiense}}

{{Fs end}}

=Captains=

File:Oscar Massei en SPAL.JPG was awarded honorary citizenship by the city of Ferrara in 2007, as one of the most representative players in club's history{{cite news|url=https://www.cronacacomune.it/notizie/10975/oscar-massei-e-ora-cittadino-onorario-della-nostra-citta.html|title=Oscar Massei è ora cittadino onorario della nostra città|date=24 September 2007|access-date=4 April 2024|website=cronacacomune.it|language=it}}]]

Below a chronological list of SPAL captains since 1950.{{cite news|url=http://www.maldispal.it/alma/la-storia/capitani-spallini/show/slid-68/scid-4.html?jsnisid=1408302573|title=Capitani Spallini - Almanacco S.P.A.L.|access-date=1 April 2024|first=Augusto|last=Bolognesi|website=maldispal.it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407121444/http://www.maldispal.it/alma/la-storia/capitani-spallini/show/slid-68/scid-4.html?jsnisid=1408302573 |archive-date=7 April 2018 |language=it}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
NameYearsNameYears
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovanni Emiliani1950–53{{flagicon|Italy}} Marcello Castoldi1953–54
{{flagicon|Italy}} Edoardo Dal Pos1954–59{{flagicon|Argentina}} Oscar Massei1959–61
{{flagicon|Italy}} Sergio Cervato1961–65{{flagicon|Argentina}} Oscar Massei1965–68
{{flagicon|Italy}} Carlo Dell'Omodarme1968–69{{flagicon|Italy}} Enrico CairoliJul. 1969–Oct. 1973
{{flagicon|Italy}} Lucio MongardiOct. 1973–Jun. 1975{{flagicon|Italy}} Sergio Reggiani1975–76
{{flagicon|Italy}} Ottavio Bianchi1976–77{{flagicon|Italy}} Franco Pezzato1977–79
{{flagicon|Italy}} Mauro Gibellini1979–81{{flagicon|Italy}} Rosario Rampanti1981–82
{{flagicon|Italy}} Mirco Brilli1982–83{{flagicon|Italy}} Giuseppe De Gradi1983–85
{{flagicon|Italy}} Elio Gustinetti1985–86{{flagicon|Italy}} Fabio Perinelli1986–87
{{flagicon|Italy}} Arturo Vianello1987–88{{flagicon|Italy}} Massimo Pellegrini1988–89
{{flagicon|Italy}} Francesco Cini1989–90{{flagicon|Italy}} Franco Fabbri1990–91
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giuseppe Brescia1991–93{{flagicon|Italy}} Andrea Mangoni1993–94
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giuseppe Brescia1994–96{{flagicon|Italy}} Eugenio Sgarbossa1996–97
{{flagicon|Italy}} Fausto Pari1997–98{{flagicon|Italy}} Alfonso Greco1998–99
{{flagicon|Italy}} Massimo Gadda1999–00{{flagicon|Italy}} Emanuele CancellatoJul. 2000–Jan. 2002
{{flagicon|Italy}} Cristian ServideiJan. 2002–Jun. 2002{{flagicon|Italy}} Francesco Zanoncelli2002–03
{{flagicon|Italy}} Manuel Milana2003–06{{flagicon|Switzerland}} David Sesa2006–08
{{flagicon|Italy}} Luis Fernando CentiJul. 2008–Feb. 2009{{flagicon|Italy}} Marco ZamboniFeb. 2009–Jun. 2012
{{flagicon|Italy}} Davide Marchini2012–13{{flagicon|Italy}} Massimiliano Varricchio2013–14
{{flagicon|Italy}} Nicolas Giani2014–17{{flagicon|Italy}} Luca MoraJul. 2017–Jan. 2018
{{flagicon|Italy}} Mirco AntenucciJan. 2018–Jun. 2019{{flagicon|Italy}} Sergio Floccari2019–21
{{flagicon|Italy}} Francesco Vicari2021–22{{flagicon|Italy}} Salvatore EspositoJul. 2022–Jan. 2023
{{flagicon|Italy}} Lorenzo DickmannJan. 2023–Jun.2023{{flagicon|Italy}} Mirco Antenucci2023–25

Technical staff

{{Fb cs header}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Head of technical staff |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Alex Casella }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Head coach |s= {{flagicon|Italy}} Francesco Baldini }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Deputy head coach |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Luciano Mularoni }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Technical assistant |s={{flagicon|Brazil}} Claiton }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Technical assistant |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Emanuele Dogliani }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Technical assistant |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Riccardo Leardi }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Match analyst |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Mario Enrico Braco }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Goalkeeping coach |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Davide Bertaccini }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Fitness coach |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Diego Gemignani }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Injury recovery |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Carlo Oliani }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Team manager |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Alessio Cirulli }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Head of medical staff |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Fabrizio Aggio }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Physiotherapist |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Marcello Bertolani }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Physiotherapist |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Piero Bortolin }}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Physiotherapist |s={{flagicon|Italy}} Daniele Zannini }}

{{Fb cs footer|s=[https://www.spalferrara.it/prima-squadra/staff-tecnico-24-25]|date=February 2025}}

Chairmen history

SPAL have had several presidents (chairmen) ({{langx|it|presidenti|lit=presidents}} or {{langx|it|presidenti del consiglio di amministrazione|lit=chairmen of the board of directors}}) over the course of their history. Some of them have been the main shareholder of the club. The longest-serving is Paolo Mazza.{{cite book|title=SPAL 110 (1907-2017). Storia critica, uomini e numeri della squadra dalla nascita al trionfale ritorno in serie A|first=Mauro|last=Malaguti|date=2017|publisher=Gianni Marchesini Editore|isbn=9788888225531|language=it}}{{cite news|title=Spal fra storia, presente e futuro: i protagonisti diventati immortali|url=https://www.lanuovaferrara.it/sport/2023/06/18/news/spal-fra-storia-presente-e-futuro-i-protagonisti-diventati-immortali-1.100327487|date=18 June 2023|access-date=1 April 2024|website=lanuovaferrara.it|language=it}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
NameYearsNameYears
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Don Pietro Acerbis1907–11{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Conte Buosi1911–12
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Aminta Gulinati1912–15{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Antonio Santini1919–21
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Enrico Bassani1921–24{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Gaetano Ridolfi1924–27
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Giannino Bonfiglioli1927–28{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} On. Ferri1928–31
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Giuseppe Turbiani
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Carlo Osti
1931–32{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Comm. Gandini1932–33
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Umberto Barbè
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Giulio Divisi
1933–34{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Luigi Orsi1934–35
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Giovanni Argazzi1935–36{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Nino Fiorini1936–37
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Angelo Vissoli1937–39{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Annio Bignardi1939–41
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Augusto Caniato1941–43{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Edmondo Bucci1945–46
{{flagicon|Italy}} Paolo Mazza1946–77{{flagicon|Italy}} Primo Mazzanti1977–85
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giorgio Rossatti1985–86{{flagicon|Italy}} Francesco Nicolini1986–89
{{flagicon|Italy}} Albersano Ravani1989–90{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovanni Donigaglia1990–96
{{flagicon|Italy}} Vanni Guzzinati1996–97{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovanni Donigaglia1997–02
{{flagicon|Italy}} Lino Di Nardo2002–05{{flagicon|Italy}} Gianfranco Tomasi2005–08
{{flagicon|Italy}} Cesare Butelli2008–12{{flagicon|Italy}} Roberto Ranzani2012–13
{{flagicon|Italy}} Walter Mattioli2013–21{{flagicon|United States}} Joe Tacopina2021–

Managerial history

{{see also|Category:SPAL managers}}

SPAL have had many managers and head coaches throughout their history, below is a chronological list of them.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VrD8swEACAAJ|title=S.P.A.L. - Un sogno biancoazzurro. Dalle origini del calcio a Ferrara alla prima serie A|first=Graziano|last=Gruppioni|date=2017|publisher=2G Libri|isbn=9788889248348|access-date=1 April 2024|language=it}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
NameYearsNameYears
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Carlo Marchiandi1919–22{{flagicon|Hungary|1920}} Armand Halmos1922–23
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Giuseppe Ticozzelli1923–24{{flagicon|Czech Republic|1861}} Walter Alt1924–27
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Carlo Osti
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Carlo Marchiandi
1927–28{{flagicon|Hungary|1920}} Béla Károly1928–29
{{flagicon|Hungary|1920}} György Hlavay1929–31{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Francesco Mattuteia
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Adolf Mora Murer
1931–32
{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} Walter Alt1933–34{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} Mihály Balacics1934–35
{{flagicon|Hungary|1920}} György Hlavay
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Guido Testolina
1935–36{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Paolo Mazza1936–37
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Euro Riparbelli1937–39{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Paolo Mazza1939–42
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Giorgio Armari
{{flagicon|Italy|1861}} Bruno Maini
1942–43{{flagicon|Hungary|1946}} József ViolaJul. 1945–Jun. 1946
{{flagicon|Italy}} Guido TestolinaJul. 1946–Jun. 1947{{flagicon|Italy}} Giuseppe MarchiJul. 1947–Jun. 1948
{{flagicon|Italy}} Bruno ValeJul. 1948–Jun. 1949|{{flagicon|Italy}} Antonio JanniJul. 1949–Jun. 1954
{{flagicon|Italy}} Bruno BiaginiJul. 1954–Jun. 1955{{flagicon|Italy}} Fioravante BaldiJul. 1955–Jun. 1956
{{flagicon|Italy}} Paolo TabanelliJul. 1956–Jun. 1958{{flagicon|Italy}} Fioravante BaldiJul. 1958–Apr. 1960
{{flagicon|Italy}} Serafino MontanariApr. 1960–Jun. 1960{{flagicon|Italy}} Luigi FerreroJul. 1960–Sep. 1961
{{flagicon|Italy}} Serafino MontanariSep. 1961–Apr. 1963{{flagicon|Italy}} Aurelio MarcheseApr. 1963–Jun. 1963
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giacomo BlasonJul. 1963–Apr. 1964{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovan Battista FabbriApr. 1964–Nov. 1964
{{flagicon|Italy}} Francesco PetagnaNov. 1964–Oct. 1968{{flagicon|Italy}} Serafino MontanariOct. 1968–May 1969
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovan Battista FabbriMay 1969–Oct. 1969{{flagicon|Italy}} Tito CorsiOct. 1969–Jun. 1970
{{flagicon|Italy}} Cesare MeucciJul. 1970–Jun. 1972{{flagicon|Italy}} Eugenio FantiniJul. 1972–Oct. 1972
{{flagicon|Italy}} Mario CaciagliOct. 1972–Jan. 1975{{flagicon|Italy}} Guido CapelloJan. 1975–Jun. 1975
{{flagicon|Italy}} Francesco PetagnaJul. 1975–Dec. 1975{{flagicon|Italy}} Umberto PinardiDec. 1975–Feb. 1976
{{flagicon|Italy}} Guido CapelloFeb. 1976–Nov. 1976{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovanni BallicoNov. 1976–Dec. 1976
{{flagicon|Italy}} Ottavio BugattiDec. 1976–Feb. 1977{{flagicon|Spain}} Luis SuárezFeb. 1977–Jun. 1977
{{flagicon|Italy}} Mario CaciagliJul. 1977–Jun. 1980{{flagicon|Italy}} Battista RotaJul. 1980–Mar. 1982
{{flagicon|Italy}} Ugo TomeazziMar. 1982–Jun. 1982{{flagicon|Italy}} Gaetano SalveminiJul. 1982–Dec. 1982
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovanni SeghedoniDec. 1982–Jun. 1983{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovanni GaleoneJul. 1983–Oct. 1984
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giancarlo DanovaOct. 1984–Dec. 1984{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovanni GaleoneDec. 1984–Jun. 1986
{{flagicon|Italy}} Ferruccio MazzolaJul. 1986–Jun. 1987{{flagicon|Italy}} Giancarlo CellaJul. 1987–Nov. 1987
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovan Battista FabbriNov. 1987–Jun. 1988{{flagicon|Italy}} Giorgio VeneriJul. 1988–Dec. 1988
{{flagicon|Italy}} Francesco Paolo SpecchiaDec. 1988–Jun. 1989{{flagicon|Italy}} Luciano MagistrelliJul. 1989–Jan. 1990
{{flagicon|Italy}} Nello SantinJan. 1990–Jun. 1990{{flagicon|Italy}} Paolo LombardoJul. 1990–Feb. 1991
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovan Battista FabbriFeb. 1991–Oct. 1992{{flagicon|Italy}} Rino MarchesiOct. 1992–Apr. 1993
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giovan Battista FabbriApr. 1993–Jun. 1993{{flagicon|Italy}} Gian Cesare DiscepoliJul. 1993–Jan. 1995
{{flagicon|Italy}} Vincenzo GueriniJan. 1995–Sep. 1995{{flagicon|Italy}} Salvatore BianchettiSep. 1995–Feb. 1997
{{flagicon|Italy}} Alfredo MagniFeb. 1997–Jun. 1997{{flagicon|Italy}} Gianni De BiasiJul. 1997–Jun. 1999
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giancarlo D'AstoliJul. 1999–Jun. 2000{{flagicon|Italy}} Alessandro ScanzianiJul. 2000–Nov. 2000
{{flagicon|Italy}} Mauro MelottiNov. 2000–Nov. 2001{{flagicon|Italy}} Fabio PerinelliNov. 2001–Mar. 2002
{{flagicon|Italy}} Mauro MelottiMar. 2002–Jun. 2002{{flagicon|Italy}} Walter De VecchiJul. 2002–Oct. 2002
{{flagicon|Italy}} Giuliano SonzogniOct. 2002–Oct. 2003{{flagicon|Italy}} Gian Cesare DiscepoliOct. 2003–Jun. 2004
{{flagicon|Italy}} Massimiliano AllegriJul. 2004–Jun. 2005{{flagicon|Italy}} Paolo BeruattoJul. 2005–Feb. 2006
{{flagicon|Italy}} Walter NicolettiFeb. 2006–Jun. 2006{{flagicon|Italy}} Leonardo RossiJul. 2006–Jun. 2007
{{flagicon|Italy}} Francesco BuglioJul. 2007–Feb. 2008{{flagicon|Italy}} Roberto LabardiFeb. 2008
{{flagicon|Italy}} Angelo AlessioFeb. 2008–Jun. 2008{{flagicon|Italy}} Aldo DolcettiJul. 2008–Nov. 2009
{{flagicon|Italy}} Egidio NotaristefanoNov. 2009–Feb. 2011{{flagicon|Italy}} Gian Marco RemondinaFeb. 2011–Jun. 2011
{{flagicon|Italy}} Stefano VecchiJul. 2011–Jun. 2012{{flagicon|Italy}} David SassariniJul. 2012–Jun. 2013
{{flagicon|Italy}} Leonardo RossiJul. 2013–Oct. 2013{{flagicon|Italy}} Massimo GaddaOct. 2013–Jun. 2014
{{flagicon|Italy}} Oscar BreviJul. 2014–Dec. 2014{{flagicon|Italy}} Leonardo SempliciDec. 2014–Feb. 2020
{{flagicon|Italy}} Luigi Di BiagioFeb. 2020–Aug. 2020{{flagicon|Italy}} Pasquale MarinoAug. 2020–Mar. 2021
{{flagicon|Italy}} Massimo RastelliMar. 2021–Jun. 2021{{flagicon|Spain}} Pep ClotetJul. 2021–Jan. 2022
{{flagicon|Italy}} Roberto VenturatoJan. 2022–Oct. 2022{{flagicon|Italy}} Daniele De RossiOct. 2022–Feb. 2023
{{flagicon|Italy}} Massimo OddoFeb. 2023–Jun. 2023{{flagicon|Italy}} Domenico Di CarloJul. 2023–Oct. 2023
{{flagicon|Italy}} Leonardo ColucciOct. 2023–Feb. 2024{{flagicon|Italy}} Domenico Di CarloFeb. 2024–Jun. 2024
{{flagicon|Italy}} Andrea DossenaJul. 2024–Feb. 2025{{flagicon|Italy}} Francesco BaldiniFeb. 2025–

Club records

=League=

Below is a table showing the participation of SPAL in the Italian football leagues.{{cite book|url=https://www.amazon.it/storia-della-MALAGUTI-PIFFANELLI-Corrado/dp/B07KFLFG3V|title=La storia della SPAL|first=Corrado|last=Piffanelli|date=1991|publisher=Il Resto del Carlino|access-date=1 April 2024|language=it}}

class="wikitable center" width=100%

! style="background:#2D98D1; color:white;" | Level

! style="background:#2D98D1; color:white;" | Tournament

! style="background:#2D98D1; color:white;" | Participations

! style="background:#2D98D1; color:white;" width="20%"| Debut season

! style="background:#2D98D1; color:white;" width="20%"| Last season

! style="background:#2D98D1; color:white;" | Total

rowspan=3 | {{big|1º|2}}Prima Categoria21920–211921–22rowspan=3 | 24
Prima Divisione31922–231924–25
Serie A191951–522019–20
style="background-color:#E9E9E9"

| rowspan=3 | {{big|2º|2}}

Seconda Divisione1colspan=2 | 1925–26rowspan=3 | 28
style="background-color:#E9E9E9"

| Prima Divisione

31926–271928–29
style="background-color:#E9E9E9"

| Serie B

241933–342022–23
rowspan=6 | {{big|3º|2}}Prima Divisione41929–301932–33rowspan=6 | 43
Serie B-C Alta Italia1colspan=2 | 1945–46
Serie C131936–372024–25
Serie C1191982–832004–05
Lega Pro Prima Divisione42008–092011–12
Lega Pro22014–152015–16
style="background-color:#E9E9E9"

| rowspan=2 | {{big|4º|2}}

Serie C261989–902007–08rowspan=2 | 7
style="background-color:#E9E9E9"

| Lega Pro Seconda Divisione

1colspan=2 | 2013–14
{{big|5º|2}}Serie D1colspan=2 | 2012–131

=Individual=

Below is a table showing the recordmen of matches played and goals scored for SPAL in the Italian football leagues.

{{window|align=left|width=50%|border=1px|col1=#2D98D1|col2=white|col3=white|font-size=120%|title=League appearances|content=

  • 287 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Giulio Boldrini (1967–77)
  • 263 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Andrea Pierobon (1997–05)
  • 244 {{Flagicon|ARG}} Oscar Massei (1959–68)
  • 241 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Franco Pezzato (1964–67, 1972–76, 1977–79, 1983–84)
  • 228 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Gianfranco Bozzao (1958–61, 1962–68)

: 228 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Giuseppe Brescia (1988–93, 1994–96)

  • 210 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Aulo Gelio Lucchi (1951–59)
  • 198 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Manuel Lazzari (2013–19)
  • 195 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Ermelindo D'Agostini (1934–43)
  • 189 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Mario Romani (1924–32, 1937–38)
  • 186 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Aldo Barbieri (1925–33, 1935–36)
  • 183 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Francesco Vicari (2016–22)
  • 182 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Luigi Olasi (1930–37)

: 182 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Mauro Gibellini (1971–73, 1975–81)

  • 181 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Ferdinando Donati (1970–71, 1972–74, 1976–79)
  • 177 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Mirco Antenucci (2016–19, 2023–25)
  • 174 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Carlo Novelli (1955–57, 1959–65)

}}

{{window|allign=left|width=50%|border=1px|col1=#2D98D1|col2=white|col3=white|font-size=120%|title=League goals|content=

  • 129 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Mario Romani (1924–32, 1937–38)
  • 92 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Aldo Barbieri (1925–33, 1935–36)
  • 81 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Franco Pezzato (1964–67, 1972–76, 1977–79, 1983–84)
  • 59 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Emanuele Cancellato (1997–02)
  • 52 {{Flagicon|ARG}} Oscar Massei (1959–68)
  • 50 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Mirco Antenucci (2016–19, 2023–25)
  • 49 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Mauro Gibellini (1971–73, 1975–81)
  • 46 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Bruno Braga (1929–35)
  • 43 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Girolamo Bizzarri (1993–95)
  • 38 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Goffredo Colombi (1949–53)
  • 36 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Carlo Novelli (1955–57, 1959–65)
  • 34 {{Flagicon|MAR}} Rachid Arma (2008–09, 2011–12)
  • 33 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Tiziano Manfrin (1974–79)

: 33 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Gianmarco Zigoni (2015–17)

: 31 {{Flagicon|ITA}} Mario Astorri (1942–43, 1945–46)

}}

{{clear}}

Honours

Below is a list of titles and cups won by SPAL throughout their history.

=Domestic=

==League titles==

==Cups==

=European=

=Youth=

  • Campionato Primavera Serie B
  • Winners (1): 1964–65
  • Campionato De Martino Serie A
  • Winners (1): 1967–68
  • Campionato Nazionale Under-18
  • Winners (2): 2021–22, 2022–23

References

{{reflist}}