The history of Napoli football club
Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli,
commonly known as Napoli, is a professional football club based in Naples,
Italy. With a history spanning over a century, Napoli has established itself as
the most successful football club in Southern Italy. Early Years and Foundation
The club's origins can be traced back to 1905, with the founding of the Naples
Foot-Ball & Cricket Club by an Englishman named William Poths and his
associate Hector M. Bayon, along with Neapolitans like Amedeo Salsi, who served
as the first president. In 1912, a rivalry emerged with the formation of a
second club, US Internazionale Napoli. The two rivals eventually merged in 1922
to form FBC Internaples. On August 25, 1926, the club was officially named
Associazione Calcio Napoli, with Giorgio Ascarelli as its first president. The
club initially struggled, even being nicknamed "I ciucciarelli" (the
little donkeys) after a particularly poor season. Despite this, the club found
its footing and began to establish itself in the Italian league system. The Rise and the Maradona Era Napoli's fortunes changed dramatically in the 1980s with
the arrival of Argentine superstar Diego Maradona in 1984. His transfer
broke the world record at the time. Maradona's seven-year spell at the club is
considered the most glorious in its history. He led the team to unprecedented
success, raising the "traditionally weak" Naples side to the heights
of Italian football. During this period, Napoli achieved its most significant
victories:
- Serie A Titles:
1986–87 and 1989–90
- Coppa Italia:
1986–87
- UEFA Cup:
1988–89 (their only European trophy to date)
- Supercoppa Italiana:
1990
Maradona's impact on the club and the city of Naples was immense, making him a legendary and revered figure. The club's home ground, Stadio San Paolo, was renamed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in his honor in 2020. Decline and Revival. After Maradona's departure, the club went into a period of decline, facing financial troubles and even declaring bankruptcy in 2004. It was refounded by film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis as Napoli Soccer. He eventually restored the name to Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli and began the process of rebuilding the team. Under his ownership, Napoli worked its way back up the Italian leagues, earning successive promotions and returning to Serie A in 2007. Recent Success In recent years, Napoli has re-established itself as a major force in Italian football, winning several more titles: Serie A: 2022–23 and 2024–25 (the club's fourth and most recent league title) Coppa Italia: 2011–12, 2013–14, and 2019–20 Supercoppa Italiana: 2014 Today, Napoli continues to be a symbol of pride for the city of Naples, with a passionate fanbase and a rich history.
