AC Cesena facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Cesena

Full name	Associazione Calcio Cesena S.p.A.
Nickname(s)	I Cavallucci Marini (The Seahorses) I Bianconeri (The White and Blacks)
Founded	1940 (85 years ago) (1940)
Dissolved	2018; 7 years ago (2018)
Ground	Stadio Dino Manuzzi, Cesena, Italy
Ground Capacity	23,900
Head Coach	Domenico Toscano
League	Serie C
2017–18	Serie B, 13th of 22
Home colours Away colours Third colours

The progress of Cesena in the Italian football league structure since the club's foundation in 1940.

AC Cesena, often called Cesena, was an Italian football club. It was located in Cesena, Emilia-Romagna. The club played most of its history in top professional leagues. These included Serie A and Serie B. Sadly, the club faced financial problems and closed down in 2018.

Another club from Cesena, Romagna Centro, took its place. In 2019, this new club changed its name to Cesena FC. AC Cesena was formed in 1940. It first reached Serie A in 1973. The club played a total of 13 seasons in Serie A. Its best result was finishing sixth in 1976. This led to a short appearance in the UEFA Cup.

Cesena earned promotion to Serie A four more times. These were in 1981, 1987, 2010, and 2014. The 2010 promotion was special. It came after two promotions in a row. They moved up from the third league (Lega Pro) in 2009. Then they moved from Serie B in 2010. Both promotions were won on the very last day of the season.

The Story of Cesena

Early Days and Big Wins

Cesena was founded in 1940. The club reached Serie B in 1968. They were promoted to Serie A for the first time in 1973. Players like Pierluigi Cera and Gianluigi Savoldi helped the team. They finished 11th in their first Serie A season. They repeated this good finish the next year.

In the 1975–76 season, Cesena surprised everyone. They finished sixth in the league. This allowed them to play in the UEFA Cup. This success did not last long. They were relegated the very next year.

Ups and Downs

Cesena earned promotion to Serie A again in 1981. They finished 10th, which was a good result. However, they were relegated once more in 1983. The team then stayed in Serie B for four years. After winning a play-off game, they returned to Serie A for the 1987–88 season. They managed to stay in Serie A for four years. They worked hard to avoid relegation during this time.

After being relegated in 1991, Cesena had another chance. They could return to Serie A in 1994. The team had talented players. These included Alessandro Teodorani and Dario Hübner. They finished with the same points as Padova. But they lost a promotion play-off game. This was a tough loss for the club. They were later relegated to Serie C1 in 1997.

They were promoted back up, but then faced another challenge. A relegation play-off against Pistoiese in 2000. They lost and spent four years in the third division.

Back to Serie A!

In the 2005–06 Serie B season, Cesena did very well. They surprisingly competed for promotion to Serie A. They finished sixth and qualified for the promotion play-offs. The next season, they avoided relegation. But in 2007–08, they were relegated again.

Cesena's first season in Lega Pro Prima Divisione began. Pierpaolo Bisoli became the new head coach. Cesena quickly became a top team. They aimed for direct promotion. They reached first place in the league with one game left. They had a two-point lead over Pro Patria. On the final day, Cesena drew 0–0 with Verona. Pro Patria also drew 0–0. This meant Cesena won the league title. They were promoted back to Serie B after just one season.

Cesena continued their success. They were third in Serie B in 2009–10. They earned their second promotion in a row. This happened after a 1–0 win against Piacenza. This win, combined with another game result, sent them to Serie A. It ended 19 years of not being in the top league.

Financial Challenges and Club Closure

Cesena returned to Serie A in 2010. They had been away for 19 years. After the 2011–12 season, Cesena was relegated. They moved down from the top league to Serie B.

The club also worked to improve its finances. Despite these difficulties, Cesena won promotion back to Serie A. This happened on June 18, 2014. They beat Latina in the play-offs. Many players in that match were on loan from other clubs.

In 2018, Cesena faced more financial issues. On July 16, 2018, Cesena declared bankruptcy. This meant they could not play in the 2018–19 Serie B season. The club officially closed down.

A New Beginning

In July 2018, a club called A.S.D. Romagna Centro stepped forward. They applied to change their name to "Cesena F.C.". This new club aimed to be a fresh start. It would carry on the legacy of the original A.C. Cesena.

Team Colors

The team's main colors were black and white.

Club Achievements

• Serie B:
  • Runners-up (3): 1972–73, 1980–81 (Shared with Genoa), 2009–10
  • Play-off Winners (2): 1986–87, 2013–14
• Serie C/Serie C1/Lega Pro:
  • Winners (3): 1967–68, 1997–98, 2008–09
  • Play-off Winners (1): 2003–04
• Coppa Italia Serie C:
  • Winners (1): 2003–04
  • Runners-up (1):'l 1997–98
• Prima Divisione:
  • Winners (1): 1940–41
• Serie D:
  • Winners (1): 1959–60
• Promozione Regionale:
  • Winners (2): 1952–53, 1956–57

Players

Retired Numbers

No.	Player	Nationality	Position	Reason	Ref
12	Tifosi	Italy	Not applicable	Reserved for the Cesena supporters
21	Martelli, PaoloPaolo Martelli	Italy	Defender	Posthumous recognition. Died in a car accident on 12 April 1999

Famous Former Players

Managers

European Games

UEFA Cup

Season	Round	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate	Reference
1976–77	First round	Magdeburg	3–1	0–3	3–4