It’s often said that being the third-largest football club in your city isn’t exactly a recipe for pride and joy. But Beşiktaş, a team from Istanbul, Turkey, proves this isn’t always the case. They may have fewer trophies, a smaller stadium, and a slightly smaller fanbase than their two city rivals, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, but Beşiktaş are a true football powerhouse in Turkey, earning international respect along the way.
From Humble Beginnings to Turkish Legends
Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü, which translates to “Beşiktaş Gymnastics Club” (making “Beşiktaş FC” technically incorrect), was established in 1903 in the Istanbul neighborhood of Beşiktaş. This makes them the oldest of the city’s “Big Three.”
The club’s early days saw them dominate the Istanbul Football League alongside their city rivals. Beşiktaş amassed 13 league titles during this period. They competed exclusively in this local league for over 50 years, until the creation of Turkey’s first national top-flight league in 1959. Or at least, that’s how it’s officially recorded. Beşiktaş, however, has a different story to tell.
The “Black Eagles” claim to have won the Turkish championship in both 1957 and 1958. These years saw the organization of the “Turkish Federation Cup,” which Beşiktaş won both times. In 2002, the Turkish Football Federation put an end to this debate by making a decision that made everyone happy. The Federation Cup was not officially recognized as a predecessor to the Turkish national Championship. However, they did accept Beşiktaş’ victories in the “star system,” which allows clubs to add a golden star to their emblem for every five championship titles won. This decision was a partial victory for Beşiktaş, but a victory nonetheless.
Champions on the Pitch, Year after Year
With the exception of the 1970s, which was a relatively quiet period for Beşiktaş in terms of trophies, the club has consistently been lifting silverware. Their most successful period came between 1989 and 1995, during which they won either the Turkish Championship or the Cup (or both, as in 1990) every season, with the exception of 1992-93. Their 1991-92 Championship title was particularly impressive, as it was the first time in Turkish history that a team had won the league without a single loss.
Making Their Mark on the International Stage
Beşiktaş reached the quarterfinals of the European Cup (now known as the Champions League) in 1987. While this is a notable achievement, their journey wasn’t as impressive as it might seem. They defeated only one opponent in that competition, winning just two matches against Albanian team Dinamo Tirana. Their opponent in the second round, APOEL, failed to show up for reasons unrelated to football, allowing Beşiktaş to advance without lifting a finger. They were then soundly beaten 7-0 by Dynamo Kyiv in the quarterfinals.
Their greatest international success came in the 2002-03 UEFA Cup (now the Europa League). After defeating Sarajevo, Deportivo Alavés, Dynamo Kyiv, and Slavia Prague, they faced Lazio in the quarterfinals. Despite a strong run, they were defeated in both games and their dream of advancing further in the competition ended.
Legendary Players Who Shaped Beşiktaş History
Over the past 110 years, Rıza Çalımbay, a 5’5″ winger, has had the honor of wearing the Beşiktaş jersey more times than any other player. He played his entire career with the club from 1980 to 1996. Hakkı Yeten, a striker virtually unknown outside of Turkey, scored a remarkable 382 goals in 439 matches between 1931 and 1948, during a time when football was vastly different from today’s game. Feyyaz Uçar, another formidable striker from a more modern era, scored 184 goals for Beşiktaş between 1982 and 1994, playing a crucial role in the team’s three consecutive Championship titles from 1990 to 1992.
A New Home, A New Era
In 2016, Beşiktaş moved into their brand new stadium, a major upgrade from their old home, the BJK İnönü Stadium. The Vodafone Arena, located just 300 meters from the famous Dolmabahçe Palace, is a modern and impressive facility. The old stadium, named after Turkey’s second president, İsmet İnönü, a dedicated Beşiktaş fan, was given its name in 1973, shortly after his death.
Beşiktaş celebrated their first months in their new stadium by winning the Championship title, their first since 2009. This victory marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Black Eagles, an era filled with hopes for continued success and glory.
