Avellino fc – the most dysfunctional football club in the most dysfunctional league system in the world
It is unlikely that many football fans outside of Italy have ever heard of Avellino fc (or more formally known as US Avellino 1912), and that may be because for anyone born in the late 1980s and beyond, Avellino have been a club on a downward spiral. In fact, this is a club whose whole recent history has been filled with inner and external turmoil that makes Watford look like a well run club.
Avellino have tasted glory, most notably their 10 year stay in Serie A between 1978 and 1988, and a fall of from it on a scale quite unbelievable. I’m talking relegation to the 4th tier in which they were in as recently as 2011, and constant yo-yoing between Serie B and C. It may be important for you to remember that the 4th tier of Italy is not like in England, Germany or even Spain – this is completely semi professional football – meaning that Avellino were at one point a former Serie A side now turned semi professional team, going from playing Juventus and Milan to teams without stands and who now no longer even exist. And this could’ve been the same fate for the southern Italian club, after years of conflict between fans and owners, and at one point there were actual fights between protesting fans and the club president. Events that could only happen in Italy.
In 2009 the club was in 12 million euros debt and the many famous fan clubs were all disbanded. However, the club managed to claw themselves back into Serie B until 2018, and just when things were looking more stable, they were struck with a double relegation due to financial issues and debt.
Thus, Avellino again found themselves in the 4th tier of Italian football, having to climb the mountain once more. And I am glad to announce that this depressing story looks to have a somewhat happy resolution 6 years on (without me jinxing it). Avellino were instantly promoted on the first time of asking, and now after 6 seasons in Serie C, they seem to finally be heading out. Serie C is an infamously hard league to escape from, much like the national league (5th tier) in the English football pyramid, but three times as hard and complicated. Serie C’s promotion system deserves an article of its own due to how frustratingly terrible and confusing it is, but in short there are 60 teams divided into 3 divisions, all competing for just 4 spots. The worst part of the whole system is that the teams in 2nd place all the way to 10th place all qualify for the playoffs. Yes, you read that correctly, 28 teams all qualify for one place (as the team that finishes 1st in each division automatically goes up). So, in short, the best way to get out of the hell hole that is Serie C is to finish first. Obviously this is easier said than done, but in what feels like a reward for the years of hardship, Avellino are in pole position to finish top of their division.
In group C, Avellino are on 66 points, winning all of their last 8 games. Looking down the table of group C, we can see a multitude of fallen giants, such as Crotone in 4th, Catania in 5th and Benevento in 7th, all teams that are no strangers to Serie A football and attract large crowds. Serie C is a sinking ship of failing clubs that Avellino once were, and so their potential promotion this season will no doubt feel like the shifting of tides. And it is clear that the fan base is backing the team, with the highest average attendance the club has seen in over 10 years.
Things are looking up on the pitch as well, managing to secure the signing of Serie C top scorer Facundo Lescano in January, sitting top of the table with a gap of 2 points with 3 games to go. Even though the gap is slim, the team is in great form having not lost a game since the 8th of February and I personally think they will do it, securing Serie B football since their dreaded double relegation 6 years ago. But if not, they will have to secure it the hard way, in one of the most confusing play off systems in world football. Let’s hope not.
