CSM Unirea Alba Iulia

Association football team in Romania

Football club

CSM Unirea Alba Iulia

Full name| Clubul Sportiv Municipal Unirea Alba Iulia
Nickname(s)|

* Uniriștii
* Albaiulienii (The Alba Iulia People)
* Alb-negrii (The White and Blacks)

Short name| Unirea Alba Iulia
Founded| 1924; 100 years ago (1924)
as Unirea Mihai Viteazul
2014; 10 years ago (2014) (refounded)
Ground| Cetate
Capacity| 18,000
Owners| Alba Iulia Municipality
Chairman| Mihai Dăscălescu
Manager| Alexandru Pelici
League| Liga III
2022–23| Liga III, Seria IX, 3rd
Website| Club website

Home colours

Away colours

|

Clubul Sportiv Municipal Unirea Alba Iulia, commonly known as Unirea Alba Iulia (Romanian pronunciation: [uˈnire̯a ˌalba ˈjuli.a]), is a Romanian professional football club based in Alba Iulia, Alba County, founded in 1924 and currently playing in the Liga III.

Among the greatest achievements of the team is a sixth place in the first league at the end of the 2003–04 season and a Romanian Cup semi-final played in 1991.

The team colours are black and white, and their stadium is called Cetate and has a capacity of 18,000 seats.

## History[edit]

Name[1] | Period

|

Unirea Mihai Viteazu | 1924–1970
Unirea Alba Iulia | 1970–1996
Apulum Alba Iulia | 1996–2005
Unirea Alba Iulia | 2005–present

Unirea Alba Iulia club was founded in 1924. In the beginning the team was called Unirea Mihai Viteazul Alba Iulia. After ten years, they managed to qualify and play in the second league where they managed to obtain the sixth place. They played in the second league until the year 1939 when they were relegated to the third league. In 1942, they returned to the second league where they played two seasons and then were relegated again. At the end of season 1946–1947 we find the team in the third league in a relegating position. From 1947 until 1970 the team plays in the regional championships, under the level of the first three leagues of Romanian professional football. In 1970 the team promotes to the third league. After nine seasons played in the third league, they managed to promote in the second league. In the season 1979–1980 the team finished in the first spot beyond the relegation line. They played another four years in the third league, after that, they promoted in the second league where they played for two years and were relegated again, and after another two years they promoted again. Between the years 1988–2003 they played in the second league. In the 1990–91 Cupa României edition the team reached the semi-finals and in the 1993–94 Divizia B season they placed themselves on the second position at only 7 points behind the first place FC Maramureş Baia Mare, both performances being obtained under coach Cornel Țălnar.[2][3][4][5]

At the end of the 2002–2003 season of Divizia B, the team, which was renamed in the `90s Apulum Alba Iulia, manages to achieve the promotion to Liga I, where it plays for the very first time in its 80-year history. The coach who led the team was Aurel Șunda assisted by Alexandru Pelici.

Having experienced players like Ovidiu Maier, Vasile Jercălău, Dan Găldeanu, Florin Cotora, they confirmed their value and managed to place themselves on the sixth place in the first league. In the next season the team will change a lot of coaches, Stelian Gherman, Alexandru Pelici, Gheorghe Mulţescu, Marcel Rusu, Alin Artimon, in the hope that the team will keep their position in the first league, but without success. After a very weak season in the second league, the team was relegated again, this time to the third league. In the summer of 2006, the management of the club buys a place in the second league from Oltchim Râmnicu Vâlcea. The team returns to the name of Unirea Alba Iulia and finishes the 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 seasons on 4th.

The club withdrew from the 2012–13 Liga II season and ceased its activity for a year. In the summer of 2014 it enrolled in the Liga V for the 2014–15 season, after one season the club promoted in Liga IV.

On 25 August 2016, FRF invited the club to participate in the 2016–17 season of the Liga III. The club accepted.

In the summer of 2022, after being mathematically relegated to Liga IV but saved by the financial situation of other clubs, the team from Alba Iulia will continue to play in Liga III for another season, this time with the support of the municipality. The City Hall of Alba Iulia announced that in the Local Council on August 9, 2023, it was decided that AFC Unirea 1924 would be taken over and managed by Clubul Sportiv Municipal.

## Stadium[edit]

Cetate Stadium in 2008.

The English translation of the name of the club's stadium is Citadel (Cetate), and it has a capacity of 18,000(7,000 sitting). The stadium was opened in 1982. For the moment the stadium belongs to the municipality, all investments are done with funds provided by it. The stadium has also a mini-hotel in which the players are accommodated, and also a running track.

## Honours[edit]

### Domestic[edit]

#### Leagues[edit]

* Liga I
* Best finish 6th: 2003–04
* Liga II
* Winners (2): 2002–03, 2008–09
* Runners-up (1): 1993–94
* Liga III
* Winners (3): 1978–79, 1983–84, 1987–88
* Runners-up (1): 1981–82
* Liga IV – Alba County
* Winners (2): 1968–69, 1969–70
* Liga V – Alba County
* Winners (1): 2014–15

#### Cups[edit]

* Cupa României
* Semi-finals: 1990–91

## Players[edit]

### First-team squad[edit]

As of 13 January 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  ROU | Alexandru Stoian (on loan from Dinamo)
4  | DF |  ROU | Ioan Grozav (Vice-Captain)
5  | DF |  ROU | Emanuel Codrea
6  | MF |  ROU | Alexandru Raicea
7  | MF |  ROU | Andrei Roșu
8  | MF |  ROU | Mario Boldea
10  | MF |  ROU | Răzvan Fetița (Captain)
11  | FW |  ROU | Darius Indrei
12  | GK |  ROU | Andrei Raț
14  | MF |  ROU | Călin Cristea
15  | DF |  ROU | Paul Codrea
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

16  | MF |  ROU | Andrei Bârdea
17  | MF |  ROU | Marius Sebaș
18  | DF |  ROU | Vlăduț Stanciu (on loan from Dinamo)
19  | DF |  ROU | Denis Ciaun (on loan from Poli Iași)
20  | MF |  ROU | George Mâlnă
21  | DF |  ROU | Darius Nistor (on loan from U Cluj)
22  | MF |  ROU | Florin Istrate
28  | MF |  ROU | Ionuț Frăsineanu
30  | DF |  ROU | Tudor Vomir (on loan from U Cluj)
77  | MF |  ROU | Raul Nistor (on loan from U Cluj)

### Out on loan[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player}

|
|
|

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

## Club Officials[edit]

### Board of directors[edit]

| Role  | Name

|

Owners  |  Alba Iulia Municipality
President  |  Mihai Dăscălescu
Sporting Director  |  Raul Oargă
Delegate  |  Ioan Vlad

### Current technical staff[edit]

| Role  | Name

|

Manager  |  Alexandru Pelici
Assistant Coaches  |  Cosmin Corovei
Mircea Oprea
Marcel Rusu
Goalkeeping Coach  |  Petre Clep
Fitness Coach  |  Bogdan Ungureanu

## League history[edit]

| Season | Tier | Division | Place | Cupa României

|
|
|
|

2023–24 | 3 | Liga III (Seria IX) | TBD |
2022–23 | 3 | Liga III (Seria IX) | 3rd |
2021–22 | 3 | Liga III (Seria IX) | 9th | First Round
2020–21 | 3 | Liga III (Seria IX) | 7th |
2019–20 | 3 | Liga III (Seria V) | 12th |
2018–19 | 3 | Liga III (Seria IV) | 12th | Round of 32
2017–18 | 3 | Liga III (Seria V) | 6th |
2016–17 | 3 | Liga III (Seria IV) | 11th |
2015–16 | 4 | Liga IV | 8th |
2012–13 | 2 | Liga II (Seria II) | 13th (R) |
2011–12 | 2 | Liga II (Seria II) | 9th |
2010–11 | 2 | Liga II (Seria II) | 11th |
2009–10 | 1 | Liga I | 18th (R) | Round of 32
2008–09 | 2 | Liga II (Seria II) | 1st (C, P) |
2007–08 | 2 | Liga II (Seria II) | 4th |
2006–07 | 2 | Liga II (Seria II) | 4th | Round of 16
2005–06 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria III) | 13th |
| Season | Tier | Division | Place | Cupa României

|
|
|
|

2004–05 | 1 | Divizia A | 14th (R) | Round of 32
2003–04 | 1 | Divizia A | 6th | Quarter-finals
2002–03 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 1st (C, P) |
2001–02 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 7th |
2000–01 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 9th |
1999–00 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 7th |
1998–99 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 14th |
1997–98 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 14th | Round of 16
1996–97 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 16th |
1995–96 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 15th |
1994–95 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 6th |
1993–94 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 2nd |
1992–93 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 9th |
1991–92 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 7th | Round of 16
1990–91 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria III) | 7th | Semi-finals
1989–90 | 2 | Divizia B (Seria II) | 3rd | Round of 32

## Managers[edit]

* Octavian Cojocaru
* Ioan Ilie
* Gheorghe Borugă
* Alin Artimon
* Gheorghe Mulțescu
* Marcel Rusu
* Stelian Gherman
* Adrian Falub
* Blaž Slišković
* Alexandru Pelici
* Aurel Şunda
* Octavian Grigore

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Evolutia denumirilor echipelor de-a lungul anilor".
2. ^ "Cornel Ţălnar, la Unirea Alba Iulia! De la vară, ca şi manager general" [Cornel Ţălnar, at Unirea Alba Iulia! Starting from the summer, as general manager] (in Romanian). Ziarulunirea.ro. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
3. ^ "FOTO-VIDEO: Unirea Alba Iulia, 30 de ani de la semifinala de poveste din Cupa României, cu Universitatea Craiova!" [PHOTO-VIDEO: Unirea Alba Iulia, 30 years since the story semifinal of the Romanian Cup, with the Universitatea Craiova!] (in Romanian). Ziarulunirea.ro. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
4. ^ "Ioan Mărginean "Limoniu", fundașul de fier al Unirii Alba Iulia: "Cârțu a recunoscut că i-a trecut glonțul pe la ureche"" [Ioan Mărginean "Limoniu", the iron defender of Unirea Alba Iulia: "Cârțu admitted that the bullet went past his ear"] (in Romanian). Ziarulunirea.ro. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
5. ^ "FOTO-VIDEO, Gică Bran: "Unirea Alba Iulia se lua la trântă cu oricine din Divizia A! Am dovedit cu Steaua și Craiova, în Cupă!"" [PHOTO-VIDEO, Gică Bran: "Unirea Alba Iulia was fighting with anyone from Division A! We proved it with Steaua and Craiova, in the Cup!"] (in Romanian). Ziarulunirea.ro. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.

* Romanian Soccer

## External links[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Clubul Sportiv Municipal Unirea Alba Iulia

Teams|

* Unirea Alba Iulia

General information|

* Players
* Managers

Stadium|

* Cetate

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

2023–24 Liga III

Seria I|

* Aerostar
* Bucovina
* CSM Bacău
* CSM Vaslui
* Darabani
* Foresta
* FC Bacău
* Miroslava
* Rapid Brodoc
* Șomuz

Seria II|

* Braniștea
* Dacia Unirea
* Focșani
* Hamangia
* Ianca
* Liești
* Limpeziș
* Metalul Buzău
* Râmnicu Sărat
* Șuțești

Seria III|

* Afumați
* Agricola
* Axiopolis
* Clinceni
* Dunărea Călărași
* Fundulea
* Gloria Băneasa
* Înainte
* Recolta
* Voluntari II

Seria IV|

* ARO Muscelul
* Blejoi
* CS Dinamo
* Dunărea Giurgiu
* Flacăra
* Păulești
* Plopeni
* Popești-Leordeni
* Pucioasa
* Tricolorul

Seria V|

* Câmpulung Muscel
* Ciucaș
* Curița
* Kids Tâmpa
* KSE
* Odorheiu Secuiesc
* Olimpic Cetate
* Sepsi II
* SR Brașov
* Zărnești

Seria VI|

* Bascov
* Cetatea
* Cozia
* Curtișoara
* Dăești
* Horezu
* Potcoava
* Râmnicu Vâlcea
* Roșiori
* Vedița

Seria VII|

* Deva
* Craiova 1948 II
* Filiași
* Ghiroda
* Gilortul
* Jiul Petroșani
* Lupac
* Șimian
* Turceni
* Universitatea II

Seria VIII|

* Bihor Oradea
* Gloria Lunca-Teuz
* Ineu
* Lipova
* Pecica
* Peciu Nou
* Periam
* Phoenix Buziaș
* Poli Timișoara
* Socodor

Seria IX|

* Gloria
* Industria
* Mediaș
* Metalurgistul
* MSE 1898
* Reghin
* Ungheni
* Unirea Alba Iulia
* Universitatea Alba Iulia
* Viitorul CJ

Seria X|

* CSM Olimpia
* Lotus
* Minaur
* Ocna Dej
* Olimpia MCMXXI
* Sănătatea
* Sântandrei
* Sighetu Marmației
* Victoria Carei
* Zalău

* v
* t
* e

Liga III seasons

* 1936–37
* 1937–38
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* 1940–41
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* 1964–65
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* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
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* 1972–73
* 1973–74
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* 1977–78
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*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
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*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template