Get to Know Besiktas

Tidbits

- Most winner of the Istanbul League Championship Title (15)

- Only club to win the Istanbul League Championship Title 5 times in a row (1939-1943)

- The most goal scoring club of the Istanbul League (90 Goals in a season, 599 Goals in 8 seasons)

- 18 wins at 18 matches in the official league season

- The only team that has the title: ‘Unbeaten Champion’

- The only Turkish Club to represent the nation on an international level (v.Greece)

- The only team that has a Turkish Flag in its Emblem

- Most winner of the ‘Fair-Play’ Cup (19)

- Most winner of the Istanbul and Turkish Championship title in the Youth Team Football League (30)

- Balkans Championship Title at Fencing

- The club that had proposed the Government to legitimize “19 May Youth and Sports Festival”

- The only club that opens “sports schools” in every branch

- The only club that raises football players from its youth academy

- Unbeaten in a record 56 matches in a row

- Only one loss in two seasons

- Record 10 goals in an official match, 1989-90 Beşiktaş-Adana Demirspor: 10-0 Ali Gültiken (4), Metin Tekin (3) ve Feyyaz Uçar (3)

- A record of 48 matches unbeaten in a official season

- The team that has the record of maximum wins in a row (1959-60 season 13 matches)

- First club to get ISO 9001: 2000. BJK is the only sports club to have ISO 9001: 2000 through sports departments and facilities management, marketing and selling the branded products, press, public and fan communications services

-10 seasons unbeaten at home to Anatolian teams. (All other Turkish teams exceeding rivals Fenerbahce & Galatasaray)

- On seeing Inonu for the first time Pele noted that the view from the stadium was perhaps the most beautiful in the world.

- Besiktas have the record for the loudest fans (132) during a Fenerbahce match. The previous record was held by Liverpool.

- Upon winning the championship in 2003 Besiktas fans broke a world record for carrying the largest flag across the barbaros street of Istanbul


Famous Besiktasli


- Ahmet Necdet Sezer, former president of Turkey

-Bülent Ecevit, leader of the DSP (Democratic Left Party) and former prime minister of Turkey.

- Süleyman Seba, former player and president now the honorary president of Beşiktaş J.K.

- İsmet İnönü, second President of Turkey, politician, diplomat, general.

-Erdal İnönü, former leader of the SHP (Social Democratic People's Party), former prime minister, physicist and the son of the second president of Turkey, İsmet İnönü.

- Hikmet Çetin, former speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and NATO Secretary General's former senior civilian representative in Afghanistan

- Pervez Musharraf, former president of Pakistan

- Süleyman Demirel, former president of Turkey

- Mustafa Sandal, singer and songwriter.

- Reha Muhtar, TV personality, journalist, columnist, bumpkin and former anchorman.

- Abdullah Gül current President of Turkey
- Devlet Bahçeli
- Bülent Arınç
- Yılmaz Erdoğan
- Hülya Avşar
- Yunus Günce
- Mehmet Akif Alakurt
- Hakan Altun
- Demet Akalın
- Gülşen
- Reha Muhtar
- Barış Akarsu
- Okan Karacan
- Feridun Düzağaç
- Ece Erken
- Hülya Koçyiğit
- Yaşar İpek
- Hamdi Alkan
- Nefise Karatay
- Mesut Yar
- Kaya Çilingiroğlu
- Ufuk Yıldırım
- Vahe KIlıçaslan
- Haşmet Babaoğlu
- İlhan Mansız
- Pascal Nauma
- Rahmi Koç
- Cenk Koray
- Birol Güven
- Ebru Destan
- neco
- Sarp Apak
- Melih Görgün
- Kazım Kanat
- Fatih Kısaparmak
- Altan Erkekli
- Nalan
- İclal Aydın
- Kerim Tekin
- Abidin
- Zeynep
- Harika Avcı
- Ebru Şallı
- Erkan Can
- Gizem Özdilli
- Şenol İpek
- Fatma Girik
- Ceza
- Sagopa Kajmer
- Keremcem
- Haluk Levent
- Ertam Şener
- Güntekin Onay
- hepsi grubundan cemre
- Bertuğ Cemil
- Tuba Ünsal
- Yalın
- Kartal Tibet
- Teoman
- Bendeniz
- Tuba Büyüküstün
- Mehmet Aslantuğ
- Kutsi
- Mustafa Keser
- Peker açıkalın
- Nuri Alço
- zeki demirkubuz
- Şebnem Ferah
- Hayko Cepkin
- Kayahan
- Ece Gürsel
- Aysun Kayacı
- Gürkan Uygun
- Mustafa Topaloğlu
- Çağla Kubat
- Haluk Bilginer
- Müjdat gezen
- Kenan Işık
- nilüfer
- Ege
- Redd Grubu
- Kenan Çoban
- Özge Özberk
- Özgün
- Karargah
- Yonca Lodi
- Engin Günaydın
- Tamer Karadağlı
- Şevval Sam
- Reyhan Karaca
- Pınar Altuğ
- Yağmur Atacan
- Nihat Kahveci
- Ertugrul Saglam
- Sifo Mehmet
- Sergen Yalcin

Achievements

Turkish League Championships:
Winners (12): 1959-60, 1965-66, 1966-67, 1981-82, 1985-86, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1994-95, 2002-03

Runners-up (14): 1962-63, 1963-64, 1964-65, 1967-68, 1973-74, 1984-85, 1986-87, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1992-93, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2006-07

Turkish Cup:
o Winners (7): 1975, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2007
o Runners-up (6): 1966, 1977, 1984, 1993, 1999, 2002

Turkish Super Cup:
o Winners (1): 2006
o Runners-up (1): 2007

Beşiktaş İnönü Stadium the home of the Black Eagles located in Dolmabahçe, Istanbul close to the elegant Dolmabahçe Palace in the district of Beşiktaş, on the European side of Istanbul.

The stadium has a capacity of 32,145 (all-seater). It is the first modern stadium in Istanbul. The perennial rivals of Beşiktaş J.K.; Galatasaray S.K. and Fenerbahçe S.K., had also played at İnönü for many years, since İnönü was the only modern stadium in Istanbul until the 1960s. Between 1921 and 1939, the three clubs had previously played at the Taksim Stadium on Taksim Square, which was located inside the courtyard of the Ottoman era Taksim Artillery Barracks (Taksim Topçu Kışlası) built by Sultan Abdülmecid I in the 1840s; the surrounding walls of which were transformed into tribunes. Taksim Stadium was demolished in 1939 and was replaced with the present-day Taksim Park (Taksim Gezi Parkı) in the 1940s and 1950s.
Interior view of BJK İnönü Stadium.

Beşiktaş İnönü Stadium has four stands: The Kapalı tribune which is parallel to the pitch at the north side can hold up to 5,881 supporters and it is regarded as the heart of the stadium, since the most fanatic supporters prefer this tribune.

Facing the Kapalı tribune, at the opposite side, is the Numaralı with a seating capacity of 5,237. The tribunes behind the goal areas are Eski Açık with a seating capacity of 7,962, and Yeni Açık with a seating capacity of 13,065. There are two towers on the left and right side of the Eski Açık tribune which is accepted as a historical monument.

According to the great football legend Pelé, BJK İnönü Stadium has the most beautiful view of any stadium in the world, is one of the world's most beautiful football venues, and is definitely the most beautiful stadium in Europe.

While seated on the tribunes of this stadium, one can see the Bosphorus, Dolmabahçe Palace, Dolmabahçe Clock Tower, Dolmabahçe Mosque, and the famous Kız Kulesi (Maiden's Tower). It is the only stadium in the world from which a football fan can view two continents, Europe and Asia, which are separated by the Bosphorus.

In the past, the games used to be played in front of more than 45,000 spectators in this stadium, since the tribunes did not have separate individual seats. İnönü Stadium is a holy place for Beşiktaş fans, because it has seen many victories against famous European football clubs, such as FC Barcelona, Liverpool, Marseille, Paris Saint Germain, AC Milan, and many others.

Beşiktaş fans are proud of the İnönü Stadium's record of football's loudest ever decibel level (132dB) in a match against Fenerbahçe, breaking the previous record which was held by the Liverpool fans in Anfield.

BJK İnönü Stadium was designed by Italian architect Paolo Vietti Violi, who collaborated with Turkish architects Şinasi Şahingiray and Fazıl Aysu for preparing the project. The stable of the Dolmabahçe Palace was chosen as the location to build the stadium. The first foundation was laid on May 19, 1939, but the construction works were frozen due to the outbreak of the Second World War. The stadium was inaugurated on May 19, 1947, by İsmet İnönü, the second President of Turkey, and Lütfi Kırdar, the Governor of Istanbul. The initial capacity was 16,000. In the original project plan, there were two bronze statues of athlete figures at the Eski Açık tribune: One throwing a discus, and the other one throwing a javelin. However, the statues were never built due to financial concerns.

The stable of the Dolmabahçe Palace

The first football match at the İnönü Stadium took place between Beşiktaş JK and the Swedish AIK football clubs on November 27, 1947, and the first goal in the stadium was scored by Süleyman Seba; the most famous and longest-presiding Chairman of the club (in the 1980s and 1990s) when he used to be a player of Beşiktaş JK. Beşiktaş won this match 3-2. In 1952, the stadium was named as the Mithat Paşa Stadium, and later in 1973, it was renamed as the İnönü Stadium.

A renovation work took place at the BJK İnönü Stadium in 2004. The tartan track was removed within the scope of these activities and the ground level was lowered by 4 meters to increase the capacity of the stadium to 32,145 spectators. The press seats were relocated to the Numaralı tribune from the Kapalı tribune. The lounges that were found in the middle of the Kapalı tribune were demolished and for the first time in Turkey, the wire fence between the tribunes and the pitch were removed. The number of the gates were increased by 100%. A press center for BJK TV was built inside the stadium. The toilets and the launch counters were renewed. The Yeni Açık tribune was covered with a metallic structure. It complies with the UEFA standards.

The New Inonu Stadium Project

The club president Yıldırım Demirören has announced that a new stadium with a fully closed roof and a capacity of 42,000 spectators will be constructed. There will also be 200 luxury lodges which will entertain 6,000 spectators. The construction works were set to begin by June 2008, but have since been postponed. Construction works are scheduled to be completed in 18 months, and the estimated cost of the project is $120 million.

Beşiktaş JK will play its matches at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul during the construction phase of the new stadium. The new stadium will have a modern design and the site will include new features for entertainment, a theater, a congress center, a 5-star hotel, a parking facility which will be able to accommodate 2,700 vehicles and a large shopping center.

The project of the new stadium was designed by the architects of HOK Sport. Previously, the HOK Sport designed more than 400 stadiums, including the new Wembley Stadium and the Emirates Stadium of Arsenal F.C. in London. The old stadium will be demolished, except for the Eski Açık tribune, since this tribune and its towers are historical monuments. The Eski Açık tribune will be re-arranged like an antique amphitheater and will be covered with glass in order to protect the structure. The new stadium will be in harmony with the natural and historic landscape of the Bosporus when seen from the sea. The roof of the stadium will also be in glass, which can be closed and opened automatically. The sky will always be visible thanks to the glass dome. It will also be possible to reflect computerized images on the glass roof through LEDs.

Çarşı - Our Heartbeat and the Most Passionate Fans in the World

Founded 1982
Motto Çarşı is against everything Çarşı herkeze Karşı
Website www.forzabesiktas.com

Beşiktaş Çarşı Grubu (Çarşı) (English: Bazaar) is the main firm of Besiktas. They locate themselves on Kapalı Tribün (English: Covered Stand) in the football matches and are known for their political efficacy, anti-establishment stance, and passionate chants.

This epitomized by the groups catch-phrase “Çarşı, Atatürk hariç her şeye karşı!” (English: ‘’Çarşı is against everything except Atatürk!”')

Çarşı which means Bazaar or Market in Turkish is named after the area in which Besiktas supporters met before matches. In the 80s, the young people of Beşiktaş district who were supporting Beşiktaş J.K., were usually spending their time around the bazaar, located in the centre of the district. They were living, coming together and supporting the team together in that specific place. This lifestyle led them to found the group with the name of Çarşı in 1982.

Çarşı is basically accepted as a supporter group. It is also believed that Çarşı is not a certain group, it is more likely a common way of acting, including the common beliefs of the supporters; therefore Çarşı is a dignity, it is the common soul shared by all Beşiktaş supporters. According to a definition which is written by a well-known fan Alp Batu Keçeci, Çarşı is described as an abstract notion rather than a basic and solid fan group.

"Çarşı is not only a group lined at Kapalı… ,
Çarşı is everyone who feels the love of Beşiktaş.
Çarşı is a graffiti drawn on a New York Subway train,
a quote written on a wall in Prague,
love written on a hillside in Erzincan,
a black&white painting on the wall of an association in Adana,
a Çarşı Ulan mark on Galatasaray High School wall.
....
—Alp Batu Keçeci

This definition collected positive reactions of the supporters and it was embraced in course of time. Many of the internet fan forums have given place for this article.

Çarşı does not have a homogeneous structure and it does not consist of a certain group of people with a specific identity. People from different social backgrounds, cultural environments, and ethnic origins are assembled at the group even though they support opposite ways of thinking in terms of politics or ideologies.

That being said, the organization generally falls left-of-center on the political spectrum and has an anti-establishment stance, as symbolized by the Anarchist A in its logo.

Çarşı are known for their clever and passionate chants and roused support. Some of the most well-sung chants in all of Turkey have started with the groups fans.

On match-day fans dawning the black and white of Besiktas can be seen walking the streets of the neighbor, having a beer, or enjoying some fish at one of the many local fish restaurants surrounding the stadium.

Afterward the fans generally walk to the home ground, İnönü Stadium with passing the pavement near by Dolmabahçe Palace. They generally prefer to arrive there about 2 or 3 hours before the matches; however, majority of people do not get in the stadium instantly. They also like to hang around the stadium just before going in,[14] for different reasons such as meeting their friends, to have some drink or chanting for adaptation right before the matches.

In Istanbul, supporters live in both European and Asian side of Bosphorus, and so do Çarşı members. The Asian side habitants go to stadium by both road and sea transportation, but sea transportation is used more frequently. The fans mainly get on the ferries from Kadıköy or Üsküdar districts, where they can arrive Beşiktaş approximately in 20 minutes. There are both directly related members of group and just normal supporters who want to be a part of action; also it is likely to see many university students among the members. Therefore, the group stand out with its quip, witty and humorist aspect. Çarşı generally react to topics and incidents with an unexpected manner.

Çarşı utilize some symbols to express their opinions. One of them is a derivative form of letter A as it used in the notion of anarchy. They use the letter as a symbol of rebellious soul (Turkish: ‘’Asi Ruh’’). This notion has been an inspiration as to the name of the TV documentary Asi Ruh dedicated to the group which was begun in 2007, the group's 25th anniversary, and which was out on DVD in 2008.

The assortment of support is very wide, it is possible to see the fans from teenagers to the age groups near the 60-year-old or older. The fans would wear the official team products as well as the products based on Çarşı.

On 28 May 2008, Çarşı concluded its presence by a farewell letter written by Alen Markaryan, arguably the leader of the group (Turkish: ‘’Amigo’’). During the Press Gala of ‘’Asi Ruh’’ documentary, Markaryan declared that they decided to repeal the group after the discussions which questioned the group’s position as coming before Beşiktaş J.K. itself for the supporters. According to the newspapers, some subsequent reactions came up even in the gala. Discussions are yet to be finished. In internet forums, some users cite that they are proponent to the decision, but also showing the tendency to keep the group's ideology and legacy. On the other hand, there are also users who believe that Çarşı can not be concluded like a defunct organization.

Today the heart of Besiktas is still beating strong, and Çarşı will continue to lead the fans in a chant as they patiently wait for the players to bring the title into their arms.
[tub]04dmcdOHsJA[/tub]
[tub]kESCPsrEGHc[/tub]
[tub]nIZAIJKZfQU[/tub]

The Beşiktaş District

Located on the European side of the city on the Bosphorus, Beşiktaş is home to some of Istanbul's most beautiful and historic sites as well as nicest spots, including the Dolmabahçe Palace, Arnavutköy, Bebek, Etiler, Levent (all parts), Ortaköy, Ulus, and Yıldız.
The captivating beauty of the Bosphorus at twilight, dusk, and dawn is perhaps one of the most beautiful views in the World.

Name

The name literally means "cradle-stone" in Turkish; "beşik" being "cradle" and "taş" being "stone". There are Byzantine records of a church here that carried a name which meant the same thing in Greek; Kounopetra (cradle-stone); and it would have been built in honor of a relic, a stone reportedly taken from the stable in Nazareth where Jesus was born. The stone was later removed to Hagia Sophia and disappeared during the Fourth Crusade, possibly to be transmogrified into wood and to be sold in Europe's brisk trade of relics. Nevertheless, the memory of the manger where Jesus was born lives on in the Turkish name of Beşiktaş.

Another theory of the origin of the current name Beşiktaş is that it has mutated from Beştaş (meaning "five stones"), referring to the pillars to which ships were moored in the time of Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha.

Legends of Beşiktaş -

Beşiktaş supporters have been fortunate to witness some of the games greats grace the pitch at İnönü and dawn the black and white.

Here are a notable few in no particular order.

1. Sergen Yalçin

Sergen has been regarded as one of football's greatest talents by both Turks and spectators abroad. While his unprofessional habits, prevented him from ever breaking into the big leagues, one gaze at his technique on the football pitch would be enough to win over even the biggest skeptic.

The Maestro was a smooth, tidy player with an unhurried air, skipping past opponents without ever moving faster than a jogger. He had exceptional technique, wonderful passing skills and as his proficiency from free-kicks proves, one of the sweetest left foots in the history of football. He scored many legendary goals which are referred to as Bir Sergen Klasigi (another Sergen classic). But it was his playmaking abilities which earned him legendary status. Sergen Yalçın was capable of turning on the style and bamboozling the most resilient defence almost at will.

In his career with the Black Eagles, he helped guide the team to three titles (1992, 1995, 2003) and repeatedly managed to stun opponents on the European Front. In the 2004 campaign Sergen shocked the home-crowd in London, after putting two past the Chelsea keeper causing them their first upset at home under the tutelage of Abromavich.

Notable Quotes

"He's the 'Turkish Zidane'. - Franz Beckenbauer

"Sergen has the the technical capacity to play for any team in Europe."Lennart Johansson

"He is the most talented player I have ever seen in my life. I think Sergen would be a world star if he were playing in the Italian Serie A." Federico Giunti

"During the Euro 2000 qualification match with Germany, Sergen had got past Lothar Matthaeus with an extroadinary trick. Instantly, several clubs called me and they asked "Who is he? Can we buy him?" If Sergen took football more seriously, he would've been the world's best." - Joachim Löw

"He's in the same class as Maradona. While Sergen was growing up, Turkish football wasn't where it was today. If the Turkish team who finished third at the FIFA World Cup was around in Sergen's youth, things would've been much different." - Oscar Cordoba

- "The difference between players like Sergen and Thierry Henry is the desire to work and improve. Sergen had as much talent as Maradona and Zidane but he didn't like to work hard as they did. He was three times the player I was too, but I always worked three times harder then him. Otherwise he would've played in one of Europe's top teams. I see it as a big loss to not see him play for a team like Arsenal, Real Madrid or Manchester United. It is also a huge loss not only for Turkish football, but for himself also. If he was professional, he would've been a great example to all the youth." - Zico

"A footballing genius even more talented then Zidane. He would've been a world famous star had he born in Europe because he would've learned to be professional. Before the ball even reaches his feet he has made his decision to what he will do next and he applies his decision instantly. He is a super talent, one I have never seen before him in my whole managerial career. If I had worked with him much earlier in his career, he would've been a different Sergen. I don't watch his football through the eyes of a manager, I watch him delightfully as a spectator." - Mircea Lucescu

"Sergen's fame was such that he pursued the agenda of a playboy with absolute relish, adding an over-fondness for gambling to his list of misdemeanours simply because it was the done thing. That is what they call real style down in the old quarter of Istanbul. And yet, cunningly concealed somewhere between the misunderstood maestro and the rather sad, attention-seeking child is a footballer of immeasurable worth, a player with a classic left foot who could chip a ball into an ashtray from 60 yards." Ian Ross

...More to Follow