Astograthian First Division

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First Division
Organising bodyFutbol Astograthiko Federazioa
Founded634
CountryAstograth
ConfederationConfederación Rushmori de Fútbol
Number of teams20
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toSecond Division
Domestic cup(s)Royal Cup
International cup(s)Champions' League
Challenger's Cup
Rushmore Copa de Campeones
Current championsUrbizania Wanderers (7th title)
(684)
Most championshipsIturaitz FC &
Royal Rumiatzi (9 titles each)
Most appearancesAstograth Cheru Larretape (535)
Top goalscorerPolar Islandstates Ellis Elmsvikur (286)

The First Division (Astograthian: Taldo Lehan) of the Astograthian Football League is the top professional association football division in Astograth. It is contested by 20 teams, with the three lowest placed teams relegated to the Second Division and replaced by the top two teams in that division, plus the winner of a play-off series. A total of 39 teams have competed in the First Division, seven of which have been crowned champions. Founded in 634, the league was initially dominated by Royal Rumiatzi, Ituraitz FC, Iturributa United and Sporting Iturributa; following the departure in 647 of the latter two a number of clubs rose to prominence, namely Urbizania Wanderers, Echegoyan FC and Astograth University. Dissolved and inactive between 662 and 673, the league has run continuously since 674 to the present.

The First Division used to be consistently among the strongest leagues affiliated to the Union of International Club Associations (UICA), with two of its clubs winning the highly covetted Champions’ Cup.

Competition Format

The competition format follows the common double round-robin format. During the course of a season, which is year-long, each club plays every other club twice, once at home and once away, for a total of 38 matches. Teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, with the highest-ranked club at the end of the season crowned champion. If points are equal between two or more clubs, the rules are:

  • If all clubs involved have played each other twice:
    • If the tie is between two clubs, then the tie is broken using the head-to-head goal difference (without the away goals rule)
    • If the tie is between more than two clubs, then the tie is broken, using the games the clubs have played against each other:
      • a) head-to-head points
      • b) head-to-head goal difference
      • c) head-to-head goals scored
  • If two legged games between all clubs involved have not been played, or the tie is not broken by the rules above, it is broken using total goal difference.
  • If the tie is still not broken, it is to be resolved by number of wins and finally alphabetical order, unless the title, an international qualification place or a relegation spot is in dispute. In these cases, number of wins is replaced as a tie-breaker by a special play-off match at the neutral ground of Grand Duke's Stadium in Rumiatzi; however, this method has yet to be used.

A system of promotion and relegation exists between the First Division and the Astograthian Second Division, whereby the three lowest placed teams in the First Division are relegated to the Second Division, and the top two teams from the Second Division promoted to the First Division, with an additional club promoted after a series of play-offs involving the third, fourth, fifth and sixth placed clubs.

Throughout the First Division's history it has gradually increased the amount of clubs in competition:

  • 10 clubs = 634–637
  • 12 clubs = 638
  • 14 clubs = 639
  • 16 clubs = 640–656
  • 18 clubs = 657–662
  • 20 clubs = 674–

History

Formation

In November 632, and spurred by Grand Duke Aitor IV, the Futbol Astograthiko Federazioa was formed with president Eneko Gandiaga at its head, and set about forming the first Astograthian national league system since the reunification. After much debate about the size of the league and who would take part, the FAF eventually agreed that ten teams would take part in the First Division and would be selected according to their standings in the most recent edition of their respective regional league, with some regions ranked above others.

Ituraitz FC were selected as champions of the Northwest Premier League, Sporting Iturributa as champions of the Iturributa Province Division One, Royal Rumiatzi as champions of the Rumiatzi Football Union, Urbizania Wanderers as champions of the Capital Region Elite League and Echegoyan FC as champions of the Blue Mountain Challenge Series. Iturributa United and Athletic Club Rumiatzi were further chosen as runners-up of the Iturributa Province Division One and the Rumiatzi Football Union respectively. Blue Mountain Range, runners-up of the Blue Mountain Challenge Series, earned their place after winning a play-off against Ituraitz Victory, runners-up of the Northwest Premier League. Royal Association, third-placed in the Iturributa Province Division One, were also chosen after beating Royal Garitzeta, champions of the Northeast Champions’ League; likewise South Factory, runners-up of the Capital Region Elite League, who defeated Oak-Builders FC, Anzar League I winners.

Three of the founding clubs, Royal Rumiatzi, Ituraitz FC, and Urbizania Wanderers, have played every First Division season.

Early Years

The first two seasons of the Astograthian First Division were both won by Royal Rumiatzi and were essentially trial runs, with no promotion or relegation system. The league proved popular and profitable, such that from the third season on out promotion and relegation began to function and the Football League became affiliated to the Union of International Club Associations (UICA), sending teams to the Champions’ Cup and Globe Cup from then on out. This also coincided with the creation of the Astograthian national team and the free inscription of foreign players in the First Division; Cotdelapomais Louis-Yves Lafayette and Kagdazkan Slava Semënov were the first to arrive, at Urbizania Wanderers and Royal Rumiatzi respectively.

In 637 the Ides of March Cup was established, played between the champions of Astograth and Polar Islandstates. In 639 the FAF became affiliated to the Confederación Rushmori de Fútbol, and began sending First Division teams to the Rushmore Copa de Campeones and the Rushmore Copa de los Príncipes.

Ituraitz FC won the 636 season to much acclaim, while Royal Rumiatzi reclaimed the trophy to make it three out of four in 637. In 638 and 639. Iturributa United trumped Royal Rumiatzi with a memorable team that included Estebe Bularte, Petter Bielsen and Zuzen Barta.

The 640s: Consolidation

Sporting Iturributa became the last of the so-called "Big 4" to win the First Division, in 640, but were superseded by an [[Ituraitz FC] side that won the double in 641 and the league title again in 642, with such players as Lester Sutton and Milian Erburu. Royal Rumiatzi then won their fourth title in dramatic fashion in 643 and were followed by the unexpected Echegoyan FC, who under the management of Gunutz Yaregi had gone from the Second Division to league champions in five years. The next champions were Sporting Iturributa in 645, who went on to reach the UICA Champions’ Cup semifinals the following year. In 646, the Free Republic of Iturributa unilaterally declared independence from Astograth, prompting all Iturributan-based clubs except for Royal Association to abandon the Astograthian league system and coalesce in the Iturributan Premier Division. Iturributa United, who won the 646 Astograthian championship, went on to represent Astograth in UICA competition the following year, an arrangement the FAF were forced to uphold by UICA. Iturributa United excelled and reached the final of the Champions’ Cup, becoming the first "Astograthian" club to do so, before losing on penalties to the now five-time champions Yuba United.

In a 647 season that was markedly different owing to the absence of Iturributan teams, Ituraitz FC won their fourth title, fielding a formidable team that starred Tomas Aer, Ikatz Ansotegi, Dima Petersen, Dei Ormache and Ikatz Alberro. The following year the champions would be Royal Rumiatzi, in large part thanks to the efforts of Polarian striker Ellis Elmsvikur, controversially signed from Iturributa United that season. The decade would end with the first championship victory for unexpected winners Astograth University, whose success in beating Royal Rumiatzi to the pulse were largely attributed to star player Lekubegi Guerrikaechebarria.

The 650s: Stardom

After five different champions in five seasons, Echegoyan FC won their second title in 650. In the following pre-season, however, it was runners-up Urbizania Wanderers who caught everyone's eye. Announcing the signing of Vanorian World Cup superstar Laborious Hawk, the most high-profile transfer in First Division history, Wanderers went on to win not only their first league title in 651 but also the UICA Champions’ Cup against Hondo FC of Valanora, the first Astograthian club to win the highest honour in club football. The same season, Echegoyan FC reached the final of the Rushmore Copa de Campeones, also a first for Astograth, but lost 1-0 to Iturributa United. Wanderers would get to the final of the 652 Copa de Campeones, losing to FC Axel Heiburg of Polar Islandstates, but were otherwise removed from the spotlight in the next few years.

Ituraitz FC and Echegoyan FC were the champions of 652 and 653 respectively. This was followed by two seasons in which Ituraitz FC became the most dominant side to come out of the First Division, and widely regarded as the best Astograthian team of all time. Winning both First Division titles, they additionally won the 655 Champions’ Cup, Copa de Campeones and UICA Super Cup, completing a quadruple-trophy-winning season that has not been replicated before or since in Astograthian football. Ituraitz would meet Liria Prizren of Mytanija, who won that season's Globe Cup, in the Copa de Campeones final and the UICA Super Cup, sparking one of the most peculiar rivlaries in club football. The following season, the two clubs would mirror each other exactly: Liria Prizren would win the Champions’ Cup and Ituraitz the Globe Cup, becoming the first Astograthian team to win that competition. The two sides would again meet in the UICA Super Cup and the Copa de Campeones final, with Liria Prizren winning both.

These exploits made Ituraitz FC the most internationally and domestically successful club in Astograth. They were followed by a Royal Rumiatzi double in 656, who went on to win the Copa de Campeones in 657 after beating Sporting Iturributa 1-0 in a heated final. In 657 and 658 Urbizania Wanderers, again marshalled by Laborious Hawk, clinched their second and third titles, the latter as part of their first domestic double. The decade was rounded out by Royal Rumiatzi's seventh title win in 659, equalling Ituraitz FC's record.

Champions

Performance by club

Performance by individual clubs in the First Division
Club Titles Runners-up Winning seasons
Royal Rumiatzi
9
11
 634, 635, 637, 643, 648, 656, 659, 661, 679
Ituraitz FC
9
6
 636, 641, 642, 647, 652, 654, 655, 676, 677
Urbizania Wanderers
7
5
 651, 657, 658, 673, 678, 680, 684
Sporting Iturributa
6
4
 640, 645, 675, 681, 682, 683
Iturributa United
4
7
 638, 639, 646, 674
Echegoyan FC
3
5
 644, 650, 653
Astograth University
2
2
 649, 660

All-time First Division table

The all-time First Division table is an overall record of all match results, points, and goals of every team that has played in the First Division since its inception in 634. The table is accurate as of the end of the 684 season. Teams in bold are part of the 685 First Division.

All-time First Division table
Pos Team Seasons Pts GP W D L GF GA GD 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th T Début Since/Last App Best
1 Royal Rumiatzi 39 2350 1236 692 274 270 2448 1512 936 9 11 7 9 0 2 38 634 674 1
2 Ituraitz FC 39 2266 1236 654 304 278 2472 1683 789 9 5 8 9 5 1 37 634 674 1
3 Urbizania Wanderers 39 2171 1236 628 287 321 2105 1435 670 6 5 5 9 7 3 35 634 674 1
4 Echegoyan FC 37 1903 1180 551 250 379 2058 1748 310 3 5 4 3 6 4 25 634 674 1
5 Astograth University 32 1538 1032 434 236 362 1228 1109 119 2 2 2 2 4 6 18 638 683 1
6 Sporting Iturributa 24 1426 766 421 163 182 1076 628 448 6 4 7 1 3 2 23 634 674 1
7 Iturributa United 24 1417 766 409 190 167 1619 1101 518 4 7 5 3 4 1 24 634 674 1
8 Blue Mountain Range 36 1377 1146 357 306 483 972 1190 -218 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 634 674 6
9 Athletic Club Olarria 28 1377 948 381 234 333 1636 1523 113 0 0 0 3 1 3 7 644 674 4
10 Athletic Club Rumiatzi 31 1153 958 301 250 407 1705 1999 -294 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 634 684 5
11 Ituraitz Victory 29 1092 944 289 225 430 1453 1800 -347 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 637 677 6
12 Gesterlake FC 25 1071 842 291 198 353 1129 1260 -131 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 645 682 5
13 Oyardo FC 24 1069 796 299 172 325 1333 1411 -78 0 0 1 0 4 3 8 642 684 3
14 South Factory 27 980 804 267 179 358 1390 1574 -184 0 0 0 0 2 3 5 634 676 5
15 Gortz United 21 899 730 252 143 335 1229 1416 -187 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 651 675 7
16 Royal Ibarbe 16 649 554 164 157 233 673 812 -139 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 637 677 7
17 Royal Arexa 16 599 544 157 128 259 869 1047 -178 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 641 682 7
18 Royal Association 20 598 596 156 130 310 912 1246 -334 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 634 683 9
19 Antiguoko FC 13 593 478 164 101 213 768 823 -55 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 642 678 8
20 Sporting Arkamo 11 583 418 161 100 157 712 724 -12 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 674 674 6
21 Basabe Old Boys 11 497 414 129 110 175 624 695 -71 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 658 682 6
22 Lermendia FC 15 471 462 123 102 237 660 874 -214 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 640 660 7
23 The Army Club 12 421 360 113 82 165 642 742 -100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 640 652 7
24 Garitzeta Racing Club 10 374 348 99 77 172 369 509 -140 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 640 682 5
25 East Railway 10 370 324 98 76 150 433 567 -134 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 639 684 9
26 Ximun Orieta FC 11 369 366 96 81 189 457 608 -151 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 643 681 11
27 Iturributa Racing Club 9 307 282 82 61 139 387 523 -136 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 639 681 8
28 Miners FC 8 258 272 61 75 136 221 374 -153 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 648 683 14
29 Athletic Club Yungoitio 7 195 230 40 75 115 336 487 -151 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 646 674 15
30 Urizaharra FC 6 153 192 36 45 111 264 425 -161 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 652 660 10
31 Army United 3 113 106 30 23 53 196 237 -41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 660 678 12
32 Bakartirla Buccaneers 3 106 114 27 25 62 102 197 -95 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 680 685 15
33 Erribe United 2 94 76 26 16 34 125 143 -18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 674 685 11
34 Urbitzo FC 2 85 76 23 16 37 79 108 -29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 683 684 12
35 Garitzeta FC 2 85 76 23 16 37 115 151 -36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 674 675 9
36 Izarloka FC 2 59 72 14 17 41 104 155 -51 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 661 674 16
37 Freedom FC 2 45 52 12 9 31 68 105 -37 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 638 640 12
38 Mauritza FC 1 38 38 9 11 18 50 65 -15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 674 674 18
39 Ichapeldun Mariners 1 36 38 10 6 22 56 87 -31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 678 678 19
League or status for 685 season:
First Division
Second Division
Second Division B
Club no longer exists
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