The Most Successful Football Clubs In Turkey

With British soldiers stationed in Turkey in the late nineteenth century football steadily became a popular pursuit.

From this, clubs were formed, clubs that are sadly no longer with us, such as FC Symrna and Cadi Keuy FRC. Many of these fledging institutions were conceived by Brits, their fate going the same way as a fading Ottoman Empire.

In their place more familiar names emerged. Besiktas, the first club to have the Turkish flag on their crest, was born in 1903. Galatasaray came into being two years later, created by students. Fenerbahce was forged two years after that, originally operating in secret due to the strict Ottoman regime that forbade foreign sports to be played.

All based in Istanbul, these trio of giants are now known as Turkey’s ‘Big Three’.

Yet as rich, and as fascinating, as the nascent years of Turkish football is, we begin our story in 1959 at the conception of the Turkish National League, later rebranded as the Super Lig.

That was when regionalised competitive football ended and a proper structure was put in place. That was when everything changed.

It will come as no surprise to learn which three clubs have never been relegated from it.

Istanbul Basaksehir

Despite being the most populated city in the world it could be argued that Istanbul did not need another football team. After all, it already had seven clubs well acquainted with the top-flight.

Regardless, in 1990 Istanbul Başakşehir Futbol Kulübü was established, wasting little time in working their way up the pyramid. In 2007, promotion was secured to the Super Lig.

It was a meteoric rise that not even relegation in 2013 could halt, an immediate return ensuring the ‘Grey Owl’s first competitive game in their brand new stadium was a top level fixture. Unveiled in 2014, the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium has a capacity of 18,000 and is named after the legendary manager.

Two seasons later a runner-up spot was secured, then third, then second again, before Basaksehir got tired of knocking at the door and won their first Super Lig title in 2020.

Clearly, the club’s intention is to break up the traditional three-way domination of Turkish football and two details concerning this aspiration are undeniable. They’re not going away anytime soon, and they’re going the right way about it.

Trabzonspor

Founded in 1921, Trabzonspor Kulübü became the first club outside of Istanbul to claim a league title when their fabulous Seventies collective topped the pile in ’76, going on to win a further four league crowns soon after.

More recently they added a seventh title to their honours board, putting Fener and co firmly in the shade in 2022. Guided by former national boss Abdullah Avci and inspired by Marek Hamsik, the team nicknamed the ‘Black Sea Storm’ lost only three games all campaign.

Located in the beautiful and historic port city of Trabzon, the club are reputed to wear claret and blue after receiving kits sent in friendship from Aston Villa in the late Sixties.

Besiktas

Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü, translating as ‘Beşiktaş Gymnastics Club’ have been a prominent presence in Turkish football from the get-go, winning 21 league titles, 14 of them in the Super Lig era.

In 1991-92, a formidable ‘Black Eagles’ eleven led by club legend Feyyaz Ucar went the entire season undefeated and let’s not forget their brilliant side of a few years prior, who reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup.

Indeed, so much of Besiktas’ considerable stature derives from their continental adventures, enjoying famous scalps in the Champions League in the 21st century and going deep in the Europa League.

Such feats overseas have given the club global renown but the same can be said of their passionate fan-base, known far and wide for its noise and colour. They are undoubtedly one of the top clubs in Turkey.

Galatasaray

Gala have won the most trophies combined in Turkish football, securing 25 Super Lig titles as well as enjoying a long-standing fruitful relationship with the Turkish Cup, lifting that on 18 occasions.

They are also the most successful Turkish team in Europe, winning the UEFA Cup in 2000 in addition to reaching the last eight of the Champions League three times.

Famously, it was at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium where Manchester United endured such a torrid time in the early Nineties, suckered into a tunnel brawl with police officers to the backdrop of a banner that read ‘Welcome to Hell’.

Since then they have moved to the 54,000 capacity Rams Park, not that their new venue is any less intimidating. On derby days against Besiktas and/or Fenerbahce the decibel levels threaten the well-being of ear-drums from several miles away.

This is a club best described by Gunduz Kilic, who both played for the Yellow-Reds and managed them. “They are a team of emotions,” he once knowingly stated.

Fenerbahce

There are umpteen reasons why Fener begin each campaign priced up as favourites in the football betting for the Turkey domestic title.

The tallest giant of Turkish football have won a record-breaking 28 league titles which in itself is a persuasive factor. They have also finished runner-up 29 times, suggesting that when they do encounter a blip they remain in contention.

Moreover, such is their sizable pull they can lure to the Turkish capital all manner of marquee names, players who would ordinarily not view the Super Lig as a viable career option. Nicolas Anelka has played at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, as too has Roberto Carlos. Robin Van Persie enjoyed three successful seasons there beyond his Premier League goalscoring stints.

With the largest number of fan-clubs around the country, and the most illustrious history, Fenerbahce are by some distance the biggest club in Turkey. What’s the betting that doesn’t change anytime soon?