Campionato 1995-96

Lore & Background

Founded in 1907, since 1928 they have played their home matches at Stadio Paolo Mazza, named after Paolo Mazza (chairman of the club between 1946 and 1977). In total, SPAL have participated in 24 top-tier, 28 second-tier, 43 third-tier, 7 fourth-tier and 1 fifth-tier league seasons. The club's best finish was when they came fifth in the 1959–60 Serie A; they also reached the 1961–62 Coppa Italia final. The club was chaired by the American lawyer and businessman Joe Tacopina and the manager was Francesco Baldini until the 2025 liquidation, after which the team's legacy is carried on by Ars et Labor Ferrara.

Reader's Guide

The team's colours are light blue and white, which derive from the Salesians' emblem. The home kit, since 1962, has been composed of a vertical striped light blue-white shirt, white trainers and white socks. The only exception to light blue and white was when the club adopted a black and white kit between 1939 and 1943 (when it was named A.C. Ferrara), in honour of Ferrara's civic colours. The team's badge features an oval-shaped light blue escutcheon, with a white band in the upper section, on which is written the acronym S.P.A.L. in golden characters.

Also, in the lower section, the black and white emblem of the city is featured. From 1980 until 1995, the official badge featured a fawn, another symbol of the club. SPAL's most common nicknames are Biancazzurri (from the club colours, light blue and white) and Estensi (from the House of Este, ancient European noble dynasty that ruled Ferrara from 1264 to 1598).

Did You Know?

• The club was founded in March 1907 as Circolo Ars et Labor by the Salesian priest Pietro Acerbis.
• SPAL's all-time top striker Mario Romani scored 130 goals in 189 games during two different periods with the club.
• The club temporarily changed its name to Associazione Calcio Ferrara between 1939 and 1943.
• SPAL won the Cup of Italian-Swiss Friendship at the end of the 1967–68 season.
• The stadium was renamed Stadio Paolo Mazza in February 1982, in honour of the former president who died two months earlier.