Maccabi Ironi Ashdod F.C.

Background

Maccabi Ashdod FC was established in 1961 by the Israeli Maccabi Union and began play in Liga Gimel Central division. Notable early players included Yehoshua Peretz, Zvika Kaspi, Shlomo Lasri, and Meir Ben-Harush. The club first qualified for Liga Bet at the end of the 1979–1980 season. In 1980–1981, Maccabi Ashdod merged with Beitar Ashdod FC, adding 'Ironi' to its name, becoming the first team in Israel to use that name.

In July 1983, the club won a gold medal at the Maccabiah Games in Israel, defeating Maccabi England 1–0 on a goal by Joseph Marzouk. After two seasons in Liga Alef, the club dropped back to Liga Bet in 1983–1984, but returned to Liga Alef at the end of the 1988–1989 season. Under coach Arie Radler, the club achieved two consecutive promotions, reaching the national Artzit league and eventually the first Israeli league Leumit at the end of the 1992–1993 season.

The 1997–1998 season saw the club reach the Israeli Cup Semi Finals for the first time, losing 5–0 to Maccabi Haifa. On July 26, 1999, the club was merged with Hapoel Ashdod in a takeover orchestrated by Jackie Ben Zaken, forming Ashdod F.C.