Bari
History
The Beginning of Bari (1908-1928)
Bari Foot-Ball Club was founded on January 15, 1908 by some European origin merchants, with Floriano Ludwig as the main founder. The team's colors are white and red, inspired by the municipal emblem of Bari. The team participated in a few official competitions, preferring friendly matches with other teams from Puglia. In 1910 and 1911, the white and red team participated in competitions organized by the FIGC, but without winning.
The Merger and the First Championships (1928-1943)
In 1928, Bari merged with Unione Sportiva Ideale and Football Club Liberty, giving birth to the Associazione Sportiva Bari. The team participated in several editions of Serie B, winning the championship in the 1934-35 season and gaining promotion to Serie A for the first time in its history. In the top league, Bari managed to maintain the category for only one year, being relegated the following year. During the Second World War, the team continued to participate in championships, winning Serie C in 1942-43.
Serie A and the 80's (1943-1990)
After the war, Bari continued to participate in Serie B, alternating promotions and relegations until the end of the 1970s. In the 80s, the team went through a period of great success, achieving three promotions to Serie A in five years and also playing a Coppa Italia final in 1983. In Serie A, Bari managed to maintain the category for four consecutive seasons, obtaining a sixth place in the 1988-89 season.
The 90's and the Mitropa Cup (1990-2000)
In the 90s, Bari continued to participate in Serie A, but with less success than in previous years. In 1990, the team won the Mitropa Cup, an international tournament reserved for teams from Central and Eastern Europe. In 1998, Bari was relegated to Serie B, but managed to return immediately the following year, only to be relegated again in 2001.
The 2000s and Serie B (2000-2018)
In the 2000s, Bari continued to participate in Serie B, with few appearances in Serie A and frequent relegations to Serie C. In 2018, the team was excluded from Serie B due to financial problems and restarted from Serie D.
Curiosities
The Fans' Nickname and the Mascot
Bari's fans are nicknamed "Galletti", referring to the team's mascot. Bari's mascot is, in fact, a white and red rooster.
The Strangest Team in Italian Football
Bari's historian Gianni Antonucci has defined the team as "the strangest team in Italian football," due to the frequent promotions and relegations between the categories of Italian football.
The All-Time Serie A Standings
Bari is in 19th place in the All-Time Standings of Serie A since 1929 and in 17th place in the ranking of Italian sports tradition according to the criteria of the Italian Football Federation.
Conclusion
Bari is a football team with a long history, characterized by numerous promotions and relegations between the categories of Italian football. The team is traditionally called the "elevator team" and has won several Serie B and C championships, as well as the Mitropa Cup in 1990. The team is beloved by its fans, called "Galletti", and has a white and red rooster as its mascot. Bari is one of the most important teams in Southern Italy and has participated in 30 editions of the Serie A championship.
