2016–17 Third Amateur Football League (Bulgaria) Football league season
The 2016–17 Third Amateur Football League season was the 67th season of the Bulgarian Third Amateur Football League. The league is equivalent to the third level of the Bulgarian football pyramid , with a total of four divisions within it. The divisions themselves are geographically separated into Northwest , Northeast , Southeast , and Southwest . This was the first season following the 2016 reorganization of the Bulgarian football league system, which saw the emergence of new a competition format, including the First and Second Professional Football Leagues.[ 1]
Changes from the 2015–16 season
Club Movements Between V Group and B Group
The champions of the four 2015–16 V AFG divisions gained promotion to the 2016–17 Second League : Chernomorets Balchik from V AFG Northeast and Nesebar from V AFG Southeast, Etar Veliko Tarnovo from V AFG Northwest and CSKA Sofia from V AFG Southwest. Chernomorets Balchik refused to participate for financial reasons,[ 2] while a new club CSKA Sofia was formed with the merger of Chavdar Etropole and Litex Lovech and was invited by the Bulgarian Football Union directly to the newly formed First League .[ 3]
In return, four teams were relegated to the Third League: Dobrudzha Dobrich , Septemvri Simitli , Lokomotiv Mezdra and Litex Lovech II .
Club Movements Between V Group and the Regional Groups
Northeast : Ticha Dolni Chiflik and Dve Mogili were relegated last season to regional divisions. Benkovski Byala , Himik Devnya and Shumen did not apply for participation. Dobrudzha Dobrich was relegated from B Group . Marisan Ruse merged with Ruse into Lokomotiv Ruse , while Inter Plachidol moved to Dobrich . The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Spartak Varna , Dorostol Silistra and Hitrino .
Northwest : Yantra Gabrovo , Botev Kozloduy and Gigant Belene were relegated from last season to regional divisions. Lokomotiv Mezdra , relegated from B Group last season, was not granted permission to participate due to unpaid dues to the Bulgarian Football Union . The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Miziya Knezha and Kom Berkovitsa . Dunav 98 Selanovtsi merged with Botev Kozloduy into Parva Atomna Kozloduy , while Botev Lukovit merged with Litex Lovech into Litex Lovech .
Southeast : Chernomorets Burgas and Sliven were relegated from last season to regional divisions, while Spartak Plovdiv resigned shortly before the start of the season. Levski Karlovo joined the Second League . The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Atletik Kuklen , Arda Kardzhali , Vereya II , Elhovo and Lyubimets . The latter took the place of Spartak Plovdiv .
Southwest : Balkan Varvara and Lokomotiv Sofia relegated from last season to regional divisions. Vitosha Bistritsa and Septemvri Sofia joined the Second League . Furthermore, Sofia 2010 merged into Tsarsko Selo and also joined the Second League . Septemvri Simitli was relegated from B Group . The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Chavdar Etropole , Hebar Pazardzhik , Marek Dupnitsa , Svoboda Peshtera and Balkan Botevgrad . Malesh Mikrevo merged with Pirin Razlog to form Pirin Razlog (11th in B Group last season and subsequently merged with Septemvri Sofia ); Chiko Byaga merged with Hebar Pazardzhik into Hebar Pazardzhik , and Pravets merged with Chavdar Etropole into Chavdar Etropole .
Northeast group
Stadia and locations
Location of teams in 2016–17 Northeast Third League
Football league season
Team
City
Stadium
Capacity
Botev Novi Pazar
Novi Pazar
Gradski
8,000
Chernomorets Balchik
Balchik
Gradski
3,100
Dobrudzha Dobrich
Dobrich
Druzhba
12,500
Dorostol Silistra
Silistra
Louis Eyer
12,000
Hitrino
Hitrino
Hitrino
Inter Dobrich
Dobrich
Druzhba (artificial ground)
Kaliakra Kavarna
Kavarna
Kavarna
5,000
Kubrat
Kubrat
Gradski
6,000
Lokomotiv Ruse
Ruse
Dunav
19,960
Spartak Varna
Varna
Lokomotiv
1,000
Suvorovo
Suvorovo
Suvorovo
1,000
Svetkavitsa Targovishte
Targovishte
Dimitar Burkov
5,000
Septemvri Tervel
Tervel
Septemvri
700
Regular season
Source:
bulgarian-football.com ,
Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.
[ 12] (D) Disqualified;
(R) Relegated
Notes:
^ Marisan Ruse merged with Ruse into Lokomotiv Ruse on 23 June 2016.
^ On 19 December 2016, Spartak Varna were deducted 3 points for non-attendance of their game against Chernomorets Balchik.[ 9] On 22 February 2017, following non-attendance of their game against Kubrat, Spartak Varna were expelled from the league. All remaining fixtures are awarded 0–3 against them.[ 10]
^ Inter Plachidol moved to Dobrich on 17 June 2016.
^ On 10 October 2016, Inter Dobrich resigned from participation, according to the club as a manner of protest against inadequate punishment of their player. All fixtures involving the team were annulled.[ 11]
Championship round
Source:
bulgarian-football.com ,
Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.
(C) Champions;
(P) Promoted
Relegation round
Source:
bulgarian-football.com ,
Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.
Southeast group
Stadia and locations
Location of teams in 2016–17 Southeast Third League
Football league season
Team
City
Stadium
Capacity
Arda
Kardzhali
Perperek Stadium, Perperek
420
Asenovets
Asenovgrad
Shipka
4,000
Atletik
Kuklen
Atletik
1,000
Borislav
Parvomay
Gradski
8,000
Dimitrovgrad
Dimitrovgrad
Minyor
10,000
Elhovo
Elhovo
Stefan Karadzha
Eurocollege
Plovdiv
Eurocollege Sport Complex, Orizari
Gigant
Saedinenie
Saedinenie
5,000
Karnobat
Karnobat
Gradski
3,000
Lyubimets
Lyubimets
Gradski
4,000
Maritsa
Plovdiv
Maritsa
8,000
Minyor
Radnevo
Minyor
2,000
Rakovski
Rakovski
Franz Kokov
3,000
Rozova Dolina
Kazanlak
Sevtopolis
15,000
Svilengrad
Svilengrad
Kolodruma
1,750
Uragan
Boyadzhik
Madaba Stadium, Kabile
Vereya II
Stara Zagora
Trace Arena
3,000
Zagorets
Nova Zagora
Zagorets
5,900
League table
Source:
bulgarian-football.com ,
Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.
[ 12] (C) Champions;
(P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Notes:
^ a b Zagorets declined promotion due to financial and organizational reasons; runners-up Maritsa Plovdiv took their place.[ 17]
^ a b c Vereya II ahead of Gigant Saedinenie and Svilengrad on head-to-head record; Vereya II 8 pts, Gigant Saedinenie 5 pts, Svilengrad 2 pts.
^ a b Minyor Radnevo ahead of Arda Kardzhali on head-to-head record; Arda Kardzhali–Minyor Radnevo 3–1, Minyor Radnevo–Arda Kardzhali 2–0.
^ Lyubimets took the place of Spartak Plovdiv after the latter declared its withdrawal on 11 August 2016.
Northwest group
Stadia and locations
Location of teams in 2016–17 Northwest Third League
Football league season
Team
City
Stadium
Capacity
Bdin Vidin
Vidin
Georgi Benkovski
15,000
Kariana Erden
Erden
Kariana Sport Complex
1,000
Miziya Knezha
Knezha
Gradski
1,000
Kom Berkovitsa
Berkovitsa
Mramor
3,000
Levski
Levski
Levski
6,000
Litex Lovech
Lovech
Gradski
8,100
Juventus Malchika
Malchika
Georgi Karchev
1,000
Partizan Cherven Bryag
Cherven Bryag
Gradski
700
Parva Atomna Kozloduy
Kozloduy
Hristo Botev
3,000
Pavlikeni
Pavlikeni
Gancho Panov
10,000
Sevlievo
Sevlievo
Rakovski
5,000
Vihar Slavyanovo
Slavyanovo
Gradski
1,000
Akademik Svishtov
Svishtov
Akademik
13,500
Tryavna
Tryavna
Gradski
3,000
Yantra Gabrovo
Gabrovo
Hristo Botev
14,000
League table
Source:
bulgarian-football.com ,
Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.
[ 22] (C) Champions;
(P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Notes:
^ Botev Lukovit merges with reestablished Litex Lovech into Litex Lovech .
^ Dunav 98 (Selanovci) merges with Botev Kozloduy into Parva Atomna .
^ a b Pavlikeni ahead of Yantra Gabrovo on head-to-head record; Yantra Gabrovo–Pavlikeni 0–1, Pavlikeni–Yantra Gabrovo 1–1.
^ a b Tryavna ahead of Miziya Knezha on head-to-head record; Miziya Knezha–Tryavna 1–1, Tryavna–Miziya Knezha 0–0.
Southwest group
Stadia and locations
Location of teams in 2016–17 Southwest Third League
Football league season
Team
City
Stadium
Capacity
Balkan Botevgrad
Botevgrad
Hristo Botev
8,000
Belasitsa Petrich
Petrich
Kolarovo, Kolarovo
Botev Ihtiman
Ihtiman
Hristo Botev
5,000
Chavdar Etropole
Etropole
Chavdar
5,600
Chepinets Velingrad
Velingrad
Chepinets
8,000
Germanea Sapareva Banya
Sapareva Banya
Sapareva Banya
500
Hebar Pazardzhik
Pazardzhik
Georgi Benkovski
13,128
Marek Dupnitsa
Dupnitsa
Bonchuk
8,050
Minyor Pernik
Pernik
Minyor
8,000
Pirin Gotse Delchev
Gotse Delchev
Gradski
5,000
Pirin Razlog
Razlog
Gradski
6,500
Rilski Sportist Samokov
Samokov
Iskar
7,000
Septemvri Simitli
Simitli
Struma
8,000
Slivnishki Geroy
Slivnitsa
Slivnishki Geroy
7,000
Strumska Slava
Radomir
Gradski
5,000
Svoboda Peshtera
Peshtera
Gradski
3,500
Velbazhd Kyustendil
Kyustendil
Osogovo
13,000
Vihren Sandanski
Sandanski
Sandanski
6,000
League table
Source:
bulgarian-football.com ,
Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.
[ 26] (C) Champions;
(P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Notes:
References