Atlético Ciudad Victoria
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| Nickname(s) | ACV | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1952 | ||
| Stadium | Estadio Municipal | ||
| Capacity | 30,430 | ||
| League | SPL | ||
| 25-26 | 6th | ||
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Atlético Ciudad Victoria is an association football club in Slokais Islands. Commonly known as Atlético CV or ACV, the club was founded in 1952 as a merge of smaller clubs. ACV has won 1 SPL title in 2016-2017 and 6 league titles before the SPL's formation. The club is the most popular in Victoria-Tedaya Province and contests a fierce rivalry with local Liga 1 rivals Tedaya Warriors. ACV is best known for its ties to organized labor and as the only SPL club with a fan-elected board and president, as well as the 50% rule, under which 50% ownership is held collectively by supporters.
History[edit | edit source]
Atlético Ciudad Victoria was formed by several union football clubs to maintain financial stability. The club played on Sunday only due to restrictions by factory ownership. Members were also instrumental in Costa-led opposition within organized labor, as National Reformist policy required oversight of all factories and businesses as well as union activities. In 1959, the club was banned for "anti-state activities", despite this, the club survived through the Great War as a touring novelty act for Federation Army soldiers. By 1970, Atlético Ciudad Victoria returned to Ciudad Victoria, joining the Victoria Province Regional League. ACV was also in the first year of the return League 1 in 1974 due to their success in the regional league. The team remained competitive as the 1980s saw 4 league titles with players such as Santiago Cabrera and Gilberto Martinez leading the club. Additionally, the club was also able to build the Estadio Municipal through a public-private partnership.
The 1990s saw an additional League 1 title in 1994 and 1998 with Gilberto Martinez surpassing 160 goals to become the leading goal scorer in Slokasian history, a record which he would hold until 2026. Due to the success on the field, ACV was encouraged to join the SPL for the 2002 Season due to the increased financial revenue and attention. However, fans voted against it as the league's new rules created a private commission to approve certain decisions and had broadcast and private suite requirements which would have priced out local fans. Thus, ACV remained in Liga 1 until 2008, when the league expanded to 12 teams, although the club had won Liga 1 in 2006 and refused promotion. ACV financially struggled the most during the 2008-2010 economic crisis, with concerns of relegation however the club rallied and won a relegation play-off against bitter rival Tedaya Warriors to deny them a first SPL appearance. 2011 saw Antonio Nunez, a fan turned millionaire, purchase the largest private stake in the club. His investments would allow for much-needed renovations of the Estadio Municipal as well as the completion of an improved academy.
In 2016-2017, behind Joseph Monejo as well as a cast of academy players such as Michael Yuen and Rang Kah-Lan, ACV would win their first SPL title after a tense title race with both the New Liverpool and the Southland Athletics. Although the club would fall in the Association Cup final, ACV would become the first and only fan-owned club in SPL history to win a trophy. In the following years, the club would maintain a mid-table form with the club becoming one of the most popular in the country, especially among organized labor and in left-wing politics.