Twenty years ago, people missing their home and their land united and brought “Gagra” to Tbilisi. A small football club at that time was a step forward for them on the way back. “Gagra” was founded in 2004 by Besik Chikhradze, Giorgi Makhatadze, Mamuka Makhatadze and Goderdzi Chikhradze, a Georgian businessman working in Ukraine, originally from Gagra. For the common dream, pain and football love, they decided to name the club “Gagra”. That’s how the “Gagra” club was born.
The idea of creating a club was further accelerated by the departure of the promising young generation. In 2003-2004, the first draw of the youth league was held, where only teams of the highest league could participate. The high-level tournament ended with the championship of the Goderdzi Chikhradze team, which then competed under the name of Gagri. Over the years, “Gagra” football club has become a symbol not only for the founders, but also for the Georgian people of not forgetting and returning to their own land. The 20 years spent with the dream were not easy, but the club still managed to come this far with dignity.
At that time, establishing oneself in Georgian football was not so easy. Nevertheless, the newly formed club “Gagra” constantly occupied the leading positions in the standings of the first league, although it was not able to move to the higher league. In 2007, he lost to Sachkheri “Chikhura” in the playoffs, and in 2008, he lost to Tskhinvali “Spartak” and said goodbye to the journey of the higher league.
In addition to selfless work and struggle, little justification was needed. In the 2008/09 season, “Gagra” was allowed to participate in the draw of the national championship of the higher league after the decision of the board of the professional football league, the Chiaturi “Magharoeli” club failed to meet the licensing criteria. “Gagra” submitted financial guarantees and met all the necessary requirements. Gagreli used this opportunity brilliantly – the team sensationally defeated the current champion Tbilisi “Dinamo” in the very first match. “Gagra” spent two seasons in the higher league and then was relegated to the first league.
The 2010/11 season was written in golden letters in the history of the club. At that time, “Gagra” proved that he deserved the right to compete in the top league, and this was not just an excuse. The club went through the most difficult path to the finals. First, they defeated “Kolkheti” of Poti and “Dinamo” of Tbilisi, then they knocked out “Vit Georgia” from the semi-finals, and in the final they defeated “Torpedo” of Kutaisi and for the first time in history the team became the champion of the first league and the winner of the country’s cup. At that time, sports journalists named the club “Gagra” as the discovery of the year.
After the historic victories, the club won the right to participate in the UEFA Europa League draw and competed in the debut European tournaments. With this victory, “Gagra” managed to bring the club’s name and history to the European football world. It wasn’t just a football celebration for the club; In addition to sports success, the essence and idea of creating “Gagra” is to return to the city of Gagra and play there. All this seems impossible without the European family.
In the second qualifying stage of the Europa League, “Gagra” also met the refugee team “Anoirtos”. Gagreli lost the first match as a guest with a score of 3-0, but despite the heavy defeat, they defeated the opponent with a score of 2-0 in Zestafon with the goals of Giorgi Gabedava and Giorgi Tkeshelashvili. In the end, “Gagra” lost 2-3 in two matches.
In 2017, “Gagra” failed to get a ticket to the National League, however, it entered history as the winner of the first Winter Cup of Georgia. “Gagra” won all 5 matches held at the tournament and won the cup.
In 2019, “Gagra” regained its old glory and managed to regain its place in the top league, where it competes decently to this day.
In 2020, in the harshest conditions during the COVID pandemic, in the background of empty stands, the club once again deserved the Georgian Cup, which was proof that “Gagra” once again overcame difficulties and moved to a new level of development.
“Gagram” defeated “Kolkheti 1913” of Poti with a big score of 4-0 in the 1/16 finals for the Davit Kifiani Cup, beat “Dinamo” of Batumi 1-0, defeated “Dila” of Gori in the penalty shootout, and defeated Saburtalo and Sagurali and deservedly won the cup.
This victory brought another glory to the club. In the football history of Georgia, the Abkhazian club, which works on behalf of Georgia, became the only one that qualified for the second time in the European Championship and for the second time as a representative of the second league.
As a result of winning the cup in 2020, the team competed in the UEFA Conference League debut in the 2021-22 season. “Gagra” representative of Crystalbet League 2 of Georgia faced “Sutijeska” of Montenegro. The team coached by Gaga Kirkitadze lost the first game 0-1 away to “Sutieska” of Montenegro, and the return match ended 1-1. In the end, “Gagra” lost 1-2 in two matches and was eliminated from the tournament
Mission and values:
Football club Gagra Menjemet is not only focused on sports achievements. One of the main goals of the club since its establishment is the emotional and moral support of internally displaced persons. The values of the club are built on several basic principles:
1. Return to native land
The mission, which was conceived by the club’s founders in 2004, has remained unchanged for 20 years, Gagra football club “Gagra” will be a symbol for internally displaced persons until it plays in Gagra on the coast of the blue sea.
2. Football as a symbol of unity
Club Gagra is a symbol of the unity of Georgia, as well as football, which unites not only specific individuals and groups, but also the world.
3. Raising and educating the young generation
“One of the main goals and challenges of the Gagra football club management is to educate the new generation, both in terms of football and their support in terms of education. The club management tries to create a safe, healthy and fulfilling environment for young people to be mentally and physically ready for new challenges.
4. Presentation of “Gagra” club players at the international level
One of the main challenges that the club’s management is constantly working on is the promotion of promising young people to the international level, as well as the worthy presentation of the country to the world football market through the “Gagra” club.
5. Loyalty and fighting spirit:
Over the course of twenty years, the Gagra club has repeatedly proven that the club’s management and team members are never afraid of challenges, never stop fighting for victory and development.
6. Patriotism:
Patriotism is the value on which the club’s history stands. “Gagra” unites people for a common goal, towards which we will never stop moving. We will play gagra!
7. Unity and team strength:
At least every employee of the club is the most important for us. Each player’s role is immeasurable on the pitch. Our unity and mutual respect are more valuable to the club management than any title.