Hapoel Hapoel ( he, הפועל, lit. ''the worker'') is an Israeli Jewish sports association established in 1926 by the Histadrut Labor Federation. History During the Mandate for Palestine, British Mandate of Palestine period Hapoel had a bitter rivalry ...

Balfouria ( he, הפועל בלפוריה) was an Israeli football club based in

Balfouria Balfouria () is a moshav in northern Israel, south of Nazareth. Located near Afula, it falls under the jurisdiction of Jezreel Valley Regional Council. As of it had a population of . History The initial core of settlers assembled in 1919 and ...

. The club spent two seasons in the top division in the mid-1950s, finishing at the bottom on both occasions.

History

Hapoel were promoted to

Liga Alef Liga Alef ( he, ליגה א', , League A) is the third tier of the Israeli football league system. It is divided into two regional divisions, north and south. History League football began in Israel in 1949–50, a year after the Israeli Declar ...

(then the top division) in 1953. In their first season at the top level they finished last, with only four wins in 22 matches. However, they were not relegated as the top flight was expanded to 14 clubs with the establishment of

Liga Leumit Liga Leumit ( he, ליגה לאומית, lit. ''National League'') is the second division of the Israeli Football League, and below its Premier League. Structure There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the two lowest-place ...

in 1954. The 1954–55 season saw the club again finish last. They conceded 129 goals, still a league record, and twice lost by more than 10 goals (2–13 to

Hapoel Petah Tikva Hapoel Petah Tikva F.C. ( he, הפועל פתח תקווה) is an Israeli football club based in the city of Petah Tikva, currently playing in the Liga Leumit. Its most successful period was throughout the 1950s and 1960s, in which the club won ...

and 0–12 at

Maccabi Tel Aviv Maccabi Tel Aviv ( he, מכבי תל אביב) is one of the largest sports clubs in Israel, and a part of the Maccabi association. Many sports clubs and teams in Tel Aviv are in association with Maccabi and compete in a variety of sports, such ...

). At the end of the season they were relegated to

, and in the following season, they suffered subsequent relegation to

Liga Bet Liga Bet ( he, ליגה ב', lit. ''League B'') is the fourth tier of the Israeli football league system. It is divided into four regional divisions. History League football started in Israel in 1949–50, a year after the Israeli Declaration of ...

. in 1956–57 they won the North division of Liga Bet and made an immediate return to Liga Alef. Home matches of the club were played in

Afula Afula ( he, עפולה Arabic: العفولة) is a city in the Northern District of Israel, often known as the "Capital of the Valley" due to its strategic location in the Jezreel Valley. As of , the city had a population of . Afula's ancient ...

,Hapoel Balfouria 1 Hapoel Petah Tikva 5
Hapoel Petah Tikva Museum as also, prior to their second season in the top flight, at the summer of 1954, the club merged with local football club, Hapoel Afula.FA Operated
Maariv, 29.8.54, Historical Jewish Press In the

Israel State Cup The Israel State Cup ( he, גביע המדינה, ''Gvia HaMedina''), is a knockout cup competition in Israeli football, run by the Israel Football Association (IFA). The State Cup was first held in 1928 as the People's Cup. Because it involve ...

, the biggest achievement of the club was reaching the Quarter-finals in the 1956–57 season. after 5–2 victory over Hakoah Tel Aviv in the round of 16, Balfouria was defeated 1–4 by Maccabi Jaffa in the Quarter-finals. In the 1957–58 season, while playing in the second division, the club was officially known as Hapoel Afula, although they were mentioned by the press in both Hapoel Balfouria and Hapoel Afula names.Bnei Yehuda 0–3 defeat to Kiryat Haim increase chances of Beitar
Heruth, 20.4.58, Historical Jewish Press Hapoel Balfouria and Beer Sheva in Liga Alef
Davar, 14.6.59, Historical Jewish Press The club continued to play as Hapoel Afula, and the name of Balfouria was dropped. In the 1963–64 season, there was an attempt to revive the club. However, that attempt was short-lived, as the re-established club existed for two seasons only, finishing second bottom and bottom respectively in

Liga Gimel Liga Gimel ( he, ליגה ג', lit. ''League C'') is the fifth and bottom division of Israeli Football League, a position it has held since 2009. From Liga Alef and downwards to this, each league is separated by region as well. History Liga Gimel ...

Valleys Division. Furthermore, up to the double season of 1966–68, another club consisting of former players, Hapoel Vatikei Balfouria (lit. ''Hapoel Balfouria Veterans'') operated in Balfouria.11 Matches in the State Cup
Davar, 26.9.66, Historical Jewish Press No football club operated in Balfouria ever since.

Honours

League League or The League may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Leagues'' (band), an American rock band * ''The League'', an American sitcom broadcast on FX and FXX about fantasy football Sports * Sports league * Rugby league, full contact footba ...

References

{{Football in Israel

Association football clubs established in 1945 Association football clubs disestablished in 1965

Jezreel Valley Regional Council 1945 establishments in Mandatory Palestine 1965 disestablishments in Israel