Forgotten Clubs: Ascoli Calcio

In the rolling hills of the Marche region, nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains, lies the ancient city of Ascoli Piceno. Known for its medieval architecture and rich cultural heritage, Ascoli Piceno also carries a storied football tradition embodied by its beloved soccer club, Ascoli Calcio.

Founded in 1898, Ascoli Calcio has experienced its fair share of highs and lows, with the most significant downturn coming in the dramatic collapse of the 2013/14 season. Ascoli Calcio 1898, commonly referred to as Ascoli, has long been a fixture in Italian football. The club’s roots trace back to the turn of the 20th century, marking it as one of Italy’s older football institutions. Early on, Ascoli struggled to make a mark, often overshadowed by more prominent clubs from larger cities. However, the 1970s and 1980s marked a golden era for the team.

Under the stewardship of charismatic and passionate President Costantino Rozzi, Ascoli reached new heights. Rozzi’s tenure saw the team rise to Serie A, Italy’s top-flight football league, in 1974. Robust performances and a formidable home record at the Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca, a fortress for the team, characterized this era of success. The small-town club regularly punched above its weight, challenging Italy’s football giants and earning respect nationwide.

Despite their successes, Ascoli’s time in the top flight was punctuated by frequent relegations and promotions. The club yo-yoed between Serie A and Serie B, experiencing moments of brilliance along with inevitable downturns. The 1990s brought financial difficulties and administrative challenges, yet the club managed to maintain its identity and passion, epitomized by the fervent support of its loyal fanbase.

The new millennium initially brought hope as the club worked to stabilize and build for the future. However, by the early 2010s, cracks began to show. Financial mismanagement and administrative inefficiencies plagued Ascoli, leading to instability both on and off the pitch. The 2012/13 season saw the club relegated to Serie B, and the subsequent season was even more turbulent.

The 2013/14 season will forever be etched in the memories of Ascoli supporters as the year of heartbreak. The team struggled mightily in Serie B, unable to compete effectively amidst mounting financial woes. The players, demoralized by unpaid wages and uncertainty, fought valiantly but were often outmatched. Despite their best efforts, Ascoli could not avoid the drop. By the season’s end, they faced the grim reality of relegation to the third tier of Italian football, Lega Pro Prima Divisione.

However, the on-field struggles were only part of the story. Off the pitch, the club’s financial situation deteriorated rapidly. Debts mounted, and the spectre of bankruptcy loomed large. The summer of 2014 brought the devastating news that Ascoli Calcio 1898 was to be declared bankrupt. The Court of Ascoli Piceno declared the club bankrupt, estimating the residual value of the club’s assets at €862,000. To preserve the team’s legacy, a new entity, Ascoli Picchio F.C. 1898, successfully acquired the assets. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) approved the new club’s entry into the upcoming season without relegation.

By mid-2015, Ascoli experienced a remarkable turn of events. Originally finishing as runners-up to Teramo in the 2014–15 Lega Pro, Ascoli was declared champions of Group B and earned promotion following Teramo’s relegation due to their involvement in the 2015 Italian football scandal. A significant change in ownership occurred on June 14, 2018. Club president Francesco Bellini, who had been fielding several offers for the sale of the club, accepted an offer from Massimo Pulcinelli, a Roman entrepreneur associated with the Bricofer Group. This transition was followed by the official rebranding of the club as Ascoli Calcio 1898 F.C. S.p.A. on July 18, 2018, in preparation for the 2018–19 season.

The summer of 2021 brought further investment and ambition. The North Sixth Group, led by New York-based entrepreneur Matt Rizzetta, acquired a 31% stake in Ascoli Calcio, with an option to increase this to 51%. This acquisition aligned North Sixth Group with Massimo Pulcinelli and Bricofer, Italy’s largest homeware retailer, to build an ambitious global project for Ascoli. Following this investment, North Sixth Group secured an exclusive content rights agreement with Italian Football TV, the largest online platform for Italian football fans in North America. This deal established Ascoli Calcio as the only Italian professional football club with an exclusive content partnership, marking a significant milestone in the club’s international outreach efforts.