Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Football Club Matese, commonly referred to as F.C. Matese (; also stylised as FC Matese), is a football club based in Sepicciano, a of Piedimonte Matese, in Campania, Southern Italy. The club competes in the Molise division of the Eccellenza, the fifth tier of the Italian football league system, following relegation from Serie D in the 2023âÂÂ24 season.
Sport in the modern era in Piedimonte Matese (known until 1970 as Piedimonte d'Alife) traces its roots back to Pro Piedimonte, a multi-sports club founded in 1928. Sports such as running and tug of war were also practised. The club's first President (chairman) was Erminio Tedesco. Pro Piedimonte was in existence for at least 40 years.
F.C. Matese was founded on the morning of 6 June 2020 from the merger of Eccellenza clubs A.S.D. Comprensorio Vairano (from Vairano Patenora) and A.S.D. Tre Pini Matese (from Piedimonte Matese). Despite being from Campania, both clubs played in the Molise divisions. The club's name, Football Club Matese, is often shortened to F.C. Matese; alternatively written as FC Matese. The new team was admitted to Serie D for the 2020âÂÂ21 season, retaining the "Matese" part of its club name, with no mention of Comprensorio Vairano. Stadio Pasqualino Ferrante, formerly home to both Tre Pini Matese and fellow club F.W.P. Matese, was chosen as F.C. Matese's home venue.
F.C. Matese's first-ever league fixture saw them face Olympia Agnonese away from home on 27 September 2020. The visitors were off to a flying start when Portuguese forward Leonardo Abreu scored to break the deadlock after six minutes. 's side commanded a three-goal lead before the half-hour mark, scoring twice in the space of two minutes, with a goal from Italian forward Antonio Negro, before Leo Abreu volleyed home his second to make it 0âÂÂ3 at half-time. Italian midfielder Manél Minicucci netted F.C. Matese's fourth after 78 minutes to claim the club's first-ever win in Serie D. Following the club's comprehensive 0âÂÂ4 away victory over Olympia Agnonese, F.C. Matese would lose their next two matches against Atletico Terme Fiuggi (2âÂÂ3); and (2âÂÂ0), respectively. After a two-game losing streak, the club managed a 0âÂÂ0 draw with Aprilia. Corrado Urbano's side then suffered a succession of defeats, losing 4âÂÂ0 away to Cittàdi Campobasso, 1âÂÂ3 at home to Castelfidardo, 1âÂÂ2 at home versus , and 3âÂÂ1 away to . F.C. Matese returned to winning ways, with a first home victory and only their second of the season, coming in a 3âÂÂ0 win over Vastese at Stadio Pasqualino Ferrante, ending their four-game losing streak. However, the team's winning run lasted just one match, as F.C. Matese fell to a 3âÂÂ1 away defeat against Notaresco. After their first ten matches, F.C. Matese had recorded two wins, one draw and six defeats, giving them just 7 points, leaving them sitting in the bottom half of the table. However, a change in fortunes saw the club approach the midway point of the season in a steady position with 18 points, following three successive wins, two draws and one defeat, taking their tally to five wins, three draws, and eight losses for the first half of the season. F.C. Matese built upon their mid-season form, managing a 0âÂÂ0 home draw against Rieti, a second win over Olympia Agnonese, and its first victory against Atletico Terme Fiuggi.
In its inaugural season (2020âÂÂ21), under the management of Corrado Urbano, F.C. Matese recorded a fifth-place finish in the league, amassing 56 points after 34 games, leaving them tied on points with two other teams; third-placed and fourth-placed Cynthialbalonga. It meant that F.C. Matese had qualified for the Serie D promotion play-offs. However, as all three sides had finished on the same number of points, the play-off matches were decided on "Head-to-head", with Pineto scoring 6, Cynthialbalonga 5, and Matese 4. Consequently, F.C. Matese were drawn, against second-placed team Notaresco, with the match being played on 23 June 2021 at Notaresco's Stadio Comunale Vincenzo Savini. After trailing 1âÂÂ0 at half-time, courtesy of a goal from Notaresco midfielder Mattia Frulla in the 21st minute, the Matesini; were reduced to ten men after defender Luigi Setola was sent off for a second yellow card with just under 20 minutes left to play of regulation time. F.C. Matese lost the semi-final 1âÂÂ0, sending Notaresco; through to the play-off final against eventual winners Pineto.
On 7 August 2021, it was announced that F.C. Matese would participate in the 2021âÂÂ22 edition of the Coppa Italia Serie D, thus making their debut in the competition. Making their debut in the competition, they were handed a home tie against Vastogirardi. Unfortunately for Matese, they would be eliminated in the first round of the Coppa Italia Serie D, losing 1âÂÂ3.
On 21 August 2022, Matese were drawn away to Barletta in the preliminary round of the competition, losing 1âÂÂ0.
On 3 September 2023, Matese were drawn away to in the first round of the competition, losing 0âÂÂ3. The first victory of the season came on matchday 4 at home against Atletico Ascoli, followed by successes against Tivoli and Roma City (formerly Atletico Terme Fiuggi) before away defeats against Alma Juventus Fano and .
F.C. Matese's colours are green & gold to symbolise both the Matese mountains and the agricultural fields. The club's circular badge features a gold band for its outermost layer, a second thinner white layer and a third, green layer, resembling a ringed doughnut, which encases a white circle that depicts a wolf howling at a full moon atop a summit and an elevated football. There are also two gold (sometimes white) stars and the Latin inscription "Duc in Altum", which translates to "Put Out Into The Deep", and MCMXXXV (the year 1935), in Roman numerals.
Italian sportswear supplier Givova produces their kit. Their shirt sponsor is Ponte Reale, an Italian company that manufactures Buffalo mozzarella cheese.
Most goals Luis Fabián Galesio â 26 : 2020âÂÂ21, 2021âÂÂ22
Most goals in one season Luis Fabián Galesio â : 15 : 2020âÂÂ21
Source:
Longest winning run
Longest home winning streak
Biggest wins
Biggest losses