History of Galatasaray S.K. in Timeline

Galatasaray Spor Kulübü (Galatasaray S.K.), nicknamed Cimbom, is a major Turkish sports club based in Istanbul. While known for its football team, Galatasaray has teams in various sports, including basketball, volleyball, and water polo. The club is associated with Galatasaray High School and Galatasaray University, forming the Galatasaray Community Cooperation Committee. It's one of the most successful Turkish sports clubs.

October 1905: Galatasaray SK Founded

In October 1905, Galatasaray SK was founded by Ali Sami Yen and other students of Galatasaray High School as a football club.

1905: Name Origin

In 1905, Galatasaray's name was derived from a match where spectators called them "Galata Sarayı Efendileri" after they won 2–0 over Rûm club.

1905: Original Club Colors

In 1905, at its founding, Galatasaray Sports Club's colors were red and white, inspired by the Turkish flag and the Young Turk Revolution.

1907: Yellow and Black Colours

In 1907, Galatasaray played in yellow and black colours.

December 1908: Red and Yellow Colours Settled

In December 1908, for a match against HMS Barham, Galatasaray settled on playing in red and yellow colours.

1908: New Colors Chosen

In 1908, Galatasaray chose new colors, red and yellow, after reforms, symbolizing brightness and fire.

1908: Yellow and Black Colours

In 1908, Galatasaray played in yellow and black colours.

1912: Club Legal Registration

In 1912, after the Law of Association was enacted, Galatasaray was legally registered as a club.

1921: Taksim Stadium Opens

In 1921, the first stadium, Taksim Stadium, opened, and Galatasaray played there.

1925: "Ghayn-Sin" Crest Adopted

In 1925, Galatasaray's first emblem, an eagle with a football, was replaced by the current "Ghayn-Sin" crest, designed by Ayetullah Emin.

1940: Taksim Stadium Demolished

In 1940, the historic Taksim Stadium was demolished, prompting Galatasaray to plan the construction of a new stadium.

1952: Istanbul Professional League

In 1952, professional football was recognized and the Istanbul Professional League was established, in which Galatasaray played.

1959: Istanbul Professional League Ends

In 1959, the Istanbul Professional League ended.

1959: Turkcell Super League Formation

In 1959, the Turkcell Super League, Turkey's top-flight professional football league, was formed, and Galatasaray joined the competition.

1962: Turkish Cup Organization

In the 1962–63 season, the Turkish Football Federation started organizing the "Turkish Cup" (now known as the Ziraat Turkish Cup) for Turkish clubs to qualify for UEFA competitions.

December 1964: Ali Sami Yen Stadium Opens

In December 1964, Ali Sami Yen Stadium opened in Mecidiyeköy, named after the club's founder, with a capacity of over 35,000.

1998: "I Will Survive" Played After Goals

Since 1998, the last part of the song "I Will Survive" by the Hermes House Band has been played after every goal scored by Galatasaray.

2000: UEFA Cup and Super Cup Victories

In 2000, Galatasaray secured the UEFA Cup title by defeating Arsenal F.C., and claimed the UEFA Super Cup by defeating Real Madrid C.F., marking them as the only Turkish football club to reach that level of European success.

2002: European Cup Matches at Atatürk Olympic Stadium

After 2002, following the construction of Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Galatasaray began playing European Cup matches there.

2008: Wheelchair Basketball Champions Cup and Kitakyushu Champions Cup Wins

In 2008, Galatasaray's wheelchair basketball team won the Champions Cup and the Kitakyushu Champions Cup, becoming world champions.

2009: Wheelchair Basketball Champions Cup and Kitakyushu Champions Cup Wins

In 2009, Galatasaray's wheelchair basketball team won the Champions Cup and the Kitakyushu Champions Cup, becoming world champions, and Galatasaray women's basketball team won the FIBA Eurocup.