2016–17 Third Amateur Football League (Bulgaria)

Football league season

The 2016–17 Third Amateur Football League season was the 67th season of the Bulgarian Third Amateur Football League. The league is equivalent to the third level of the Bulgarian football pyramid, with a total of four divisions within it. The divisions themselves are geographically separated into Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest. This was the first season following the 2016 reorganization of the Bulgarian football league system, which saw the emergence of new a competition format, including the First and Second Professional Football Leagues.^[1]

Changes from the 2015–16 season

Club Movements Between V Group and B Group

The champions of the four 2015–16 V AFG divisions gained promotion to the 2016–17 Second League: Chernomorets Balchik from V AFG Northeast and Nesebar from V AFG Southeast, Etar Veliko Tarnovo from V AFG Northwest and CSKA Sofia from V AFG Southwest. Chernomorets Balchik refused to participate for financial reasons,^[2] while a new club CSKA Sofia was formed with the merger of Chavdar Etropole and Litex Lovech and was invited by the Bulgarian Football Union directly to the newly formed First League.^[3]

In return, four teams were relegated to the Third League: Dobrudzha Dobrich, Septemvri Simitli, Lokomotiv Mezdra and Litex Lovech II.

Club Movements Between V Group and the Regional Groups

• Northeast: Ticha Dolni Chiflik and Dve Mogili were relegated last season to regional divisions. Benkovski Byala, Himik Devnya and Shumen did not apply for participation. Dobrudzha Dobrich was relegated from B Group. Marisan Ruse merged with Ruse into Lokomotiv Ruse, while Inter Plachidol moved to Dobrich. The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Spartak Varna, Dorostol Silistra and Hitrino.
• Northwest: Yantra Gabrovo, Botev Kozloduy and Gigant Belene were relegated from last season to regional divisions. Lokomotiv Mezdra, relegated from B Group last season, was not granted permission to participate due to unpaid dues to the Bulgarian Football Union. The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Miziya Knezha and Kom Berkovitsa. Dunav 98 Selanovtsi merged with Botev Kozloduy into Parva Atomna Kozloduy, while Botev Lukovit merged with Litex Lovech into Litex Lovech.
• Southeast: Chernomorets Burgas and Sliven were relegated from last season to regional divisions, while Spartak Plovdiv resigned shortly before the start of the season. Levski Karlovo joined the Second League. The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Atletik Kuklen, Arda Kardzhali, Vereya II, Elhovo and Lyubimets. The latter took the place of Spartak Plovdiv.
• Southwest: Balkan Varvara and Lokomotiv Sofia relegated from last season to regional divisions. Vitosha Bistritsa and Septemvri Sofia joined the Second League. Furthermore, Sofia 2010 merged into Tsarsko Selo and also joined the Second League. Septemvri Simitli was relegated from B Group. The new clubs promoted from the regional divisions were Chavdar Etropole, Hebar Pazardzhik, Marek Dupnitsa, Svoboda Peshtera and Balkan Botevgrad. Malesh Mikrevo merged with Pirin Razlog to form Pirin Razlog (11th in B Group last season and subsequently merged with Septemvri Sofia); Chiko Byaga merged with Hebar Pazardzhik into Hebar Pazardzhik, and Pravets merged with Chavdar Etropole into Chavdar Etropole.

Northeast group

Stadia and locations

Botev

Chernomorets

Dobrudzha

Dorostol

Hitrino

Inter

Kaliakra

Kubrat

Lokomotiv

Spartak

Suvorovo

Svetkavitsa

Septemvri

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Location of teams in 2016–17 Northeast Third League

Football league season

Regular season

Source: bulgarian-football.com, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.^[12]
(D) Disqualified; (R) Relegated
Notes:

1. Marisan Ruse merged with Ruse into Lokomotiv Ruse on 23 June 2016.
2. On 19 December 2016, Spartak Varna were deducted 3 points for non-attendance of their game against Chernomorets Balchik.^[9] On 22 February 2017, following non-attendance of their game against Kubrat, Spartak Varna were expelled from the league. All remaining fixtures are awarded 0–3 against them.^[10]
3. Inter Plachidol moved to Dobrich on 17 June 2016.
4. On 10 October 2016, Inter Dobrich resigned from participation, according to the club as a manner of protest against inadequate punishment of their player. All fixtures involving the team were annulled.^[11]

Championship round

Source: bulgarian-football.com, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.^[13]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted

Relegation round

Source: bulgarian-football.com, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.^[13]

Southeast group

Stadia and locations

Arda

Asenovets

Atletik

Borislav

Dimitrovgrad

Elhovo

Eurocollege

Gigant

Karnobat

Lyubimets

Maritsa

Minyor

Rakovski

Rozova Dolina

Svilengrad

Uragan

Vereya II

Zagorets

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Location of teams in 2016–17 Southeast Third League

Football league season

League table

Source: bulgarian-football.com, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.^[12]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

1. Zagorets declined promotion due to financial and organizational reasons; runners-up Maritsa Plovdiv took their place.^[17]
2. Vereya II ahead of Gigant Saedinenie and Svilengrad on head-to-head record; Vereya II 8 pts, Gigant Saedinenie 5 pts, Svilengrad 2 pts.
3. Minyor Radnevo ahead of Arda Kardzhali on head-to-head record; Arda Kardzhali–Minyor Radnevo 3–1, Minyor Radnevo–Arda Kardzhali 2–0.
4. Lyubimets took the place of Spartak Plovdiv after the latter declared its withdrawal on 11 August 2016.

Northwest group

Stadia and locations

Bdin

Kariana

Miziya

Kom

Levski

Litex

Juventus

Partizan

Parva Atomna

Pavlikeni

Sevlievo

Vihar

Akademik

Tryavna

Yantra

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Location of teams in 2016–17 Northwest Third League

Football league season

League table

Source: bulgarian-football.com, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.^[22]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

1. Botev Lukovit merges with reestablished Litex Lovech into Litex Lovech.
2. Dunav 98 (Selanovci) merges with Botev Kozloduy into Parva Atomna.
3. Pavlikeni ahead of Yantra Gabrovo on head-to-head record; Yantra Gabrovo–Pavlikeni 0–1, Pavlikeni–Yantra Gabrovo 1–1.
4. Tryavna ahead of Miziya Knezha on head-to-head record; Miziya Knezha–Tryavna 1–1, Tryavna–Miziya Knezha 0–0.

Southwest group

Stadia and locations

Balkan

Belasitsa

Botev

Chavdar

Chepinets

Germanea

Hebar

Marek

Minyor

Pirin Gotse Delchev

Pirin Razlog

Rilski Sportist

Septemvri

Slivnishki Geroy

Strumska Slava

Svoboda

Velbazhd

Vihren

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Location of teams in 2016–17 Southwest Third League

Football league season

League table

Source: bulgarian-football.com, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.^[26]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

1. Slivnishki Geroy ahead of Belasitsa Petrich on head-to-head record; Belasitsa Petrich–Slivnishki Geroy 1–0, Slivnishki Geroy–Belasitsa Petrich 2–0.
2. Chiko Byaga merges with Hebar Pazardzhik into Hebar Pazardzhik.
3. Pravets merges with reestablished Chavdar Etropole into Chavdar Etropole.
4. Malesh Mikrevo merges with reestablished Pirin Razlog into Pirin Razlog.
5. Botev Ihtiman ahead of Germanea Sapareva Banya on head-to-head record; Germanea Sapareva Banya–Botev Ihtiman 1–3, Botev Ihtiman–Germanea Sapareva Banya 1–0.
6. Vihren Sandanski ahead of Svoboda Peshtera on head-to-head record; Svoboda Peshtera–Vihren Sandanski 1–6, Vihren Sandanski–Svoboda Peshtera 3–1.
7. Svoboda Peshtera was supposed to be relegated to A RFG Pazardzhik since two clubs from the Southwest region (Bansko and CSKA Sofia II) were relegated from 2016–17 Second League. However, CSKA Sofia II refused to participate in 2017–18 Third League, thus Svoboda Peshtera kept its place in the league.^[25]

References

1. "The New Format and New Name of the Competition" (in Bulgarian). Sportal.bg. 7 June 2016.
2. "Балчик се отказа от "Б" група заради липса на финансиране" (in Bulgarian). Varnautre.bg. 14 June 2016.
3. "БФС призна ЦСКА на Ганчев и го пусна в Първа лига" (in Bulgarian). Dnevnik.bg. 29 June 2016.
4. "Spartak Varna vs. Dorostol 7–0". Soccerway.com. 8 October 2016.
5. "Dobrudzha vs. Kubrat 7–0". Soccerway.com. 11 March 2017.
6. "Botev Novi Pazar vs. Suvorovo 0–5". Soccerway.com. 26 October 2016.
7. "Dorostol vs. Hitrino 5–2". Soccerway.com. 27 August 2016.
8. "Lokomotiv Ruse vs. Kubrat 5–2". Soccerway.com. 20 November 2016.
9. "Решения СТК" (in Bulgarian). bfu-tournaments.com. 19 December 2016.
10. "Решения СТК - 22.02.2017" (in Bulgarian). bfu-tournaments.com. 22 February 2017.
11. "ФК ИНТЕР - Добрич се отказва от участие в III лига СИ група (2016/2017)" (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian Football Union. 10 October 2016.
12. "Third League - Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
13. "Североизточна Трета лига - Регламент" (in Bulgarian). bulgarian-football.com. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
14. "Югоизточна Трета лига 2016/17 – Всички голмайстори" (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian-Football.com. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
15. "Uragan Boyadzhik vs. Rakovski 11–1". Soccerway.com. 22 April 2017.
16. "Lyubimets vs. Zagorets 0–7". Soccerway.com. 20 May 2017.
17. "Марица прие! Ще играе във Втора лига!" (in Bulgarian). plovdivnews.net. 1 June 2017.^{[permanent dead link]}
18. "Очаквана "оранжева" доминация" (in Bulgarian). Sportal.bg. 11 June 2017.
19. "Sevlievo vs. Kom Berkovitsa 11–0". Soccerway.com. 12 March 2017.
20. "Kom Berkovitsa vs. Bdin 0–10". Soccerway.com. 28 May 2017.
21. "Kariana Erden vs. Yantra Gabrovo 11–3". Soccerway.com. 23 April 2017.
22. "Third League - Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
23. "Germaneya vs. Chepinets 11–1". Soccerway.com. 21 August 2016.
24. "Chepinets vs. Pirin Gotse Delchev 0–8". Soccerway.com. 9 November 2016.
25. "Официално: Свобода запазва мястото си в Трета лига" (in Bulgarian). pazardjik.marica.bg. 5 June 2017.
26. "Third League - Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 23 August 2016.