Dila
FC Dila Gori is a Georgian professional football club founded in 1949 and based in Gori. The club competes in the Erovnuli Liga, Georgia's top football division, and plays their home matches at the Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium. Throughout their history, Dila have achieved significant success in Georgian football, winning all three domestic competitions including the Erovnuli Liga championship in 2014-15, the Georgian Cup in 2011-12, and the Georgian Super Cup in 2025.
History
Overview
General information about the club
FC Dila takes part in the Erovnuli Liga, the first tier of Georgian football, and plays their home games at the Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium. The club has won all three domestic competitions throughout their history and has represented Georgia in UEFA club competitions multiple times.
Most recent season and achievements
In 2024, the team was sitting on top of the table at half season and closed in on achieving their best result in ten years. However, they first squandered the lead and eventually, after suffering a narrow home defeat on the final day of the season, slumped to 3rd place. In 2025, Dila secured their first title in ten years after convincing victories over the league champions and cup holders in a four-team Super Cup tournament.
History
Early years
Founded in 1949, the club was named after poem "Dila" (literally - morning) written by Joseph Stalin, who was born in the city and spent his youth there. Until 1961, they played under the name Dinamo Gori in Group A of Georgian republican championship. Following the second place in 1965, the next year Dila took part in the Soviet third league and despite an unbeaten run at home, finished 11th among 20 clubs in zone 4, Group B.
Successful period
In 1969, Dila won the competition among the Caucasian teams. The club played several seasons in zone 4 of the Soviet Second League and after 1979 moved to zone 9 where Transcaucasia was represented. In 1967, 1974, and 1986, Dila reached the 3rd place which was their best result in the Soviet third division.
The club achieved their biggest success in the 2014/15 season under 25-year-old head coach Ucha Sosiashvili. Dila, whose squad included experienced players Aleksandre Kvakhadze, Irakli Modebadze and Nika Kvekveskiri, entered the title race in an early stage and concluded the season with six points clear from their two immediate rivals. Forward Irakli Modebadze became a league topscorer with 16 goals.
Crisis and recovery
In 1990, Georgia formed an independent league, which included all clubs from the first three Soviet football divisions. Before 2000 Dila were an average team sitting in mid-table, but in the second decade their performance deteriorated. Although most of the seasons Dila participated in the top league, twice they were relegated to Liga 2 and once to Liga 3.
Facing some financial difficulties, FC Dila as a municipal property was sold at a public auction in 2016. As a result, Israeli business group Starsportinvest took charge of the club in October 2016.
Current period
In 2010, the rise started with Dila gaining two consecutive promotions within two years. In 2012 the club clinched their first title after winning the Georgian Cup and during the next five seasons four times represented Georgia in qualifying rounds of UEFA club competitions, including the Champions League. Also, twice in a row Dila participated in Europa League play-offs. During this period, they were reinforced by national team members Nukri Revishvili, Giorgi Navalovski, Otar Martsvaladze and Mate Vatsadze.
For three consecutive seasons starting from 2020 Dila emerged victorious from long tight contests over the league bronze medals. In 2023, they finished on equal points with Torpedo but missed out on the 3rd place due to disadvantage in head-to-head statistics only.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Erovnuli Liga - Champions: 2014–15 - Runners-up: 2012–13 - Bronze medals: 2015–16, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
Georgian Cup - Winners: 2011–12
Georgian Super Cup - Winners: 2025 - Runners-up: 2012, 2015
Continental and global competitions
Dila debuted in UEFA competitions in 2004. Although the club did not obtain an Intertoto Cup slot based on their league position, they replaced a higher placed team, which abstained from the participation. After being held to a goalless draw at home, Marek Dupnitsa beat Dila in the return leg.
As the cup winners, the team reached Europa League play-offs in 2012. During this campaign Dila eliminated two opponents, including Anorthosis Famagusta, which was further subjected to UEFA sanctions for crowd disturbances occurred during their home game. Dila similarly prevailed in two rounds of the competition the next year, before their road to the group stage was blocked by Rapid Vienna. The team's performance against Igor Tudor's Hajduk Split was widely hailed this season.
Symbols and Colors
Traditional home and away kits colors
The club's colors are red and light blue.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Stadium
The club play their home matches at the Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium, a 5,000 seater football stadium situated in Gori.