Ever wondered about the rich history of Como 1907? This Italian football club, founded in 1907, has experienced a rollercoaster of triumphs and challenges. From its early days playing on makeshift pitches to the grand opening of the Sinigaglia Stadium, Como 1907 has seen it all. The club has navigated through economic hardships, wartime disruptions, and even two bankruptcies. Yet, it has always bounced back, thanks to passionate players, dedicated coaches, and visionary owners. Today, under the ownership of SENT Entertainment and the Hartono brothers, Como 1907 is not just a football club but a symbol of resilience and ambition. Dive into these 50 fascinating facts to learn more about this iconic team.
Key Takeaways:
- Como 1907, a historic Italian football club, faced financial struggles but rose again under new ownership. They now aim to become a premier soccer tourism destination, attracting tourists to the region.
- With a rich history dating back over a century, Como 1907 has experienced triumphs and challenges, including bankruptcy and relegation. Under new ownership, they have climbed from Italy’s fourth division to Serie B.
The Origins of Como 1907
Como 1907 has a rich history that dates back over a century. Let's explore the early days of this storied Italian football club.
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Founding: Como 1907 was founded on May 25, 1907, as Como Foot-Ball Club by a committee of members gathered at the Taroni bar in Via Cinque Giornate.
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First Match: The club's first match was played in the spring of 1906, with a team from the nearby Rowing Club “Canottieri Lario” facing caretakers and Native Americans from the Buffalo Bill Circus. The match ended in a draw and inspired the founding of the club.
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First Official Pitch: The first official pitch was inaugurated on October 1, 1911, in Via Dei Mille. This marked a significant milestone for the club, allowing them to participate in formal competitions.
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Promotion League: In 1912, Como participated in the Promotion League after having a grandstand built at their new pitch. This participation marked a significant step towards professional football for the club.
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Gustavo Carrer: The arrival of Gustavo Carrer, a striker for the Italian national team, in 1913 brought professionalism to the club. This led to Como's promotion to the First Category league, equivalent to today’s Serie A.
Challenges and Triumphs
Como 1907 faced numerous challenges, including economic problems and world events, but also enjoyed moments of triumph.
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World War I: During World War I, the suspension of leagues did not dampen the enthusiasm for football in Como. The team continued to play and remained in the First Category league.
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Economic Problems: In 1922, the club faced economic problems and was relegated despite being top of their First Division group and third place in the final group.
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Merger with Esperia: In 1926, Como and Esperia were forced to merge to form Associazione Calcio Comense. The new team, coached by Gustavo Carrer, started in the First Division league.
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Sinigaglia Stadium: On July 30, 1927, Prince Umberto di Savoia inaugurated the Sinigaglia Stadium, where Como 1907 still plays today.
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Serie B Promotion: In the 1930-31 season, under coach Gedeon Lukacs, Como won the First Division league and were promoted to Serie B without losing a single match, a record never achieved by any other team.
Post-War Era and Serie A
The post-war period saw Como 1907 rise to new heights, including their first experiences in Serie A.
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Serie B Stay: Como stayed in Serie B until 1935 under the leadership of Adolfo Balonceri and Cevenini III. However, after further economic problems, the team was relegated to the Promotion league in 1936.
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Name Change: The name Comense was dropped, and the club became Associazione Calcio Como in 1936.
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Post-War Era: After World War II, the club experienced a resurgence under coach Eraldo Monzeglio, who introduced a more offensive playing form and restructured the youth academy.
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Serie A Return: In 1946, under Monzeglio’s direction, Como was promoted to Serie A several days in advance after finishing first in Serie B.
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System Playing Method: The team adopted the “System” playing method under Mario Varglien, which led to effective results and beautiful play. This period saw Como finish first in Serie B and secure promotion to Serie A.
Unique Policies and Achievements
Como 1907 had unique policies and achieved significant milestones during their time in Serie A.
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Italian Players Only: During their time in Serie A, Como chose to field only Italian players, earning sympathy throughout the peninsula for their patriotic stance.
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Serie A Leadership: In the 1951-52 Serie A season, Como became the sole leader of Serie A for the first time in its history, finishing one point ahead of Inter, Juventus, Milan, and Napoli.
Financial Struggles and Rebirth
Como 1907 faced financial difficulties that led to bankruptcy, but the club managed to rise again.
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Bankruptcy and Relegation: Consecutive financial difficulties led to the club’s bankruptcy in 2004. They were excluded from professional football and relegated to Serie D, the top level of non-professional football in Italy.
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Re-promotion to Serie C2: After spending three seasons in Serie D, Como earned promotion back to Serie C2 in 2007.
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Second Bankruptcy: A second bankruptcy in 2016 led to a new company re-founding the club in 2017. This new entity was admitted to Serie D.
New Ownership and Vision
The acquisition by SENT Entertainment Ltd. brought new vision and ambition to Como 1907.
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SENT Entertainment Acquisition: On April 4, 2019, Como was acquired by SENT Entertainment Ltd., a UK-based media and entertainment company owned by the Hartono brothers (Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono) through Djarum Group.
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SENT’s Vision: The new ownership envisioned a future where football, tourism, and the Como lifestyle converge. They aimed to transform the club into a premier soccer tourism destination, attracting tourists to the region.
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Promotion to Serie D Championship: Under SENT’s ownership, Como won the Serie D league with an all-time points record in the 2019-20 season, securing promotion to Serie C.
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Serie C Promotion: In the 2020-21 season, despite the global pandemic, Como won Serie C and was promoted to Serie B.
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Serie B Promotion: The club’s promotion to Serie B marked a significant milestone, with the team climbing from Italy’s fourth division to the top tier within six years under SENT’s ownership.
Current Structure and Ambitions
Como 1907's current structure and ambitions reflect their commitment to growth and success.
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Current Ownership Structure: The club currently has the richest club owners in Italian football, with the Hartono brothers owning the majority stake through Djarum Group. Minority shareholders include current head coach Cesc Fàbregas and football legend Thierry Henry.
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Coaching Staff: The coaching staff includes Cesc Fàbregas and Osian Roberts, who played a crucial role in securing the club’s promotion to Serie A. Dennis Wise, former England International, serves as the Sporting CEO, while Mirwan Suwarso is responsible for operating the project.
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Lake Como Setting: The club’s picturesque location on the shores of Lake Como is a unique selling point. The Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia’s waterfront position offers a stunning backdrop for matches and attracts tourists to the region.
Expanding Beyond Football
Como 1907 has expanded its operations beyond football, integrating tourism and retail into its strategy.
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Tourism and Retail: The club has expanded its non-football operations team to manage various departments, including property, facilities, retail, education, community initiatives, media, and communications. Retail revenue has increased significantly through a community-driven distribution network and the sale of Como Fashion brands inspired by Lake Como lifestyle.
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Lake Como Soccer Camp: The club offers the Lake Como Soccer Camp, providing children with professional soccer coaching alongside immersive local activities. A Lake Como getaway package for parents allows them to enjoy a relaxing retreat while their children are engaged at the camp.
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Match Day Experience: The Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia offers a unique experience for Calcio lovers and their sports-aloof partners. Match day tickets are complemented by activities such as cruises to Bellano, making the experience memorable for all attendees.
Global Recognition and Future Prospects
While not yet globally recognized like some giants, Como 1907 is on a path to broader recognition and success.
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Global Recognition: While the club’s brand may not yet hold the global recognition of giants like Juventus or Manchester United, SENT is confident that their multi-tiered strategy will engage a broader audience. The recent promotion to Serie A marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Como 1907.
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Historical Achievements: Como has played professional football in 86 out of 93 Italian campaigns since 1929, earning the distinction of I Biancoblù (the Blue-Whites).
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1930-31 Season: The club’s first piece of silverware was accomplished during the 1930-31 season when they claimed the honour of Serie C champions.
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Post-War Period: Following World War II, Como experienced a period of temporary highs and battles against relegation. However, this period also saw the club’s first experience in Serie A, where they finished sixth in their first year and sixth again in their second year.
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Italian Player Policy: During their time in Serie A, Como chose to field only Italian players, earning sympathy throughout the peninsula for their patriotic stance. This policy was a significant aspect of their identity during that period.
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Serie A Leadership: In the 1951-52 Serie A season, Como became the sole leader of Serie A for the first time in its history, finishing one point ahead of Inter, Juventus, Milan, and Napoli.
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Economic Challenges: Consecutive financial difficulties led to the club’s bankruptcy in 2004. They were excluded from professional football and relegated to Serie D, the top level of non-professional football in Italy.
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Re-promotion to Serie C2: After spending three seasons in Serie D, Como earned promotion back to Serie C2 in 2007.
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Second Bankruptcy: A second bankruptcy in 2016 led to a new company re-founding the club in 2017. This new entity was admitted to Serie D.
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SENT Entertainment Acquisition: On April 4, 2019, Como was acquired by SENT Entertainment Ltd., a UK-based media and entertainment company owned by the Hartono brothers through Djarum Group.
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SENT’s Vision: The new ownership envisioned a future where football, tourism, and the Como lifestyle converge. They aimed to transform the club into a premier soccer tourism destination, attracting tourists to the region.
-
Promotion to Serie D Championship: Under SENT’s ownership, Como won the Serie D league with an all-time points record in the 2019-20 season, securing promotion to Serie C.
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Serie C Promotion: In the 2020-21 season, despite the global pandemic, Como won Serie C and was promoted to Serie B.
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Serie B Promotion: The club’s promotion to Serie B marked a significant milestone, with the team climbing from Italy’s fourth division to the top tier within six years under SENT’s ownership.
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Current Ownership Structure: The club currently has the richest club owners in Italian football, with the Hartono brothers owning the majority stake through Djarum Group. Minority shareholders include current head coach Cesc Fàbregas and football legend Thierry Henry.
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Coaching Staff: The coaching staff includes Cesc Fàbregas and Osian Roberts, who played a crucial role in securing the club’s promotion to Serie A. Dennis Wise, former England International, serves as the Sporting CEO, while Mirwan Suwarso is responsible for operating the project.
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Lake Como Setting: The club’s picturesque location on the shores of Lake Como is a unique selling point. The Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia’s waterfront position offers a stunning backdrop for matches and attracts tourists to the region.
-
Tourism and Retail: The club has expanded its non-football operations team to manage various departments, including property, facilities, retail, education, community initiatives, media, and communications. Retail revenue has increased significantly through a community-driven distribution network and the sale of Como Fashion brands inspired by Lake Como lifestyle.
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Global Recognition: While the club’s brand may not yet hold the global recognition of giants like Juventus or Manchester United, SENT is confident that their multi-tiered strategy will engage a broader audience. The recent promotion to Serie A marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Como 1907, positioning it as a premier destination for football tourism and a symbol of Italian football heritage.
Como 1907: A Storied Legacy
Como 1907's journey through Italian football is nothing short of remarkable. From its humble beginnings in 1907 to the highs of Serie A and the lows of financial struggles, the club has shown resilience and passion. The acquisition by SENT Entertainment and the Hartono brothers has breathed new life into the team, aiming to blend football with tourism and the Como lifestyle. With recent promotions and a picturesque setting by Lake Como, the club is poised for a bright future. The involvement of football legends like Cesc Fàbregas and Thierry Henry adds to the excitement. As Como 1907 continues to climb the ranks, it remains a beloved symbol of Italian football heritage. The club's unique blend of history, ambition, and scenic beauty makes it a fascinating chapter in the world of football.
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