Club

Our history

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From the foundation to Serie A

It was on 21 April 1940 that eight football enthusiasts, led by Count Alberto Rognoni, decided to found Associazione Calcio Cesena, thus beginning to write a new and indelible chapter in the history of the city of Cesena and of Italian football.

Exactly thirty-three years later, on 10 June 1973, the Cavalluccio secured its first promotion to Serie A, bringing Romagna to the pinnacle of Italian football for the very first time.

The Golden Age

Under the leadership of President Dino Manuzzi, the Cavalluccio made its mark among the footballing elite, also securing a historic qualification for the UEFA Cup in 1976. From the 1970s onwards, the Bianconeri moved steadily between Serie A and Serie B, thanks to the quality of players who created unforgettable moments for the club: from Ceccarelli to Cera, from Schachner to Agostini, and then through the charisma, passion and spirit of sacrifice for the Cavalluccio always displayed on the pitch by Cuttone, Hubner, Jozic, Oddi and Piraccini, to name just a few of the Bianconeri legends of that era.

The 2000s and the return to Serie A

Nineteen years after their last appearance, in 2010 Cesena celebrated their return to Serie A following a magnificent run that saw the Cavalluccio, led by manager Pierpaolo Bisoli, achieve an unforgettable double promotion from Serie C to Serie A.

The Bianconeri returned to the forefront of the nation’s most prestigious football stages and became known as a springboard for many young Italian players, who in the following years would also feature for the national team: Biondini, Carnesecchi, Giaccherini, Parolo and Sensi are just some of the talents who came through the ranks at Cesena.

The Rebirth

In 2018, following the bankruptcy of Associazione Calcio Cesena, a group of local entrepreneurs committed themselves to ensuring that the Bianconeri’s history could continue, and Cesena Football Club was founded. Starting from Serie D, the club was able to return immediately to professional football.

In 2021, JRL, now led by the Aiello family, acquired a majority stake in the club, becoming the first foreign ownership in Cesena’s football history. After a triumphant season in Serie C, with a points record that remains unbeaten to this day, Cesena FC returned to Serie B in 2024, continuing to grow and looking to the club’s future development with confidence and ambition.