Forlì Calcio: Promotion to Serie C with Record of Wins Under the Guidance of Miramari

A gallery, to stay in the post-war period, which includes the Forlì of Magheri and Zanetti led by mister Zattoni (1963-64), followed by the 'Forlivesi' team trained by Santarelli who went up to C in 1967-68; then the Forlì of Vulcano Bianchi, also promoted to Serie C (1976-77) and the one that almost reached B, trained by Cinesinho, in 1979-80. The latest feats? The Forlì of the Coppa Italia of mister Bonavita in 1995 and that of the last championship of Serie D won, before last Thursday, with the company refounded by Luciano Linari, in 2011-12, and with mister Bardi on the bench.

The start of the season that is now ending was Sunday, September 8: a slow start for the Galletti, who were forced to a goalless draw at Morgagni by the usual bête noire Sammaurese. Then three consecutive victories (two away from home), with second place two points behind the surprising Tau Altopascio who on October 6, on the fifth day, widened the gap to +5 by beating Galletti 2-1.

The second home stumble on matchday eight: Forlì cannot go beyond a home draw (1-1) with Lentigione and the standings see Altopascio in the lead with a full score of 24 points, with the Galletti chasing with 17 points. Then, after two successes, on Saturday 9 November there is the derby at the Benelli stadium and Ravenna, relaunched by the care of mister Marchionni, awaits Forlì, winning 2-0 at the end of a match in which, however, the red and whites do not do badly at all, indeed they even play better than their rivals, but complaining (rightly) about a refereeing that is too home-based. At the end of that 11th matchday Forlì is third with 21 points, behind Tau Altopascio (25) and Ravenna who has put in a move up to 22 points.

At this point the winning mentality of the Galletti emerges, who try the first assault on the Bardian record of eight consecutive victories. The attempt leads the Miramari team to equal that winning streak, on the 19th day (Sunday 12 January), beating United Riccione 3-0 and flying to the lead with 45 points, followed by Ravenna (44) and Tau (42). The following Sunday, at home, Forlì hosts the apparently harmless Zenith Prato who, however, surprisingly wins 2-3; the Galletti are thus caught by the two pursuers for an unprecedented three-way match.

From this point, Forlì, incredibly, will win every match (12 in a row), thus engaging a gear that the contenders cannot have. On January 26, the red and white team wins 0-3 over Corticella, Miramari's former club, with goals from Macrì, Sbardella and Lilli and begins a march that, in fact, will know no obstacles, aided by the goals of Petrelli, a striker of another category. After the 1-0 sealed by Petrelli over Tau, the series continues: the toughest match, on February 23, on the Lentigione field with the new purchase Trombetta who plays the most precious note, scoring the winning goal in the 96th minute.

The standings, after 25 rounds, see Forlì in the lead, at 60 points, ahead of Ravenna (58) and the declining Altopascio (52). The 'Vecchia Romagna' challenge between the teams of the two provincial capitals continues with the same gap until the direct clash. Sunday 23 March, in front of a packed Morgagni, the match that is worth a season sees Forlì settle the score with the Giallorossi beaten more clearly than the final 3-2 signed by goals from Falasca, Trombetta and that Macrì who is decisive in the final sprint would suggest.

At this point Forlì flies to +5 from Ravenna: the worst is done. Until the triumph on Thursday when the referee's final whistle at 16,57 sanctions the 1-0 over Pistoiese and the triumph of 'Record-breaking team'.