TFF Third League

The TFF 3. Lig (), currently referred to as Nesine 3. Lig for sponsorship reasons, is the fourth level in the Turkish football league system. It was founded in the 2001–02 season as a continuation of then third level division Turkish Third Football League.Turkish Third Football League (in Turkish: Türkiye Üçüncü Futbol Ligi or shortly Üçüncü Lig or 3. Lig) is a defunct football league in Turkey. It was the third level division in Turkish football since its foundation in 1967–68 until the formation of the new league system in 2001-02. The Turkish Third Football League continued as TFF Third League in the new league system after 2001, but this time as the fourth layer. The third level of Turkish League was initially renamed as TFF Second League Category A, later TFF Second League. A comparison of new and old league systems can be seen in "see also" section of this article.

League format

The league is played with 64 teams in four groups. The winners of each group are directly promoted to TFF Second League. In each group the 2nd placed teams through 6th placed teams play promotion play-offs to determine the last two teams to be promoted. Each runner-up placed team of every group will play in the play-off 3rd round. The numbers 3 and 6 and the numbers 4 and numbers 5 will compete in the 1st round in a single match against each other, the numbers 3 and 4 having the home advantage. In the 2nd round the winners of the 1st round will compete against each other in a home and away game. The higher ranked clubs in the league have the home advantage in the second game. In the 3rd round the winners of the second round will play against the league runner-ups in a home and away match, the latter having the home advantage. The play-off finals will be between the winners of the 3rd round in group I versus II and between group III versus IV.
The bottom three teams in each group are relegated to Turkish Regional Amateur League.

Seasons

1967–68 season

League was founded in 1967–68. In the first year 17 teams competed. Two teams relegated from Turkish Second Football League: Beyoğluspor, Davutpaşa. Tekirdağspor, Çanakkalespor, Çorumspor, Elazığspor, Muğlaspor, Düzcespor, Eskişehir Demirspor, Kırıkkalespor, Nazillispor (founded in 1967 and dissolved in 1975), Konya İdman Yurdu, Tarsus İdman Yurdu, Ceyhanspor, Lüleburgazspor, Tekirdağspor, İskenderunspor, and Hatayspor were other teams whose applications were accepted by TFF. At the end of the season winner promoted to TFF Second League, no team relegated.

Promotion and relegation:

Promotion from amateur leagues:

1968–69 season

In 1968–69 new clubs joined: Amasyaspor, Burdurspor, Diyarbakırspor, Ispartaspor, Rizespor, Ankara Sanayi Barbaros. Two groups were formed on geographical basis: Red Group for East and White Group for West. Each group contained 14 teams and one best promoted and one worst relegated in each group.

Promotion and relegation:

Promotion from amateur leagues:

1969–70 season

Promotion and relegation:

Promotion from amateur leagues:

1970–71 season

Promotion and relegation:

1971–72 season

Promotion and relegation:

1972–73 season

Promotion and relegation:

1973–74 season

Promotion and relegation:

1974–75 season

Promotion and relegation:

1975–76 season

Promotion and relegation:

1976–77 season

Promotion and relegation:

1977–78 season

Promotion and relegation:

1978–79 season

Promotion and relegation:

1979–80 season

League was abandoned after the season. All of the teams promoted to 1980-81 Turkish Second Football League

Promotion and relegation:

1984–85 season

League was not played in 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84 seasons. League was refounded after four seasons.

Promotion and relegation:

1985–86 season

Promotion and relegation:

1986–87 season

Promotion and relegation:

1987–88 season

Promotion and relegation:

1988–89 season

Promotion and relegation:

1989–90 season

TFF declared no relegation but announced that professional clubs will be represented only one team in all professional leagues.

Promotion and relegation:

1990–91 season

Promotion and relegation:

1991–92 season

Promotion and relegation:

1992–93 season

Promotion and relegation:

1993–94 season

Promotion and relegation:

1994–95 season

Promotion and relegation:

1995–96 season

Promotion and relegation:

1996–97 season

Promotion and relegation:

1997–98 season

Promotion and relegation:

1998–99 season

Promotion and relegation:

1999–2000 season

Promotion and relegation:

2000–01 season

Promotion and relegation:

Source: TFF. Turkish-Soccer archives and mackolik.com.

2001–02 season

Promotion and relegation:

2002–03 season

Promotion and relegation:

2003–04 season

Promotion from amateur leagues:

Promotion and relegation:

2004–05 season

Promotion from amateur leagues: İskenderun DÇ, Nevşehirspor, Hatay Köy Hizmetleri, Arsinspor, Karsspor, Mecidiyeköy, Yeni Burdur Gençlik, Aroma Akseki.

Promotion and relegation:

2005–06 season

Promotion from amateur leagues: Değirmenderespor, Gazi Belediyespor, Hopaspor, Afyonkarahisarspor, Nilüfer Belediyespor, Konya Şekerspor, Orhangazispor, Küçükçekmecespor.

Promotion and relegation:

2006–07 season

Promotion from amateur leagues: Belediye Vanspor, Bağlum Belediyespor, Sürmenespor, Bozüyükspor, Balıkesirspor, Tepecik Belediyespor, Orhangazi Gençlerbirliği.

Promotion and relegation:

2007–08 season

Promotion from amateur leagues: Körfez Belediyespor, Konya Şekerspor, Tavşanlı B TKİ Linyit, Torbalıspor, Bafra Belediyespor, Malatya Belediyespor, Bingöl Belediyespor.

Promotion and relegation:

2008–09 season

In 2008–09 season the league contained 51 clubs spread out over 5 groups with 10 or 11 clubs. The groups were determined in regions. The top two clubs from each group qualified to the ''Promotion Group''. The remaining groups with other teams were called ''Classification Groups''. Top four teams in ''Promotion Group'' are directly promoted to TFF Second League. The three teams classified 5th to 7th in ''Promotion Group'' join the extra ''play-offs'' with the top teams from each of the 5 ''Classifying Groups''. These 8 teams play a knockout competition (in neutral venue) to determine the last two teams to be promoted. The bottom two teams of ''Classifying Groups'' are relegated to the ''Amateur Leagues''.

Promotion from amateur leagues: Menemen Belediyespor, Bandırmaspor, Keçiören Belediyespor, TKİ Tavşanlı Linyitspor, Bağlar Vuralspor.

Promotion and relegation:

2009–10 season

In 2009–10 season league was played by 53 teams, 11 teams in groups 1–4 and 9 teams in group 5. Top two teams of ranking groups again promoted to promotion group. Top two teams of promotion group directly promoted to 2010–11 TFF Second League. The Third team was determined by extra play-offs between 3rd–5th teams of promotion group and winners of classification groups. Last three teams in groups 1–4 and last team in group 5 were relegated to Regional Amateur League.

Promotion from amateur leagues: Kırıkhanspor, Bayrampaşaspor, Çerkezköy Belediyespor, Tekirova Belediyespor, Muğlaspor, Trabzon Yalıspor.

Promotion and relegation:

2010–11 season

In 2010–11 season status of the league has been changed. League is played with 54 teams in three groups, 18 in each. The groups were determined by casting lots on a non-regional basis. The winners of each group directly promotes to TFF Second League. In each group 2nd through 5th teams play promotion play-offs to determine second team to be promoted to TFF Second League. Bottom three teams in each group were relegated to Turkish Regional Amateur League.

Promotion from amateur leagues: Sivas Dört Eylül Belediyespor, Kırklarelispor, İskenderunspor 1967, Kepez Belediyespor, Sancaktepe Belediyespor.

Promotion and relegation:

Source: Turkish Soccer and TFF league page

2011–12 season

In 2011–12 season status of the league has been changed. League is played with 57 teams in three groups, 19 in each. The groups were determined by casting lots on a non-regional basis. The winners of each group directly promotes to TFF Second League. In each group 2nd through 5th teams play promotion play-offs to determine second team to be promoted to TFF Second League. Bottom four teams in each group were relegated to Turkish Regional Amateur League.

Promotion from amateur leagues: Erzurum Büyükşehir Belediyespor, Erganispor, Beşikdüzüspor, Çarşambaspor, Elazığ Belediyespor, Manavgat Evrensekispor, Kilimli Belediyespor, Aydınspor 1923, Yeni Sandıklı Belediyespor, Maltepespor, Ümraniyespor, Küçükçekmecespor

Promotion and relegation:

2012–13 season

In 2012–13 season status of the league has been changed. League is played with 54 teams in three groups, 18 in each. The groups were determined by casting lots on a non-regional basis. The winners of each group directly promotes to TFF Second League. In each group 2nd through 5th teams play promotion play-offs to determine second team to be promoted to TFF Second League. Bottom three teams in each group are relegated to Turkish Regional Amateur League.

Promotion from Turkish Regional Amateur League: Bergama Belediyespor, Silivrispor, Kahramanmaraş Belediyespor, Kayseri Şekerspor, Çorum Belediyespor, Isparta Emrespor, Fatih Karagümrük SK, Derince Belediyespor and Refahiyespor

Promotion and relegation:

2013–14 season

In 2013–14 season league is played with 54 teams in three groups, 18 in each. 4 teams relegated from 2012–13 TFF Second League: Denizli Belediyespor, Çamlıdere Şekerspor, Ünyespor, Sakaryaspor. Eleven teams promoted from 2012–13 Turkish Regional Amateur League. The groups were determined by casting lots on a non-regional basis. The winners of each group directly promotes to TFF Second League. In each group 2nd through 5th teams play promotion play-offs to determine second team to be promoted to TFF Second League. Bottom three teams in each group are relegated to Turkish Regional Amateur League.

Promotion from Turkish Regional Amateur League: Trabzon Düzyurtspor, Yeni Diyarbakırspor, 1930 Bafraspor, Payas Belediyespor 1975, 68 Yeni Aksarayspor, Adliyespor, Kızılcabölükspor, Balçova Belediyespor, Ayvalıkgücü Belediyespor, Çıksalınspor and Tuzlaspor

Promotion and relegation:

Source: TFF Third League archive.

2014–15 season

In 2014–15 season league is played with 54 teams in three groups, 18 in each. 6 teams relegated from 2012–13 TFF Second League: Çanakkale Dardanelspor, Gaziosmanpaşaspor, Çankırıspor, Eyüpspor, İstanbul Güngörenspor and Bozüyükspor. Nine teams promoted from 2013–14 Turkish Regional Amateur League. The groups were determined by casting lots on a non-regional basis. The winners of each group directly promotes to TFF Second League. In each group 2nd through 5th teams play promotion play-offs to determine second team to be promoted to TFF Second League. Bottom three teams in each group are relegated to Turkish Regional Amateur League.

Promotion from Turkish Regional Amateur League: Bayburt İl Özel İdarespor

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