Cypriot Third Division
Introduction The '''Cypriot Third Division''' (Greek: Πρωτάθλημα Γ΄ Κατηγορίας) is the third tier football league competition in Cyprus, run by the Cyprus Football Association. Each year, the top finishing teams of the league are promoted to the Cypriot Second Division, and the lowest finishing teams are relegated to the STOK Elite Division.
History The Cypriot Third Division was held for the first time in the 1970–71 season as the third level of the Cypriot football. All the teams played against each other twice, once at their home and once away. The team with the most points at the end of the season crowned champions. This is the league's current format until present time.The only season when the championship not held was during the 1974–75 season. Due to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus which forced many teams that had their headquarters to the north Cyprus to be closed temporarily or permanently, CFA decided to have a Special mixed championship of Second & Third Division. In this championship could participate all the teams of the Second and Third Division. Participation was optional. The championship had two geographical groups. The winners of each group were playing against each other in the final phase and the winners were the champions of the league. The winner was considered as the 1974–75 Cypriot Second Division champions.Until the 1983–84 season, the teams that were relegated from the Cypriot Third Division were taking part in the next season's amateur leagues. From the 1984–85 season until the 2013–14 season, the teams that were relegated from the Cypriot Third Division were taking part in the next season's Cypriot Fourth Division. Since the 2014–15 season, the teams that are relegated from the Cypriot Third Division are taking part in the next season's STOK Elite Division.From 1971–72 season until 2007–08 season, the Third Division teams were taking part in the Cypriot Cup. No Third Division team ever reached the final or the semifinals, but they managed to qualify to the quarter-finals once (Chalkanoras Idaliou in 1987–88). Since 2008–09 season, the Third Division teams are not allowed to participate in the Cypriot Cup, but they can take part to the Cypriot Cup for lower divisions (participation in this cup is not compulsory).
Structure The championship have the same structure since its foundation. All the teams are playing against each other twice, once at their home and once away. The team with the most points at the end of the season are crowned champions. In every season, the champions or the first teams were promoted to the Second Division, but in some seasons the relegation to the lower divisions didn't existed.===Current format (2018–19)===Sixteen clubs are competing in the league, playing each other twice, once at home and once away for a total of 30 games per team. The top four teams are promoted to the Cypriot Second Division and the bottom four are relegated to the STOK Elite Division.===Points system===The points system of the Cypriot Third Division changed during the years:# From 1970–71 until 1990–91 season, teams were awarded two points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat.# Since 1991–92 season (until present time), teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat.
Teams The sixteen teams which participate in the 2023–24 Cypriot Third Division are: * AEP Polemidia* Anagennisi Deryneia* APEA Akrotiri* APEP Pitsilia* ASPIS Pylas* Chalkanoras Idaliou* Ethnikos Latsion*  Ethnikos Assia* Geroskipou* Kedros Ayia Marina Skylloura* Iraklis Gerolakkou* Kouris Erimis* Olympias Lympion* Omonia Psevda* Ormideia FC* Spartakos Kitiou
Winners The table presents all the winners of the Cypriot Third Division. Season Winner 1970–71 Keravnos Stovolou 1971–72 Ethnikos Asteras Limassol 1972–73 Neos Aionas Trikomou 1973–74 Iraklis Gerolakkou 1974–75 Not held 1975–76 Ermis Aradippou 1976–77 Akritas Chlorakas 1977–78 Adonis Idaliou 1978–79 Orfeas Nicosia 1979–80 Iraklis Gerolakkou 1980–81 Kentro Neotitas Maroniton 1981–82 Digenis Akritas Ipsona 1982–83 THOI Lakatamia 1983–84 Adonis Idaliou 1984–85 Orfeas Athienou 1985–86 APEP Limassol 1986–87 Elpida Xylofagou 1987–88 Digenis Akritas Morphou 1988–89 Digenis Akritas Ipsona Season Winner 1989–90 APEP Pelendriou 1990–91 Othellos Athienou 1991–92 PAEEK 1992–93 AEZ Zakakiou 1993–94 Othellos Athienou 1994–95 Ethnikos Latsion 1995–96 Ermis Aradippou 1996–97 Rotsidis Mammari 1997–98 AEZ Zakakiou 1998–99 Chalkanoras Idaliou 1999–00 THOI Lakatamia 2000–01 ASIL Lysi 2001–02 SEK Agiou Athanasiou 2002–03 PAEEK 2003–04 APOP Kinyras 2004–05 SEK Agiou Athanasiou 2005–06 AEM Mesogis 2006–07 Ermis Aradippou 2007–08 PAEEK  Season Winner 2008–09 Akritas Chlorakas 2009–10 Chalkanoras Idaliou 2010–11 Ethnikos Assia 2011–12 AEK Kouklia  2012–13 Karmiotissa Pano Polemidion 2013–14 Elpida Xylofagou 2014–15 THOI Lakatamia 2015–16 Akritas Chlorakas 2016–17 P.O. Xylotymbou  2017–18 Onisilos Sotira 2018–19 Digenis Akritas Morphou 2019–20 Interrupted 2020–21 PAC Omonia 29M 2021–22 Peyia 2014 2022–23 Digenis Akritas Morphou===Performance By Club=== Club Winners Winning seasons Akritas Chlorakas 3 1977, 2009, 2016 Digenis Akritas Morphou 3 1988, 2019, 2023 Ermis Aradippou 3 1976, 1996, 2007 PAEEK 3 1992, 2003, 2008 THOI Lakatamia 3 1983, 2000, 2015  Iraklis Gerolakkou 2 1974, 1980 Adonis Idaliou 2 1978, 1984 Digenis Akritas Ipsona 2 1982, 1989 Elpida Xylofagou 2 1987, 2014 AEZ Zakakiou 2 1993, 1998  Othellos Athienou 2 1991, 1994 Club Winners Winning seasons SEK Agiou Athanasiou 2 2002, 2005 Chalkanoras Idaliou 2 1999, 2010 Keravnos Strovolou 1 1971 Ethnikos Asteras Limassol 1 1972 Neos Aionas Trikomou 1 1973 Orfeas Nicosia 1 1979 Kentro Neotitas Maroniton 1 1981 Orfeas Athienou 1 1985 APEP Pitsilia 1 1986 APEP Pelendriou 1 1990 Ethnikos Latsion 1 1995 Club Winners Winning seasons Rotsidis Mammari 1 1997  ASIL Lysi 1 2001 APOP Kinyras 1 2004 AEM Mesogis 1 2006 Ethnikos Assia 1 2011 AEK Kouklia 1 2012 Karmiotissa 1 2013 P.O. Xylotymbou  1 2017 Onisilos Sotira 1 2018 PAC Omonia 29M 1 2021 Peyia 2014 1 2022
Number of participating, promoted and relegated teams per season The number of the participated teams and the number of the teams that were promoted to the Cypriot Second Division and the teams that were relegated were changed many times during the years.Season'''N.''''''P.''''''R.''' 1970–71 1220 1971–72 1140 1972–7314101 1973–741210 1975–76810 1976–771211 1977–781111 1978–791011 1979–801210Season'''N.''''''P.''''''R.''' 1980–811322 1981–821422 1982–831422 1983–841321 1984–851623 1985–861430 1986–871423 1987–881423 1988–891423Season'''N.''''''P.''''''R.''' 1989–901423 1990–9114323 1991–9214233 1992–9314233 1993–94141455 1994–951450 1995–961433 1996–971433 1997–981433Season'''N.''''''P.''''''R.''' 1998–991433 1999–00143637 2000–011430 2001–021433 2002–031433 2003–041433 2004–051433 2005–061433 2006–071433Season'''N.''''''P.''''''R.''' 2007–081433 2008–091433 2009–101433 2010–111433 2011–1214328 2012–131442 2013–141423 2014–151431 2015–1616321No relegation, but two teams were expelled from the CFA on the category of match-fixing.2The 3rd placed team played playoff matches against the 12th team of the Second Division. The Third Division team won and promoted to the Second Division.3The 3rd placed team played playoff matches against the 12th team of the Second Division and lost.4The 2nd placed team played playoff matches against the 9th team of the Second Division and lost.5The 9th placed team played playoff matches against the 2nd team of the Fourth Division. The Third Division team won and remained to the Third Division.6The 4th placed team played playoff matches against the three last teams of the Second Division and lost.7The last three teams played playoff matches against the 4th team of the Fourth Division. The winner was the 4th team of the Fourth Division and so the last three teams of the Third Division were relegated.8The 12th placed team played playoff matches against the 4th team of the Fourth Division and won. So only 2 teams were relegated.
Participations per club So far, 101 teams participated in the Cypriot Third Division since 1970–71 (including the 2016–17 season). Team '''Par. '''Adonis Idaliou23Ethnikos Assia21Iraklis Gerolakkou20AEK Kythreas19Achyronas Liopetriou19THOI Lakatamia18Elpida Xylofagou17Othellos Athienou16AEZ Zakakiou15Akritas Chlorakas14Digenis Akritas Morphou14Ethnikos Latsion13A.O. Ayia Napa12AEK Katholiki12ASIL Lysi12Neos Aionas Trikomou12PAEEK12Anagennisi Deryneia11Digenis Akritas Ipsona11Chalkanoras Idaliou11Doxa Katokopias10Ermis Aradippou10ASO Ormideia9ENAD Polis Chrysochous9Kentro Neotitas Maroniton9MEAP Nisou9 Team '''Par. '''Anagennisi Germasogeias8Achilleas Kaimakli8Digenis Oroklinis8Elia Lythrodonta8Tsaggaris Peledriou18Faros Acropoleos8APEP Pitsilia27Olimpiada Neapolis7Orfeas Athienou7Orfeas Nicosia7OXEN Peristeronas7Spartakos Kitiou7Frenaros FC7APEP Pelendriou6ENAD Ayiou Dometiou6Enosis Kokkinotrimithia6SEK Agiou Athanasiou6Ormideia FC6AEK Ammochostos5AEK Kakopetrias5AEK Kouklia5Apollon Lympion5Ethnikos Asteras Limassol5Ethnikos Defteras5Kinyras Empas5 Team '''Par. '''AEK/Achilleas Ayiou Theraponta4AEM Mesogis34AEM Morphou4Rotsidis Mammari4Anagennisi Larnacas3ASOB Vatili3Atromitos Yeroskipou3ENAZ Agia Zoni Limassol3Enosi Neon Ypsona-Digenis Ipsona3Keravnos Strovolou3Kissos FC Kissonergas3LALL Lysi3Libanos Kormakiti3Omonia Aradippou3Poseidon Larnacas3Sourouklis Troullon3Fotiakos Frenarou3AEK Karava2Amathus Ayiou Tychona2Anagennisi Trachoni2APEI Ipsona2Apollon Athienou2ATE PEK Ergaton2Doxa Paliometochou2Enosis Neon Parekklisia2 Team '''Par. '''Livadiakos Livadion2Nikos & Sokratis Erimis2Olympias Lympion2Olympos Xylofagou2Onisilos Sotira2Parthenon Zodeia2P.O. Xylotymbou2Finikas Ayias Marinas2FC Episkopi1AEN1Alki Oroklini1AMEP Parekklisia1Ayia Napa1APOP Kinyras1Dynamo Pervolion1Ethnikos Achna1Ellinismos Akakiou1Th.O.I Avgorou1Karmiotissa Pano Polemidion1Kouris Erimis1Konstantios & Evripidis Trachoniou1Livadiakos/Salamina Livadion1Peyia 20141PEFO Olympiakos1POL/AE Maroni11 The team has 7 participations as Tsaggaris Peledriou and 1 participation as Sotirios Pelendriou.2 The team has 4 participations as APEP Limassol and 3 participations as APEP Pitsilias.3 The team has 2 participations as AEM Mesogis and 2 participations as AEM Mesogis/Giolou.League or status at 2016–17: 2016–17 Cypriot First Division (6) 2016–17 Cypriot Second Division (11) 2016–17 Cypriot Third Division (16) 2016–17 STOK Elite Division (8) No longer affiliated with CFA (18) Clubs that no longer exist (42)
See also * Football in Cyprus* Cypriot football league system* Cypriot First Division* Cypriot Second Division* STOK Elite Division* Cypriot Cup* Cypriot Cup for lower divisions
References
External links *  Cyprus Football Association