Fortaleza Esporte Clube, usually known as Fortaleza, is primarily a football club, but is active in other sports such as futsal, handball and basketball. Fortaleza Esporte Clube is based in Fortaleza, capital of the State of Ceará, Brazil. The club was founded on October 18, 1918. Fortaleza is one of the most traditional clubs in the Northeastern region of Brazil alongside Bahia, Vitória, Santa Cruz, Sport, Náutico and Ceará, its biggest rival. The club's colors are red, blue and white.
History
On 23 February 1912, Alcides Santos founded a club called Fortaleza, and participated shortly after in the founding of the Stella Foot-Ball Club. Finally on 18 October 1918 Fortaleza Sporting Club is born, first denomination of the Fortaleza Esporte Clube. Its colors represent the colors of the French flag, since the founder spent time in France and decided to put the colors of the European country in the Brazilian club. In 1920, they participated in the foundation of the Associação Cearense de Desportos. That same year they got their first Cearense Championship title. In 1951, the Municipality of Fortaleza decided to renovate the Presidente Vargas Stadium. The idea of having a private stadium was reborn in the board since it had its own stadium during the 1920s. In 1957, the club acquired from the land in Bairro do Pici from Mrs. Hedwing, which during the Second World War was where the Americanmilitary base was in Fortaleza, called Post Command, hence the name Pici, transfers it to the Club of Gentilândia in exchange for the new neighborhood. It changed its name to Leão do Pici, a reference to the neighborhood where the Parque dos Campeonatos is located. The Alcides Santos Stadium opened its doors in June 1962, beating Usina Ceará in the inaugural match.
Uniform
Home Uniform: Blue and red shirt with blue pants and white socks.
Away uniform: White and blue shirt with blue pants and blue socks.
Uniform Evolution
Statistics
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
* Player with most goals scored: Rinaldo
* Player with most goals scored in a single tournament: Rinaldo, in 2005
All divisions taken in consideration
* Player with most goals scored: Rinaldo ; in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008
In the 1960's a journalist popularized the Leão, a name that came from the times of Praça dos Leões. The mascot's name is Juba.
Club Structure
Headquarters
The Fortaleza Esporte Clube has its headquarters in the district of Pici, which consists of the Manoel Guimarães administrative headquarters, stadium Alcides Santos stadium, indoor trophies, Hotel Ribamar Bezerra, Otoni Diniz accommodation, dressing rooms, fitness center, and a modern medical department.
Stadiums
They play their games at Alcides Santos Stadium, with capacity for 8,300 people, Estadio Castelão, which can hold 63,903 supporters and Estádio Presidente Vargas, which has a capacity of 20,600.
