Atlético de Rafaela

Football club infobox
clubname = Atlético de Rafaela


fullname = Asociación Mutual Social y
Deportiva Atlético de Rafaela
nickname = "Crema (Cream)", "Cremero"
"Celeste"
founded = January 13, 1907
ground = Estadio Rafaela,
"Nuevo Monumental",
Rafaela, Santa Fe
capacity = 16,000
chairman = Ricardo Tettamanti
manager = Juan Amador Sánchez
league = Argentine second division
season = 2007-08
position = 8th
pattern_la1=_white_stripes|pattern_b1=_3stripesonwhite|pattern_ra1=_white_stripes
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pattern_la2=_whitelower|pattern_b2=|pattern_ra2=_whitelower
leftarm2=FF9933|body2=FF9933|rightarm2=FF9933|shorts2=000000|socks2=FFFFFF
pattern_la3=_white_hoops|pattern_b3=_hoops_white|pattern_ra3=_white_hoops
leftarm3=00CCFF|body3=00CCFF|rightarm3=00CCFF|shorts3=000000|socks3=FFFFFF

The Asociación Mutual Social y Deportiva Atlético de Rafaela, usually referred to just as Atlético de Rafaela, is an institution of the city of Rafaela, in Argentina, with a professional football team, currently playing in the Argentine second division. The Rafaela derby is played between Atlético de Rafaela and Club Sportivo Ben Hur.

In 1907 "Club Atlético Argentino de Rafaela" were founded in the city of Rafaela, Santa Fe Province. In 1915 the name was changed to "Club Atlético de Rafaela". The "Monumental de Barrio Alberdi" concrete stadium was erected in 1951.

The club was turned into a non-profit organization in 1988 renamed to its current denomination of "Asociación Mutual Social y Deportiva Atlético de Rafaela" ("Social and Sport Association Rafaela Athletic"). Only a year later the club finally reached the second division after defeating "Atlético Ledesma de Jujuy" by 3-0.

Atlético de Rafaela played 14 years in the second division until before winning the Apertura 2002 and the Clausura 2003 to finally reach first division. After losing the "promoción" against Huracán de Tres Arroyos, Atlético de Rafaela were relegated back to the second division.

The following season they lost their chance to return to the first division after losing the "promoción", against Argentinos Juniors, and stayed in the second division where they currently play.

Atlético de Rafaela fans are referred as "Cremosos" or "Celestes" and the "Barra de los Trapos" is the group of people that follows the team everywhere.

The institution has also, since 1919, an important car racing circuit, which is host of many competitions, including Turismo Carretera (since 1941) and TC-2000 (since 1983).

Notable players

* Gustavo Alfaro (1988-1992)
* Carlos Bonet (1998-2001)
* Mauro Cantoro (1996-1997, 2000-2001)
* Ángel Comizzo (2003-2004)
* Darío Gandín (2001-2004)
* Gonzalo Del Bono (1997-1999, 2000-2006, 2007-present)
* Gabriel Schürrer (1989-1900)
* Ibrahim Sekagya (2001-2002)
* Emanuel Villa (2003-2004)

External links

* [http://www.atleticoderafaela.com.ar/ Unofficial site] es icon
* [http://www.mundoascenso.com.ar/_Nacional_B/0506_Apertura/ficha_club/atl_rafaela.html Primera B teams - Rafaela]
* [http://www.futboldeascenso.com/clubes.asp?club_nombre=Atlético%20de%20Rafaela&categoria_club=Nacional%20B Team micro-site] es icon