Macedonia Football Clubs Association (Greek: Ένωση Ποδοσφαιρικών Σωματείων ΜακεδονίαςÉnosi Podosferikón Somatíon Makedonías or Ε.Π.Σ.Μ.) is an association responsible for administering football in the Prefecture of Thessaloniki. It was formed in 1924 as Football Union of Macedonia and Thrace (Greek: Ποδοσφαιρική Ένωση Μακεδονίας ΘράκηςPodosferikí Énosi Makedonías Thrákis) and it administrated football in the regions of West Macedonia, Central Macedonia and East Macedonia and Thrace.[1] Since 1935 its area of responsibility was restricted within the borders of the Prefecture of Thessaloniki.[1] Founding members of the union were Aris, Iraklis and Megas Alexandros.[1]
Current
Nowadays the Union runs 4 amateur divisions (fourth to seventh tier in a national level), with 238 clubs participating in them,[1] and a cup competition between the clubs that are members of the Union, and participate either in the Union's championships or in the semi-professional Gamma Ethniki. 238 football clubs participate in the championships organised by the Union itself.[1] 9 clubs of the union participate in the Delta Ethniki championship,[2][3] 2 in Football League 2,[3][4] 1 in Football League[3][5] and 3 in the Greek Superleague.[3][6] It also holds U-16 and U-18 sides that compete in the respective national interregional championships.[citation needed]
From its foundation to 1959 (the year of the foundation of the nationwide championship of Alpha Ethniki) the Union of Football Clubs of Macedonia organised a league that was considered the top tier of football in Northern Greece, and its winner was proclaimed "EPSM champion".
^ abcdeιστορία της Ένωσης (in Greek). Union of Football Clubs of Macedonia official site. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
^ abcdτα σωματεία μας (in Greek). Union of Football Clubs of Macedonia official site. Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
