IIn December 1908 the F.A.S. (Football Association Studenti) was created by eight students aged between 15–16 years. The best players from these teams came together to form Novara Calcio, and made their debut in the Italian league on 3 November 1912.In the years between World War I and World War II, Novara formed together with Pro Vercelli, Alessandria and Casale to make the so-called "quadrilatero piemontese" (Piedmont Quadrilateral). Novara's highest finish came in 1952 when they finished in eighth place in Serie A. During these years of staying in the top flight, Novara had Lazio legend Silvio Piola to thank. His many goals (which at the end of his career was over 300), made a huge contribution to the cause of Novara. Following his death in 1996, the stadium at which Novara play was dedicated in his name. In 1956 came relegation to Serie B, and another five years afterwards, they slipped down to Serie C due to a fraudulent complaint by a Sambenedettese player. A few good seasons in Serie B followed, but then Novara stumbled again in 1977 with relegation to Serie C and worse in 1981 to Serie C2. In the 1995–96 season, Novara were back in Serie C1, but this joy was short-lived as the following year, the biancoazzurri again had to deal with relegation. Years were spent in the shadows of Italian football until more recently when the league was won in the 2002–03 season. Consolidation in Serie C1 followed, later becoming Lega Pro Prima Divisione, until the historic promotion of the 2009–10 season where the club returned to Serie B after 33 years. In June 12 2011, Novara remarkably secured its promotion to Serie A after an absence of 55 years, by defeating Padova in the play-off final.
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