Associação Desportiva Ferroviária Vale do Rio Doce, usually known as Desportiva Ferroviária, or simply as Desportiva (or as Desportiva-ES), is a traditional Brazilian football club from Cariacica, Espírito Santo state.
Desportiva is currently ranked eighth among Espírito Santo teams in CBF's national club ranking, at 222nd place overall.[1]
On July 7, 1963, the club was founded as Associação Desportiva Ferroviária Vale do Rio Doce, after Vale do Rio Doce, Ferroviário-ES, Cauê, Guarany-ES, Valeriodoce-ES and Cruzeiro-ES fused. These clubs were formed by Companhia Vale do Rio Doce railway employees. Companhia Vale do Rio Doce encouraged the clubs' fusion.[2]
In 1974, Desportiva competed in the Série A for the first time. The club finished in the 34th position.[4]
In 1980, the club competed again in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, finishing in the 15th place. That was the club's all-time best campaign in the competition.[5]
In 1993, Desportiva competed in the Série A for the last time. The club finished in the 29th position.[6]
On April 19, 1999, the club became a private company, and changed its name to Desportiva Capixaba. The senior partner was Frannel Distribuidora de Combustível, later replaced by Grupo Villa-Forte due to Frannel's bankruptcy.[2]
In November 2010, former soccer player Robson Santana was elected by club members as president and a new direction was established in the club.
On April 8, 2011, the club was renamed back to Associação Desportiva Ferroviária Vale do Rio Doce.[7]
In 2013, Desportiva Capixaba won its last title, the Campeonato Capixaba, after beating Aracruz in the final.
The club's colors are grenadine red and white.[9] The club's home kit is composed of grenadine red shirts with white details, grenadine red shorts and white socks.[2]
