But it is heavy in Beer Sheva following the passing of former footballer Shalom Avitan, the great symbol of Hapoel Beer Sheva and the club's all-time goalscorer, who suffered in recent years from serious medical problems and passed away at the age of 73. Avitan revealed about two years ago that he was in a state of poor kidney function and needed a transplant.
The club paid tribute to the star of the past after they were informed of the evil of the decision: "At this time we are supporting Sharon Avitan, his son and former player of the club and the former professional director of the youth department, and the entire Avitan family. May you never know any more sorrow? May his memory be blessed."
Avitan, born in Marseille, France, came to Hapoel Be'er Sheva at the age of 21 from the city rival Beitar and scored in his first game in 1972 against the Maccabi Netanya network. He was released after a year and moved to Beitar Jerusalem, but in 1975 he returned to the capital of the Negev and was a part of Hapoel's victory Beer Sheva in the second championship in its history. With the exception of one season in Hapoel Jerusalem (1980/81), Avitan continued in Hapoel Beer Sheva until 1985 and became the all-time goal scorer with 100 goals. In 1986 he won the second championship in his career, this time with Hapoel Tel Aviv, and then played for Hapoel Ashdod and retired.
After his retirement, he coached several teams in the lower leagues, including Beitar Beer Sheva where he grew up. His last team was Hapoel Dimona in 2000, from which he resigned after about a week and a half. Sharon's son Avitan and his nephew Niso Avitan followed in his footsteps and also wore the Hapoel Beer Sheva uniform.
Avitan, who made two appearances for the Israeli national team, was known for his tremendous kicks from a distance and his spectacular goals, but also for his mouth that produced jokes and quite a few controversial statements. He always said what was on his mind, which often caused conflicts with his coaches or with teammates such as Meir Bard, Rafi Eliyahu and Jackie Dekel.
In 1976 Avitan was involved in a shooting incident, when he took the gun of the captain who secured Hapoel Beer Sheva in an away match in the Intertoto Cup, aimed it at the temple of Yochanan Wallach and said: "I will shoot you." Wallach warned Avitan, his hand moved and a bullet was fired of the gun and passed by Wallach's head, who came out of the incident unscathed. Avitan claimed that he did not know that the gun was loaded in 2011, but was acquitted a few months later.