BKS Stal Bielsko-Biała
Full name | Bialski Klub Sportowy STAL | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | South Boys | ||
Ground | III liga | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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BKS Stal Bielsko-Biała is a Polish sports club, with two departments: the men's
History
BKS Stal Bielsko-Biala (full name: Biala Sports Club Stal Bielsko-Biala) was founded in 1922 in Biala Krakowska, the town which in 1951 merged with Bielsko, to form
Football
From the very beginning, the officials of BKS were determined to form a football team. Apart from footballers, BKS had the departments of table tennis and gymnastics. In 1927, a stadium was built in Biala. To commemorate this occasion, an international football tournament took place, with teams from
In May 1945, following
Until 1973, BKS Stal remained in the regional leagues, either 4th or 3rd level. In 1973, its football team won promotion to the Second Division. With a new, extremely wealthy sponsor (
In 1981 Stal returned to the Second Division, and after one year, it was again close to the promotion to the Ekstraklasa, finishing the 1981/82 season as the second team, behind GKS Katowice. In 1982/1983, Stal was relegated. In 1980, Stal's U-19 team was Polish runner up, losing 0–2 to Polonia Bydgoszcz in the final game of the U-19 championship.
After the relegation of 1983, Stal so far has not returned to the Second Division. It was close in 1984, 1985 and 1987. In 1989, Stal was relegated to the fourth level, to return to the third level after one year. In the 1990s, Stal played either in the 3rd or 4th level, and in 2003, the team found itself in the 5th level. In the late 2000s Stal returned to the third level
Achievements
- 2nd spot in the Second Division: 1974, 1982,
- runner up of the U-19 Polish Championship: 1980.
Volleyball
The women's volleyball team plays in the highest League in Poland, with several youth teams and scouting system. The reserve team (BKS II) plays in the Third Division. BKS is one of the most successful teams in the country: they have been especially successful since the late '80s, winning consecutive titles and numerous cups. The dominance has continued well into the new millennium and the club is consistently still among the top ranked teams in the country. Recent seasons:
- 2003-04 season: Polish Champion 2004- 1st place in Seria A.
- 2004-05 season: 4th place in Seria A.
- 2005-06 season: 5th place in Seria A.
- 2006-07 season: 3rd place in Seria A.
Other sections
At the height of the clubs expansion, after the 1960s and 1950s, the club had 22 different sports departments. Only two remain to this day, and the declining economy and lack of money during the
Supporters and rivalries
BKS fans usually focus on football team due to the culture around the sport, however, they do sometimes support the women's volleyball team too for important games. The fans are usually nicknamed South Boys, and frequently highlight the fact they are the most southward major club in Poland. They have friendships with fans of Zagłębie Sosnowiec and Olimpia Elbląg, in the past they used to have a friendship with fans of Legia Warsaw. Their biggest rivals are fellow locals Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała with whom they contest the Bielsko-Biała Derby, however, they also have rivalries with most Upper Silesian teams.
Achievements
Football
- Second DivisionRunners-up: 1973/74, 1981/82
- U-19 Polish Champions: 1980
Volleyball
League
- Champions: (8): 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2010
- Second (4): 1987, 1992, 1994, 1995
- Third (4): 1993, 1997, 2000, 2007
Cup
- Polish Cup Winner (7): 1979, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2004, 2006, 2009
- Finalist (10): 1977, 1987, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2007 (second team)
References
External links
- Official club website
- Official Volleyball team website
- Official Football team website
- 90minut.pl Football team profile
See also
- BKS Bielsko-Biała - (Women's volleyball)
- Volleyball in Poland
- Football in Poland
- Sports in Poland