FK Vardar
Full name | Fudbalski klub Vardar / Фудбалски Клуб Вардар | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Црвено-Црни / Crveno-Crni (The Red-Blacks) | ||
Short name | Vardar, VAR | ||
Founded | 22 July 1947 | ||
Ground | Boris Trajkovski Stadium, Skopje | ||
Capacity | 3,000 | ||
Owner | Komiti Skopje | ||
Chairman | Milorad Milenkovski | ||
Manager | Gorazd Mihajlov | ||
League | Macedonian First League | ||
2022–23 | Macedonian Second League, 3rd (promoted) | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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Active departments of Sports Club Vardar
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Football | Basketball | Handball |
FK Vardar (
History
Beginning
After WW2 FK Vardar was established with the merger of city rivals FK Pobeda (1919) and FK Makedonija (1922), in the hall of cinema "Vardar" on 22 July 1947. The foundation assembly had decided the club's color to be blue and it was, but already at the next assembly the decision was changed to red and white. FK Pobeda has competed in the first season of the Federal League after the World War II, finished at the eighth place and won the relegation playoffs against FK Sloga from Novi Sad, FK Vardar was a member of the Federal league from the very beginning. However, during the following decade they were several times relegated and promoted back again. The present recognizable red and black color jerseys were brought back again after the 1963 Skopje earthquake when the famous Milan football club sent equipment for the Skopje's team.[1]
First Federal League
The club won its first major trophy in the
Rank | Club | G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | FK Vardar | 1041 | 343 | 252 | 444 | 1249 | 1528 | −279 | 933 |
After independence
Vardar celebrated
Rank | Club | G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FK Vardar | 768 | 439 | 180 | 149 | 1428 | 651 | +777 | 1438 |
Memorable moments
In their history, FK Vardar has had many memorable matches. The first big one came in 1961 against Dunfermline from Scotland, victory at home ground 2:0 glorious moments in Cup winners Cup. Among those, the one that stands out the most was defeating
First time in Europa League group stage
In the
Grounds
Gradski Park Arena
The Toshe Proeski Arena with a capacity of 33,460 spectators, it ranks among the 10 biggest stadiums in the Balkans. The field is of 105 x 68 m dimensions. There are two big boards that are located on the east and west sides, size 18 × 6 m. The Toshe Proeski Arena has 494 VIP seats and 386 seats for the media on the northern stand. 80% of the space in Toshe Proeski Arena is sheltered in case of bad weather. The Toshe Proeski Arena is a multifunctional sports facility located in Skopje, Macedonia. It is named after Philip II of Macedon and is mostly used for football matches. On 25 July 2012, one of the most visited matches of FK Vardar against FC BATE Borisov was played in the second qualifying round of the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League. The west stand is known by the Komiti, FK Vardar's most faithful fans.[15] National Arena Toshe Proeski was the host of 2017 UEFA Super Cup, Macedonia's first UEFA club competition final.[16]
Hipodrom Training Ground
The Hipodrom Training Ground training camp of is one of the most impressive football facilities, built not only on the territory of Macedonia and the surrounding region. Designed according to modern facilities which are at the disposal of the strongest European teams, this complex provides FK Vardar's first team players with all necessary conditions for the normal training process. Having in use the training center which cost 4 million €, the Vardar footballers received the following benefits offered by their new professional home:
- Two football fields, one of which is artificial and one natural base and most sophisticated drainage system, which allows top condition for the training in all weather conditions. Both pitches are lit with spotlights, which provides the opportunity for our first team players and coaching staff to perform their daily duties in the evening.
- 16 rooms and three suites designed for daily and quarantine residence of the players and the technical staff of the most successful domestic club.
- Room for theoretical and video analysis of the opponents.
- Restaurant for footballers, and coffee shop that also can be used by visitors to the facility.
- Medical Center
- Spa Center
- Rooms for individual analysis and discussions
- Premises for professional staff
- The facility is located in the Skopje suburb of Hippodrome on the east entrance of the city, near the complex intended to foster Equestrian sports.
Considering that the existence of adequate infrastructure is the most fundamental prerequisite for the football game FC Vardar received a modern training camp as it has long deserved. Simply, our present and future, the coaches and the footballers, right on this place will build, time and adjust the form, which is supposed to soar Vardar to the desired heights on the international stage in European competitions.
The longtime dream of generations of Vardar fans, for ranking in the group stage of the Champions League and the Europe League, we could now rightly say, that from day to day will start turning into reality. The first step towards a given target has been made with the implementation of the plan for the construction of the "red-black" professional training center.[17]
Vardar Football Academy
The FK Vardar Football Academy is one of the most modern sports facilities intended for work with youth categories, which are built not only on the territory of Macedonia, but in the surrounding region. As an institution for development of young football talents, the work of the academy is organized according to the standards of the famous clubs of Europe's elite. The Secrets of the football game under the guidance of their coaches and other professionals, will be learned by more than 400 boys, juniors of the most successful Macedonian club. The construction of this capital facility in the city park of Skopje, covers an area of 1,152 square metres (12,400 sq ft), for the Vardar's juniors use with the following sports and administrative contents:
- Football pitch with artificial grass, an area of 8700 m2 and dimensions of 130 meters in length and 65 in width. The terrain is also illuminated by spotlights to enable our juniors to train in the evening.
- Four dressing rooms for the footballers and two dressing rooms for coaches with a surface of 50 m2, equipped with central ventilation and underfloor heating.
- Classroom for theoretical instruction and sports education, covering 70 m2 and a capacity for 30 people.
- Offices for administration
- Economy Office
- Technical and auxiliary premises
A lot of top proven footballers came from the famous Vardar Football School in the time of the history, and this is witnessed by the numerous trophies won in the junior competitions of the Macedonian and the ex-Yugoslavia scene. Now, with the new working conditions, Vardar will be a regional leader in the creation of new football "pearls" that will successfully carry the jersey of our club and the national team of North Macedonia in the coming period. Guided by the thought that children are our greatest treasure and that the future belongs to them, investing in their football development and building of sports habits, has always been and will remain our top strategic priority.[18]
Supporters
FK Vardar supporters are known as "Komiti". Komiti are the first organized supporters group of
The reason for it was simple: In the last decade of the 19th century and the early 20th century, when Macedonia was still under Ottoman rule, the revolutionaries that had been organized under IMRO were called komitadjis, as in members of the Macedonian Committee. This name is very strong and the meaning of the name is closely linked with their goals, this is why they decided not to use one like the standard unimaginative names such as Brigate, Commando, Ultras, Boys, etc. And so, the name 'KOMITI' was selected for the newborn Ultra group.
The team has always been a symbol of the Macedonians and in the diaspora. Komiti have great relations with FK Teteks fans "Vojvodi" and FC Schalke 04 fans "Ultras Gelsenkirchen".[20]
Rivalries
Eternal Derby
The fixture between Vardar and
Skopje derby
FK Vardar and FK Shkupi (formerly defunct FK Sloga Jugomagnat) is the main derby in the city, as both clubs have active organised support.[21] This rivalry is drawn along ethnic lines as FK Vardar fans are Macedonians and Orthodox Christians, while FK Shkupi are Albanians .[20] Rabotnički is the other team in Skopje with organised fans, although the rivalry is rarely manifested on the football pitch, it is widely upheld however in handball and basketball.
Inter-regional rivalries
Vardar has a strong rivalry with FK Pobeda. Like the rivalry with GFK Tikvesh.[22] There is also a friendly "brotherhood derby" with FK Teteks the fans of these two clubs have been dubbed as "Orthodox Brothers".
Honours
- As of 24 May 2023[23]
Domestic League
- Winners (11): 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2019–20
Domestic Cup
- Winners (1): 1960–61
- Winners (12): 1955–56, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1991–92
European
Balkans Cup
European history
FK Vardar's first competitive
FK Vardar became the first Macedonian club to qualify for the group stages of a European competition, after beating Fenerbahçe S.K. in the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League playoffs.
Regional Competitions
Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1964–66 | Balkans Cup | Group A | Spartak Plovdiv
|
0–3 | 1–4 | 4th out of 4 | |
Farul
|
0–4 | 0–1 | |||||
Olympiacos | 2–2 | 0–1 | |||||
1966–67 | Balkans Cup | Group B | AEK Athens | 1–1 | 0–1 | 4th out of 4 | |
Lokomotiv Sofia | 0–3 | 1–4 | |||||
Farul
|
4–0 | 0–2 | |||||
1967–68 | Mitropa Cup | R16 | LASK | 2–1 | 0–0 | 2–1 | |
QF | Cagliari | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2–0 | |||
SF | Spartak Trnava | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–4 | |||
1968–69 | Mitropa Cup | R16 | Admira Wien | 2–2 | 0–3 | 2–5 | |
1969–70 | Mitropa Cup | R16 | Vasas | 2–3 | 1–1 | 3–4 | |
1971–72 | Balkans Cup | Group A | Kavala | 5–1 | 0–1 | 1st out of 3 | |
Shkëndija Tiranë
|
1–1 | 1–1 | |||||
Final | Trakia Plovdiv
|
4–0 | 0-5 | 4-5 | |||
1973–74 | Balkans Cup | Group B | Partizani | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1st out of 3 | |
Larissa | 7–0 | 3–0 | |||||
Final | Akademik Sofia | 0–0 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
UEFA ranking
- As of 31 January 2019[24]
Rank | Country | Team | Points |
---|---|---|---|
207 | FC Kairat Almaty |
5.000 | |
208 | FK Vardar | 5.000 | |
209 | Anorthosis Famagusta FC | 4.985 |
Players
Current squad
- As of 26 January 2024[25]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Club officials
Technical staff
Manager | Gorazd Mihajlov |
Assistant coach | Marjan Gerasimovski |
Goalkeeping coach | Bojan Dimkovski |
Physiotherapist | Jovan Dimovski |
Physiotherapist | Toshe Trajkovski |
Source: [25]
Board members
Chairman | Slobodan Krstevski |
Sporting Director | Vlatko Kolev |
Secretary | Nikola Stojanovski |
Technical Operator | George Spasovski |
Technical Secretary | Biljana Blazevska |
Security Commissioner | Aleksandar Kolevski |
Source: [25]
Club records
- As of 29 May 2017[26]
- Most goals scored: Andon Dončevski (217 goals).
- Best goal scoring ratio: Darko Pančev 207 matches/132 goals (0,65 goals per match).
- Most league goals scored: Vasil Ringov (97 goals).
- Most league goals scored in one Macedonian First League season: Saša Ćirić 1992–93 (36 goals).
- Most goals scored in European competition: Wandeir2003–05 (12 goals).
- Most appearances: Kočo Dimitrovski 845 (416 league matches), Metodije Spasovski 647 (375 league matches), Gjore Jovanovski 486 (271 league matches).
- Most accomplished coach: Gjoko Hadžievski (5 league titles and 2 national cups).
- Biggest win in Macedonian league: 30 May 1993, FK Vardar 11–0 FK Vardarski.
- Biggest win in UEFA competition: 19 June 2004, Ethnikos Achnas1–5 FK Vardar.
- Biggest single game attendance: 1985–86 Yugoslav First League, FK Vardar–Red Star Belgrade (30,000 spectators). FK. Vardar-FC. Bate Borisov 0:0 (31.322 spectators) First Round Champions League (2012–2013)
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Низ годините" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "All-Time Table". .rsssf.com. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ UEFA.com Archived 13 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine Sparta end Vardar challenge
- ^ "All Time Table". .rsssf.com. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "Големо "реми" за Вардар од Малме!" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 12 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Победа, радост и пласман во третото коло од ЛШ!" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 18 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Храбрите Вардарци го победија и Копенхаген во ЛШ!" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Вардар поразен од Копенхаген и елиминиран од ЛШ" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 2 August 2017. Archived from the original on 14 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Вардар со два гола позитива ќе патува во Истанбул" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 17 August 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Вардар победи во Истанбул и напиша ИСТОРИЈА!" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 24 August 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Лига на Европа: Вардар во групата "Л" со Зенит, Реал Сосиедад и Розенборг" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 25 August 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Убедлив пораз од Зенит на стартот во Лигата на Европа" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ ""Црвено-црните" поразени од Розенборг во Трондхајм" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 28 September 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Пак стоиме мирно и со почит пред моќна шпанска армада – Реал Сосиедад го декласира Вардар со 6:0" (in Macedonian). Sportmedia.mk. 19 October 2017. Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
- ^ "Стадион" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ UEFA (9 August 2016). "FYR Macedonia to host 2017 UEFA Super Cup". UEFA. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
- ^ "Тренинг камп" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "Академија ФК Вардар" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "The history of Komiti (Vardar Skopje)". ultrasspirit.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Interview". ultras-tifo.net. 28 March 2010. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "Derby in Skopje!". ultras-tifo.net. 5 April 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "Shkëndija fans with choreo against Serbia". ultras-tifo.net. 19 October 2014. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "Трофеи" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 29 April 2023. Archived from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "UEFA coefficients". UEFA. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ a b c "Тим 2016/2017" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ "Рекорди" (in Macedonian). fkvardar.mk. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 23 February 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
External links
- Official website (in Macedonian)
- FK Vardar on Facebook(in Macedonian)