Garbarnia Kraków

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Robotniczy Klub Sportowy (Workers Sports Club) Garbarnia Kraków. One of Polish sports clubs from Ludwinow - a historical district of the city of Kraków. Club’s unusual name (Garbarnia in English means Tannery) comes from the nearby tannery of the Dluzynski brothers, which was the original sponsor.

Founded in 1921, Garbarnia’s best years were late 1920s and early 1930s. In 1928, after winning both regional and national qualifiers, the team was promoted to Polish Soccer League. Then, in 1929, it became the vice-champion of Poland, after Warta Poznan.

In 1931 Garbarnia proved its quality, becoming the Champions. It is worth mentioning that Kraków’s side starting lineup consisted of players who had been bought from other clubs, with no Garbarnia’s own athletes. Among top players were Otto Riesner and Karol Pazurek (both the natives of Katowice), who also represented Poland.

In 1937, after 9 years in the League, Garbarnia was relegated. It returned there in 1939, in the unfinished season (see: Polish September Campaign).

After Second World War Garbarnia never regained its spot, playing mainly in games of Polish Second Division, occasionally managing to win promotion to the First Division, only to be relegated after a year or two. 1957 was the last First Division season for the team. Ever since, Garbarnia has never managed to return there. Worst was yet to come. In 1971 the team was relegated to Third, regional Division of Kraków district. Now it plays in Fourth Division, with little chances of regaining its spot and with little interest of few remaining fans.

Garbarnia’s own most famous player is Robert Gadocha, who started his career here.