FK Rabotnički

FK Rabotnički (Macedonian: ФК Работнички) is a football club that plays at the Philip II Arena in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. They currently compete in the Macedonian First League.

History

Rabotnički is widely regarded within Macedonia as a famous football club from Skopje, also known as ‘railway football club’, FK Rabotnički was formed in 1937. For a long time, Rabotnički competed in the Second Federal League of the former Yugoslavia or the Republic League of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia. They also competed in the First Federal League of SFR Yugoslavia for two years. Since the Republic of Macedonia became an independent country, Rabotnički constantly competes in the Macedonian First League. In all these years since its establishing in 1937, Rabotnički has always been among the best clubs, and has always been a good representative of Macedonian football. The club's most successful years were those between 2001 and 2008 when the club was acquired by the famous company Kometal. Since it was acquired by Kometal (2001), Rabotnički showed constant progress: in 2002/03 they finished second in the national league and competed in the UEFA Cup, (2004/05) they won the national championship and competed in the qualifications for the UEFA Champions League, and in (2007/08) they had their best year by winning the double crown. Kometal and Trifun Kostovski left Rabotnički and took over Vardar in 2008. The following year they won the Macedonian Cup for the second time in club history.

On 14 July 2009, they faced Crusaders FC of Northern Ireland in the UEFA Europa League 2nd qualifying round; the 1st leg was drawn 1–1.^[1][1] They managed to win the second leg 4–2 and went out in the 3rd qualifying round against Odense BK after losing 3–7 on aggregate.

On 16 July 2010, they were drawn against Liverpool in the UEFA Europa League 3rd qualifying round.^[2] In the first leg on 29 July 2010, they lost 2–0, losing the return leg 2–0 a week later.^[3]

In July 2011, they were named the best club in the World by the IFFHS. The winning streak of five games in the Europa League, from which four were in July, plus a win against Bregalnica Štip in the first round of the domestic league were more than enough for the International Federation of Football History & Statistics to name Rabotnički as the "Best club in the World for July 2011". ^[4]

Veterans

Association of Veterans of Rabotnički has been functioning informally since the forming of the club Rabotnički itself, since 1937.

Officially, the association of the veterans of Rabotnički is formally registered in front of the competent court of law with approval number 29/05 in 18.02.2005,and it is notified in the register of the associations of citizens an foundations under registration number 1928 by the name Rabotnički “Veterans”- Skopje with main office in Skopje, city park in large numbers. This association inherited the property of legal entity on 18 February 2005. Apart from this right, of independent legal entity, the association is functioning in association with Rabotnički, generally comparing its policies, delegate its own members in the governing bodies of the club, gives its own opinions, suggestions, and proposals of a common interest, and all this with a purpose-achieving greater results and giving real affirmation of the club in both Macedonia and abroad.

Basic sources of financing of the association are: enrolment fee, sponsorship, as well as goods that are supplied and sold by the club. Members of the association are: Active members whom have spent a number of years in the running of the club as well as sportsmen who were active football players in the club for many years, as well as many citizens who have shown an interest in joining the association. Accordingly the association has members from all branches of society life including:Lawyers,professors, directors of famous companies, ambassadors, coaches, famous football players-representatives and many other famous persons from the sport and public life.

President of the association since its inception is the Lawyer Dragan Popovski, the Secretary-General is Gojko Stojanovski, and the selector is Jastrat Janevski. It is with special interest that we mention that the association of veterans of F.C. Rabotnički is first of it’s kind in Republic of Macedonia. From the moment of creation, the association, has shown great development of football matters, whilst creating and expanding upon friendly relations with other football clubs both in Macedonia and abroad.

To this end the association has established friendly sporting relations with teams from Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia and Sweden among others. The association Rabotnički Veterans is a regular participant in the traditional Albena Cup, held in Albena, Bulgaria every year. As well as in competitive games with teams in Bulgaria it has played a couple of games with teams from Romania with teams from Turkey and with teams from Serbia .

Almost with every concerned with the association have through hard work and persistence gained excellent results and helped it win numerous cups and international recognition.

The successful activity of the association continues further more. As charged and responsible inheritors of the positive changes are Dokovski, Popovski, Lazarov, Milosevski, Zefic, M. Andreevski, G. Stojanovski, D. Stojanovski, Janevski, N.Bogoevski, S.Bogojevski, Dzipunov, Janev, Jovevski, Jugilizov, Bojcevski, Ilievski, Petkovski.

Training Camp

The training camp of Rabotnički is located in the city park (opposite of the Philip II Arena, where Rabotnički is playing the official matches in the Macedonian League and European competition. At the moment there are three completely renovated football fields (two with flood lighting). At the end of 2007 new facilities as a back–up for the football fields were built: containing dressing rooms, rooms for rest, a restaurant, gym and fitness area, a medical room and all sport and medical care infrastructures that are at the service of the players and support better conditions for work and better performance for the club.

Achievements

First Macedonian Football League: 3

• 2005, 2006, 2008

Macedonian Cup: 2

• 2008, 2009

Macedonian Republic League: 10

• 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1966, 1968, 1973, 1977, 1980

Rabotnički in Europe

• Q = qualifier
• R1 = first round
• PR = play-off round

Current squad

As of 30 September 2011

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Coaching staff

As of 29 June 2011.^[5]

Former players

Supporters

There are two supporters groups. The supporters group Legija V was formed back in 2008. They follow the club everywhere and support the players at every game. Before 2008 there was the group called Romantičari (formed in 2001) which was dissolved. The supporters group Debar Maalo was formed for Macedonian cup final vs. Makedonija GP in 2009.

References

External links

• Official Website (Macedonian)
• Club Info at Macedonian Football (English)
• Football Federation of Macedonia (Macedonian)
• Rabotnički on Facebook