FK Rabotnički

FK Rabotnički
Full name Fudbalski klub Rabotnički Skopje
Nickname(s) Романтичари (Romantics), Железничaри (Railway Workers), Херојот од Дебар маало (Club Hero from Debar Maalo)
Founded 4 October 1937
Ground Philip II Arena
Capacity 33,460
Chairman Dragan Popovski
Manager Igor Angelovski
League Macedonian First League
2013–14 1st (champions)
Website Club home page

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

FK Rabotnički was founded in 1937 as SK Radnički Skoplje.[1][2] It is widely regarded as the ‘railway football club’. It started competing in the 1938–39 Second League of the Skoplje Football Subassociation which finished 4th out of 5 teams. However the next season Radnički won the league with no defeats among 6 teams and with a goal difference of 45–6, thus earning promotion to the First League of the Skoplje Subassociation. However the 1940–41 season of the First League of the Skoplje Subassociation was interrupted by the start of the Second World War. By the time Radnički had one win, two draws and one defeat.[3]

After the end of the war, for a long time, Rabotnički competed in the Yugoslav Second League 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 in Europe. 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, 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.[4][4] 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.[5] In the first leg on 29 July 2010, they lost 2–0, losing the return leg 2–0 a week later.[6]

In July 2011, they were named the best club in the World for that month 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".[7]

In March 2012, with 674 points on the IFFHS list Rabotnički became the best club from Macedonia in the 21st century.[8]

On 11 May 2014, Rabotnički won their fourth Macedonian First League title.[9] After winning their third Macedonian Cup the previous week, they accomplished the double crown for the 2nd time in club history.

Veterans

Association of Veterans of Rabotnički has been functioning informally since the formation of the club Rabotnički itself, in 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 and 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: enrollment fee, sponsorship, as well as goods that are supplied and sold by the club. Members of the association are: Active members who 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 FK Rabotnički is first of its kind in the Republic of Macedonia. From the moment of creation, the association has shown great development of football matters, while 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 plays its official matches in the domestic 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.

Honours

Socialist Republic of Macedonia Macedonian Republic League:

Republic of Macedonia Macedonian First League:

Republic of Macedonia Macedonian Second League:

Socialist Republic of Macedonia Macedonian Republic Cup:

Republic of Macedonia Macedonian Football Cup:

Recent seasons

Season League Cup Other Competitions
Division P W D L F A Pts Pos
1992–93 2. MFL 38 15 9 14 49 46 39 9th
1993–94 2. MFL West 26 9 4 13 31 38 22 13th
1994–95 2. MFL West 32 11 7 14 47 41 40 11th
1995–96 2. MFL West 30 11 10 9 45 33 43 10th
1996–97 2. MFL West 29 ? ? ? ? ? 38 11th
1997–98 2. MFL West 30 20 7 3 62 18 67 1st ↑
1998–99 1. MFL 26 9 5 12 38 46 32 9th QF
1999–00 1. MFL 26 16 2 8 41 26 50 3rd SF
2000–01 1. MFL 26 12 3 11 43 36 39 6th R2 UEFA Cup QR
2001–02 1. MFL 20 6 3 11 30 41 21 6th R2
2002–03 1. MFL 33 16 6 11 41 35 54 4th R2
2003–04 1. MFL 33 16 10 7 58 40 58 4th SF
2004–05 1. MFL 33 25 3 5 66 23 78 1st QF
2005–06 1. MFL 33 21 9 3 64 26 72 1st R1 Champions League QR2
2006–07 1. MFL 33 19 10 4 75 25 67 2nd QF
2007–08 1. MFL 33 24 7 2 51 11 79 1st W UEFA Cup R1
2008–09 1. MFL 30 13 8 9 40 25 47 4th W Champions League QR1
2009–10 1. MFL 26 15 5 6 38 20 50 2nd RU Europa League QR3
2010–11 1. MFL 33 15 10 8 53 31 55 4th R1 Europa League QR3
2011–12 1. MFL 33 11 8 14 49 45 41 8th RU Europa League PO
2012–13 1. MFL 33 16 5 12 47 42 53 4th R1
2013–14 1. MFL 33 18 8 7 66 35 62 1st W

Key

1st 2nd
Champions Runners-up Promoted Relegated

  • P = Played
  • W = Games won
  • D = Games drawn
  • L = Games lost
  • F = Goals for
  • A = Goals against
  • Pts = Points
  • Pos = Final position

  • GS = Group Stage
  • PR = Preliminary round
  • PO = Play-off round
  • R1 = Round 1
  • R2 = Round 2
  • QF = Quarter-finals
  • SF = Semi-finals
  • RU = Runners-up
  • W = Winners

Rabotnički in Europe

Season Competition Round Club Score
2000/01 UEFA Cup QR Ukraine Vorskla Poltava 0–2, 0–2
2005/06 UEFA Champions League Q1 Latvia Skonto 6–0, 0–1
Q2 Russia Lokomotiv Moscow 1–1, 0–2
2006/07 UEFA Champions League Q1 Luxembourg F91 Dudelange 1–0, 0–0
Q2 Hungary Debrecen 1–1, 4–1
Q3 France Lille 0–3, 0–1
2006/07 UEFA Cup R1 Switzerland Basel 2–6, 0–1
2007/08 UEFA Cup Q1 Slovenia Gorica 2–1, 2–1
Q2 Bosnia and Herzegovina Zrinjski Mostar 0–0, 2–1
R1 England Bolton Wanderers 1–1, 0–1
2008/09 UEFA Champions League Q1 Azerbaijan Inter Baku 0–0, 1–1 (a)
2009/10 UEFA Europa League Q2 Northern Ireland Crusaders 1–1, 4–2
Q3 Denmark Odense 3–4, 0–3
2010/11 UEFA Europa League Q1 Andorra Lusitanos 5–0, 6–0
Q2 Armenia Mika 1–0, 0–0
Q3 England Liverpool 0–2, 0–2
2011/12 UEFA Europa League Q1 Estonia Narva Trans 4–1, 3–0
Q2 San Marino Juvenes/Dogana 1–0, 3–0
Q3 Cyprus Anorthosis 2–0, 1–2
PR Italy Lazio 0–6, 1–3
2014/15 UEFA Champions League Q2 Finland HJK Helsinki 0–0, 1–2
2009–10 UEFA Europa League qualifying match between FK Rabotnički and Crusaders FC at Philip II Arena in Skopje

UEFA club competition record

[10]

Competition GP W D L GF GA
UEFA Champions League145541410
UEFA Cup10325916
UEFA Europa League189273526
UEFA Intertoto Cup000000
Total 42 17 9 16 58 52

UEFA club coefficient ranking

As of 4 June 2013, Source:

Rank Team Points
251Iceland KR Reykjavík4.583
252Israel Beitar Jerusalem FC4.575
253Bosnia and Herzegovina FK Željezničar4.566
254Republic of Macedonia FK Rabotnički4.550
255Bulgaria PFC Cherno More Varna4.450
256Slovenia ND Mura 054.441
257Luxembourg F91 Dudelange4.425

Club records in UEFA competitions

Current squad

As of 12 February 2015

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

No. Position Player
1 Republic of Macedonia GK Daniel Bozhinovski
25 Republic of Macedonia GK Andreja Efremov
6 Republic of Macedonia DF Teodor Fidanoski
11 Republic of Macedonia DF Goran Siljanovski
14 Republic of Macedonia DF Darko Velkovski
18 Republic of Macedonia DF Ninoslav Dodevski
26 Republic of Macedonia DF Mite Cikarski
27 Republic of Macedonia DF Milan Ilievski
2 Republic of Macedonia MF Mario Nastevski
8 Germany MF Stephan Vujčić
No. Position Player
15 Republic of Macedonia MF Kire Markoski
16 Republic of Macedonia MF Ardi Selmani
17 Republic of Macedonia MF Milovan Petrovikj
24 Republic of Macedonia MF Dushko Trajchevski
7 Kosovo FW Suad Sahiti
9 Nigeria FW Chuma Anene
10 Republic of Macedonia FW Bazhe Ilijoski
13 Republic of Macedonia FW Tihomir Fidanoski
22 Republic of Macedonia FW Marjan Altiparmakovski
23 Republic of Macedonia FW Milan Ristovski

Coaching staff

As of 26 June 2013[11]

Position Name Nationality
Manager Igor Angelovski  Macedonian
Assistant Coach Tomislav Franc  Macedonian
Assistant Coach Marjančo Andreski  Macedonian
Goalkeeping Coach Dragi Atanasovski  Macedonian
Fitness Coach Vladimir Vuksanović  Macedonian
Doctor Jane Janevski  Macedonian
Physiotherapist Angele Milevski  Macedonian
Econom Stojan Vučkov  Macedonian
Econom Vesna Dimčevska  Macedonian
IT Kiril Kolekjeski  Macedonian

Club Management

Position Name Nationality
Chairman Dragan Poposki  Macedonian
Vice-Chairman Risto Poposki  Macedonian
Director of football Ivan Popovski  Macedonian
Secretary Nenad Monev  Macedonian
Technical Secretary Gjoko Stojanovski  Macedonian

Former managers

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Supporters

There were two supporters groups. The supporters group Legija V was formed back in 2008. They followed the club everywhere and supported 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 the Macedonian cup final vs. Makedonija GP in 2009.

References

  1. Formiranje (1937) at official website
  2. Работнички од Скопје на двапати играше во Првата лига на Југославија at official website
  3. Herojot e roden (1938-1941) at official website
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Crusaders 1–1 FK Rabotnicki". BBC News. 14 July 2009.
  5. Gasevski, Emil (2010-07-23). "Rabotnicki and Teteks hit heights". UEFA.com (UEFA). Retrieved 2010-07-25.
  6. Kelly, Des (2010-07-29). "Rabotnicki Skopje 0 – 2 Liverpool". Daily Mail (London: Associated Newspapers). Retrieved 2010-07-29.
  7. Zdraveski, Filip (2010-08-02). "Rabotnicki best club in the world for July". macedonianfootball.com. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  8. "ФК Работнички - најдобар македонски клуб во 21 век.". www.rabotnicki.com. 2010-08-02. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  9. Zdraveski, Filip (2014-05-11). "Rabotnicki clinches First League trophy". macedonianfootball.com. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  10. "Club record in UEFA competitions". UEFA.com.
  11. Rabotnicki's official website Стручен штаб (Macedonian)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to FK Rabotnički.