FK Smederevo 1924

FK Smederevo 1924

Full name	Fudbalski klub Smederevo 1924
Nickname(s)	Oklopnici (The Armors)
Founded	6 May 1924 (1924-05-06)
Ground	Smederevo City Stadium
Ground Capacity	17,200
League	Serbian League West
2013–14	Serbian First League, 16th ()
Home colours Away colours

FK Smederevo 1924 (Serbian: Фудбалски клуб Смедерево 1924 (ФК Смедерево 1924) / Fudbalski klub Smederevo 1924; English: Smederevo 1924 Football Club (Smederevo 1924 FC)) is a Serbian football club based in Smederevo.

History

Acting on suggestion from chief engineer Ernest Radlinski, the club was first founded on 6 May 1924 by SARTID (Srpsko akcionarsko rudarsko topioničarsko industrijsko društvo) as the iron factory's football team. At the beginning, FK Sartid's roster was mostly filled with second and third tier professional players from Hungary, Austria and Germany and the club failed to make much noise in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia's football scene. Then in 1944, it was essentially disbanded by Yugoslavia's new communist authorities following the end of World War II, along with the entire Sartid factory whose property was nationalized.

Though it's not certain if what followed can be viewed in continuity with FK Sartid, many fans consider it to be a part of club's history, so depending on one's opinion, either a new club appeared or the name was simply changed to FK Metalac in 1944.

The following period was marked by numerous name changes. Two years later in 1946 the name was switched to FK Jedinstvo, and it lasted only three years until 1949 when it was changed to FK Smederevo.

Sartid crest (1992–2004)

In 1958, FK Smederevo merged with FK Metalac to form OFK Budućnost, the name that stuck around until 1962 when it was switched back to FK Smederevo. That setup lasted until 1967, when the club became FK Metalurg.

In 1976, the name was switched to FK Smederevo for the third time, lasting until the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992.

All throughout this 48-year period, the club toiled in lower leagues (Serbian regional league, etc.).

FK Sartid was reborn in 1992 when Sartid metallurgical concern took over the club's ownership and sponsorship, and promptly switched to its original name. The renaissance commenced immediately as the club went from Smederevo Zone League to Yugoslav First League in six seasons. The 1998–99 campaign will go down in history as the club's first in top flight. The club's success in this period was tied to their main board president Dušan Matković. In addition to his position at FK Sartid, Matković was also a high-ranking official of Slobodan Milošević's party SPS as well as Minister of Industry in the government of Mirko Marjanović. The allegations that the club was involved in various illegal and irregular activities, and also protected from persecution because of their powerful benefactor, during this period are numerous.

After losing the national cup final to Crvena Zvezda in 2002, the club won the competition against the same opponent in 2003.^[1] In the summer of 2004, the club changed its name back to FK Smederevo.^[2][3]

The most noted player is former team captain Goran Bogdanović. He retired after the 2003–04 season.^[4]

In summer 2014 comes to merged FK Smederevo with FK Seljak from Mihajlovac to form FK Semendrija 1924. In the 2014/15 season the club game under a new name. January 18, 2015 the club returned its old name to FK Smederevo 1924 (just added years founded of the club).^[5] But, after successively 2 relegations, Smederovo relegated to West Group of Serbian League, third level of Serbian football in 2014. Smederovo 1924 finished West Group of Serbian League as 7th in 2014-15 season.^[6]

Names of the club through history

The names of the club after the Second World War:

European seasons

2001–02

The trio of Nenad Mirosavljević (15 league goals), Vladimir Mudrinić (earned a mid-season move to Zenit Saint Petersburg) and Goran Bogdanović led the way on pitch during 2001–02 campaign that, among other things, will be remembered for the absence of now customary mid-season Sartid coaching changes. Head coach Jovica Škoro confidently guided his team to a 3rd place league finish and a Yugoslav Cup final where they were unlucky to lose to the more experienced Partizan side.

On the European front, Sartid competed in UEFA Intertoto Cup where they recorded a memorable first round win versus Dundee (0–0 away, 5–2 at home before 16,000 fans). Unfortunately, the journey ended in second round versus an experienced TSV 1860 München side featuring veterans Thomas Häßler and Vidar Riseth (1–3 away, 2–3 at home).

2002–03

The year that started off in high style almost turned sour towards the end with a string of poor results that sent the team spiraling down the table. Management reacted quickly, sacking coach Škoro in April,^[7] and bringing in Milenko Kiković for his second stint with the club.^[8] The move paid immediate dividends and relegation was avoided comfortably. And if that wasn't enough cause for celebration, Sartid managed to beat Crvena Zvezda 1–0 in Serbia and Montenegro Cup final at Partizan Stadium, achieving the club's greatest success in history.^[9]

Similarly to Sartid's domestic campaign, the year in Europe started off glowingly. They quickly disposed of Welsh side Bangor City to reach the UEFA Cup first round where Ipswich Town was waiting. The hopes were further raised following a favourable away result 1–1, meaning they just needed to keep a clean sheet at home to progress.^[10] However, the combination of Marcus Bent converting an early 9th-minute penalty and Sartid failing to score for the remainder of the match spelled painful elimination.^[11]

2003–04

The 2003–04 campaign was another fairly stable season in top league result wise. Though as usual not on the coaching front. New head coach Ratko Dostanić, brought in before the season, started off tremendously. In UEFA Cup, he led the squad to a memorable win in a tie against Sarajevo. With Dostanić firmly in charge, Sartid's form continued in the domestic league, too. At the midway point of the season Sartid was sitting in third place, just behind Belgrade powerhouses Crvena Zvezda and Partizan. During the winter break, Dostanić wanted the team captain Goran Bogdanović promoted to the role of technical director, but new club president Thomas Kelly would have none of it so Dostanić decided to leave.^[12][13] In January 2004, Zvonko Varga was appointed as a new coach,^[14] but he left the club after only few matches. Afterwards, old face Milenko Kiković was brought back to coach and he managed to complete a successful season for the club.

2004–05

The following 2004–05 season was not nearly as happy. It started off alright with demolition of lowly Andorran side Sant Julià in Intertoto Cup first round, but the painful next round exit at the hands of Dinamo Minsk turned out to be ominous. All throughout the domestic campaign Smederevo battled relegation threat. During the winter break coach Kiković resigned leaving the team in 10th place with 17 points. New head coach Tomislav Sivić managed to narrowly keep the club in top flight.

2005–06

The 2005–06 season has been another difficult one for the club. The embarrassing Intertoto Cup first round exit to Prilep's Pobeda was a sign of things to come. After managing only 13 points from 11 league matches, head coach Tomislav Sivić resigned on 1 November 2005 in the wake of the team's third straight league loss. Following a period under a caretaker, club appointed Spaniard Jaime Bauzá on 28 November 2005. Though the team's overall play somewhat improved, it was enough to avoid relegation at the end of the season.

UEFA competitions

Season	Competition	Round	Opposition	Score
2001–02	Intertoto Cup	First round	Dundee	0–0 (A), 5–2 (H)
		Second round	1860 München	1–3 (A), 2–3 (H)
2002–03	UEFA Cup	Qualifying round	Bangor City	0–1 (A), 2–0 (H)
		First round	Ipswich Town	1–1 (A), 0–1 (H)
2003–04	UEFA Cup	Qualifying round	Sarajevo	1–1 (A), 3–0 (H)
		First round	Slavia Praha	1–2 (H), 1–2 (A)
2004–05	Intertoto Cup	First round	Sant Julià	8–0 (A), 3–0 (H)
		Second round	Dinamo Minsk	2–1 (A), 1–3 (H)
2005–06	Intertoto Cup	First round	Pobeda	0–1 (H), 1–2 (A)

Stadium

FK Smederevo's stadium is one of the most modern stadiums in Serbia. The stadium can hold up to 17,200 spectators. It also has one of the best pitches in the country. It was first built in 1930, but it was greatly expanded into a modern-day stadium in 2000.

Supporters

The supporters of FK Smederevo are known as Despoti (The Despots).

Notable players

Below are the notable players who have represented the club in national and international competitions since the club's foundation in 1924. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 100 league matches for the club, at least 50 league matches for the club and have at least 1 appearance for their national team, or have at least 5 appearances for their national team.

Player	Period	Apps	Goals	International	Apps	Goals
Saša Antunović	1998–2002 2004	102	21
Goran Bogdanović	2000–2004	105	7
Darko Brašanac	2011–2012	24	2	Serbia	1	0
Dragan Ćeran	2005–2011	129	18
Blaže Georgioski	1998–1999	23	1	Macedonia	7	0
Dejan Kekezović	2002–2006	102	3
Mateja Kežman	1998	14	4	Serbia and Montenegro	49	17
Saša Kocić	1995–2001 2002–2006	224	18
Željko Kovačević	2003–2007 2009	104	4
Vlade Lazarevski	2012	13	0	Macedonia	43	0
Nenad Mirosavljević	2000–2004 2007	130	63
Nenad Mladenović	2006–2010	92	21	FR Yugoslavia	1	0
Vladimir Mudrinić	2000–2001 2003–2004 2006–2008	148	30
Dejan Ognjanović	2010–2012	45	2	FR Yugoslavia  Montenegro	2 5	0 0
Marko Pantelić	2003	31	13	Serbia	43	10
Dragan Paunović	2000–2006	114	2
Ivan Radovanović	2007	13	0	Serbia	10	0
Dragan Radosavljević	2000–2006 2007–2008 2013	157	11
Dejan Ranković	2000–2001 2002–2012	180	0
Omega Roberts	2012–2013	14	0	Liberia	5	1
Marko Sočanac	2000–2008	166	2
Goran Trobok	2007	14	0	Serbia and Montenegro	10	0
Boris Vasković	2000–2003	92	4	FR Yugoslavia	3	0
Milorad Zečević	2000–2010	240	39
Dragan Žilić	2001–2005	112	0	Serbia and Montenegro	8	0
Dejan Živković	2006–2013	166	16
Saša Zorić	2003–2006	63	7	FR Yugoslavia	2	0

For a list of all Smederevo players with a Wikipedia article, please see: Category:FK Smederevo players.

Coaching history

Date Name 1999 Ivan Golac 2000 Milenko Kiković 2000 Slobodan Dogandžić 2000–2003 Jovica Škoro 2003 Milenko Kiković 2003 Ratko Dostanić 2004 Zvonko Varga 2004 Milenko Kiković 2005 Tomislav Sivić 2005–2006 Jaime Bauzá 2006–2007 Mihailo Ivanović 2007 Goran Milojević

Date Name 2007–2008 Radmilo Ivančević 2008–2009 Dragan Đorđević 2009–2010 Blagoje Paunović 2010–2012 Dragan Đorđević 2012 Aleksandar Janjić 2012–2013 Miloš Velebit 2013 Ljubomir Ristovski 2013 Radovan Radaković 2013 Branko Smiljanić 2013–2014 Mile Tomić 2014 Nemanja Smiljanić

Honours

Serbia and Montenegro Cup

• 2002–03

Second League of FR Yugoslavia

• 1996–97 (Group West)

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

See also

• List of football clubs in Serbia

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to FK Smederevo.

• Profile club www.uefa.com (English)
• Profile, results and tables club www.srbijasport.net (Serbian)
• Profile, results and tables club (youth) www.srbijasport.net (Serbian)