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 (1937-10-04) as Radnički
Ground	Philip II Arena
Ground Capacity	33,460
Chairman	Dragan Popovski
Manager	Tomislav Franc
League	Macedonian First League
2014–15	2nd
Website	Club home page
Home colours Away colours

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 Football Subassociation . However the 1940–41 season of the First League of the Skoplje Football Subassociation was interrupted by the start of the Second World War. By the time Rabotnički had one win, two draws and one defeat.^[3]

After the end of the war, for a long time, Rabotnički competed in the Federal Second League or the Macedonian Republic League . 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.

Stadium

FK Rabotnički's home venue is Philip II Arena. Its current capacity is 33,460^[10] spectators which puts it among 10 largest stadiums on the Balkans. The pitch is 105 x 68 m. Two big scoreboards, 18 x 6 m are installed on both East and West stands. There are 494 VIP boxes and 386 media seats, all of them on the North stand. Philip II Arena is an all-seater ground with 80% of the seats covered from inclement weather.

Philip II Arena

Honours

Macedonian Republic League:

• Winners (8): 1943,1944,1952, 1966, 1968, 1973, 1977, 1980

Macedonian First League:

• Winners (4): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2013–14
• Runners-up (3): 2006–07, 2009–10, 2014–15

Macedonian Second League:

• Winners (1): 1997–98

Macedonian Republic Cup:

• Winners (5): 1954, 1957, 1974, 1983, 1988

Macedonian Football Cup:

• Winners (4): 2007–08, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2014–15
• Runners-up (2): 2009–10, 2011–12

Macedonian Super Cup:

• Runners-up (1): 2015

Recent seasons

Key

Rabotnički in Europe

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

Season	Competition	Round		Club	Score
2000/01	UEFA Cup	QR		Vorskla Poltava	0–2, 0–2
2005/06	UEFA Champions League	Q1		Skonto	6–0, 0–1
		Q2		Lokomotiv Moscow	1–1, 0–2
2006/07	UEFA Champions League	Q1		F91 Dudelange	1–0, 0–0
		Q2		Debrecen	1–1, 4–1
		Q3		Lille	0–3, 0–1
2006/07	UEFA Cup	R1		Basel	2–6, 0–1
2007/08	UEFA Cup	Q1		Gorica	2–1, 2–1
		Q2		Zrinjski Mostar	0–0, 2–1
		R1		Bolton Wanderers	1–1, 0–1
2008/09	UEFA Champions League	Q1		Inter Baku	1–1, 0–0 (a)
2009/10	UEFA Europa League	Q2		Crusaders	1–1, 4–2
		Q3		Odense	3–4, 0–3
2010/11	UEFA Europa League	Q1		Lusitanos	5–0, 6–0
		Q2		Mika	1–0, 0–0
		Q3		Liverpool	0–2, 0–2
2011/12	UEFA Europa League	Q1		Narva Trans	4–1, 3–0
		Q2		Juvenes/Dogana	1–0, 3–0
		Q3		Anorthosis	2–0, 1–2
		PO		Lazio	0–6, 1–3
2014/15	UEFA Champions League	Q2		HJK Helsinki	0–0, 1–2
2015/16	UEFA Europa League	Q1		Flora Tallinn	2–0, 0–1
		Q2		Jelgava	2–0, 0–1
		Q3		Trabzonspor	1–0, 1–1 (a.e.t.)
		PO		Rubin Kazan	1–1, 0–1

2009–10 UEFA Europa League qualifying match between FK Rabotnički and Crusaders FC at Philip II Arena in Skopje

UEFA club competition record

^[11]

UEFA club coefficient ranking

As of 21.08.2015, Source:

Rank	Team	Points
247	Aberdeen FC	5.310
248	Ermis Aradippou	5.310
249	FK Rabotnički	5.200
250	The New Saints FC	5.200
251	FK Ekranas	5.175

Club records in UEFA competitions

• Biggest Win in UEFA Competition: 12/07/2005, Rabotnichki 6–0 Skonto, Skopje
• Biggest Defeat in UEFA Competition: 18/08/2011, Lazio 6–0 Rabotnički, Rome
• Club Appearances in UEFA Competition: 11
• Player with Most UEFA Appearances: Krste Velkoski – 22 appearances
• Top Scorer in UEFA Club Competitions: Krste Velkoski – 6 goals

Current squad

As of 28 August 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 GK Daniel Bozhinovski 77 GK Damjan Shishkovski 2 DF Leon Najdovski 5 DF Slobodan Bocevski 6 DF Sebastián Herrera Cardona 11 DF Goran Siljanovski 26 DF Mite Cikarski 27 DF Milan Ilievski TBA DF Bojan Markoski 7 MF Suad Sahiti 8 MF Bojan Najdenov

No. Position Player 15 MF Kire Markoski 16 MF Emir Sahiti 17 MF Milovan Petrovikj 20 MF Miroslav Jovanoski 21 MF Ivan Galić 24 MF Dushko Trajchevski 22 FW Marjan Altiparmakovski 23 FW Milan Ristovski TBA FW Borche Manevski TBA FW Marko Puškarić

Coaching staff

As of 26 June 2013^[12]

Position	Name	Nationality
Manager	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

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to FK Rabotnički.

• Official Website (Macedonian)
• FK Rabotnički on Facebook
• FK Rabotnički on Twitter
• Club info at MacedonianFootball (English)
• Football Federation of Macedonia (Macedonian)