KF Tomori

Full name	Futboll Klub Tomori Berat
Nickname(s)	Tigrat e Beratit (The Tigers of Berat) Mistrecët (The Captious)
Founded	November 25, 1923 (1923-11-25)
Ground	Tomori Stadium Berat, Albania
Capacity	18900
Owner	Municipality of Berat
Chairman	Avenir Bejo
League	Kategoria e Parë
2022–23	Kategoria e Parë, 4th
Website	Club website

KF Tomori is an Albanian football club based in the city of Berat. The club's home ground is the Tomori Stadium and they currently participate in the Kategoria e Parë.

History

The sport of football was introduced to the city of Berat in the early 1910s by students who had completed their studies abroad. They brought back footballs and the rules of the game from their travels which they then passed onto the locals. As early as 1913, amateur neighbourhood teams were formed, such as Çunat e Lumit, Vakëfi, Kalaja and Opinga. In 1923, an artists and sports club was founded in Berat, under the name Tomori, named after the nearby Mount Tomorr. It was established in the neighbourhood facilities of a local school called Mangalem, and the first team was formed with 18 teenage players. With the Albanian Football Association's foundation in 1930, the club participated in its first official tournament in the same year, which was the second tier of the newly established Albanian football system. Tomori won the 1930 Albanian First Division and gained promotion to the Albanian Superliga. Prior to their debut season in the top flight the club changed its name from Tomori to Muzaka in 1931, and during the 1931 season, they finished in 7th and last place with a record of 1 draw and 5 losses, which led to their relegation.^[1] They returned to the Albanian First Division in 1932 where they would remain for 4 seasons. In 1935, the Albanian Football Association did not organise any competitions so the club was not active for the year. In 1936, football resumed in Albania and the club changed its name back to Tomori and finished second in the Albanian First Division, achieving promotion to the Albanian Superliga for the second time. In 1936 season, the club again finished last in the top flight, level on points with Ismail Qemali Vlorë, who they lost 2–1 to in a relegation play off held in Kavajë at the end of the season to determine Tomori's immediate relegation once again.^[2]

1936–1949: KS Tomori 1950: Berati 1951–1957: Puna 1957–deri tani: KS Tomori

Members of the Presidency: (1923–1926) Chairman: Zyhdi Doko Secretary: Shyqyri Lakra Other members: Lilo Xhimitiku Andon Myzeqari Vangjel Haxhistasa Alqiviadhi Shyti

In 1964, Tomori was runner-up in the Albanian Cup, losing in the final to KS Partizani.

Tomori won the Albanian First Division championship four times: in 1930, 1950, 1970, and 1977.

In 1991–1992, F.K Tomori participated in the Balkans Cup but lost on aggregate to FC Oţelul Galaţi (2:4), who went on to be runners-up of the competition.

Their first participation in European football was in the UEFA Cup 2000-01, losing 2–5 on aggregate to Cypriot team APOEL F.C.

In 2000, F.K Tomori were runners-up in the championship, losing on penalty kicks against FK Tirana with the game having finished 1–1 after extra time had been played.

Stadium

Tomori Stadium was built in 1985 and holds 14,500 spectators. This is the third highest capacity stadium in Albania after Qemal Stafa Stadium and Loro Boriçi Stadium.^[3] The stadium finally completed its renovation in early 2012, where 13,000 tickets went on sale for the first game held there. Interest was high because the last Albanian Superliga game to be held there was in 2002.^[4]

Fans

Tomori has some of the most fervent fans in Albania.

Also, Tomori have tifo-groups like Mistrecat, Berat Hooligans and Ultras Tomori.

Honours

• Kategoria e Parë:
  • Winners (4): 1930, 1950–51, 1970–71, 1976–77
  • Runners-up (7): 1957, 1958,1962, 1975–76, 1988–89, 2002–03, 2010–11,
• Kategoria Superiore:
  • Runners-up (1): 1999–00
• Albanian Cup:
  • Runners-up (1): 1963–64
• Balkans Cup:
  • Semi-final (1): 1991–92
• Albanian Second Division:
  • Winners (1): 2015–16

European Cups history

2000–01 UEFA Cup

After finishing second in the 1999-2000 season, Tomori would play for the first time against APOEL. Since that year the team has never been able to play in European competitions. Gentian Lako was the first player to score a goal for Tomori in a UEFA CUP qualifying round.

• QR1=1st Qualifying Round

Season	Competition	Round	Country	Team	Home	Away	Aggregate
1991–92	Balkans Cup	SF		Oțelul Galați	2–0	0–4	2–4
2000–01	UEFA Cup	QR1		APOEL	2–3	0–2	2–5

Recent seasons

Year	Division	Position
1999-2000	Albanian Superliga (I)	2nd
2000-01	Albanian Superliga (I)	12th
2001-02	Albanian Superliga (I)	14th
2002–03	Albanian First Division (II)	2nd
2003–04	Albanian First Division (II)	6 th
2004–05	Albanian First Division (II)	4th
2005–06	Albanian First Division (II)	6th
2006–07	Albanian First Division (II)	16th
2007–08	Albanian First Division(II)	16th
2008-09	Albanian Second Division (III)	3rd
2009–10	Albanian Second Division(III)	2nd
2010–11	Albanian First Division	2nd
2011-12	Albanian Superliga (I)	10th
2012-13	Albanian Superliga (I)	12th
2013-14	Albanian First Division (II)	4th
2014–15	Albanian First Division (II)	9th
2015-16	Albanian Second Division (III)	1st
2016-17	Albanian First Division (II)	5th
2017-18	Albanian First Division (II)	4th - Promotion Round
2018-19	Albanian First Division (II)	10th
2019-20	Albanian Second Division (III)	2nd
2020-21	Albanian First Division (II)	2nd Promotion Round
2021-22	Albanian First Division (II)	6th
2022-23	Albanian First Division (II)	4th - Promotion Round
2023-24	Albanian First Division (II)

Players

Current squad

As of 1 August 2023

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  ALB Renco Memlika 2 DF  ALB Xhoel Vrapi 3 DF  BRA Luiz Fernando 4 DF  ALB Stefan Abra 5 DF  NOR Agami Hando 6 DF  ALB Arber Deliu 7 MF  NGA Olalekan Aliu 8 MF  ALB Oresti Kasmollari 9 MF  MKD Rrezart Kokollari 10 MF  ALB Erald Hyseni 11 MF  NGA Adetola Lawal 12 GK  ALB Kristian Rroku 14 MF  ALB Genaldo Sharavolli

No. Pos. Nation Player 15 MF  ALB Edmond Arëza 18 MF  NGA Samuel Solomon 19 MF  ALB Geraldo Sharavolli 20 FW  ALB Fernando Ndreaj 21 MF  ALB Lauren Ismailaj 25 MF  ALB Sali Kumani 32 DF  ALB Florian Trokthi 66 FW  ALB Kostika Beçka 75 MF  GRE Alen Luta 77 MF  ALB Ervis Caco 95 GK  ALB Divaldo Zema 99 MF  NGA Jonathan Marcelino

Top scorers of Albanian Superliga

Season	Player	Club	Goals
1980	Përparim Kovaçi	Tomori	18
1987	Arben Arbëri	Tomori	14
1991	Kliton Bozgo	Tomori	29
2000	Klodian Arbëri	Tomori	18

Coaching staff and officials

Position	Name
Manager	Klodian Arbëri
Assistant manager	Polizoi Arbëri
Goalkeeper manager	Madrit Muxhaj
Medic of club	Elton Fani
Fitness coach	Altin Allidri
Club Secretary	Ismet Ajazi

References