FК Rabotnichki
Full nameFudbalski klub Rabotnichki Skopje / Фудбалски клуб Работнички Скопје
Nickname(s)Романтичари (Romantics)
Железничaри (Railers)
Херојот од Дебар маало (The Hero from Debar Quart)
Founded4 October 1937 (1937-10-04)
GroundToshe Proeski Arena
Capacity33,011
OwnerLimak Holding
ChairmanDragan Popovski
ManagerGoce Sedloski
LeagueMacedonian First League
2022–23Macedonian First League, 8th of 12
WebsiteClub website
Active departments of Sports Club Rabotnichki
Football Basketball Handball

FK Rabotnichki (Macedonian: ФК Работнички) or more commonly Rabotnički (old transliteration) and Rabotnicki[1][2][3] is a football club that plays at the Toshe Proeski Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia. They currently compete in the Macedonian First League.

History

FK Rabotnichki was founded in 1937 as SK Radnički Skoplje.[4][5] 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.[6]

After the end of the war, for a long time, Rabotnichki 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, Rabotnichki constantly competes in the Macedonian First League. In all these years since its establishing in 1937, Rabotnichki has always been among the best clubs, and has always been a good representative of Macedonian football in Europe.

Rabotnički Kometal

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, Rabotnichki 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 Rabotnichki 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 of Northern Ireland in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round; the 1st leg was drawn 1–1.[7] They managed to win the second leg 4–2 and went out in the third qualifying round against Danish club 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.[8] In the first leg on 29 July 2010, they lost 2–0, losing the return leg 2–0 a week later.[9]

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 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".[10]

In March 2012, with 674 points on the IFFHS list Rabotnički became the best club from Macedonia in the 21st century.[11]

On 11 May 2014, Rabotnichki won their fourth Macedonian First League title.[12] After winning their third Macedonian Cup the previous week, they accomplished the double crown for the second time in club history.

Veterans

Association of Veterans of Rabotnichki has been functioning informally since the formation of the club Rabotnichki 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.

Stadium

Day Time
Capacity
North – 10,338
South – 10,713
East – 5,962
West – 5,962
Total – 33,011

FK Rabotnički's home venue is Toshe Proeski Arena. Its current capacity is 33,011 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. Toshe Proeski Arena is an all-seater ground with 80% of the seats covered from inclement weather.

Training facility

The training facility of Rabotnički is located in the city park opposite of the Toshe Proeski 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

Recent seasons

Season League Cup European competitions
Division P W D L F A Pts Pos
1992–93 2. MFL 38 15 9 14 48 47 39 10th
1993–94 2. MFL West 26 9 4 13 31 38 22 12th
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 11 5 13 28 35 38 11th R1
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
1999–2000 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 Champions League / UEFA Cup QR3 / R1
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
2014–15 1. MFL 32 20 6 6 55 30 66 2nd W Champions League QR2
2015–16 1. MFL 32 10 13 9 36 30 43 4th RU Europa League PO
2016–17 1. MFL 36 14 12 10 49 41 54 3rd R2 Europa League QR1
2017–18 1. MFL 36 14 10 12 50 43 52 3rd R2 Europa League QR2
2018–19 1. MFL 36 13 7 16 43 49 46 7th QF Europa League QR1
2019–201 1. MFL 23 8 4 11 21 29 28 8th N/A
2020–21 1. MFL 33 11 15 7 45 39 48 5th R2
2021–22 1. MFL 33 13 4 16 29 35 43 8th R2
2022–23 1. MFL 30 11 4 15 37 48 37 8th R2

1The 2019–20 season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia.[13]

Rabotnički in Europe

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

Rabotnichki's first competitive European match was a 0–2 loss against Vorskla Poltava in the 2000–01 UEFA Cup. Krste Velkoski holds the record for most appearances in Europe for the club with 22. Also, he is a top scorer in UEFA club competitions with 6 goals. The biggest win in UEFA competition was against FC Lusitanos in the 2010–11 Europa League, defeating them by the score of 5–0, 6–0 and 11–0 on aggregate.

Players

Current squad

As of 26 December 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 North Macedonia MKD Igor Aleksovski
2 DF North Macedonia MKD Egzon Belica
3 DF North Macedonia MKD Din Alomerovikj
4 DF Nigeria NGA Sodiq Rasheed
5 DF North Macedonia MKD Stefan Despotovski
6 DF North Macedonia MKD Martin Miserdovski
7 FW North Macedonia MKD Petar Petkovski
8 MF North Macedonia MKD Matej Angelov
9 FW North Macedonia MKD Vlatko Stojanovski
11 DF North Macedonia MKD Filip Boshkovski
16 DF North Macedonia MKD Mevlan Murati
17 FW North Macedonia MKD Kire Markoski
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 FW Cameroon CMR Marcelin Gando
19 FW Albania ALB Atdhe Mazari
20 MF North Macedonia MKD Tomche Grozdanovski
21 FW North Macedonia MKD Nikola Manojlov
22 FW North Macedonia MKD Georg Stojanovski
25 GK North Macedonia MKD Filip Ilikj
28 MF Uganda UGA Shafiq Kagimu
29 GK North Macedonia MKD Petar Jakimov
30 MF Jamaica JAM Cristojaye Daley
80 MF North Macedonia MKD Ermedin Adem
98 MF North Macedonia MKD Dimitar Todorovski
— DF North Macedonia MKD Sabit Bilalli

Coaching staff

As of 2023[14]

Position Name Nationality
Manager Goce Sedloski  Macedonian
Assistant coach Stojan Ignatov  Macedonian
Goalkeeping coach Dragi Atanasovski  Macedonian
Fitness coach Vladimir Vuksanovikj  Macedonian
Doctor Danilo Nonkulovski  Macedonian
Physiotherapist Marko Jakimovski  Macedonian
Econom Stojan Vuchkov  Macedonian
Econom Vesna Dimchevska  Macedonian
IT Kiril Kolekjeski  Macedonian

Club management

Position Name Nationality
Chairman  Macedonian
Vice-chairman  Macedonian
Director of football  Macedonian
General Secretary  Macedonian
Technical Secretary  Macedonian
Finance Director  Macedonian

Historical list of coaches

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. Since 2010 Rabotnicki doesn't have an official supporters group.

References

  1. ↑ "FYR Macedonia's rollercoaster ride continues". FIFA.com. 1 February 2018. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  2. ↑ "Liverpool 2 - 0 Rabotnicki Skopje (agg 4 - 0)". BBC Sport. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  3. ↑ "Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund Set for Summer Transfer Battle Over Fenerbahce's Eljif Elmas". 90min.com. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  4. ↑ Formiranje (1937) at official website
  5. ↑ Работнички од Скопје на двапати играше во Првата лига на Југославија at official website
  6. ↑ Herojot e roden (1938–1941) at official website
  7. ↑ "Crusaders 1–1 FK Rabotnicki". BBC News. 14 July 2009.
  8. ↑ Gasevski, Emil (2010-07-23). "Rabotnicki and Teteks hit heights". UEFA.com. UEFA. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
  9. ↑ "Rabotnicki 0-2 Liverpool". 29 July 2010.
  10. ↑ Zdraveski, Filip (2010-08-02). "Rabotnicki best club in the world for July". macedonianfootball.com. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  11. ↑ "ФК Работнички – најдобар македонски клуб во 21 век". www.rabotnicki.com. 2010-08-02. Archived from the original on 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  12. ↑ Zdraveski, Filip (2014-05-11). "Rabotnicki clinches First League trophy". macedonianfootball.com. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  13. ↑ "Вонредна седница на Управен одбор на Фудбалска федерација на Македонија: Прекин на натпреварувачката сезона 2019/2020". Фудбалска Федерација на Македонија. 4 June 2020.
  14. ↑ Rabotnicki's official website Стручен штаб (in Macedonian)
  15. ↑ Rabotnicki take a chance on Jovanovski - UEFA
  16. ↑ Boban Babunski to lead Rabotnicki - Macedonian Football
  17. ↑ Tomislav Franc, new head coach of Rabotnicki - FK Rabotnicki
  18. ↑ Viktor Trenevski is the new head coach of Rabotnicki - FK Rabotnicki
  19. ↑ Tasevski resigns from Rabotnicki - FK Rabotnicki
  20. ↑ Aleksandar Vlaho, new head coach of Rabotnicki - FK Rabotnicki
  21. ↑ Ratko Dostanic is the new head coach of Rabotnicki - FK Rabotnicki
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