FC Botev Vratsa
Encyclopedia
OFC Botev Vratsa founded in 1921, is a Bulgaria
n football
club from the city of Vratsa
. The club currently plays in A PFG
, the first level of Bulgarian football.
Botev Vratsa is one of the most prominent football clubs in Bulgaria
, playing its home matches at Hristo Botev Stadium. The team's home stadium was built in 1948. It is situated in the Hristo Botev sport complex, in the east part of Vratsa
. The stadium originally holds 32 000 seats. After a recent reconstruction, which took place in the first half of 2008 and in 2009 the stadium has 3 reconstructed seated sectors with a total of 6000 seats.
. Between 1921 and 1956 various sport clubs are founded in the city. In 1957 most of the sport clubs in the city are joined together to form FC Botev Vratsa. Between 1957 and 1964 Botev Vratsa is a member of Bulgarian second division
. In 1964 the club enters the Bulgarian top division
and plays there for 26 seasons. The team of Vratsa
has 788 games in the top flight of Bulgarian football.
Botev's most glorious moment comes in 1971, when the team finished third in Bulgarian top division, after CSKA Sofia and Levski Sofia. Botev did, however, represent Bulgaria
in the 1971-72 UEFA Cup
where they lost in the first round to Dinamo Zagreb
from Croatia
2-8 on aggregate. The first game in Vratsa
, in the presence of 35 000 spectators, ended with a 2-1 loss. The second game in Zagreb
finished 6-1.
The biggest success in the Bulgarian Cup
is a semi-final in 1960-61, 1974-75 and 1984-85. In 1989-90 Botev was relegated to second division. In the next 19 years the club participated in either the second or the third Bulgarian divisions.
Among the club's legendary players is Martin Petrov
, considered by most Botev fans as the greatest player to have ever been involved with the club, and one of the greatest Bulgarian players. The list of other famous players to have come from the clubs' youth system consists of Ilia Valov, Valentin Iliev
, and Valentin Stanchev. Nikolay Penkov
is the player with most league appearances for the club - 334. The player with most league goals for the club is Georgi Kamenov, with 150 goals for Botev.
(Second division). The team managed a record 28 games without a loss and secured the top spot two weeks before the end of the season. During the campaign, OFC Botev recorded some astonishing results, defeating FC Sitomir Nikopol by 9:0, OFC Levski 2007 by 7:0 and scoring the most goals by a visiting team away at FC Bali 2002 - 8:2. In June 2009, following a suggestion by the fan club, the team changed its official logo to commemorate the promotion.
:
For recent transfers, see List of Bulgarian football transfers winter 2011–12.
with destinations such as Bucharest
, Zagreb
, Budapest
, etc. The fan club has established connections with fans from all over Europe and is in active partnership with the fans of second-division Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles
(Deventer).
During season 2008/2009, the Botev Vratsa fans rushed on the pitch to celebrate a goal during the FC Botev - Bdin Vidin (3:3) game. The incident was later reviewed by the Bulgarian football authorities, which issued a one-game ban for the team. The following home game, FC Botev played in the city of Roman.
Martin Petrov
Valentin Iliev
Georgi Kamenov Petar Kamenov
Ilia Dragomirov Iliya Valov
Valentin Stanchev
Note: For a complete list of Botev Vratsa players, see :Category:FC Botev Vratsa players.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club from the city of Vratsa
Vratsa
Vratsa is a city in northwestern Bulgaria, at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Vratsa Province. As of February 2011, the town has a population of 60,482 inhabitants....
. The club currently plays in A PFG
Bulgarian A Professional Football Group
The Bulgarian A Professional Football Group commonly known as A PFG is the top division of the Bulgarian football league system. The league is sponsored by Victoria FATA Insurance and therefore is officially known as Victoria A Football Group since 2011...
, the first level of Bulgarian football.
Botev Vratsa is one of the most prominent football clubs in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, playing its home matches at Hristo Botev Stadium. The team's home stadium was built in 1948. It is situated in the Hristo Botev sport complex, in the east part of Vratsa
Vratsa
Vratsa is a city in northwestern Bulgaria, at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Vratsa Province. As of February 2011, the town has a population of 60,482 inhabitants....
. The stadium originally holds 32 000 seats. After a recent reconstruction, which took place in the first half of 2008 and in 2009 the stadium has 3 reconstructed seated sectors with a total of 6000 seats.
History
Botev Vratsa Football Club was founded in 1921 by Nikola Kunov, Ivan Abuzov, Nako Paunov, Gergo Boytchev, Todor Orozov, Hristo Lighenski and Angel Rachinski. The place of foundation is a playground near the Old market in VratsaVratsa
Vratsa is a city in northwestern Bulgaria, at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Vratsa Province. As of February 2011, the town has a population of 60,482 inhabitants....
. Between 1921 and 1956 various sport clubs are founded in the city. In 1957 most of the sport clubs in the city are joined together to form FC Botev Vratsa. Between 1957 and 1964 Botev Vratsa is a member of Bulgarian second division
Bulgarian B Professional Football Group
The Bulgarian B Professional Football Group or simply B PFG is the second level of the Bulgarian football league system, below the A PFG and above the Bulgarian V AFG. The B PFG is formed by two groups, running in parallel , where in each group are participating 10 teams...
. In 1964 the club enters the Bulgarian top division
Bulgarian A Professional Football Group
The Bulgarian A Professional Football Group commonly known as A PFG is the top division of the Bulgarian football league system. The league is sponsored by Victoria FATA Insurance and therefore is officially known as Victoria A Football Group since 2011...
and plays there for 26 seasons. The team of Vratsa
Vratsa
Vratsa is a city in northwestern Bulgaria, at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Vratsa Province. As of February 2011, the town has a population of 60,482 inhabitants....
has 788 games in the top flight of Bulgarian football.
Botev's most glorious moment comes in 1971, when the team finished third in Bulgarian top division, after CSKA Sofia and Levski Sofia. Botev did, however, represent Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
in the 1971-72 UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup 1971-72
The UEFA Cup 1971–72 was the inaugural year of the competition. It was won by English side Tottenham Hotspur over their countrymen Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–2 on aggregate after a two-legged final....
where they lost in the first round to Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb
GNK Dinamo Zagreb, commonly referred to as Dinamo Zagreb , or by their nickname Modri are a Croatian football club based in Zagreb. They play their home matches at Stadion Maksimir. They are the most successful club in Croatian football, having won thirteen Croatian championship titles, ten...
from Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
2-8 on aggregate. The first game in Vratsa
Vratsa
Vratsa is a city in northwestern Bulgaria, at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Vratsa Province. As of February 2011, the town has a population of 60,482 inhabitants....
, in the presence of 35 000 spectators, ended with a 2-1 loss. The second game in Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
finished 6-1.
The biggest success in the Bulgarian Cup
Bulgarian Cup
The Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
is a semi-final in 1960-61, 1974-75 and 1984-85. In 1989-90 Botev was relegated to second division. In the next 19 years the club participated in either the second or the third Bulgarian divisions.
Among the club's legendary players is Martin Petrov
Martin Petrov
Martin Petyov Petrov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.-Club career:Petrov began his career for Botev Vratsa...
, considered by most Botev fans as the greatest player to have ever been involved with the club, and one of the greatest Bulgarian players. The list of other famous players to have come from the clubs' youth system consists of Ilia Valov, Valentin Iliev
Valentin Iliev
Valentin Iliev is a Bulgarian footballer currently playing for the Romanian team Steaua Bucureşti in Liga I.-Background:Iliev's father, Iliya Valov, was goalkeeper for CSKA and Bulgaria's national team...
, and Valentin Stanchev. Nikolay Penkov
Nikolay Penkov
Nikolay Penkov is a former Bulgarian international football defender.Between 1965 and 1983 he played in 334 matches for FC Botev Vratsa, scoring 14 goals. In 1971 with the club he played in the two matches against Dinamo Zagreb of UEFA Cup.For Bulgaria national football team, Penkov was capped 3...
is the player with most league appearances for the club - 334. The player with most league goals for the club is Georgi Kamenov, with 150 goals for Botev.
2008-09 Season
In May 2009, after 6 years in the Bulgarian third division, OFC Botev Vratsa were finally promoted to the Bulgarian B Professional Football GroupBulgarian B Professional Football Group
The Bulgarian B Professional Football Group or simply B PFG is the second level of the Bulgarian football league system, below the A PFG and above the Bulgarian V AFG. The B PFG is formed by two groups, running in parallel , where in each group are participating 10 teams...
(Second division). The team managed a record 28 games without a loss and secured the top spot two weeks before the end of the season. During the campaign, OFC Botev recorded some astonishing results, defeating FC Sitomir Nikopol by 9:0, OFC Levski 2007 by 7:0 and scoring the most goals by a visiting team away at FC Bali 2002 - 8:2. In June 2009, following a suggestion by the fan club, the team changed its official logo to commemorate the promotion.
2009-10 Season
In their return to second division, Botev Vratsa finished in 6th place.European Cups History
UEFA CupUEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
:
| Season | Round | Country | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971-72 UEFA Cup 1971-72 The UEFA Cup 1971–72 was the inaugural year of the competition. It was won by English side Tottenham Hotspur over their countrymen Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–2 on aggregate after a two-legged final.... |
1 |  |
Dinamo Zagreb Dinamo Zagreb GNK Dinamo Zagreb, commonly referred to as Dinamo Zagreb , or by their nickname Modri are a Croatian football club based in Zagreb. They play their home matches at Stadion Maksimir. They are the most successful club in Croatian football, having won thirteen Croatian championship titles, ten... |
1-2 | 1-6 | 2-8 |
Honours
- Bulgarian Championship
- Third place - 1971
- Fourth place - 1985
- Fifth place - 1977
Current squad
As of July 15, 2011For recent transfers, see List of Bulgarian football transfers winter 2011–12.
Fans
Despite playing in the second division of Bulgarian football, FC Botev is still one of the most popular non-capital based football clubs in Bulgaria. Its fans are famous for their non-violent support and fair-play doctrine. The "Botev Vratsa Forever" fan-club is well-known to organize trips in support of the Bulgarian National teamBulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
with destinations such as Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
, Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
, Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, etc. The fan club has established connections with fans from all over Europe and is in active partnership with the fans of second-division Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles
The Go Ahead Eagles are a football club from Deventer, Netherlands, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie. The club's home stadium is De Adelaarshorst. To date, the club has won the national championship four times...
(Deventer).
During season 2008/2009, the Botev Vratsa fans rushed on the pitch to celebrate a goal during the FC Botev - Bdin Vidin (3:3) game. The incident was later reviewed by the Bulgarian football authorities, which issued a one-game ban for the team. The following home game, FC Botev played in the city of Roman.
Notable players
The following players included were either playing for their respective national teams or left good impression among the fans.Martin Petrov
Martin Petrov
Martin Petyov Petrov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.-Club career:Petrov began his career for Botev Vratsa...
Valentin Iliev
Valentin Iliev
Valentin Iliev is a Bulgarian footballer currently playing for the Romanian team Steaua Bucureşti in Liga I.-Background:Iliev's father, Iliya Valov, was goalkeeper for CSKA and Bulgaria's national team...
Georgi Kamenov Petar Kamenov
Ilia Dragomirov Iliya Valov
Iliya Valov
Iliya Valov is a Bulgarian former football goalkeeper who played for Bulgaria.Valov made 180 appearances for Botev Vratsa from 1981 to 1988. He was the number two goalkeeper to Borislav Mihaylov in Bulgaria's squad at Mexico 86...
Valentin Stanchev
Valentin Stanchev
-Career:Born in Vratsa, Valentin Stanchev played in his career for Botev Vratsa, Chernomorets Burgas, Spartak Varna, Shanghai Shenhua, CSKA Sofia, Sachsen Leipzig, Wuhan Optics Valley and Cherno More Varna....
Note: For a complete list of Botev Vratsa players, see :Category:FC Botev Vratsa players.