FK Čelik Nikšić

Fudbalski Klub Čelik Nikšić (Montenegrin: Фудбалски клуб Челик Никшић) is a football club based in Nikšić, Montenegro. Founded in 1957, they currently compete in the Montenegrin Third League. The team once won the Montenegrin Cup trophy and played three seasons in the UEFA Europa League.

Čelik Nikšić
Челик Никшић
Full nameFudbalski Klub Čelik Nikšić
Фудбалски клуб Челик Никшић
Nickname(s)Metalurzi
Founded1957 (1957)
GroundStadion Željezare,
Nikšić, Montenegro
Capacity2,000
Head CoachDražen Međedović[1]
LeagueMontenegrin Third League

History

Yugoslav era (1957–1991)

FK Čelik was established in 1957, following the bankruptcy of former FK Javorak. The name "Čelik" was given in memory of Petar Saveljić, who had worked at the local steel mill before playing football with Savo Pejović.[2]

First seasons of their existence, Čelik spent in the lowest-tier competition (Titogradski podsavez). First successes for Čelik came with the beginning of sixties. On 1961, as a member of Fourth League, the team won the Montenegrin Republic Cup. The same year, Čelik debuted in the Montenegrin Republic League (third level).[3] Significant success came on season 1967–68. As a runner-up of Republic League, Čelik gained its first-ever promotion to the Yugoslav Second League. In that competition, Čelik played its first official games against Nikšić strongest-side FK Sutjeska and notable Montenegrin team FK Budućnost, but they were relegated, with scores of four wins, six draws and 20 defeats.

During the 1970s and 1980s, FK Čelik was a permanent member of Montenegrin Republic League, with two seasons finishing as a runner-up (1981–82, 1984–85).

Yugoslav breakup era (1992–2006)

On 1992, after the breakup of SFR Yugoslavia, FK Čelik started to play in the football system of newly formed FR Yugoslavia. With the support of Nikšić steel mill, the team gained promotion to 1996–97 Yugoslav Second League. In the Second League, Čelik played one of their best seasons – finishing as a third-placed team, only five points behind the First League promotion. Same season (1996–97), Čelik won their second Montenegrin Republic Cup.

From 1996 to 2004, FK Čelik spent eight consecutive seasons in Yugoslav / Serbia and Montenegro Second League. On season 1997/98, they were close to First League promotion, but failed to qualify, finished with only one point less than first-placed Mogren.

Independence era (2006–)

Following the independence of Montenegro, FK Čelik became a member of the Montenegrin Second League inaugural season (2006–07). Finishing in second place in the 2007–08 season, the team participated in the First League playoffs. Their rival in that stage was local side FK Sutjeska. Two playoff games watched more than 17,000 spectators and Čelik didn't succeed to gain promotion (0:0, 0:1).

In the 2011–12 season, FK Čelik won the Second League, making few all-time records – most points by single-season (80), highest number of wins (25), or longest unbeaten run (23 games) and longest winning streak (10 games).

During the same season, FK Čelik became the first-ever and only Montenegrin Second League member which won the Montenegrin Cup. On the road to the final, they eliminated Blue Star (2:0), Lovćen (1:0, 1:0), Bokelj (1:1, 1:0) and Jedinstvo (3:0, 0:1). In the finals, on 23 May 2012, FK Čelik defeated First-League side Rudar – 2:1 (2:0) and won their very first and, by now, the only national trophy.[4]

Winning the cup allowed the club to enter the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase, where they beat Bosnian powerhouse Borac Banja Luka on away goals (1:1, 2:2). Facing Ukrainian club Metalurh Donetsk in the second qualifying round, the team garnered even more attention from the local media as the players and staff traveled from Nikšić to Donetsk (2,143 kilometers) by bus, which, after being denied entry to Moldova,[5] lasted approximately 70 hours on the road.[6] The team, having arrived in Donetsk on the same day of the match, lost the first leg 7–0, giving Metalurh its most historic win in UEFA competition.[7] While Čelik played with much more resistance in the second leg, the team was eliminated from the UEFA Europa League after the game ended 2–4 for Metalurh.[8]

Soon after their European debut, FK Čelik started their first-ever season in Montenegrin First League. They won third-place, behind Montenegrin strongest teams Sutjeska and Budućnost, but also played in the final of 2012–13 Montenegrin Cup. This time, FK Čelik was defeated by FK Budućnost (0–1).

With that results, team from Nikšić played another European season, in 2013–14 UEFA Europa League. Their opponent was Hungarian side Budapest Honvéd FC (1–4; 0–9).

Next year, FK Čelik again won third place in the First League, with another performance in 2014–15 UEFA Europa League qualifying. This time, they faced Koper from Slovenia (0–5; 0–4).

Before the start of the 2014–15 season, the club informed the Football Association of Montenegro that because of financial problems it would not be able to play the 2014–15 season in the top flight,[9] and re-emerged in the Montenegrin Third League.

After two seasons in the lowest-tier, FK Čelik gained promotion to the 2016–17 Second League. In March 2018, the club was on the brink of collapse[10] and they were relegated from the Montenegrin Third League in 2019,[11] effectively ending the club's existence.

In 2022, the club was refounded by supporters and a former footballers and in the 2022–23 season competes in the lowest tier, the Montenegrin Third League.

Statistics

First League Record
See also: Participants of Montenegrin First League

For the first time, FK Čelik played in Montenegrin First League on season 2012–13. Below is a list of FK Čelik scores in First League by every single season.

Season Pos G W D L GF GA
2012–13 3 33 15 8 10 41 35
2013–14 3 33 15 9 9 47 28

European competitions
See also: Montenegrin clubs in European football competitions

For the first time, FK Čelik played in European competitions on season 2012–13. Until now, they played three seasons in European cups.

Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Aggregate
2012–13 UEFA Europa League 1Q Bosnia and Herzegovina Borac Banja Luka
1–1
2–2
3–3 (a)
2Q Ukraine Metalurh Donetsk
2–4
0–7
2–11
2013–14 UEFA Europa League 1Q Hungary Budapest Honvéd
1–4
0–9
1–13
2014–15 UEFA Europa League 1Q Slovenia Koper
0–5
0–4
0–9

Honours and achievements

Players

Current squad

Below is the squad of FK Čelik for Montenegrin Second League 2017–18 season.[12] 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 Montenegro MNE Aleksandar Karadžić
44 DF Japan JPN Seiya Kinno
35 DF Montenegro MNE Petar Tepavčević
28 DF Montenegro MNE Igor Tadić
11 DF Montenegro MNE Nikola Cimbaljević
7 MF Montenegro MNE Bogdan Krivokapić
4 MF Montenegro MNE Lazar Mučalica
77 MF Montenegro MNE Matija Vujović
5 MF Montenegro MNE Dragutin Lalatović
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW Montenegro MNE Marko Zečević
9 FW Montenegro MNE Risto Mirković
41 GK Montenegro MNE Radivoje Poleksić
16 DF Montenegro MNE Luka Milić
68 DF Montenegro MNE Mitar Draganić
13 MF Montenegro MNE Stefan Savićević
55 MF Montenegro MNE Filip Mitrović
2 FW Montenegro MNE Željko Zarubica

Notable players

For the list of former players with Wikipedia article, see: FK Čelik Nikšić players.

Supporters and rivalries

"FAP Mašina" is the popular name for the most ardent FK Čelik fans. They have been established in 2001 in Nikšić. Notable days, group remember in period 2007–2014, when the stands were occupied by hundreds of FAP Mašina members. Their main rival is FK Sutjeska Nikšić with whom they contest the Nikšić derby.[13]

Stadium
Main article: Stadion Željezare

FK Čelik plays their home games at Stadion Željezare, which is located near the FK Sutjeska Stadium. There are two stands on Stadion Željezare with an overall capacity of 2,000 seats.

See also

References
  1. "Čelik se ponovo pokrenuo, legendarni fudbaler preuzeo kormilo". cg-fudbal.com. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  2. Никшић Град и људи – Трагом старих фотографијa 1944–1970. Page 116. By Maksim Vujacic. 1996
  3. 'Crnogorski klubovi u fudbalskim takmičenjima 1946–2016', Podgorica, 2016.
  4. "Čelik shock Rudar to clinch Montenegrin Cup". UEFA. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  5. Jedan-nula – Vesti – Liga Evrope – Naslov – Šta se krije iza najubedljivijeg rezultata ove nedelje u LE (Serbian) Retrieved 2012.
  6. Vecernje Novosti – Vesti – Sport – Fudbaleri nikšićkog Čelika u Donjeck putovali autobusom (Montenegrin: Footballers of Niksic Celik traveled to Donetsk by bus 70 hours). Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  7. UEFA Europa League – Season: 2012 – Matches – Round 2 – Metalurh Donetsk 7:0 Čelik Nikšić Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  8. UEFA Europa League – Season: 2012 – Matches – Round 2 – Čelik Nikšić 2:4 Metalurh Donetsk Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  9. "Montenegrin club gives up on top flight football". soccerly.com. 3 August 2014. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  10. Čelik napušta takmičenje i gasi se – ponovo? – Vijesti (in Montenegrin)
  11. Montenegro 2018/19 – RSSSF
  12. "Čelik – Lovćen – Fudbalski savez Crne Gore".
  13. "Sutjeska Nikšić – Čelik Nikšić 09.03.2014".
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