PFC Spartak Plovdiv

Spartak was founded on 15 November 1947, evolving from three earlier Plovdiv clubs – Levski, Septemvri and Udarnik. The club name is a reference to the Roman slave hero Spartacus. This reference also explains the club's nickname – The Gladiators (Bulgarian: Гладиаторите). The first team colours of the club were chosen the same year, and soon Spartak was characterized by a blue, red and white check jersey. These colors have remained throughout the club’s history, with various patterns used over the years.

The 1950s and 1960s were Spartak's golden age, spending that time in the A PFG. The club won the Bulgarian Cup in 1958, beating Minyor Pernik in the final. This was Spartak’s first major trophy in club history. In the 1961–62 season, Spartak finished as runners-up, behind CSKA Sofia. Spartak’s greatest success came in 1963, however, when they were crowned champions of Bulgaria for the (1962–63 season). Spartak finished three points above city rivals Botev Plovdiv, in a closely fought battle for the title. Spartak’s Todor Diev finished as the top goalscorer that season, with 26 goals. coming second the previous year.

As league champions the previous season, the club participated in the European Cup competition for the first time in 1963-64 against FK Partizani Tirana (0:1, 3:1) and vs PSV (0:1, 0:0). The second continental participation was in Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1966-67 vs S.L. Benfica (1:1, 0:3). In 1964, Spartak reached the Balkans Cup final, losing to FC Rapid București after two legs – 1:1 at home and 0:2 away.

In 1967, Spartak was merged with SSK Akademik and Botev Plovdiv into a new club – AFD Trakia. An independent Spartak did not re-emerge until 1982. The club spent the period from 1982 to 1994 in the second and third divisions. In the 1993–94 season, Spartak finished 2nd in B PFG, and qualified again for the A PFG, after 27 years of absence from top football. But two seasons later, the team was relegated again to the B PFG. The club merged in 1998 with Komatevo Sokol`94 and were renamed Spartak-S`94. This remained the club's official name until the 2001–02 season.

Spartak dissolved its senior squad in 2016, due to financial problems. In 2017, the club was restored, starting from the fourth tier of football, Regional A OFG Plovdiv. In the same year, the club introduced an updated crest, displaying the helmet of Spartacus, after whom the club is named. In 2020, the club promoted to the Third League, but was relegated the next season. After one year, Spartak again reached the Third League.

Spartak began the 2023–24 season in the Third League in a very strong form, winning all 10 of their first games.

League positions

As of 1 August 2020[1]

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  BUL Aleksandar Vitanov 2 DF  BUL Hristos Dokov 3 DF  BUL Georgi Kamburov 5 DF  BUL Hristo Stamov 6 MF  BUL Veselin Otman 7 MF  BUL Svetoslav Chitakov 8 MF  BUL Hristos Dokov 9 FW  BUL Lyubomir Tsekov

No. Pos. Nation Player 10 MF  BUL Kiril Georgiev 12 GK  BUL Aleks Vasilev 14 DF  BUL Nikolay Parnarov 16 DF  BUL Atanas Buchov 18 MF  BUL Martin Simeonov 20 MF  BUL Krastyo Milev 21 DF  BUL Yordan Minev