FK Sutjeska Nikšić

FK Sutjeska is founded at 1927, under the name Sports' club Hajduk (SK Hajduk).[2] Later though (before World War II began), the club changed its name to SK Hercegovac.
Under the name SK Hajduk, the team debuted in official competitions at 1929 – as a participant of Montenegrin Football Championship. Biggest success at that time, team from Nikšić had in the autumn 1929, playing in the Montenegrin Championship finals against SK Crnogorac Cetinje (1–2).[3] During the season 1932, SK Hercegovac played their first official game against FK Budućnost (1–2)[4] and that was the first edition of Montenegrin Derby – the greatest rivalry in the history of Montenegrin football.
Until 1940, the team from Nikšić played only once in the Championship finals, and since the beginning of World War II – the team is disallowed.

After the war, the club was refounded (1945) under the name Sutjeska in honour of Yugoslav communists killed in the Battle of Sutjeska. First game they played on 3 May 1945, against FK Budućnost in Podgorica (2–4).[5] Soon after that, team from Nikšić played in the first football competition after the World War II – 1946 Montenegrin Republic League, winning the third position at the end of season.
First significant success after the war, FK Sutjeska made on season 1948/49, with gaining promotion to Yugoslav Third League. In period 1955–1964, Sutjeska played nine consecutive seasons in Yugoslav Second League. As a member of the Second League, Sutjeska participated in semifinals of 1962–63 Yugoslav Cup.
Historical result of that time, the team made on season 1963–64 – finishing as a champion of Second League, Sutjeska was promoted to the top-tier competition of SFR Yugoslavia. They debuted in Yugoslav First League on 9 August 1964, against Dinamo in Zagreb. During the sixties and seventies, Sutjeska played four seasons in the First League. On season 1971–72, game between Sutjeska and Crvena Zvezda in Nikšić was attended by 19,000 spectators which remained the historical-high attendance on Sutjeska home games.[6]
On season 1973, FK Sutjeska debuted in official international competitions. They represented Yugoslavia in the Balkans Cup,[7] finishing as a second-placed team in the Group A with teams Târgu Mureș and Elbasani.

FK Sutjeska made their come-back to Yugoslav First League on season 1984–85. This time, they spent four consecutive seasons in top-tier competition. Best result in the First league, the team from Nikšić made on season 1984–85, finishing as a ninth-placed team. During that seasons, FK Sutjeska and FK Budućnost played first editions of Montenegrin Derby in the Yugoslav First League.
Together with Budućnost, FK Sutjeska is one of two football clubs from Montenegro who competed in the first tier football league of SFR Yugoslavia. As a result, FK Sutjeska gained considerable prestige and international reputation, and therefore remains one of the biggest sporting institutions in Montenegro. It is especially the most recognized sports organization in the city of Nikšić.[8]
Even after the breakup of Yugoslavia, Sutjeska remained at the top football league in subsequent-state FR Yugoslavia. After a great season in 2003, Sutjeska had a notable appearance in European competition in which they eliminated Racing FC Union Luxembourg in the UEFA Intertoto Cup, but lost in the next round against Tampere United.[9]

Following Montenegrin independence, Sutjeska became a member of Montenegrin First League. First significant success at that time, the team made in Montenegrin Cup 2006–07. They played in the finals, but lost against FK Rudar (1–2). As a third-placed team on season 2008–09, Sutjeska debuted in the UEFA Europa League, but they were eliminated by FC Partizan Minsk from Belarus (1–1; 1–2).[10]
First national title in the clubs' history, FK Sutjeska won on season 2012–13, with five points more than their eternal rivals – FK Budućnost. During that season, FK Sutjeska home games were watched by more than 7,000 spectators, which was the record-high since the eighties. As a Montenegrin champion, Sutjeska participated in UEFA Champions League 2013-14 qualifiers, with elimination in the second round, against Moldavian side FC Sheriff.[11]
On season 2013–14, FK Sutjeska became first Montenegrin club which defended a national title from last season. They won the title after the long and dramatic race with FK Lovćen and gained a new opportunity to participate in UEFA Champions League. On second qualifying round, FK Sutjeska again failed against well-known rival – FC Sheriff.
Another season in Europe, Sutjeska played in 2015–16 UEFA Europa League, with two dramatic games against Hungarian-side Debreceni VSC (2–0; 0–3).
On season 2016–17, FK Sutjeska made a new success, this time in Montenegrin Cup. For the second time in history, they played in Cup finals, but this time won the title, winning a game against OFK Grbalj (1–0).
From 2017, FK Sutjeska played two impressive seasons, with two new titles and successful result in European competitions. On season 2017–18, led by Nikšić-born manager Nikola Rakojević, they won the title with 22 points more than their biggest rivals and runners-up from FK Budućnost. Except that, Sutjeska player Igor Ivanović became a top scorer of the season. Next year, FK Sutjeska, again with the head coach Rakojević, defended the title, this time after more intensive struggle with FK Budućnost. A month later, team from Nikšić made good result in 2019–20 Champions League, as they eliminated Slovan Bratislava in the first leg of qualifiers. They are eliminated on the next stage, against APOEL.
After three consecutive seasons finished with domestic trophies, FK Sutjeska performances on season 2019–20 were lower, so they finished as a runners-up. During the season, they made biggest away win in the history of Montenegrin Derby, against FK Budućnost in Podgorica (4–1). Except that, they were among the semifinalists of Montenegrin Cup, but the competition was interrupted due to COVID-19.

FK Sutjeska played one season in the Balkans Cup, a regional competition for clubs from Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey. In season 1973, they played against Romanian team Târgu Mureș and Elbasani from Albania, finishing as a second-placed team in the Group A.

As of 15 September 2023[18]

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  MNE Vladan Giljen (captain) 2 MF  MNE Lazar Žižić 3 DF  MNE Dragan Grivić 4 DF  MNE Adrijan Rudović 5 DF  MNE Igor Pajović 6 MF  MNE Srđan Krstović 7 FW  SRB Milan Mirosavljev 8 MF  MNE Marko Matanović 9 FW  MNE Vuk Striković 11 DF  MNE Ilija Tučević 16 DF  MNE Ognjen Đinović 18 DF  MNE Vojin Pavlović 19 DF  MNE Nikola Đurković 21 MF  MNE Balša Boričić 23 GK  MNE Radoš Dubljević

No. Pos. Nation Player 24 DF  MNE Đorđe Šaletić 25 FW  MNE Božo Marković 26 FW  MNE Dušan Vuković 28 MF  SRB Dušan Živković 30 FW  FRA Yanis Beghdadi 31 GK  MNE Suad Ličina 33 DF  MNE Balša Vukotić 34 DF  MNE Marko Vučić 55 DF  MNE Marko Simić 66 DF  MNE Bojan Damjanović 72 DF  MNE Anto Babić 88 FW  MNE Petar Aničić 98 FW  MNE Darjan Šušić 99 FW  LBY Fahd Saad Mohamed

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

• Most performances: Brajan Nenezić – 293/37 (1975–1989)
• Top goalscorer: Željko Bajčeta – 43 (1980–1990)

For the list of former and current players with Wikipedia article, please see Category:FK Sutjeska Nikšić players.

During the history, several notable players started their career or played for FK Sutjeska. Most known are Nikšić-born players Mirko Vučinić, Andrija Delibašić, Miodrag Bajović, Miladin Bečanović, Vojin Lazarević, Branko Samatović and Brajan Nenezić. Player with the most appearances is Brajan Nenezić, who played 293 matches in period 1975–1989.

Below is the list of players who, during their career, played for FK Sutjeska and represented their countries at the full international level.