FC Feronikeli 74 (Albanian: Klubi Futbollistik Feronikeli 74), commonly referred to as Feronikeli 74 and also known as Feronikeli is a professional football club based in Drenas, Kosovo. The club play in the Football Superleague of Kosovo, which is the top tier of football in the country.

Feronikeli 74
Full nameFootball Club Feronikeli 74
Nickname(s)Tigrat e Zi (The Black Tigers)
Founded8 April 1974; 50 years ago (1974-04-08) as Nikeli, later as Feronikeli
20 August 2022; 2 years ago (2022-08-20) as Feronikeli 74
GroundRexhep Rexhepi Stadium
Capacity6,000
ManagerGiovanni Colella
LeagueKosovo Superleague
2023–24Kosovo Superleague, 8th of 10
Websitehttp://feronikelifc.com

History

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In 1974, the club was founded as Nikeli. During the spring and summer of 1974, an intense activity took place in all aspects for the formation of the football club, its registration and inclusion in the Inter-Municipal Football League level, namely, at the District League of Pristina. At the top of this activity was the physical education teacher, Hashim Mala.[1]

On 8 April 1974, the Founding Assembly of the Football Club was held in the Glogovac Municipal Assembly Hall. In this assembly was founded the club, which was named Nikeli with headquarters in Glogovac. Then, the headship of the club was elected, the 11-member presidency with Tahir Ajazi as president, vice-president Murtes Zogu, secretary Jusuf Dobra, treasurer Habib Kukiqi and board members were Fetah Elshani, Ismail Bajraktari, Mehdi Bardhi, Nazif Sejda, Rade Jevremović, Remzi Heta and Sylejman Kastrati. This assembly elected Mehdi Bardhi as technical director, while coach was Hashim Mala.[1]

The club has historically closely been associated with NewCo Feronikeli, the nearby ore mining and metallurgical complex, ever since the plant was built in 1984.[2] In the 2014–15 season they were crowned champions for the first time in the club's history.[3] They won the 2018–19 championship as well, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League preliminary rounds for the first time in their history.

Stadium

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The club has played its home games at the Rexhep Rexhepi Stadium (Albanian: Stadiumi Rexhep Rexhepi) is a multi-purpose stadium in Glogovac, Kosovo. The stadium has a capacity of 6,000 people all seater and is named after the club's former player and captain Rexhep Rexhepi, who fought for the Kosovo Liberation Army and was killed on 12 February 1999 by Serb forces during KLA insurgency right before the start of the Kosovo War.[4]

Supporters

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Tigrat e Zi
Founded2014; 10 years ago (2014)
TypeSupporters' group
LocationGlogovac, Kosovo
ArenaRexhep Rexhepi Stadium
StandWest

Tigrat e Zi are the clubs' supporters. The supporters stand in the West part of the stadium.

Honours

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FC Feronikeli 74 honours
Type Competition Titles Seasons/Years
Domestic Football Superleague of Kosovo 3 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018–19
Kosovar Cup 3 2013–14, 2014–15, 2018–19
Kosovar Supercup 2 2015, 2019
International Albania Independence Cup 1 2014

Players

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Current squad

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As of 18 October 2024[5]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   ITA Davide Borsellini
2 DF   KOS Granit Musa
3 DF   KOS Armend Halili
4 MF   KOS Agron Bruqi
5 DF   KOS Lapidar Lladrovci (vice-captain)
6 FW   UKR Dmytro Semeniv
7 FW   KOS Hasan Hyseni
8 MF   KOS Endrit Morina
9 FW   GRE Nikolaos Ioannidis
10 MF   SUI Lavdim Zumberi
11 MF   KOS Florent Avdyli
12 GK   CGO Marly Prince Heritier
13 DF   ALB Stivian Janku
15 DF   KOS Rinor Brahimi
16 MF   KOS Visar Hoxha
17 FW   KOS Alban Shillova
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 DF   KOS Bejtë Rexhepi
19 MF   KOS Arlind Maloku
21 DF   ALB David Gjinollari
23 MF   KOS Alban Shabani (captain)
24 DF   KOS Lis Demiri
27 MF   KOS Rizah Bardhi
28 FW   MEX Martín Zúñiga
32 MF   GRE Vasilios Karagounis
34 MF   ALB Drilon Cenaj
44 FW   KOS Suad Sahiti
51 MF   SUI Devid Ademaj
61 MF   KOS Rrustem Morina
77 FW   KOS Armend Gashi
80 FW   KOS Kadri Berisha
98 FW   KOS Jon Qorri
99 DF   KOS Leart Zekolli

Other players under contract

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
DF   KOS Arlind Krasniqi
MF   KOS Leonot Bajrami

Personnel

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Current technical staff
Position Name
Head coach   Giovanni Colella
Assistant coach(es)   Blerim Bunjaku
Team Manager   Leutrim Krasniqi
Goalkeeping coach   Avni Hasani
Physiotherapist
  Arton Lestrani
  Kushtrim Ajazi
Board members
Office Name
President   Erlind Krasniqi
Vice-president   Leutrim Krasniqi
General director   Artan Berisha
Secretary   Isak Ismajli
Board members
  Shpend Bogiqi
  Leutrim Krasniqi
  Brahim Qorri
  Faruk Elshani
  Haxhi Lladrovci
Information and media officer   Valdrin Krasniqi
Photographer   Albert Sinani

List of managers

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No. Name From To Ref
1.   Ramiz Krasniqi 2010 2011
2.   Musa Selimi 2011 2012 [6]
3.   Arbnor Morina July 2013 7 October 2013 (2013-10-07) [7]
4.   Ramiz Krasniqi 7 October 2013 (2013-10-07) 6 July 2014 (2014-07-06) [8]
5.   Gani Sejdiu 6 July 2014 (2014-07-06) 7 December 2015 (2015-12-07) [9]
6.   Afrim Tovërlani 9 December 2015 (2015-12-09) April 2017 [10]
7.   Gani Sejdiu 13 July 2017 (2017-07-13) 27 September 2017 (2017-09-27) [11]
8.    Zekirija Ramadani 1 October 2017 (2017-10-01) 17 December 2017 (2017-12-17) [12]
9.   Ismet Munishi 17 December 2017 (2017-12-17) 20 March 2018 (2018-03-20) [13]
10.   Sulejman Starova 20 March 2018 (2018-03-20) 2 September 2018 (2018-09-02) [14]
11.    Zekirija Ramadani 3 September 2018 (2018-09-03) July 2019 [15]
12.   Dejan Vukićević 6 August 2019 (2019-08-06) October 2019 [16]
13.     Agim Sopi 1 November 2019 (2019-11-01) 22 February 2020 (2020-02-22) [17]
14.    Malsor Gjonbalaj 29 February 2020 (2020-02-29) 5 March 2020 (2020-03-05) [18]
15.   Afrim Tovërlani 5 March 2020 (2020-03-05) 5 October 2020 (2020-10-05) [19]
16.   Klodian Duro 6 October 2020 (2020-10-06) 1 May 2021 (2021-05-01) [20]
17.   Faruk Elshani 1 May 2021 (2021-05-01) 30 June 2022
18.   Granit Begolli 1 July 2022 (2022-07-01) 13 June 2023
19.    Djengis Redjepi 21 June 2023 (2023-06-21) 28 December 2023
20.    Shefki Kuqi 8 January 2024 (2024-01-08) 26 August 2024
21.   Giovanni Colella 30 August 2024 (2024-08-30) pressent

FC Feronikeli 74 in Europe

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Feronikeli will compete in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the 2019–20 season, entering at the preliminary round. On 11 June 2019, in Nyon, the draw was held and Feronikeli were drawn against the Gibraltarian side Lincoln Red Imps.[21][22] On 25 June 2019, Feronikeli beat the Gibraltarian side Lincoln Red Imps at Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina.[23]

After being eliminated from The New Saints, Feronikeli continued to play in the second qualifying round of UEFA Europa League. On 17 July 2019, Feronikeli learns the upcoming rival which was the champion of 2018–19 Slovak First Football League, Slovan Bratislava.[24]

Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Agg.
2019–20 UEFA Champions League PR   Lincoln Red Imps 1–0
  FC Santa Coloma 2–1
1Q   The New Saints 0−1 2–2 2–3
2019–20 UEFA Europa League 2Q   Slovan Bratislava 0−2 1−2 1−4

References

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  1. ^ a b "Rreth klubit" [About the club] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli. Archived from the original on 2019-07-06. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  2. ^ "NewCo Feronikeli nderohet me medalje dhe mirënjohje nga KF Feronikeli" [NewCo Feronikeli honored with medals and gratitude by KF Feronikeli] (in Albanian). Kosova Press. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 23 December 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  3. ^ "Feronikeli për herë të parë kampion (VIDEO)" [Feronikeli for the first time champion (VIDEO)] (in Albanian). Klan Kosova. 7 June 2015. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Feronikeli përkujtoi Rexhepin" [Feronikeli reminded Rexhepi]. Arkiva Mediatike Shqiptare (in Albanian). 13 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Ekipi" [The team] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Musa Selimi shkruajti faqen e parë të historisë së Feronikelit, kujton këto dy suksese të mëdha në karrierën e tij!" [Musa Selimi wrote the first page of Feronikeli's history, reminiscent of these two great successes in his career!]. Gazeta Sheshi (in Albanian). 29 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Arbnor Morina jep dorëheqje nga Ferronikeli" [Arbnor Morina resigns from Ferronikeli] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 7 October 2013. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Ferronikeli do të jetë ndryshe në pranverë" [Ferronikeli will be different in the spring] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 20 October 2013. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Sejdiu te Feronikeli, largohet Krasniqi" [Sejdiu at Feronikeli, Krasniqi leaves] (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 6 July 2014.
  10. ^ "Zyrtare: Tovërlani trajner i Feronikelit" [Official: Tovërlani, Feronikeli's coach] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 9 December 2015. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Gani Sejdiu, trajner i Feronikelit, të premten prezantimi" [Gani Sejdiu, Feronikeli's coach, on Friday the presentation] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 13 July 2017. Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  12. ^ "Ramadani fillon stërvitjet te Feronikeli" [Ramadan begins training at Feronikeli] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 1 October 2017. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  13. ^ "Zyrtare: Ismet Munishi merr drejtimin e Feronikelit" [Official: Ismet Munishi takes over the leadership of Feronikeli] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 17 December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  14. ^ "Zyrtare: Sulejman Starova, trajner i Feronikelit" [Official: Sulejman Starova, Feronikeli's coach] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 20 March 2018. Archived from the original on 21 March 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  15. ^ "Zyrtare: Feronikeli shkarkon Starovën, emëron Zekirija Ramadanin trajner të ri" [Official: Feronikeli dismiss Starova, appoint Zekirija Ramadani new coach] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 3 September 2018. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  16. ^ "Zyrtare: Dejan Vukiqeviq trajner i Feronikelit" [Official: Dejan Vukićević, Feronikeli's coach] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 6 August 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  17. ^ "Zyrtare: Agim Sopi merr drejtimin e FC Feronikelit" [Official: Agim Sopi takes charge of FC Feronikeli] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli. 1 November 2019. Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  18. ^ "Malsor Gjonbalaj, merr drejtimin e Feronikelit" [Malsor Gjonbalaj, takes over the leadership of Feronikeli]. Gazeta Olle (in Albanian). 29 February 2020.
  19. ^ "Zyrtare, Afrim Toverlani merr drejtimin e FC Feronikelit" [Official, Afrim Toverlani takes over the leadership of FC Feronikeli] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli. 5 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Klodian Duro trajner i ri i Feronikelit" [Klodian Duro new coach of Feronikeli] (in Albanian). TopSporti. 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Zyrtare: Lincoln Red Imps, kundërshtari i Feronikelit për Champions" [Official: Lincoln Red Imps, Feronikeli's opponent for the Champions] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli. 11 June 2019. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  22. ^ "Feronikeli mëson kundërshtarin për fazën parakualifikuese në Ligën e Kampionëve" [Feronikeli teaches the opponent for the pre-qualification stage in the Champions League] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 11 June 2019. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019. Feronikeli në parakualifikimet e Ligës së Kampionëve do të ketë punë me Lincoln Red Imps nga Gjibraltari
  23. ^ "Feronikeli fiton ndaj Lincolnit dhe bën një hap të madh në raundin parakualifikues në LK" [Feronikeli wins against Lincoln and makes a big leap in the pre-qualifying round at CL] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 25 June 2019. Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  24. ^ "Zyrtare: Feronikeli luan kundër Slovan Bratislava në Europa Ligë" [Official: Feronikeli plays against Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League] (in Albanian). KF Feronikeli. 17 July 2019. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
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