Nickname(s) Metalurzi Arena/Stadium Stadion Željezare Location Nikšić, Montenegro Founded 1957 | Ground Capacity 2,000 League Montenegrin First League Head coach Slaviša Đurković | |
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Full name Fudbalski Klub Čelik Nikšić Ground Stadion Željezare,
Nikšić, Montenegro | ||
Fudbalski Klub Čelik Nikšić (Фудбалски клуб Челик Никшић/Fudbalski klub Čelik Nikšić) is a football club based in Nikšić, Montenegro, founded in 1957.
Contents
Foundation
FK Čelik was established in 1957 after Nikšić-based club FK Javorak went bankrupt. While Čelik was not the official successor of Javorak, the initiative to create a club was taken by former Javorak player Savo Pejović. Eventually, a potential leader was found in Marko Orović who had a long history of business in football within Nikšić. The name "Čelik" was given in memory of Petar Saveljić, who had worked at the local steel mill before playing football with Savo Pejović.
History
In their first season, Čelik played in the Titogradski podsavez - South, which was fourth level in former SFR Yugoslavia. Very soon, Čelik became regular participant of Montenegrin Republic Football League (third level). First biggest success for Čelik came at the 1961, when the club from Nikšić won the Montenegrin Cup. During the '80s, Čelik became one of the most successful clubs in Montenegrin Republic Football League, but their first appearances in Yugoslav Second League came during the 90's. At the August 2012, Čelik played their first match at the First Football League.
The club's biggest success happened when they won the 2011–12 Montenegrin Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory against FK Rudar Pljevlja despite still playing in the Montenegrin Second League that season. 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. 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, lasted approximately 70 hours on the road. 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. 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.
After failing in the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League qualifying, the club informed the league that because of financial problems it would not be able to play the 2014–15 season in the top flight, and re-emerged in the Third Division.
Fans
The Čelik supporters group is called Fap mašina, founded in 2001. Their main rival is FK Sutjeska Nikšić with whom they contest the Nikšić derby.