Ground Capacity 8,000 2015-16 2nd League III liga | Founded 11 August 1929 Manager Czesław Jakołcewicz | |
 | ||
Full name Klub Sportowy Zakładów Ostrowieckich Nickname(s) Pomarańczowo-czarni (The-orange-and-black),Kszoki Arena/Stadium Miejski Stadion Sportowy "KSZO" Location Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Poland | ||
KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski ([ˈkʂɔ ɔsˈtrɔvʲɛt͡s ɕfʲɛntɔˈkʂɨskʲi]) is a Polish football club based in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Poland. It was founded on August 11, 1929.
Contents
History
In 1995, after several decades in lower league football, mainly the third division, KSZO for the first time promoted to the second division of the Polish football league. After just two years, in 1997, the club advanced to the Polish top level football league, Ekstraklasa. However the first season in Ekstraklasa end up with relegation. KSZO once again promoted to Ekstraklasa in 2001. 13th-place finish was the result of quite well performance in 2001/2002 season.
The next season started very promisingly, however, financial problems led to the relegation. The problems were more and more severe and by the end of 2003 KSZO was liquidated and recreated on the basis of another 2nd league club KS Stasiak Ceramika Opoczno. Since then the club performed as KSZO sports p.l.c. in the 2nd league.
In year 2007 the club got expelled from 2nd league and was relegated 1 level of competition (3rd league), because former chairman Mirosław Stasiak was accused of bribery.
In 2008 KSZO promoted to the new 2nd league (the third division of the Polish football league after its reorganization). 2008/2009 season KSZO ended on the first place and returned to the Polish First League. After relegation from Polish First League in 2011, club declared bancrupcy. It was reorganized in 2012 under the same name and badge. In four years they advanced from sixth to fourth division. Now they're playing in Polish Third League.
Fans
Although KSZO supporters' nickname is 'Świętokrzyscy Rozbójnicy' i.e. Saint Cross (word derived from the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship) Reavers, they are known for outstanding atmosphere and high attendance during the matches.
KSZO fans have a fellowship with fans from Lech Poznań (since 1992), Slovan Liberec (since 2000-2016), Arka Gdynia (since 2004) and Stal Sanok (since 2005).
Their biggest rivals are regional opponents Korona Kielce with whom they contest the Holy Cross Province derby. Other rivals are Hutnik Nowa Huta and Stal Stalowa Wola whim whom they contest the steelworks derbies. They also have a strong dislike of Radomiak Radom.
Current squad
As of 1 September 2016Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Famous players
Player who have played in the top-flight