Wikipedia

FK Novi Pazar

Fudbalski klub Novi Pazar (Serbian Cyrillic: Фудбалски клуб Нови Пазар) is a Serbian professional football club from Novi Pazar. The club was formed in 1928 as FK Sandžak. FK Novi Pazar competes in the Serbian SuperLiga and play their home games at the 12,000 capacity Novi Pazar City Stadium. The club has a B team, FK Novi Pazar 1928, which plays in the Serbian Zone League.

Novi Pazar
Full nameFudbalski klub Novi Pazar
Nickname(s)Plavi (The Blues)
Founded1928; 96 years ago (1928)[1]
GroundNovi Pazar City Stadium
Capacity10,000
PresidentBajro Župić
ManagerTomislav Sivić
LeagueSerbian SuperLiga
2022–23Serbian SuperLiga, 6th
Websitefknovipazar.com/index.html
Current season

The club has achieved its greatest successes since Serbia has become an independent country, reaching the top tier of national competition for the first time ever in the 2011–12 Serbian SuperLiga. Novi Pazar was granted promotion after 2010–11 Serbian First League champions BASK withdrew from the SuperLiga due to limited funds and not meeting the required stadium criteria set out by the Football Association of Serbia.

In 2019–20 they finished mid-table in the Serbian First League (second tier) but due to the FSS (Football Association of Serbia) re-structuring the Serbian SuperLiga and due to FK Novi Pazar having a modern UEFA standard stadium when most clubs in Serbia don't, they were awarded a place/took the place of FK Grafičar Beograd, a Belgrade club who basically had a pitch/field and no stadium to speak of and hence had to withdraw from the Serbian SuperLiga due to limited funds and not meeting the required stadium criteria set out by the Football Association of Serbia.

History

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Yugoslav period

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The club was founded in 1928, under the name FK Sandžak, which later changed to FK Deževa. The club has played under its current name since 1962, when FK Deževa and another local football club, the FK Ras, merged under the name FK Novi Pazar. The club was a Yugoslav amateur-leagues champion, and was later a member of the Yugoslav Second League.

Its first notable achievement happened in 1984 when the club won the Serbian Republic League, at time one of Yugoslav third tiers, and were promoted to the Yugoslav Second League for the first time in 56 years of existence till then. They finished the season with 43 points (at time it was two points per victory) with 17 wins, 9 draws and 4 losses, and a score balance of 42–14. The Serbian Republic League at time was very competitive and Novi Pazar that season finished top of teams such as Radnički Kragujevac, Čukarički, Obilić, Sinđelić, Jagodina, Sloga Kraljevo, Loznica, Dubočica, Radnički Obrenovac, Budućnost Valjevo, Rudar Kostolac, Kristal Zaječar, Majdanpek, Đerdap Kladovo and 7. Juli Vrčin. The celebration of the promotion to the Second League happened in the last round in the 2–1 home victory over 7. Juli, but the major celebration happened two rounds earlier when Novi Pazar secured the league title at the 1–1 draw away in Belgrade against Sinđelić. The game was attended by 3.000 spectators of which 2.500 were Novi Pazar fans that had travelled to Belgrade. The goal for Novi Pazar was scored by Milan Glavčić who scored 23 goals overall that season and was the club's top scorer. The players that formed that notorious generation of Novi Pazar that season were goalkeepers Novica Jovanović, Dragan Goševac, Naser Halitović, defenders Dragan Kostić, Bajro Župić, Darko Vujović, Esad Karišik, Nazim Izberović, Ratko Šarac, Radojica Milojević, Salih Detanac, Izet Ljajić, Ljutvo Bogućanin, midfielders Ferid Ganić, Rizo Tutić, Mirsad Karišik, Adnan Numanović, Ismail Bihorac, Nermin Ukić, and forwards Ismet Ugljanin, Milan Glavčić, Gmitar Vukadinović, Šerif Izberović and Naser Salihu. The club president was Amir Beširović while the coach was Dušan Radonjić and his assistant was Aćif Klimenta.[2]

Besides this major achievement, the generation of 1984 will also manage to win the, back then respectable, Yugoslav amateur-league leagues champion, which was played between the winners of the all eight leagues forming the Yugoslav third tier, the six republic leagues (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia) and the two autonomous provinces ones (Kosovo and Vojvodina). As winner of the 1983–84 Serbian Republic League, FK Novi Pazar represented Serbia that year and won the tournament. After beating Liria away in Prizren by 3–0, Novi Pazar played the final home in the City Stadium where it won Crvenka by 2–0 with goals of Esad Karišik and Ismet Ugljanin. A member of that generation, Enver Gusinac, who became club captain in the seasons that followed, missed the season because of the Yugoslav People's Army conscription, made his return at that final game.[2]

Serbia/Montenegro period

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The club qualified for a promotion play-off spot for the First League of FR Yugoslavia twice, but lost on both occasions. They lost to Sutjeska Nikšić in 1994, and to Sloboda Užice in 1995. In 2002, the club was relegated to the Serbian League, third division in Serbia. After one season in the Serbian League they were promoted back to the Serbian First League. During the 1980s and 1990s the club was magnet to many of the talented Kosovo Albanian players such as Nazmi Rama, Naser Salihu, Mentor Miftari, Sadik Rrahmani, Gëzim Hasi, Besnik Kollari, Shefqer Kurti, or manager Hysni Maxhuni.[3]

First time in SuperLiga

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Rasim Ljajić played a role in the entry of the club into first-tier competition in 2011.

The club played in the second tier until 2011, when they came in third. At the end of the 2010–11 Serbian First League season, first-placed second-tier team FK BASK was not financially prepared for the Serbian SuperLiga, which caused a huge controversy and debate in Serbian football circles regarding who in BASK's place should take the birth in the top-tier Serbian SuperLiga in the following season. Two candidates emerged: FK Inđija, which had occupied a relegation place in the previous SuperLiga season, and FK Novi Pazar, which finished in non-promoting third place in the second-tier championship. Both clubs were backed by political proxies in their campaigns to take BASKS's place in the SuperLiga. Goran Ješić, who was the president of the municipality of Inđija as well as an official of the Democratic Party, represented the lobby for FK Inđija to keep its place in the top flight. FK Novi Pazar, meanwhile, was backed by the powerful lobby of Rasim Ljajić. In the end, FK Novi Pazar was promoted along with second-place Radnički Kragujevac. The 2011–12 Serbian SuperLiga was the first ever season in which FK Novi Pazar played in the top flight. Ivan Babić participated in a historic moment for FK Novi Pazar after scoring the first goal in the top division for the club.[4]

Recent history

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The season of 2012–2013 was a difficult one for the club. After the first half of the season FK Novi Pazar ranked 10th place in the Serbian Superliga.[5] In December 2012, an accumulated financial crisis in the club resulted in several players and directors leaving the club. Irfan Vušljanin, regarded by many as one of the club's best players in recent years, was quoted saying that "I've played for many clubs, but I've never seen this kind of chaos like now in FK Novi Pazar."[6] Like most of the playing squad, Dragoljub Bekvalac had not received payment in the previous four months and promptly resigned from the position of coach, and even considered suing the club via the district court for compensation.[7] Days later, it was announced that famous Serbian coach Slavenko Kuzeljević, known for his success with Radnički Kragujevac, agreed to replace Bekvalac as coach.[8] Subsequent to the announcement of the new coach, the former leader of Partizan's medical team, dr. Sead Malićević, was named the new president of the club.[9] FK Novi Pazar finished 14th placed in the 2012–13 season which saw them remain in the first division.[5]

During the 2013–14 season, Novi Pazar was in no danger of relegation. They won against OFK Belgrade at home and drew goalless against Partizan. They finished the season ranked 8th.

Novi Pazar improved their form in the 2014–15 Serbian Superliga season. They won 2–1 against Red Star at home, 3–1 against OFK Belgrade at home and drew 1–1 against Partizan at home and away. They finished the season placed 5th.

In season 2019/20 they finished mid table in the Serbian First League (Second Division) but due to the FSS ( Football Association of Serbia) re-structuring the Serbian SuperLiga due to the COVID-19 Pandemic by adding four more teams to the top tier of the Serbian SuperLiga and due to FK Novi Pazar having a modern UEFA standard stadium when most clubs in Serbia don't, they were awarded a place/took the place of FK Grafičar Beograd, a Belgrade club who basically had a pitch/field and no stadium to speak of. So after a three-year absence FK Novi Pazar would again join the elite national competition[10]

Stadium

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Main article: Novi Pazar City Stadium

Novi Pazar City Stadium (Serbian Cyrillic: Градски стадион у Новом Пазару), located in the eastern part of the city, is the home venue of FK Novi Pazar. The stadium was officially opened on 12 April 2012 after one-year reconstruction and it can hold 12,000 people at full capacity.[11]

 
Novi Pazar City Stadium - from the air.

The stadium began undergoing complete reconstruction during the first half of 2011 in an ambitious project by the Football Association of Serbia and the city of Novi Pazar. The project includes the renovation of the eastern, west and northern stands. The project includes also the covering of the whole stadium, new floodlights, new locker and press room, new ambulance, parking area, ticket office. After reconstruction, the stadium fulfill the most up to date UEFA standards.[12] The cost of the project was estimated to be over 230 million Serbian dinars (2 million euros).[12]

Supporters

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Main articles: Torcida Sandzak and Ekstremi

The three largest supporters groups of FK Novi Pazar are known as Torcida Sandžak, Ultra Azzurro and Ekstremi. Organized tifo support for FK Novi Pazar was first established in the late 1980s. Ultras of Fenerbahçe first recognized the fans of FK Novi Pazar in 2011, and a friendship now exists between the ultras of the clubs from Istanbul and Novi Pazar.[13]

Ultras in Novi Pazar have Right-Wing views and have a recent history of both scandalous and disrespectful displays. In October 2012, Ekstremi held up a mocking display about the illegal organ harvesting in Kosovo as a provocation to Rad, a team from outside of Novi Pazar from where the supporters were mostly Christian Serbs. The incident garnered shocked reactions from media and government officials both in Serbia and in other countries.[14] However, ultras in Novi Pazar are also known to act respectfully to visiting teams from outside of Novi Pazar.[15]

In April 2013, during a home match against Partizan Belgrade, a supporter of FK Novi Pazar threw an activated homemade explosive device to the visiting supporters, who fell to the athletic field and did not explode.[16] The explosive device was wrapped with tape and filled with nails.[16] It was the same person, who caused on 26 November 2011, a false bomb alarm in the Novi Pazar City Stadium, which caused a criminal charge against him of causing panic.[17] FK Novi Pazar club management sharply condemned the action.

Torcida Sandžak, on a different note, earned worldwide recognition when the group organized a protest in the form of a public march which was attended by thousands of people.[18][19] The protest was held in a peaceful manner without negative incidents.[20][21]

Kit manufacturers

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Period Kit Manufacturer
2011–12 Nike
2012–14 Joma
2014–15 Umbro
2015–21 Adidas
2021–23 Nike
2023– Macron

League results

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Serbian First LeagueSerbian SuperLigaSerbian First LeagueSerbian League WestSerbian First League

[22]

Players

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Current squad

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As of 22 September 2024[23][24]

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   SRB Saladin Mecinović
2 DF   SRB Dragan Bojat
3 DF   SRB Nemanja Miletić
4 DF   SRB Ognjen Mršić
5 MF   SRB Semir Alić
6 DF   NGA Toheeb Dare Bamigboye
8 MF   SRB Sead Islamović
9 MF   SRB Aleksandar Mesarović
10 FW   BIH Almedin Ziljkić
11 FW   MNE Uroš Đuranović
12 GK   MNE Stefan Popović
13 MF   NGA Adetunji Rasaq Adeshina
14 MF   SRB Darko Stojanović
15 DF   SRB Filip Bačkulja
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 FW   NGA Ejike Opara
17 MF   SRB Vladan Vidaković
18 MF   SRB Lazar Zličić
20 DF   SRB Jovan Mituljikić (on loan from Red Star Belgrade)
21 MF   SRB Aleksandar Kovačević
22 MF   SRB Adem Ljajić (captain)
23 FW   SRB Irfan Kahrović
25 GK   NGA Ajia Yakub
27 FW   SRB Ognjen Bjeličić
29 DF   SRB Darko Isailović
30 DF   MNE Andrej Đurić (on loan from Red Star Belgrade)
33 DF   SRB Ivan Lakićević
45 FW   SRB Ensar Brahić
77 FW   NED Rodney Antwi

Other players under contract

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW   RSA Kurt Abrahams

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK   BIH Bakir Brajlović (at Gradina)
— DF   SRB Daris Karišik (at FAP)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF   SRB Kemal Koničanin (at FAP)
— FW   SRB Viktor Živojinović (at Dubočica)

Technical staff

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As of 22 September 2024
Current technical staff
  • Manager:   Tomislav Sivić
  • Assistant manager:   Aleksandar Sekulić
  • Assistant manager:   Miljan Đurović
  • Fitness coach:   Rijad Zećirović
  • Goalkeeper coach:   Radosav Ćirica
  • Doctor:   DR Faruk Pašović
  • Physiotherapist:   Haris Bihorac
  • Physiotherapist:   Benjamin Hamčović
Stručni štab: [1]
Medicinski tim: [2]

Management

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As of 22 September 2024
Current management
  • President:   Bajro Župić
  • General and Sporting director:   Fikret Međedović
  • Secretary of the coaching staff:   Emir Bihorac
  • Technical Secretary:   Semir Gusinac
Menadžment kluba: [3]

Notable players

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To appear in this section a player must have either:
  • Played at least 80 games for the club.
  • Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club.
  • Played at least one international match for their national team at any time.

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

Former coaches

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References

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  1. ^ "FK Novi Pazar". Serbian First League. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  2. ^ a b Generacija za sva vremena Archived 22 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine at Sandžak Danas, 13-2-2014, retrieved 15-2-2016 (in Serbian)
  3. ^ DISA FJALË RRETH KLUBIT FUTBOLLISTIK “ NOVI PAZAR” Archived 10 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine at kosovapersanxhakun.org, 2015 (in Albanian)
  4. ^ "Dnevni list Danas – Sandžak – Gol Babića i pobeda nad Slobodom". 15 December 2011. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Super liga Srbije". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  6. ^ FK Novi Pazar (Serbian): Vusljanin: Ovakvo rasulo još nisam video Archived 27 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine 13 December 2012
  7. ^ Sandzak PRESS (Serbian): Bekvalac tuži Novi Pazar: ‘Klub je pao toliko nisko da nema ni rukovodstvo’ Archived 6 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine 23 December 2012
  8. ^ FK Novi Pazar (Serbian): Stefanović : Pomoći ću Pazaru Archived 27 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine 25 December 2012
  9. ^ FK Novi Pazar (Serbian): novi predsjednik kluba Archived 27 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine 9 January 2012
  10. ^ "Novi Pazar posle tri godine ponovo u Superligi". Retrieved 3 August 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ RTV Radio Televizija Vojvodine (Serbian): Svečano otvoren Gradski stadion u Novom Pazaru Archived 18 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine 12 April 2012
  12. ^ a b "Počela rekonstrukcija stadiona". Sandžak PRESS (in Bosnian). 17 May 2011. Archived from the original on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  13. ^ Today's Zaman: Fenerbahçe fans discover Novi Pazar Archived 26 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine 23 March 2012
  14. ^ Politika (Serbian): Skandalozan transparent navijača Novog Pazara: „Živela žuta kuća" Archived 28 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine 25 October 2012
  15. ^ Srpski fudbal (Serbian): Aplauz novopazarske publike Hajduku Archived 3 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine 1 December 2012
  16. ^ a b (Serbian): Uhapšen navijač Novog Pazara zbog bacanja eksplozivne naprave ka Grobarima Archived 15 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine 6 May 2013
  17. ^ Sportski Žurnal(Serbian): Uhapšen navijač Novog Pazara zbog bacanja eksplozivne naprave ka Grobarima Archived 15 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine 6 May 2013
  18. ^ Serbian Muslim football fans protest anti-Islam film Archived 2 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine Two Circles. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  19. ^ Adnkronos Group – Serbia: Thousands of Muslim football fans protest anti-Islam film Archived 7 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  20. ^ Al Jazeera Balkans: Protest u Novom Pazaru zbog spornog videa (Serbian) Archived 9 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  21. ^ "Thousands of Serbian Muslim Protest Over Anti-Islam Film". Abna.ir. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  22. ^ "srbijasport.net – FK Novi Pazar – Novi Pazar – Rezultati". Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  23. ^ "Igrači". FK Novi Pazar official website. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Tim" (in Serbian). Serbian SuperLiga. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
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