FC Feronikeli 74 (), commonly referred to as Feronikeli 74 and also known as Feronikeli is a professional football club based in Drenas, Kosovo. The club has played in the Kosovo First League, which is the second tier of football in the country.
History 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.
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.
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. In the 2014–15 season, they were crowned champions for the first time in the club's history. They won the 2018–19 championship as well, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League preliminary rounds for the first time in their history.
Stadium The club has played its home games at the Rexhep Rexhepi Stadium () 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.
Supporters
Tigrat e Zi are the clubs' supporters. The supporters stand in the West part of the stadium. They named themselves after the special operations forces ‘Tigrat e Zi’ of the 111th brigade ‘Adem Jashari’ of the Kosovo Liberation Army as that’s where they were active during the Kosovo War.
Honours +FC Feronikeli honoursTypeCompetitionTitlesSeasons/YearsDomesticKosovo Superleague32014–15, 2015–16, 2018–19Kosovar Cup32013–14, 2014–15, 2018–19Kosovar Supercup22015, 2019InternationalAlbania Independence Cup12014
Players
Current squad
Other players under contract
Out on loan
Personnel Current technical staffPositionNameHead coach Elon BerishaAssistant coach(es) Faruk ElshaniTeam Manager Argjend BardhiGoalkeeping coach Avni HasaniPhysiotherapist Besim Bytyqi Arton Lestrani Kushtrim AjaziBoard membersOfficeNamePresident Alban VeseliVice-president Ramadan KrasniqiGeneral director Artan BerishaSecretary Isak IsmajliBoard members Shpend Bogiqi Leutrim Krasniqi Brahim Qorri Faruk Elshani Haxhi LladrovciInformation and media officer Valdrin KrasniqiPhotographer Lindrit Sinani
List of managers No.NameFromTo1. 201020112. 201120123. July 20134. 5. 6. April 20177. 8. 9. 10. 11. July 201912. October 201913. 14. 15. 16. 17. 30 June 202218. Granit Begolli13 June 202319. 28 December 202320. Shefki Kuqi26 August 202421. 30 August 202422. Giovanni Colella18 February 2025 22.
FC Feronikeli in Europe 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. On 25 June 2019, Feronikeli beat the Gibraltarian side Lincoln Red Imps at Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina.
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. SeasonCompetitionRoundOpponentHomeAway2019–20UEFA Champions LeaguePR Lincoln Red Imps1–0 FC Santa Coloma2–11Q The New Saints0−12–22–32019–20UEFA Europa League2Q Slovan Bratislava0−21−21−4
References
External links