FC Kramatorsk
Wikipedia - FC Kramatorsk
Football Club Kramatorsk (Ukrainian: Футбольний клуб Краматорськ; Russian: Футбольный клуб Краматорск) is a professional Ukrainian football club from the city of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast.
The club takes its history from a factory team of the Old Kramatorsk Machine-building Plant (SKMZ).
History
The club Avangard was reformed in 1955. Prior to World War II there existed a club that was associated with the machine industry in the city. In 1937, the club participated in the national championship as the champion of Ukraine. In 1939, the team won the Cup of Soviet Ukraine.
The team in 1936 won 1st place in Ukraine among working teams and in 1937, 1938 and 1961 reached the 1/16 finals of the Soviet Cup, and 1/8 finals of the Soviet Cup in 1939.
The club regularly participated in the Soviet championship (1946, 1948, 1949, 1960–1970) and the USSR Cup (1937–1939, 1949, 1961-1966/1967).
In the 1998–1999 season, the city of Kramatorsk was presented by a team of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, VPS Kramatorsk (Air Force), in the Ukrainian Second League. That team was penalized 6 points for failure to pay the licence fees to the PFL and was removed from the competition after the first round. During that period the actual factory team was called Bliuminh Kramatorsk and played in championship of Donetsk Oblast.
The team's revival brought back success as they became Donetsk oblast champions in 2010. In 2011, the club appointed head coach Serhiy Shevchenko in preparation for returning to the Second League.
The club submitted a license to the Professional Football League of Ukraine and was accepted into the Ukrainian Second League for the 2011–12 season.
During the 2014–15 season, the club was suspended from the Professional Football League of Ukraine as it ended up in the "ATO zone". Earlier that year in spring due Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Russian Federation occupied the Ukrainian Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
On 7 October 2014, a former press-attache claimed that supporters of the Donetsk People's Republic killed 16-year-old goalkeeper Stepan Chubenko. Chubenko was killed on 25 July 2014 in Horbachevo-Mykhailivka, two days after he was kidnapped at the Donetsk Railway Station.
Near the end of the 2020–21 season the team name was changed from Avanhard Kramatorsk to FC Kramatorsk.
The club competes in the Ukrainian First League, showcasing a blend of emerging talent and experienced players. FC Kramatorsk is known for its attacking style of play, emphasizing teamwork, skill, and determination on the field. The team's colors, typically represented in blue and white, symbolize unity and pride.
In addition to its on-field pursuits, FC Kramatorsk is committed to community engagement and youth development, fostering the next generation of soccer players in the region. With a vision for growth and success, the club aims to rise through the ranks of Ukrainian football, inspiring fans and players alike with its dedication and passion for the beautiful game.