Wikipedia - FC Haskovo

FC Haskovo 1957 (Bulgarian: ФК Хасково 1957) is a Bulgarian football club based in Haskovo, which currently competes in the A RFG Haskovo, the fourth tier of Bulgarian football. Haskovo's home ground is the Haskovo Stadium, which has a capacity of 9,000 spectators. Haskovo have spent a total of 7 seasons in the Bulgarian elite, most recently in the 2014-15 season.

After the 2020–21 season, FC Haskovo's senior team was merged with FC Izvor Gorski Izvor, which itself was moved to Haskovo to form a new club, called Sayana Haskovo. Sayana took Haskovo's place in the Southeast Third League. The original club was reformed under the name OFC Haskovo.

History

Haskovo crest used until 2009

FC Haskovo was founded in 1947 under the name Dinamo. Before that, there were several smaller football clubs, which decided to unite in 1947 to form a unified team representing the city. The team was an established one in the B PFG, the second division of Bulgarian football, and an almost constant participant in the division for many seasons.

Haskovo made its debut in the A Group during the 1978–79 season, but finished in last place and was relegated immediately. Two years later, Haskovo returned to the top flight, and managed to stay three seasons in the elite, before another relegation in 1984. The team needed six years to return to the A Group, in 1990. Another quick relegation followed, however. After just a season in the B Group, Haskovo again reached the highest tier for the 1992–93 A Group season. The team could not avoid relegation once more though. Overall, Haskovo played in A PFG during five separate periods: 1978–1979, 1981–1984, 1990–1991 and 1992–1993. Its greatest success was 8th in 1981–82 season.

It also played in the Regional League between 2009 and 2012. Haskovo made 3 successive promotions and returned to top level 21 years after their last top flight participation, in 2014.

Their top flight return proved to be difficult. Haskovo only managed to win two games and draw once in the regular season of the 2014-15 season. All seven points came from home games, with no points earned from away games. This placed Haskovo in last place, in the relegation zone. Surprisingly however, Haskovo managed to beat Ludogorets, the three-time defending champions, with a score of 1–0 at Haskovo stadium. In the second phase, Haskovo were prime candidates to be relegated. They managed to beat Lokomotiv Plovdiv, and fellow strugglers Marek at home, as well as drawing against giants Levski, and Slavia. These efforts were however not enough, as the team only managed to obtain 15 points, meaning they were still 17 points behind Lokomotiv Plovdiv, who were the last team to avoid relegation. Thus, Haskovo along with fellow newcomers Marek, were relegated after only one season in the top flight.

Haskovo was supposed to play in B PFG for the 2015–16 season, but they did not obtain a license and decided not to compete. The team disappeared for the next three years, but it was refounded as Haskovo 1957 and started competing in the fourth level of Bulgarian football. The team won the regional A OFG Haskovo league and promoted to the third tier for the 2018–19 season.

Before the start of the 2021-22 season, FC Izvor Gorski Izvor was relocated to the city of Haskovo and was renamed FC Sayana Haskovo. Shortly after that, FC Haskovo was merged into Sayana, to form a new club in Haskovo. The original club was restructured under the name OFC Haskovo, and began competing in the fourth level of Bulgarian football, A RFG Haskovo Province.

Haskovo Football Club, commonly referred to as Haskovo, is a professional soccer team based in the city of Haskovo, Bulgaria. Founded in 1921, the club has a rich history and is known for its passionate fan base and commitment to developing local talent. Haskovo competes in the Bulgarian football league system, with a focus on both competitive success and community engagement.

The team's colors are traditionally blue and white, symbolizing the club's identity and pride. Haskovo plays its home matches at the Haskovo Stadium, which provides an intimate atmosphere for fans to support their team. Over the years, Haskovo has produced several notable players who have gone on to achieve success in both domestic and international football.

Haskovo is recognized for its strong youth academy, which emphasizes skill development and sportsmanship, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent for the first team. The club's ethos revolves around teamwork, resilience, and a deep-rooted connection to the local community, making it a beloved institution in Bulgarian football. As Haskovo continues to strive for excellence on the pitch, it remains a symbol of pride for its supporters and a key player in the landscape of Bulgarian soccer.