KF Shkëndija


FK Shkëndija is a football club based in Tetovo, North Macedonia. Their home stadium is Tetovo Stadium and they currently play in the Macedonian First League. In the 2010–11 season of the Macedonian First Football League the club won its first major championship.

History

SFRY Period

KF Shkëndija was formed on 27 August 1979 by ethnic Albanians from Tetovo. The purpose of forming the club was so that the Albanians throughout Yugoslavia could unite in supporting a club for Albanians. FK Shkëndija was frowned upon by Yugoslav officials as it was thought the club would awaken nationalist feeling among the Albanians of Yugoslavia. Starting at the lowest division in Yugoslavia, the Municipal League, KF Shkëndija played their first match against FK Kosmos, winning 4-0.
Shkëndija won the division in the 1979–1980 season, resulting in Shkëndija being promoted into the Third division. After claiming the third division title in the 1980–1981 season, Shkëndija was then again promoted into the Second division. However, as the popularity of the club began to increase among the Albanian population of Yugoslavia, the ruling socialist government members disbanded the club, worried that the club would stoke ethnic tensions during a fragile period in Yugoslavia.

Re-establishment

After Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia, KF Shkëndija was re-established into the Macedonian Football League. It started at the Fourth division, eventually being promoted each season to the third, second and finally, to the First division. In the 2010–11 season of the First Macedonian Football League the club won its first major championship with an unbeaten run of 16 games. On 20 May 2012, Shkëndija handed FK Vardar its first loss of the season with a 1–0 victory.

The Ecolog era

During the 2012–13 season, Shkëndija was embroiled in financial difficulties and as a result, many of its players left the club earlier in the summer. The Shkëndija supporters, the Ballistët, began a social media campaign requesting Ecolog to take over Shkëndija. Albanian international, Lorik Cana and Swiss international, Xherdan Shaqiri also joined the campaign with the supporters. On 31 July 2013, Lazim Destani, father of Ecolog founder and chairman, Nazif Destani, announced Ecolog International will take charge of Shkëndija.
Under the new administration, Shkëndija bought in over five new players to the squad, four days before the transfer season ended, as well as balancing the financial state of the club. The new season started averagely for Shkëndija, amassing five draws in a row. However, on 21 September 2013, Shkëndija comfortably defeated rivals FK Vardar in a 3–1 home game during the derby, displaying improvement of the club under Ecolog. However, for the next eight fixtures, Shkëndija were very inconsistent, drawing once, winning three and losing four. After losing 5–0 to FK Rabotnički, manager Gjore Jovanovski was relieved of his duties. Shpëtim Duro was named the manager Shkëndija just 15 hours after the sacking of Jovanovski. He was first hired as a temporary caretaker manager for the club's the remaining 3 games before the long winter break, but signed a contract with the club to be the manager for the remainder of the 2013–14 season.
During the winter break, Shkëndija was the most active team in the Prva Liga during the transfer period, bringing in 9 new players, further revamping the football club in preparation for the second half of the season. The second half of the season saw drastic improvement for Shkëndija under Shpëtim Duro, moving them from 8th position near the relegation zone, to 4th position at the end of the season, winning their final seven games in a row. Shkendija earned a spot in the 2014–15 first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

Supporters

The supporters of Shkëndija are called the Ballistët, named after the World War II Balli Kombëtar. When the club was formed in 1979, use of nationalism was strictly prohibited by the Yugoslav government. The supporting firm of Shkëndija called themselves BAL, using the first three letters of Balli Kombëtar. When Shkëndija was reinstated into the Macedonian Football League, the supporting firm was re-established as the Ballistët in 1992. When kick-off commences, the Ballistët always sing the national anthem of Albania. The ultras of Shkëndija are notorious for their hardline nationalist rhetoric and pride in their Albanian heritage.

Rivalry

Being a club with a strong Albanian nationalist background, Shkëndija has rivalry with most of the Macedonian football clubs. However, the biggest rivalry are with FK Vardar and FK Teteks. The Shkëndija-Teteks rivalry is one of the biggest and most heated in Macedonia. When Shkëndija play against Teteks, majority of the Tetovo police are stationed at Ecolog Arena and ban Shkendija supporters from attending Vardar-Shkendija matches in Skopje, but despite this ban Ballistet attended at Skopje two times.

Honours

Macedonian First League:
Macedonian Football Supercup:
Macedonian Second League:
Macedonian Football Cup:

Shkëndija in Europe

Overview

Matches

;Notes
As of 2.03.2020, Source:
RankTeamPoints
148 Gabala SC7.500
149 HNK Hajduk Split7.500
150 KF Shkëndija7.250
151 FC Utrecht7.150
152 Vitesse7.150

Top goalscorers in Europe

As of 30.07.2019, Source:
RankNameShkëndija CareerGoals
1Besart Ibraimi2015–14
2Ferhan Hasani2007–2012, 2015–20185
2Stênio Júnior2014–20195
4Agim Ibraimi2005–2006, 2019–20204
5Marjan Radeski2015–20202
6Armend Alimi2014–1
6Ivan Čeliković20171
6Ardian Cuculi2006–2014, 2015–20181
6Izair Emini2007–2012, 2017–20191
6Hristijan Kirovski2014–20151
6Ivan Mitrov2014–20151
6Bojan Vručina2014–20161
6Arbin Zejnullai2016–1

Players

Current squad

Out on loan

Personnel

Current technical staff

PositionName
ManagerErnest Gjoka
Assistant managerBashkim Livoreka
Assistant managerErhan Selimi
Goalkeeping coachSamet Zendeli
Fitness coachMetin Dalip
ScoutVullnet Emini
Juniors coachBekim Osmani
Cadets coachBerat Imeri
Elbasan Munishi
CoordinatorFestim Ademi
Youth coordinatorHysein Kadriu

Management

PositionStaff
OwnerLazim Destani
PresidentVisar Bexheti
Finance DirectorFaton Alili
Operations DirectorDritan Musliu

Historical list of coaches