Fudbalski klub Smederevo 1924 (), commonly known as FK Smederevo, is a Serbian professional football club based in Smederevo. They compete in the Serbian First League, the second tier of the national league system.
At the beginning of the 2000s, the club (then known as Sartid Smederevo) became one of the most successful clubs in the country and took part in European competitions in five consecutive seasons, with some memorable matches against the likes of TSV 1860 Munich and Ipswich Town. The club achieved its greatest success by defeating Red Star Belgrade 1âÂÂ0 in the 2002âÂÂ03 Serbia and Montenegro Cup final.
Acting on suggestion from chief engineer Ernest Radlinski, the club was first founded on 6 May 1924 by SARTID (Srpsko akcionarsko rudarsko topioniÃÂarsko industrijsko druà ¡tvo) as FK Sartid. At the beginning, FK Sartid's roster was mostly filled with professional players from Hungary, Austria and Germany and the club failed to make much noise in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia's football scene. Then in 1944, it was essentially disbanded by Yugoslavia's new communist authorities following the end of World War II, along with the entire Sartid factory whose property was nationalized.
Though it is not certain if what followed can be viewed in continuity with FK Sartid, many fans consider it to be a part of club's history, so depending on one's opinion, either a new club appeared or the name was simply changed to FK Metalac in 1944.
The following period was marked by numerous name changes. Two years later in 1946 the name was switched to FK Jedinstvo, and it lasted only three years until 1949 when it was changed to FK Smederevo.
In 1958, FK Smederevo merged with FK Metalac to form OFK BuduÃÂnost, the name that stuck around until 1962 when it was switched back to FK Smederevo. That setup lasted until 1967, when the club became FK Metalurg.
In 1976, the name was switched to FK Smederevo for the third time, lasting until the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992.
All throughout this 48-year period, the club toiled in lower leagues (Serbian regional league, etc.).
FK Sartid was reborn in 1992 when Sartid metallurgical concern took over the club's ownership and sponsorship, and promptly switched to its original name. The renaissance commenced immediately as the club went from Smederevo Zone League to Yugoslav First League in six seasons. The 1998âÂÂ99 campaign will go down in history as the club's first in top flight. The club's success in this period was tied to their main board president Duà ¡an MatkoviÃÂ. In addition to his position at FK Sartid, Matkoviàwas also a high-ranking official of Slobodan Miloà ¡eviÃÂ's party SPS as well as Minister of Industry in the government of Mirko MarjanoviÃÂ. The allegations that the club was involved in various illegal and irregular activities, and also protected from persecution because of their powerful benefactor, during this period are numerous.
After losing the national cup final to Crvena Zvezda in 2002, the club won the competition against the same opponent in 2003. In the summer of 2004, the club changed its name back to FK Smederevo.
The most noted player is former team captain Goran BogdanoviÃÂ. He retired after the 2003âÂÂ04 season.
In summer 2014, FK Smederevo merged with FK Seljak from Mihajlovac to form FK Semendrija 1924. In January 2015, the club changed its name to FK Smederevo. They finished 7th in the 2014âÂÂ15 Serbian League West.
In the 2018âÂÂ19 season FK Smederevo finished first in the Serbian League West and were promoted to the Serbian First League.
In the 2022âÂÂ23 season FK Smederevo won the Serbian League West and were promoted to the Serbian First League again.
The trio of Nenad Mirosavljevià(15 league goals), Vladimir Mudrinià(earned a mid-season move to Zenit Saint Petersburg) and Goran Bogdanoviàled the way on pitch during 2001âÂÂ02 campaign that, among other things, will be remembered for the absence of now customary mid-season Sartid coaching changes. Head coach Jovica à  koro confidently guided his team to a 3rd place league finish and a Yugoslav Cup final where they were unlucky to lose to the more experienced Red Star side.
On the European front, Sartid competed in UEFA Intertoto Cup where they recorded a memorable first round win versus Dundee (0âÂÂ0 away, 5âÂÂ2 at home before 16,000 fans). Unfortunately, the journey ended in second round versus an experienced TSV 1860 München side featuring veterans Thomas HäÃÂler and Vidar Riseth (1âÂÂ3 away, 2âÂÂ3 at home).
The year that started off in high style almost turned sour towards the end with a string of poor results that sent the team spiraling down the table. Management reacted quickly, sacking coach à  koro in April, and bringing in Milenko Kikoviàfor his second stint with the club. The move paid immediate dividends and relegation was avoided comfortably. And if that wasn't enough cause for celebration, Sartid managed to beat Crvena Zvezda 1âÂÂ0 in Serbia and Montenegro Cup final at Partizan Stadium, achieving the club's greatest success in history.
Similarly to Sartid's domestic campaign, the year in Europe started off glowingly. They quickly disposed of Welsh side Bangor City to reach the UEFA Cup first round where Ipswich Town was waiting. The hopes were further raised following a favourable away result 1âÂÂ1, meaning they just needed to keep a clean sheet at home to progress. However, the combination of Marcus Bent converting an early 9th-minute penalty and Sartid failing to score for the remainder of the match spelled painful elimination.
The 2003âÂÂ04 campaign was another fairly stable season in top league result wise. Though as usual not on the coaching front. New head coach Ratko DostaniÃÂ, brought in before the season, started off tremendously. In UEFA Cup, he led the squad to a memorable win in a tie against Sarajevo. With Dostaniàfirmly in charge, Sartid's form continued in the domestic league, too. At the midway point of the season Sartid was sitting in third place, just behind Belgrade powerhouses Crvena Zvezda and Partizan. During the winter break, Dostaniàwanted the team captain Goran Bogdanoviàpromoted to the role of technical director, but new club president Thomas Kelly would have none of it so Dostaniàdecided to leave. In January 2004, Zvonko Varga was appointed as a new coach, but he left the club after only few matches. Afterwards, old face Milenko Kikoviàwas brought back to coach and he managed to complete a successful season for the club.
The following 2004âÂÂ05 season was not nearly as happy. It started off alright with demolition of lowly Andorran side Sant Juliàin Intertoto Cup first round, but the painful next round exit at the hands of Dinamo Minsk turned out to be ominous. All throughout the domestic campaign Smederevo battled relegation threat. During the winter break coach Kikoviàresigned leaving the team in 10th place with 17 points. New head coach Tomislav Siviàmanaged to narrowly keep the club in top flight.
The 2005âÂÂ06 season has been another difficult one for the club. The embarrassing Intertoto Cup first round exit to Prilep's Pobeda was a sign of things to come. After managing only 13 points from 11 league matches, head coach Tomislav Siviàresigned on 1 November 2005 in the wake of the team's third straight league loss. Following a period under a caretaker, club appointed Spaniard Jaume Bauzàon 28 November 2005. Though the team's overall play somewhat improved, it was enough to avoid relegation at the end of the season.
The home ground of FK Smederevo 1924 is Smederevo Stadium, commonly named "The Fortress" (for nearby Smederevo Fortress) â is one of the stadiums in Serbia with the largest seating capacity, holding up to 17,200 spectators. It was opened in 1930, but it was greatly expanded into a modern-day stadium during the 1990-s.
The supporters of FK Smederevo are known as Despoti (The Despots). The name is based on a famous ruler of medieval Serbia ÃÂuraÃÂ BrankoviÃÂ and his title of Despot.
Below are the notable players who have represented the club in national and international competitions since the club's foundation in 1924. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 100 league matches for the club, at least 50 league matches for the club and have at least 1 appearance for their national team, or have at least 5 appearances for their national team.
For a list of all Smederevo players with a Wikipedia article, please see: .