FK Sileks () is a professional football club based in Kratovo, North Macedonia, currently playing in the Macedonian First League.
FK Sileks was founded in 1965, during the Yugoslav period, and initially competed in the regional leagues. The club was named after the nearby Sileks lead and zinc mine, which played a significant role in the local economy and provided financial backing for the team. Despite being a small club, Sileks gradually built a reputation for itself within the regional competitions.
The club's first major breakthrough came in the early 1990s, after North Macedonia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. In 1992, the Macedonian First Football League was established, and FK Sileks became one of the founding members. Under the guidance of Ljubislav Ivanov "Singo," a key figure in the club's history, Sileks quickly rose to prominence.
During the 1990s, FK Sileks established itself as one of the strongest teams in the Macedonian league. The club won its first Macedonian First League title in the 1995-96 season and successfully defended the title in the following two seasons, achieving a historic "three-peat" by winning the league in 1996-97 and 1997-98. This period of dominance cemented FK Sileks as one of the top teams in the country.
FK Sileks' success wasn't limited to the league. The club also enjoyed considerable success in the Macedonian Football Cup, winning the competition three timesâÂÂin 1994, 1997, and 2021. The 1994 Cup victory was particularly notable, as it was the first time the club won a major domestic trophy. Their cup victory in 2021 came in spite of relegation from the Macedonian First Football League.
In addition to its three league titles and three cup victories, FK Sileks also won the Macedonian Super Cup in 1997, further solidifying its status as one of the country's top football clubs during the 1990s and early 2000s.
City Stadium Sileks (Macedonian: ÃÂÃÂðôÃÂúø ÃÂÃÂðôøþý áøûõúÃÂ-ÃÂÃÂðÃÂþòþ) is a multi-purpose stadium in Kratovo, North Macedonia. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of FK Sileks. The stadium holds 1,800 seats.
<small><sup>1</sup>The 2019âÂÂ20 season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia.</small>
The supporters of Fk Sileks are known as krateri and they were founded in 1997
The rivalries of FK Sileks Kratovo with these clubs stem from various historical, regional, and competitive factors:
1. FK Vardar: As it is considered one of the most prominent and widely supported clubs in North Macedonia, Vardar's success and prominence make them a natural rival for many clubs, and has contributed to a competitive relationship with FK Sileks. Matches between these teams are typically regarded as highly competitive due to the disparity in their histories and achievements.
2. FK Pelister:Bitola ed in the same region, Pelister and Sileks have a regional rivalry that fuels their matches. Local derbies often bring out heightened emotions and competitiveness.
3. FK Pobeda: Similar to Pelister, PobedaâÂÂs proximity and historical competition with Sileks create a strong rivalry, with both teams striving to assert their dominance in the region.
4. FK Renova: Renova, based in Tetovo, is another regional competitor. The rivalry is based on geographic proximity and the competitive nature of their encounters.
5. FK Shkëndija: Shkëndija is a strong team in the Macedonian league, and their matches with Sileks are significant due to Shkëndija's competitive stature and recent successes.
6. FK Bregalnica Stip : The rivalry with Bregalnica often reflects the competitive spirit of the Macedonian league and local pride.
7. FK Rudar Probistip : The rivalry between fk sileks an fk rudar is because of how close they are and the derby is called " the Neighborly derby."
These rivalries often involve a mix of historical competition, regional pride, and the quest for dominance in Macedonian football.
Players from the U19 Youth Team that have been summoned with the first team in the current season.