PFC Septemvri Sofia
Full nameProfessional Football Club Septemvri
Nickname(s)The Blue-Reds
The Septembrians
Founded5 November 1944 (1944-11-05)
GroundStadion Dragalevtsi, Sofia
Capacity1800
ChairmanRumen Chandarov
ManagerIvan Geshev
LeagueSecond League
2022–23First League, 15th (relegated)
WebsiteClub website

Septemvri (Bulgarian: Септември) is a Bulgarian professional association football club based in Sofia, which currently competes in the Second League, the second tier of Bulgarian football. Its home ground is the Septemvri Stadium, but due to its poor condition the team plays its home matches at the Stadion Dragalevtsi.

The club's biggest success to date is the winning of the Bulgarian Cup in 1960 and finishing 5th in the Bulgarian first division during the same season. Septemvri is known for its strong youth academy, which over the years has developed numerous players for Bulgaria's elite clubs and the national team.

History

Early ages

On November 5, 1944 the clubs Sportclub Sofia, Sokol and Vazrazhdane unite under the name of FC Septemvri Sofia; the name derives from the revolution of September 1944. On March 26, 1945, the additional clubs of Botev (Konyovitsa), Ustrem (Zaharna fabrika), Pobeda (Krasna Polyana), and Svoboda (Tri kladentsi) merge into the club. In May 1948, the club, then playing in the 1st Sofia Division, is briefly merged with second-division CDV/Chavdar (Sofia) and the unified club wins the 1948 Bulgarian Championship by overcoming Levski Sofia in the final.[1]

FC Septemvri's roots prior to merging with CSKA Sofia (see lower right corner)

Septemvri starts the 1948–49 season in the newly formed A Republican Football Group, but only six months later is separated from CDV (Chavdar) and removed from the division, with the current title given to CDNV, Chavdar's new name, which would ultimately become CSKA Sofia. At the end of the 1948–49 season, Septemvri is allowed to take part in a two-match play-off for entering first division against Marek Dupnitsa. After both matches end with a 2:0 win for each team, a third game is played in which Septemvri falls 1:0 and remains in second division.

From 1949 to 1969, Septemvri exists as an independent club, during which period it reaches the height of its success. In 1959, the club finishes first in the B PFG and is promoted to first division for the 1959–60 season. That same season, Septemvri finishes in 5th place and claims the Bulgarian Cup after a dramatic 4:3 win over Lokomotiv Sofia in extra time. The club's stay among the elite lasts only two years, as in 1961 it is relegated to the B PFG, where it remains until 1968.

In 1969, during another period of football reform in Bulgaria, Septemvri was again merged into CSKA Sofia. This unification continued for almost 20 years, until 1988, when the club became independent again and joined the V AFG. In 1993, Septemvri won a promotion to the B PFG. In 1998, the club became the champion of the B PFG and joined the elite for the first time since 1961. It finished in 16th place and was relegated again.

2000s

During the 2000–01 season, the club finished in 13th place in the B PFG and was relegated to the V AFG, where it remained until 2008. In March 2008, the club was heavily penalized after a scandalous match against FC Bansko, when coach Rumen Stoyanov ordered his players to leave the field, a serious offence according to Bulgarian Football Union regulations.[2] With an executive decision, the BFU removed Septemvri from the V AFG and placed it in the A OFG, the Sofia Regional Football Group.[3] Despite this setback, the club attained 1st place in the division in the 2008–09 season and qualified for a play-off match for entering the V AFG against FC Novi Iskar.[4] After an emotional 0–0 in regular time, penalty kicks were in order to determine the team going forward. Septemvri lost the penalty shootout 5–4.[5]

Chandarov era (2015–present)

Merge with DIT academy and Pirin Razlog (2015–2017)

In 2015, Rumen Chandarov, owner of DIT Sport Academy, one of the best Bulgarian football academies in the last few years, announced that he is the new owner of Septemvri, with the goal of getting the young players to compete in the First Professional Football League of Bulgaria. The team merged with Conegliano German and started the 2015–16 season from V Group. Nikolay Mitov was appointed as a manager of the team. In the end of the 2015 it was decided that the team will give a bigger chance to their U19 players, so most of the players who joined in the season start left and only seven players left, but 18 players joined from the U19 team which was third in the Elite Youth Group by the end of 2015. Some media announced that Chandarov will stop financing the team also due to the fact that he started financing Botev Plovdiv, but Chandarov said that this is not true and the only reason to do this is to make youth players enter the men's football.[6]

On 24 June 2016, Pirin Razlog merged into PFC Septemvri Sofia. From the new season 2016–17 Septemvri will compete in the new Second League, the second division of Bulgarian football.[7] Septemvri returned and in the Bulgarian Cup and draw the Bulgarian First League team Beroe Stara Zagora. They won the match on 21 September 2016 with 2–0, goals scored by Georgi Stoichkov and Petar Tonchev.[8] The team finished their season in Second League in 2nd place two points behind the winners of the group — Etar and qualified for the Promotion playoffs against elite member Montana.[9] The team won the playoff on 3 June 2017 with 2–1 final result and returned to the top level after 19 years.[10]

Return to Professional leagues (2017–present)

On 8 June 2017, Dimitar Vasev was announced as the manager who would lead the team in their return to the First League with Hristo Arangelov, the caretaker manager after Nikolay Mitov, as his first assistant.[11] The team announced that they would play to Vasil Levski National Stadium until their Septemvri Stadium is built.[12] Later, the club owner Rumen Chandarov revealed that the team would play at Bistritsa Stadium after the stadium gained a First League licence, since he didn't want Septemvri to play in front of empty seats.[13][14] Septemvri's first match was against Dunav Ruse on 17 July and the team lost the match 0–2.[15] Week later Septemvri won their second match against Pirin with Boris Galchev scoring the winning goal.[16] After four defeats in five games, Vasev was released and Nikolay Mitov returned in charge after his release from Levski Sofia.[17] Septemvri finished the half season in 10th place with 23 points after a 2–1 win over Cherno More.[18]

On 20 February 2018, Septemvri's executive director Georgi Markov died aged 46, three years after he suffered a heart attack.[19]

Septemvri secured their place in First League on 15 April 2018 after a 0–2 win over Dunav Ruse and qualified for European play-off quarter-finals.

Septemvri could not avoid relegation in the next season, however, as they were relegated after losing in the relegation playoffs to FC Arda Kardzhali , 0-1. This ended their two year stay in the Bulgarian elite.[20]

Back in the second tier after two seasons in the elite, Septemvri managed to maintain their good form and remained largely within the top three in the Second League, a strong candidate for promotion. The 2019-20 season was eventually not finished, due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Bulgaria. The last matches were played in early March. At that time, Septemvri was second in the league, three points behind CSKA 1948. Septemvri faced the 13th placed team from the First League in a promotion playoff, but lost. On 5 May 2022, after a great second half of season 2021-22, Septemvri secured their return to First League.[21] This achievement was accomplished under the management of Slavko Matić.

Seasons

League positions

Second Professional Football League (Bulgaria)First Professional Football LeagueSecond Professional Football League (Bulgaria)First Professional Football LeagueSecond Professional Football League (Bulgaria)Bulgarian V AFGRegional Amateur Football Groups (Bulgaria)Bulgarian V AFGRegional Amateur Football Groups (Bulgaria)Bulgarian V AFGBulgarian B Football GroupBulgarian V AFGBulgarian B Football GroupBulgarian A Football GroupBulgarian B Football GroupBulgarian V AFGRegional Amateur Football Groups (Bulgaria)Bulgarian V AFGBulgarian B Football GroupBulgarian A Football GroupBulgarian B Football GroupBulgarian V AFG

Recent detailed history

Results of league and cup competitions by season
Season League Bulgarian Cup Other competitions Top goalscorer
Division Level P W D L F A Pts Pos
2017–18First League1321251532484110thSecond roundBulgaria Martin Toshev9
2018–19First League1371261941624212th ↓Semi-finalsFrance Chris Gadi5
2019–20Second League22017124719522ndRound of 16Bulgaria Preslav Yordanov9
2020–21Second League23017585429563rdRound of 16North Macedonia Mario Ilievski12
2021–22Second League23621787735701st ↑Quarter-finalsNorth Macedonia Mario Ilievski15
2022–23First League135772131522815th ↓Round of 16Bulgaria Atanas Kabov6
2023–24Second League2Round of 32Bulgaria Dimitar Kostadinov5
Green marks a season followed by promotion, red a season followed by relegation.

Honours

Domestic

Crest, Shirt and Kit manufacturer

Crest history

Kits and manufacturers

From 1944 to 1990 team main color is red with white or blue. From 1990 to 2010 team main color is purple, but in the period between 2001 and 2007 they used white with red colors. From 2011 team first kit is dark red.

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt partner
1990–1995 Germany Adidas Canel
1995–1997 Germany Puma
1997–1999 Bingbul
1999–2001 Germany Reusch
2001–2010 Unknown None
2010–2011 England Mitre
2011–2013 Italy Givova
2013–2015 Italy Sportika
2015–2017 Spain Joma
2017–19 Germany Uhlsport Efbet
2019–22 WINBET
2022– 8888.bg

Players

Current squad

As of 12 January 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Bulgaria BUL Ivaylo Iliev
2 DF Bulgaria BUL Martin Achkov
2 DF Bulgaria BUL Mihail Polendakov
4 DF Bulgaria BUL Ivan Arsov
5 DF Bulgaria BUL Asen Georgiev (captain)
7 MF Bulgaria BUL Aykut Ramadan
8 FW Bulgaria BUL Georgi Dzhikov
10 MF Bulgaria BUL Dimitar Kostadinov
11 FW North Macedonia MKD Martin Stojanov
12 FW Bulgaria BUL Mitko Mitkov
13 MF Bulgaria BUL Yordan Yordanov
15 DF Bulgaria BUL Georgi Dinkov
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 DF Bulgaria BUL Kubrat Onasci
19 MF Bulgaria BUL Nikolay Arahangelov
20 FW Bulgaria BUL Ivaylo Mihaylov
21 GK Bulgaria BUL Dimitar Sheytanov
23 MF Bulgaria BUL Yoan Gavrilov
24 DF Bulgaria BUL Borislav Marinov
25 MF Bulgaria BUL Zahari Atanasov
— DF Cyprus CYP Strahinja Kerkez (on loan from AS Trenčín)
— MF Nigeria NGA Victor Ochayi
— MF Bulgaria BUL Simeon Aleksandrov (on loan from CSKA Sofia)
— FW Bulgaria BUL Martin Toshev

For recent transfers, see Transfers summer 2023 and Transfers winter 2023–24.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
22 MF Bulgaria BUL Martin Stoychev (to Arda Kardzhali until 30 June 2024)
No. Pos. Nation Player

Foreign players

Up to one non-EU national can be registered and given a squad number for the first team in the Second League. Those non-EU nationals with European ancestry can claim citizenship from the nation their ancestors came from. If a player does not have European ancestry he can claim Bulgarian citizenship after playing in Bulgaria for 5 years.

Notable players

Had international caps for their respective countries, or held any club record. Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries while playing for Septemvri.

Appearance records

As of 11 October 2023

Most appearances for the club in First League

RankNameCareerAppearances
1Bulgaria Boris Galchev2017–202065
2Bulgaria Asen Chandarov2015–2020
2022		60
3Bulgaria Yanko Georgiev2017–201951
4France Chris Gadi2017–201949
–Bulgaria Ivan Tilev2016–202049
6Bulgaria Yanko Georgiev2017–201948
7Bulgaria Dimitar Kostadinov2017–2021
2022–		47
8Bulgaria Georgi Stoichkov2016–201946
9Ghana Ishmael Baidoo2017–201945
10Bulgaria Georgi Stoichkov2016–201943

Most goals for the club in First League

RankNameCareerGoals
1Bulgaria Boris Galchev2017–202014
2France Chris Gadi2017–201912
3Bulgaria Martin Toshev2017–201811
4Bulgaria Dimitar Yakimov1958–196010
5Germany Christopher Mandiangu2018–20196
–Bulgaria Asen Chandarov2015–2020
2022		6
–Bulgaria Atanas Kabov2021–20236
7Ghana Ishmael Baidoo2017–20195
–Bulgaria Simeon Aleksandrov2019–2022
2023		5
9Bulgaria Vladimir Yonkov20034
–Bulgaria Radoslav Vasilev2016–20174
–Bulgaria Dimitar Kostadinov2017–2021
2022–		4
–Bulgaria Martin Petkov2022–20234
  • Players in bold are still playing for Septemvri.

Club officials

Board of directors

Position Name Nationality
PresidentRumen ChandarovBulgaria
Executive DirectorVacant
Sports DirectorKristiyan DobrevBulgaria
AdministratorIrina GorolomovaBulgaria
HousekeeperGeorgi AleksandrovBulgaria
Director of Youth AcademyVacant

Current technical body

Position Name Nationality
Head CoachKrasimir BalakovBulgaria
Assistant CoachBozhidar JurcovichSerbia
Goalkeeper CoachHristo NikolovBulgaria
Physical CoachGeorgi PetrovBulgaria
Physical CoachYasen EkimovBulgaria
PhysiotherapistLyubomirBulgaria
PhysiotherapistMircho KraynovBulgaria
Septemvri II CoachDarko SavićSerbia
U19 CoachDimitar StoilovBulgaria
U17 CoachHristian VoinovBulgaria
U15 CoachKiril KirilovBulgaria

Manager history

Dates Name Honours
1944–1946 Bulgaria Dimitar Dimitrov
1946 Czech Republic Milos Strujka
1947–1948 Bulgaria Hristo Nelkov
1948–1949 Bulgaria Anton Kuzmanov
1951–1953 Bulgaria Ivan Radoev
1953–1957 Bulgaria Atanas Dinev
1957–1959 Bulgaria Lozan Kotsev
1959–1961 Bulgaria Trendafil Stankov 1 Bulgarian Cup
1961–1964 Bulgaria Sergy Yotsov
1964–1969 Bulgaria Stoyan Petrov
1969–1988 merged with CSKA Sofia
1988–1990 Bulgaria Alyosha Dimitrov
1990–1992 Bulgaria Angel Rangelov
1992–1993 Bulgaria Pavel Panov
1993–1994 Bulgaria Sergey Todorov
1994–1995 Bulgaria Stefan Grozdanov
1995 Bulgaria Yordan Yordanov
1995–2000 Bulgaria Pavel Panov (2)
Dates Name Honours
2000–2003 Bulgaria Bisser Hazday
2003–2005 Bulgaria Rumen Traykov
2006–2007 Bulgaria Rumen Stoyanov
2008 Bulgaria Ognyan Abadzhiev
2008–2009 Bulgaria Yordan Yordanov
2009–2010 Bulgaria Mihail Mihailov
2010–2013 Bulgaria Tsvetan Atanasov
2013–2015 Bulgaria Mihail Mihailov (2)
2015–2016 Bulgaria Nikolay Mitov
2016 Bulgaria Hristo Arangelov
2016–2017 Bulgaria Nikolay Mitov (2)
2017 Bulgaria Hristo Arangelov (2)
2017 Bulgaria Dimitar Vasev
2017–2018 Bulgaria Nikolay Mitov (3)
2018–2019 Bulgaria Hristo Arangelov (3)
2019–2020 Bulgaria Milen Radukanov
2020–2022 Bulgaria Hristo Arangelov (4)
2022 Serbia Slavko Matić
2022–2023 Bulgaria Svetoslav Petrov
2023– Bulgaria Krasimir Balakov

References

  1. ↑ "Дали да признаем титлите и медалите на АС-23, Шипка и Чавдар за успехи и на ЦСКА?". (in Bulgarian) Sportal.bg. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  2. ↑ "Треньорът на Септември извади отбора в Банско, футболистите потрошиха съблекалнята". (in Bulgarian) Sport1.bg. 16 March 2008. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  3. ↑ 2007-2008 Bulgarian League Standings (All Divisions) The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  4. ↑ 2008-2009 Bulgarian A OFG Sofia Standings (in Bulgarian) Bulgarian-Football.com Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  5. ↑ 2008-2009 Bulgarian A OFG Sofia Play-off Results (in Bulgarian) Bulgarian-Football.com Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  6. ↑ "СЕПТЕМВРИ ИЗЛЕЗНА В ПОЧИВКА, РАЗДЕЛИ СЕ С ЧАСТ ОТ ФУТБОЛИСТИТЕ СИ". Archived from the original on 2016-02-23. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  7. ↑ "Пирин (Разлог) стана Септември (София)". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  8. ↑ "Ники Митов изхвърли Берое". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  9. ↑ "СЕПТЕМВРИ ЩЕ ТЪРСИ МЯСТО В ЕЛИТА В БАРАЖ СРЕЩУ МОНТАНА". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  10. ↑ "Шедьовър на Галчев прати Септември в елита (видео+галерия)". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  11. ↑ ДИМИТЪР ВАСЕВ ЩЕ ВОДИ СЕПТЕМВРИ В ПЪРВА ПРОФЕСИОНАЛНА ЛИГА
  12. ↑ "Шеф на Септември: Нямаме интерес към Алвеша (ВИДЕО) - Футбол". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  13. ↑ Blitz.bg/Sport. "Румен Чандъров: Взех Септември, защото е люпилня на млади таланти". Blitz.bg/sport. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  14. ↑ "Септември реши къде ще домакинства в Първа лига". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  15. ↑ ""Септември" се завърна в елита със загуба от "Дунав"". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  16. ↑ Септември удари Пирин в Благоевград, Галчев герой
  17. ↑ Новини. "Николай Митов се завърна начело на Септември". fcseptemvri.com. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  18. ↑ Новини. "Два гола на Мартин Тошев донесоха победа за Септември в последният мач за годината". fcseptemvri.com. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  19. ↑ "Трагедия! Почина Георги Марков". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  20. ↑ "Септември мина през Русе по пътя към Европа (видео)". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  21. ↑ Станаха ясни първите два отбора, които влизат в efbet Лига
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