Full name | Futbalový klub Železiarne Podbrezová |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Železiari (Ironmongers) |
Founded | 1920 as RTJ Podbrezová |
Ground | ZELPO Aréna |
Capacity | 4,061 |
Owner | Železiarne Podbrezová |
President | Július Kriváň |
Head coach | Marek Fabuľa |
League | Fortuna Liga |
2016–17 | Fortuna Liga, 5th |
Website | Club website |
FK Železiarne Podbrezová (Slovak pronunciation: [ˈʒeleziarɲe ˈpodbrezoʋaː]) is a Slovak football team, based in the town of Podbrezová.
Podbrezová was formed in 1920 as RTJ Podbrezová. The club is also particularly famous for its youth program that has produced many Slovak talents over the years, including Juraj Kucka, Michal Breznaník, Róbert Pich, Peter Štyvar and Marek Bažík. Podbrezová has been cooperating with the Italian club Inter, in a worldwide social project – Inter Campus (2002-2008). Argentine midfielder Pablo Podio, who currently plays for Podbrezová, is a product of the Inter Campus project. Major achievements in the history of the club include: second place in the I. liga in the 2007/2008 season and the semifinals of the Slovak Cup in the 2001/2002 season. In 2009–10, the club withdrew from the Slovak First League.
The following clubs are affiliated with Podbrezová:
In 2013–2014, Podbrezová were promoted to the top flight of Slovak football for the first time in their history. The success was born under the leadership of coach Jaroslav Kentoš. The keys players were Vratislav Greško, Blažej Vaščák, Jozef Hanák, Michal Pančík and others.