Cracovia Kraków

Football club infobox
clubname = MKS Cracovia Kraków, SSA


fullName = Klub Sportowy Cracovia
nickname = "Pasy", (The Stripes)
founded = 1906, June 13
ground = Józef Piłsudski Stadium, Kraków Poland
capacity = 6,500"| chairman = flagicon|Poland Prof. Janusz Filipiak
manager = flagicon|Poland Stefan Majewski
league = Ekstraklasa
season = 2006/2007
position = Orange Ekstraklasa, 4th
pattern_la1=_red stripes|pattern_b1=_red_stripes|pattern_ra1=_red stripes
leftarm1=FFFFFF|body1=FFFFFF|rightarm1=FFFFFF|shorts1=000000|socks1=FFFFFF
pattern_la2=|pattern_b2=_thinsidesonblack|pattern_ra2=
leftarm2=000000|body2=ffffFF|rightarm2=000000|shorts2=000000|socks2=000000

Cracovia Kraków, ( IPA2|kraˈkɔvʲa ˈkrakuf, is a professional football club based in Kraków, Poland. Cracovia is the oldest Polish football club still in operation (a few years older are teams from Lwów, but this city is no longer part of Poland), and has continually participated in competition since its founding on June 13, 1906. The team currently plays its matches in the venerable Pope John Paul II Stadium situated next to the Błonia Park, located in the Zwierzyniec district of Kraków.

Recently, the club has announced plans to build a new 15,000 seat stadium designed by a Spanish architectural firm Estudio Lamela. The new stadium is to be constructed on the same site as the current structure and will include underground parking, restaurants, bars, and retail space. The completion date for the new stadium is set for 2011.

History

The Beginning

The early years of football in the city of Kraków are associated with professor Henryk Jordan. He had spent some time in Britain and after coming back to his native city introduced soccer to its youth. Jordan was a huge supporter of all sports and gymnastics. On March 12, 1889, he founded "The Park of Games and Plays in Kraków’’, which was commonly called "Jordan's Park". Places like this later spread all across Austrian Galicia, and apart from gymnastics, the youth there became acquainted with football.

However, it was not Kraków where the first football game on Polish soil took place. This happened in Lwów on July 14, 1894, with a 6-minute game between the teams of Lwów and Kraków. The home team proved better, winning 1-0, on a goal by Włodzimierz Chomicki.

Within the next few years, football slowly emerged as a rising sport. It was especially popular among high school students and in the fall of 1903 a group of them created the team of Slawa Lwów (the name was later changed to Czarni Lwów) - the first Polish soccer club.

In 1904 a group of Lwów's students, together with professor Eugeniusz Piasecki, came to Kraków to play an exhibition game. The match ended in Lwów's 0-4 defeat, and its far-reaching implications among Kraków's youth were enormous.

June 4, 1906 is regarded as a crucial date in the history of football in Kraków. On that day two games of high school teams took place. These matches had been announced in Kraków's newspapers. Czarni Lwów beat the team of "White-reds" ("Bialo-czerwoni") and the IV Gymnasium beat Akademicy. The matches were warmly welcomed by Kraków's fans, who were surprised to see for the first time real football gear, brought by players from Lwów. June 4 is also regarded as the day of Cracovia's creation.

In the fall of 1906 another tournament took place, in which as many as 16 teams participated. Right before the games, Jerzy Lustgarten from the team of Akademicy, came up with the new name - Cracovia, which is a Latin name for Krakow. This was accepted and henceforth the new team's full name was "Akademicki Klub Footballowy, Cracovia".

On October 21, 1906, the teams of Cracovia and "Bialo-czerwoni" played each other, drawing 1-1. The next year, facing difficulties, those two teams decided to join forces, thus creating a stronger club, which took over the name Cracovia and white-red jerseys. The combined team went to Lwów on July 1, 1907, where they lost a game vs. Czarni by a score of 1-4. In October of that year, Wisła Kraków became a reserve team of Cracovia, but this lasted for only a few weeks.

In 1908 an Englishman named William Calder came to Kraków. He was a teacher of English and a huge fan of football. It was in his apartment that the first club IDs and pinup badges were handed out. In May of that year Cracovia for the first time ever faced a team from abroad. This was an ethnic German side, Troppauer Sportverein, from the Czech city of Opava.

In 1910, Cracovia's statutes were officially recognised by the Austrian government in Lwów and in the same year the club joined the Austrian Football Federation, where it gained the proud title of 1st class team. Kraków's side was very active internationally, often playing Czech, German and Austrian teams. However, it did not forget its roots, and it was due to Cracovia's initiative that the Polish Football Federation was formed.

On March 31, 1912, after two years’ efforts, Cracovia finally got its own pitch. The same year brought the debut of Jozef Kaluza, one of Cracovia's most popular players, who at first had to use the nickname "Kowalski". The next year, Cracovia won the Championship of Austrian Galicia; however, in 1914 the games were canceled because of the outbreak of World War I.

Interwar period

In spite of the war, Cracovia's soccer team did not cease its activities, playing several games with such renowned teams as Admira Wacker Wien, Vasas Budapest and Wiener Sport Club. In those years new players emerged, such as defender Ludwik Gintel, midfielder Stanislaw Cisowski and forward Leon Sperling. All these footballers would become members of the Polish National Team in the next few years, after Poland regained independence. Also, Cracovia's great play in games vs. some elite teams of Hungarian soccer (e.g., FTC Budapest and MTK Budapest) helped convince the Hungarians to invite Poland for an international friendly in 1921 (it should be mentioned that in this first, historical game of Poland, there were seven Cracovia players in the starting lineup).

In 1920, the budding Polish Football Association (PZPN) was unable to carry out the Championships of the whole country. The situation was insecure, Polish borders were not determined, and Poland was waging several wars with its neighbors. Under the circumstances, the Kraków department of the Polish Football Association organised its own games; the tournament was won by Cracovia, ahead of Wisła Kraków. The next year, in the 1921 games, Cracovia became the first, historic Champion of Poland.

During the following years, the team often traveled across Europe, playing in Scandinavia, France and Spain. The most memorable is the trip to Spain, which occurred in the fall of 1923. Cracovia showed itself as a good side, drawing 1-1 with FC Barcelona, winning 3-2 against FC Sevilla and losing to the renowned teams of Real Madrid and Valencia

In 1928 Cracovia joined the Polish Football League, which had been created a year earlier. Two years later, Kraków's side for the second time in its history became the Champion of Poland. This was repeated in 1932. At the end of the season, Cracovia placed ahead of such famous teams as Pogoń Lwów, Warta Poznań, Wisła Kraków and ŁKS Łódź. In 1934 the team was the vicechampion. However, in 1935 something unexpected happened — Cracovia was demoted from the League.

Cracovia's absence from the League lasted only one season. After beating Śmigły Wilno, AKS Chorzów and Brygada Częstochowa, the team returned. And the return was so successful that in their first season back Cracovia won the League, becoming the Champion for the fourth time.

World War II

During the Second World War, the Nazi occupiers of Poland banned the Poles from officially playing any sports games. However Cracovia, just like other teams from Kraków, participated in secret championships of the city, which were organised every year in the period 1940-1944. "Pasy" managed to win only once - in 1943.

Also, during the Second World War Cracovia fans were protecting the Jewish community from the Nazi Empire. This connection to Judaism (similar to AFC Ajax) is reflected in the name of hooligan firm associated with the team and known as the Jude Gang.

It must be mentioned that one of Cracovia's most famous players, Jozef Kaluza, who in the late 1930s was the coach of the Polish National Team, refused to take the post of manager of Nazi-sponsored football events. Kaluza unfortunately did not survive until liberation, as he died in 1944.

On January 28, 1945, soon after liberation, the first official game between Wisla and Cracovia took place. Numerous spectators started by singing Polish National Anthem. Later, on the snowy pitch, Wisla turned out to be the better side, winning 2-0.

Post War period

In the years 1946 and 1947, Cracovia played numerous friendly internationals, as well as qualifiers for the Polish Championship. Unfortunately, the team finished second in their group, thus not getting promoted to central playoffs.

However, in the Polish League's first postwar season (1948), Cracovia, together with Wisla, were the leading teams. After a fierce competition, both sides were level at first place. Under the circumstances, a third, decisive game was necessary. There, Cracovia proved its quality, winning 3-1. This was their fifth, and most recent, championship.

The following years were marked by Cracovia's slow decline. The last success — vice-championship of Poland (1949) — was then followed by the team's worsening position, which culminated in 1954, when Cracovia was demoted to the second division. An ill-considered policy of Cracovia's decision-makers should be blamed for the failures. The club was tied to Kraków's Transit Authority, which turned out to be a very bad solution, as it did not bring sufficient funds to make running the club feasible. And - last but not least - the communist authorities preferred another organisation from the city, Wisla, which was sponsored by the then-almighty police (in communist Poland - Milicja Obywatelska).

Between 1947-1954 ten of Cracovia's players were members of the Polish National Team. These were: Władysław Gędłek, Tadeusz Parpan, Henryk Bobula, Tadeusz Glimas, Edward Jabłoński and Czeslaw Rataj.

Communist era

These years were full of ups and downs for Cracovia. Most of the time the team played in the Second Division, winning promotion on several occasions, only to be demoted after a year or two (promotions took place in 1961, 1966 and 1969). In 1959 the junior team won the Championships of Poland. Some of Cracovia's players got the chance to represent Poland (Andrzej Rewilak, Krzysztof Hausner), but glory years were definitely over. Sometimes the side managed to achieve some good scores in friendly games (1-1 vs. Partizan Belgrade in 1966 or 3-2 vs. Dinamo Minsk in 1963). In 1963 a sad incident occurred. Cracovia's wooden stands burned down, so the team had to play its home games on either Wawel's or Wisla's turf.

The years described were by far the worst period in the history of Cracovia's football department. In 1969 the team once again was promoted to the First League, only to be demoted after just one year. Then, demotions came one after another - to the Second, Third and finally - to the Fourth, regional league. It was a shock, as never before had Cracovia been so low.

The team quickly scrambled itself out of the regional league, however, anchoring in the Third Division. Obviously, this level was not satisfying for the 5-time Champion of Poland, so Cracovia tried hard to get higher, but it was not easy. In 1975, 20,000 fans watched a lost game vs. Lublinianka Lublin. In 1976 they were second (after Hutnik Kraków). In 1977, at home, Cracovia had to beat Resovia Rzeszów to win promotion. The match ended in a tie and thus Resovia got promoted.

Finally, Kraków's team placed first in 1978 and returned to the Second Division. Then, on May 30, 1982, all Cracovia's fans were overcome with joy. After 13 long years, their beloved side returned to the First Division! However, the happiness did not last long - only two years. After this interval, Cracovia was demoted first to the Second, then to the Third Division. While in the First Division, Kraków's side managed to win some important games (3-1 with Legia Warszawa and 1-0 with the champion - Lech Poznań), but this was not enough.

The second half of the 1980s was marked by a total decline. Cracovia was in the Third Division; its team never managed to qualify higher. Because there were no sponsors, all the good players were en masse leaving the organisation to different, richer clubs. Celebrations of Cracovia's 80th anniversary (1986) were sad and prospects for the future were dim.

Changing times

The years 1986-1990 were stagnant, with Cracovia having been unable to get itself out of the 3rd Division, group VIII. The team was most of the time in the upper part of the table, but never managed to win the games. In 1990 and 1991 Cracovia's junior team twice became the Champion of Poland and with a group of young, talented players (such as Tomasz Rząsa) supporters hoped for better times.

In June 1991, after beating Radomiak Radom in the playoffs, Cracovia finally won promotion, only to be demoted back to the 3rd Division after one year. Another promotion took place in the summer of 1995. Then, Cracovia for the first time in years faced its main rival, Wisła Kraków, beating it 1-0 in an away game (September 1995), on a goal by Krzysztof Duda. This time, Cracovia managed to survive three seasons in the 2nd Division, but in June 1998 it was again relegated back to the 3rd League.

In mid-2002, due to the efforts of numerous, faithful supporters, Cracovia attracted a rich sponsor, Comarch, owned by professor Janusz Filipiak. This meant that finally there was money for development. Several players were purchased, such as Piotr Giza, Arkadiusz Baran, Łukasz Skrzyński and Paweł Nowak. Under new coach, Wojciech Stawowy, promotion came fast - in the fall of 2003 Cracovia returned to the Second Division.

Today

After promotion, Cracovia spent only one year in the Second Division. The team, with such excellent players as Kazimierz Węgrzyn and Marcin Bojarski, finished the 2003-04 season in third position, but after routing Górnik Polkowice in the playoffs, Cracovia returned to the First Division.

The 2004-05 season was very good for the newcomer. Until the very end Cracovia contended for a place in the UEFA Cup, but finished in fifth place. The next season resulted in a ninth place finish.

The 2006-07 season was the best since the early 1950s. Cracovia, under coach Stefan Majewski, finished overall in the fourth spot, after Zagłębie Lubin, GKS Bełchatów and Legia Warszawa.

Cracovia finished the 2007-08 Ekstraklasa season in seventh place but due to a corruption scandal in the League, and relegation of such teams as Zaglebie Lubin and Korona Kielce, the team unexpectedly was offered a spot in the Intertoto Cup. However, Krakow's side was quickly defeated in the first round by FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus, 5-1 on aggregate.

Achievements

*Championship of Galicia
**1st place (1): 1913
* Ekstraklasa (First league):
**1st place (5): 1921, 1930, 1932, 1937, 1948
**2nd place (2): 1934, 1949
**3rd place (2): 1922, 1952
* Polish Cup:
**Semi-Finalist (2): 1962, 2007
* Polish League Cup:
**Finalist (1): 1952

Cracovia in Europe

Current squad

"Accurate as of January 31 2008"

= Notable players =

Notable supporters

Across the years, Cracovia attracted several renowned names, who attended the games and publicly declared their support. Unquestionably, the most famous fan of the team was Karol Wojtyla, who, even after having been named a Pope, would often ask visitors from Poland about Cracovia. Also, among other personalities who support the club, there are/were such persons, as Gustaw Holoubek, Nigel Kennedy, Jerzy Pilch, Kazimierz Wyka, Grzegorz Miecugow, Leszek Mazan, Jerzy Harasymowicz, Maciej Maleńczuk and Stefan Friedmann.

See also

* Football in Poland
* Polish soccer (football) in interwar period
* Polish Football League 1927-1939
* Polish Championship in Football
* Comarch

External links

* [http://www.cracovia.pl Official website] pl icon
* [http://www.cracovia.krakow.pl Cracovia Unofficial website] pl icon
* [http://en.wikipasy.pl WikiPasy - encyclopedia about KS Cracovia] (in Polish)
* [http://www.cracovia-krakow.pl Cracovia unofficial website] pl icon