FK Ribnica

Football club infobox
clubname = FK Ribnica Konik
fullname = Fudbalski klub Ribnica
nickname = Konik City Lions
founded = 1974
ground = Stadion na Koniku,
Podgorica, Montenegro
capacity = 750
address = Aleksandra Puškina b.b.
telephone = [phone] chairman = flagicon|Montenegro Dragan Pavićević
director = flagicon|Montenegro Nino Berišić
manager = flagicon|Montenegro Zoran Radunovic
league = Montenegrin Third League (Central region)
season = Third League 2007-08
position = 1st
pattern_la1 =
pattern_b1 = _darkbluewhitevertical
pattern_ra1 =
leftarm1 = FFFFFF
body1 = FFFFFF
rightarm1 = FFFFFF
shorts1 = 000080
socks1 = FFFFFF
title = Home colours
pattern_la2 =
pattern_b2 =
pattern_ra2 =
leftarm2 = 094ca1
body2 = FFFFFF
rightarm2 = 094ca1
shorts2 = FFFFFF
socks2 = 094ca1
title = Away colours

Fudbalski klub Ribnica (English: "Football Club Ribnica Konik") is a football club from Konik, a suburb of Podgorica, Montenegro.

History

FK Ribnica was founded in 1974, as the club of Konik, the biggest suburb of Podgorica (it has about 34,000 inhabitants). There were several sports teams by the same name, but they no longer exist. The most successful was judo-club Ribnica, which has one trophy of SFR Yugoslavia championship.

The club is named after the Ribnica river, which flows through the part of Podgorica where Konik is situated.

The biggest success of FK Ribnica happened at the start of the1990s, when the club was competing in Third league of SFR Yugoslavia.

In the 1970s, Ribnica played in Podgorica league (5th league in SFR Yugoslavia). In the 1980s and 1990s, the club was one of the most successful participants in Montenegrin league (4th league in SFR Yugoslavia), with one season in Third league of SFR Yugoslavia. Now, Ribnica plays in Montenegrin Third League - Central Region, battling for the promotion to Montenegrin Second League.

In the 1990s, among Ribnica players were famous Montenegrin goalkeepers Poleksić and Kljajević, and players like Rizvanaj, Ivanović, Rovčanin, etc. But the absolute legend of Ribnica is Ivan Čarapić, today a first team player in FK Budućnost, the best team in Montenegro. Another great player from the late 80's was Esko Dervisević, he was the heart of the defense. He was a tough player most of the time keeping Ribnica in many close games with his strong defense. One of the greatest managers of FC Ribnica was Brano Milačić, who is currently the manager of FK Budućnost.

Ribnica is winner of Montenegro Central region Cup 2006. (having beaten FK Iskra in the finals), and a frequent competitor for the Montenegro Cup.

Ribnica's colors are blue and white, and club’s official sponsor is Caffe bar Ribnica.

League results (last 10 seasons)

Recent seasons

2002-03

2003-04After more than 20 years, at the end of the season, Ribnica was relegated from the Third league (then, 'Montenegrin' league). At the start of the season, main ambition of FK Ribnica was place in the middle of Third league's table at the finish of seasons. But, after first half of championship, it was clear that the club from Konik will be relegated in the Fourth league after the end of season... It was the worst Ribnica's result in the last 20 years. At the 29 May 2004, Ribnica lose against Berane - 11:1, which is biggest defeat in the club history.

2004-05

The worst season in last 20 years. For the first time in that period, Ribnica played in the Fourth league, and in the competition with six teams, finished at the third place. Winner of League was local rival FK Grafičar, which eliminated Ribnica from the Central Region Cup, too.

2005-06

First half of Fourth league season, Ribnica finished at the first place. At the winters' break, FK Budućnost made an agreement with Ribnica, which is used to be 'B' team of Budućnost. With young players from Budućnost, at the second half of season, Ribnica lose their matches against FK Drezga, FK Zabjelo and FK Gorštak and finished 2005-06 season on the second place. During the season, fans gone to boycott Ribnica because the agreement with another club.

In the Central Region Cup, Ribnica was defeated at the Second leg, against FK Zabjelo away.

2006-07

Football kit box
pattern_la =
pattern_b = _rightstripeonwhite
pattern_ra =
leftarm = 094ca1
body = white
rightarm = 094ca1
shorts = 094ca1
socks = white
title = Home shirt 2006/07

First season in independent Montenegro, Ribnica played in the Third league, the lowest football competition. Ambition of club was promotion in Second league, and after the end of agreement with FK Budućnost, fans made their come-back to the terraces. After very successful start, Ribnica lose derby with FK Iskra Danilovgrad and after that 'lions' played few draws. In the second half of season, when Bogdan Čarapić replaces previous coach Nebojša Petrović, Ribnica started with few wins, but after defeat against FK Drezga, Ribnica gone from second to third position. At the finish of championship, Ribnica lose home-ground match against FK Blue Star and that was the end of hopes about the Second league promotion. Ribnica finished at the third place.

Third league - 'central' 2006/07 table: Iskra 46, Drezga 45, Ribnica 42, Sutjeska 'B' 40, Kom 'B' 27, Blue Star 23, Gorštak 10, Grafičar 0.

In the October 2007, Ribnica won the Central Region Cup. In the final match, Ribnica played against FK Iskra - 2:0. That win promoted Ribnica in the Montenegrin Cup. At the start of that competition (1/16 finals) Ribnica lose match against Mladost (0:1), and after that match few fans attacked main referee.

2007-08In the summer from Ribnica goes few talented players. Most of them gone to FK Gusinje, and KF Veleçiku Koplik, Albania. At the august 2007, Ribnica played two friendly matches against First league members. At the first match, Ribnica lose against FK Zeta - 1:5, and at the second, Ribnica played against FK Dečić - 1:2.

Ribnica started season in the Central Region Cup. In the quarter-finals, 'lions' played against FK Blue Star and won - 3:0. At the September 3rd, Ribnica played first match in new Third League season. In the First leg, Ribnica was better than FK Grafičar - 2:0. In the final of Central Region Cup, Ribnica lose against FK Mladost (Podgorica, and after that, in first leg of Montenegrin Cup, Ribnica lose match against OFK Bar on penalties.

In the league, Ribnica won first place, after the dramatic battle with FK Blue Star. In june 2008. club played in playoffs for promotion in Second league, which is greatest succes in the newest club history.

Konik derby

Years have passed, and Ribnica falls in the Third league. Standard member of that competition is FK Grafičar, great local rival. In the past decades, Ribnica and Graficar were big rivals, and their matches sometimes watched more than 3,000 spectators. Today, the tradicion of Konik derby is still 'alive', and Ribnica is most successful club. In the 2006, stadium of Grafičar is sold to local building company, so Ribnica and Grafičar today are playing their matches on same stadium.

Here are results of last 5 derbies:

Tournament

From the 2007, Football club Ribnica is organising traditional Memorial tournament 'Gojko Lopičić'. The winner of the First tournament was FK Zabjelo, and other participants were FK Kom, FK Mladost and home team - FK Ribnica.

Gojko Lopičić was a general secretary of FK Ribnica in the 'glory days', when the club goes to the Federal rank (Third league). He was a member of Football association of Central Montenegrin region, too. Gojko Lopičić died in the 2006.

Fans

Ribnica’s fans, formed in late 1980s are known to violent at home games, and are very devoted to their club. In the 1990s, supporters group has names like `Konicari Beybe` and they have a few hundreds of members, but in last few years there is a new group on Konik’s stadium – ‘Konik City Hooligans’. This group is formed by few members of FK Budućnost supporters (Varvari), and today they have about 50 members. They follow their team wherever they play.

In the last few years, many matches on Konik were abandoned, and the only reason was incidents (Ribnica – FK Mladost (Podgorica) – three times, Ribnica – FK Grbalj, Ribnica – FK Zabjelo)... In the last few years, ‘Konik City Hooligans’ were protesting against the club’s chairman, but today, the garniture at the top of the club is more productive.

Stadium

FK Ribnica plays its home games at Stadion na Koniku, in Konik, Podgorica. Stadion na Koniku with 750 seats, which is also home of few tournaments of first-teams and youths. It is planned that on that place will be built new stadium with two big stands with 6.000 places

Trivia

* In October 1987, during the match between Ribnica and FK Mogren Budva (then known as FK Budva), the main referee had to use his gun for his protection, after a discussion with Ribnica manager Brano Milačić.
* Dimensions of the FK Ribnica’s pitch are the biggest of all Montenegrin stadiums.
* Bogdan Čarapić, manager of FK Ribnica is brother of FK Budućnost player Ivan Čarapić.

See also

* Konik, Montenegro
* Montenegrin Third League
* Stadion na Koniku
* Memorial tournament 'Gojko Lopičić'
* Football in Montenegro