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| Full name | Футболен клуб „Велбъжд“ Кюстендил (English:Velbazhd Kyustendil Football Club) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1919; 107 years ago (1919) | ||
| Ground | Osogovo Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 13,000 | ||
| Chairman | Iliyan Hadzhiyski | ||
| Manager | Ivan Marinov - Maslara | ||
| League | A RFG Kyustendil | ||
| 2023–24 | A RFG Kyustendil (Osogovo subgroup), 1st | ||
Velbazhd Kyustendil (Bulgarian:Велбъжд Кюстендил) is a Bulgarian professionalassociation football club based inKyustendil. The club currently competes in theA RFG Kyustendil, the fourth tier of Bulgarian football.
The club was founded in 1919. Velbazhd have spent most of their playing history between the second and third tiers of the Bulgarian football league system. The club first won promotion to theA Group in 1954, and have played a total of 7 seasons in the top flight, with the longest continuous spell being six seasons (1995–2001). This is generally seen as the club's most successful period. Velbazhd finished third inA Group in1999,2000 and2001, competed in theIntertoto Cup in the 2000–01 season, and reached theBulgarian Cup final in2001.
Velbazhd was formed in 1919, though the club changed its name in the following year to Sport Club Motsion. In 1928 they changed their name to Sport Club Borislav. From 1940 to 1945 the club is called Pautalia. AfterWorld War II they changed their name to Cherveno zname. In 1956 the club was renamed to Levski. In 1970 the club returned to its original name Velbazhd, but from 1995 to 1999 again called Levski, under the ownership ofGeorgi Iliev.
In 1953 they were promoted to Bulgarian football'stop division for the first time in their history. The 1954 season saw Velbazhd make their first appearance in the top flight of Bulgarian football. This first season was less successful and they were relegated back to theB PFG, finishing in 12th place.
In1994–95 season, Velbazhd won their second promotion toA PFG, this returning to the top flight after a 41-year absence. During the1998–99 season they finished 3rd, their highest ever league finish. In the following season, Velbazhd also finished 3rd. The club's forwardMihail Mihaylov becameA PFG top scorer with 20 goals.
In 2001, Velbazhd reached theBulgarian Cup Final for the first time, beatingMarek Dupnitsa,Metalurg Pernik,Spartak Pleven andLokomotiv Sofia for a place in the final. However, they lost the final 1–0 toLitex Lovech.
Following the2000-01 season, the owner of Velbazhd, Georgi Iliev, decided to merge the club withPlovdiv-based teamLokomotiv Plovdiv, and move the new club to Plovdiv, with the intention of reviving Lokomotiv Plovdiv, who were struggling financially in theB group. Thus, starting from the2001-02 season, Lokomotiv Plovdiv began playing in theA Group, while Velbazhd practically ceased to exist and disappeared.
Shortly after the dissolution, the club was re-established, starting from the third tier,V Group.
In the summer of 2024, the team merged withFC Kyustendil, with Velbazhd becoming a satellite team and Kyustendil staying in Third League.[1]
| Season | Tournament | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Intertoto Cup | 1 |  UCD | 0-0 | 3-3 | 3-3(away goals rule) |
| 2 |  SK Sigma Olomouc | 2-0 | 0-8 | 2-8 |
As of 1 September 2015Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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The following is a list of notable footballers who have played for Velbazhd, with over 60 appearances, over 30 goals or having received recognition by their country in the form of international caps while playing for the club.
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Note:For all Velbazhd Kyustendil players with a Wikipedia article, seeCategory:Velbazhd Kyustendil players.
