FC Vereya

Bulgarian football club

Football club

FC Vereya

Full name| Professional Football Club Vereya-Stara Zagora
Nickname(s)| The Lions
Founded| July 15, 2001; 23 years ago (2001-07-15)
Ground| Trace Arena, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Capacity| 3,500
Head coach| Kolyo Kolev
League| A RFG Stara Zagora
2022–23| Southeast Third League, 20th (relegated)
Website| http://fcvereya.bg/

Home colours

Away colours

Third colours

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Vereya (Bulgarian: Верея) is a Bulgarian association football club based in Stara Zagora, which currently competes in the Southeast Third League, the third tier of Bulgarian football.

Vereya was founded in 2001. The team made a remarkable rise through the levels of the Bulgarian football system, and by 2016, the club reached the top level of Bulgarian football, the First League, for the first time. In 2019, after three seasons in the First League, they were expelled from it for reported match fixing.

## History

[edit]

### Foundation and beginning

[edit]

The club was founded in 2001 by a founding board led by Hristiyan Parvanov, Galin Mihaylov, Slavcho Tanev, Tonko Totev and Dimo Hristov. Until the 2005/06 season it was playing in Regional groups before the promotion to the V AFG under the name FC Vereya-Arsenal after a merger with Arsenal Kazanlak, but after the season 2006/07 Vereya-Arsenal became Arsenal Kazanlak and the 2nd team Vereya Bulsatkom moved to Stara Zagora again and was registered as FC Vereya. They won the A RFG 3 times in the next 5 seasons, getting the promotion during the 2011–12 season.

### Trace Group ownership (2012–present)

[edit]

In 2012, Bulgarian construction company Trace Group started investing in the club and a new stadium project Trace Arena was presented. On May 21, 2014, the club won the Cup of Bulgarian Amateur Football League after defeating Minyor Pernik 2–0 in the final.[1] During the same season Vereya finished 3rd in the V Group and secured promotion to the higher-ranked professional football league, the B Group.

In 2016, the club submitted an application for the newly restructured Bulgarian First League. On June 1, 2016, one of the new signings of the club for the upcoming season, the Brazilian Elias Alves da Silva, announced that he joined the club, as it would compete in the top league of Bulgaria, long before an official statement was given by the BFU officials on the number of the teams competing in the new league, thus sparking controversy.[2]

On June 7, 2016, Vereya, alongside five other B Group outfits, were approved by the Bulgarian Football Union and were promoted to compete in the upcoming 2016-17 Bulgarian First League. Vereya was one of the clubs with the necessary financial and infrastructural requirements for the new first tier.

In its first ever season in the top level (2016–17), Vereya managed to secure a 7th-place finish, thus remaining part of the elite for next season.

In its second season in the top level (2017–18), Vereya surprised many, by finishing in the top 6 in the regular season.

The third season in the elite was not that successful, however. It was marked by financial problems. On 7 May 2019, Vereya were disqualified from the league for match fixing. All results from played matches involving Vereya were retained with the Bulgarian Football Union awarding Septemvri Sofia two wins by 3–0 from their scheduled relegation play-off matches with Vereya and the loser from the relegation play-off match between Dunav Ruse and Vitosha Bistritsa (the latter) directly faced the second-placed team from the Second League (Montana).[3][4][5] Vereya was then disqualified from the Second League, due to financial issues, following which they were also disqualified from the third tier, which meant that the team will start the 2019–20 season from the fourth division of Bulgarian football, in this case the Stara Zagora regional league.

## Statistics

[edit]

### Season to season

[edit]

* Seasons in First League: 3
* Seasons in B Group (now Second League): 2
* Seasons in V Group ( now Third League): 5
* Seasons in A Regional Group: 13

| Season | Tier | Division | Place | Bulgarian Cup

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2001–02  | 4  | A RFG | N/A  | Did Not Play
2002–03  | 4  | A RFG | N/A  | DNP
2003–04  | 4  | A RFG | N/A  | DNP
2004–05  | 4  | A RFG | N/A  | DNP
2005–06  | 4  | A RFG | 1st ↑  | DNP
2006–07  | 3  | V AFG | 7th ↓  | DNP
2007–08  | 4  | A RFG | 4th  | DNP
2008–09  | 4  | A RFG | 1st  | DNP
| Season | Tier | Division | Place | Bulgarian Cup

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2009–10  | 4  | A RFG | 2nd  | DNP
2010–11  | 4  | A RFG | 1st  | DNP
2011–12  | 4  | A RFG | 1st ↑  | Second round
2012–13 | 3  | V AFG | 5th  | DNP
2013–14 | 3  | V AFG | 3rd ↑  | DNP
2014–15 | 2  | B PFG | 11th  | First round
2015–16 | 2  | B PFG | 8th ↑  | First round
2016–17 | 1  | First League | 7th  | Semifinals
| Season | Tier | Division | Place | Bulgarian Cup

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2017–18 | 1  | First League | 6th  | First round
2018–19 | 1  | First League | 14th ↓  | Second round
2019–20  | 4  | A RFG | 3rd ↑  | DNP
2020–21 | 3  | Third League | 18th ↓  | DNP
2021–22  | 4  | A RFG | 4th ↑  | DNP
2022–23 | 3  | Third League | 20th ↓  | DNP
2023–24  | 4  | A RFG |  | DNP

## Shirt and sponsors

[edit]

Vereya main colors are blue and white.

Period  | Kit manufacturer  | Shirt partner

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2006–2012  |  Unknown  | Bulsatcom / Trace Group
2012–2014  |  Tomy Sport  | Trace Group
2014–2016  |  Nike
2016–2018  |  Erreà
2018–2019  |  Uhlsport | Efbet

## Honours

[edit]

* First League:
* 6th: 2017–18
* Bulgarian Cup:
* Semifinals: 2016–17
* Second League:
* 8th 2015–16
* Third League:
* 3rd: 2013–14
* A RFG Stara Zagora:
* Winners (4): 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2011–12
* Cup of Bulgarian Amateur Football League:
* Winners (1): 2013–14

## Current squad

[edit]

As of 1 August 2020

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

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

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|
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1  | GK |  BUL | Radostin Yordanov
4  | DF |  BUL | Yordan Dobrev
5  | MF |  BUL | Isus Angelov
6  | DF |  BUL | Ivan Ivanov
7  | DF |  BUL | Milen Stoyanov
8  | MF |  BUL | Galin Penev
9  | MF |  BUL | Kristian Petrov
10  | MF |  BUL | Ventsislav Ivanov
11  | MF |  BUL | Mihael Lalev
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

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|
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14  | DF |  BUL | Georgi Koychev
16  | MF |  BUL | Steliyan Kolev
17  | DF |  BUL | Stanimir Petrov
18  | MF |  BUL | Denislav Zapryanov
20  | MF |  BUL | Kiril Atanasov
21  | FW |  BUL | Petar Milkov
22  | GK |  BUL | Ventsislav Yankov
26  | DF |  BUL | Vladimir Zafirov (captain)
77  | DF |  BUL | Zhivko Monev
23  | DF |  GRE | Konstantinos Laios

## Notable players

[edit]

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 Vereya or at some other point in their careers.

* Zhivko Zhelev
* Ivan Stoyanov
* Kostadin Stoyanov
* Ivo Ivanov
* Ivan Bandalovski
* Valeri Domovchiyski
* Veselin Minev
* Ventsislav Hristov
* Daniel Naumov
* Petar Vitanov
* Petar Vitanov
* Birsent Karagaren

Europe

* Alexandru Pașcenco
* Andrejs Kovaļovs

Asia

* Hussein Abdulghani

Africa

* Yassine El Kharroubi
* Olivier Bonnes
* Christoffer Mafoumbi
* Ulysse Ndong
* Alexander N'Doumbou
* Samuel Inkoom
* Selim Ben Djemia

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## Managers

[edit]

Zhivko Zhelev was appointed Vereya playing head coach in March 2015 Dates  | Name  | Honours

|
|

2001–11  | Unknown  |
2011–13  |  Kolyo Hristov  |
2013–14  |  Petar Kostadinov | 99991 Amateur Cup title
1 Promotion to B Group
2014  |  Krasimir Manolov
2014  |  Gospodin Mirchev  |
2014–15  |  Radostin Kishishev |
2015–16  |  Zhivko Zhelev
Vladislav Yanush  |
2016–2017  |  Aleksandar Tomash |
2017  |  Ilian Iliev |
2018  |  Blagomir Mitrev |
2018  |  Ivan Kolev |
2018  |  Nebojša Miličić |
2018  |  Lyudmil Kirov |
2018–2019  |  Nebojša Miličić |
2019  |  Oleksandr Sevidov |
2019  |  Ivan Vutov |
2020–  |  Kolyo Kolev  |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Верея спечели купата на Аматьорската футболна лига (Gong.bg, (In Bulgarian))
2. ^ "Елиаш пред Sportal.bg: Треньорът на Берое не ме искаше в състава, оставам в "А" група с Верея". sportal.bg. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
3. ^ "След сигнал на УЕФА: БФС изхвърли клуб от Първа лига" [After signal by UEFA: BFU expelled a team from First League] (in Bulgarian). Sportal.bg. May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
4. ^ "Верея изваден от Първа лига заради пет мача, три от тях са известни" [Vereya expelled from First League because of five matches, three are known] (in Bulgarian). Sportal.bg. May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
5. ^ "Ще получи ли Лудогорец две точки предимство след изваждането на Верея от Първа лига?" [Will Ludogorets receive two points advantage after the expulsion of Vereya from First League?] (in Bulgarian). Sportal.bg. May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2019.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Club page at bgclubs.eu
* Club page at Sportal.bg (Archived February 6, 2021, at the Wayback Machine)

* v
* t
* e

Third League * 2023–24

North-East|

* Benkovski Isperih
* Chernolomets Popovo
* Chernomorets Balchik
* Cherno More II
* Dorostol
* Dunav Ruse II
* Fratria
* Lokomotiv Ruse
* Ludogorets III
* Riltsi
* Septemvri Tervel
* Spartak Varna II
* Svetkavitsa
* Ustrem Donchevo

North-West|

* Akademik Svishtov
* Bdin
* Botev Vratsa II
* Boruna Tsareva Livada
* Drenovets
* Dunav Lom
* Etar II
* Juventus Malchika
* Levski 2007
* Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa
* Lokomotiv Mezdra
* Pavlikeni
* Partizan Cherven Bryag
* Sevlievo
* Vihar Slavyanovo
* Yantra Polski Trambesh

South-East|

* Asenovets
* Atletik Kuklen
* Beroe II
* Botev Plovdiv II
* Chernomorets
* Dimitrovgrad
* Gigant Saedinenie
* Karnobat
* Levski Karlovo
* Lokomotiv Plovdiv II
* Nesebar
* Rodopa
* Rozova Dolina
* Sayana
* Sekirovo
* Sliven
* Sokol Markovo
* Sozopol
* Spartak Plovdiv
* Yambol
* Zagorets

South-West|

* Balkan
* Bansko
* Botev Ihtiman
* Chavdar Etropole
* CSKA Sofia II
* CSKA 1948 III
* Hebar Pazardzhik II
* Kostinbrod 2012
* Kyustendil
* Levski Sofia II
* Marek
* Minyor Pernik
* Oborishte
* Pirin Razlog
* Rilski Sportist
* Septemvri Sofia II
* Septemvri Simitli
* Slavia Sofia II
* Slivnishki Geroy
* Vihren Sandanski
* Vitosha Bistritsa

* v
* t
* e

First Professional Football League

2024–25 clubs|

* Arda
* Beroe
* Botev Plovdiv
* Botev Vratsa
* Cherno More
* CSKA 1948
* CSKA Sofia
* Hebar Pazardzhik
* Krumovgrad
* Levski Sofia
* Lokomotiv Plovdiv
* Lokomotiv Sofia
* Ludogorets
* Septemvri Sofia
* Spartak Varna
* Slavia Sofia

Stadiums|

* Arena Arda
* Beroe
* Botev 1912 Football Complex
* Hristo Botev (Vratsa)
* Ticha
* Vasil Levski
* Balgarska Armia
* Georgi Asparuhov
* Lokomotiv (Plovdiv)
* Lokomotiv (Sofia)
* Huvepharma Arena
* Hristo Botev (Blagoevgrad)
* Slavia
* Stadion Spartak
* Stadion Georgi Benkovski

Former clubs*|

* Akademik Sofia (18)
* Akademik Svishtov (4)
* Belasitsa (12)
* FC Chernomorets (29)
* PSFC Chernomorets (7)
* Chernomorets Burgas Sofia (1)
* Dimitrovgrad (1)
* Dobrudzha (14)
* Dunav (25)
* Etar (24)
* Etar 1924 (1)
* Kaliakra (2)
* Litex (21)
* Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa (10)
* Lokomotiv Mezdra (2)
* Lyubimets 2007 (1)
* Maritsa (4)
* Metalurg (2)
* Minyor (38)
* Montana (10)
* Neftochimic (14)
* Nesebar (1)
* Pirin 1922 (9)
* Pirin GD (2)
* Rilski Sportist (2)
* Rodopa (4)
* Rozova Dolina (1)
* Septemvri (5)
* Shumen (7)
* Sliven (25)
* Spartak Pleven (35)
* Spartak Plovdiv (17)
* Spartak Sofia (15)
* Spartak Varna (43)
* Sportist (1)
* Svetkavitsa (1)
* Velbazhd (7)
* Vereya (3)
* Vidima-Rakovski (5)
* Vihren (4)
* Vitosha Bistritsa (3)
* Yantra (7)

Former clubs (from Macedonia & Thrace)|

* Belomorets Kavala
* Bitola
* Gotse Delchev Prilep
* Makedonija Bitola
* Makedonija Skopje
* Vardar Skopje
* ZhSK Skopje

Competition|

* Champions
* Players (foreign)

Associated competitions|

* Second League
* Third League
* Bulgarian Cup
* Bulgarian Supercup
* UEFA Champions League
* UEFA Europa League
* UEFA Conference League

Seasons|

* 1948–49
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1958–59
* 1959–60
* 1960–61
* 1961–62
* 1962–63
* 1963–64
* 1964–65
* 1965–66
* 1966–67
* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–00
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

* In the brackets is the number of seasons in the league.
*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
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*[e]: Edit this template