KF Tomori is an Albanian football club based in the city of Berat. The club's home ground is the Tomori Stadium and they currently participate in the Kategoria e Parë.
 | |
| Full name | Futboll Klub Tomori Berat |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Tigrat e Beratit (The Tigers of Berat) Mistrecët (The Captious) |
| Founded | November 25, 1923 |
| Ground | Tomori Stadium Berat, Albania |
| Capacity | 18900 |
| Owner | Municipality of Berat |
| Chairman | Avenir Bejo |
| League | Kategoria e Parë |
| 2022–23 | Kategoria e Parë, 4th |
| Website | Club website |
History edit
The sport of football was introduced to the city of Berat in the early 1910s by students who had completed their studies abroad. They brought back footballs and the rules of the game from their travels which they then passed onto the locals. As early as 1913, amateur neighbourhood teams were formed, such as Çunat e Lumit, Vakëfi, Kalaja and Opinga. In 1923, an artists and sports club was founded in Berat, under the name Tomori, named after the nearby Mount Tomorr. It was established in the neighbourhood facilities of a local school called Mangalem, and the first team was formed with 18 teenage players. With the Albanian Football Association's foundation in 1930, the club participated in its first official tournament in the same year, which was the second tier of the newly established Albanian football system. Tomori won the 1930 Albanian First Division and gained promotion to the Albanian Superliga. Prior to their debut season in the top flight the club changed its name from Tomori to Muzaka in 1931, and during the 1931 season, they finished in 7th and last place with a record of 1 draw and 5 losses, which led to their relegation.[1] They returned to the Albanian First Division in 1932 where they would remain for 4 seasons. In 1935, the Albanian Football Association did not organise any competitions so the club was not active for the year. In 1936, football resumed in Albania and the club changed its name back to Tomori and finished second in the Albanian First Division, achieving promotion to the Albanian Superliga for the second time. In 1936 season, the club again finished last in the top flight, level on points with Ismail Qemali Vlorë, who they lost 2–1 to in a relegation play off held in Kavajë at the end of the season to determine Tomori's immediate relegation once again.[2]
1936–1949: KS Tomori 1950: Berati 1951–1957: Puna Berati 1957–: KS Tomori
Members of the Presidency: (1923–1926) Chairman: Zyhdi Doko Secretary: Shyqyri Lakra Other members: Lilo Xhimitiku Andon Myzeqari Vangjel Haxhistasa Alqiviadhi Shyti
In 1964, Tomori was runner-up in the Albanian Cup, losing in the final to KS Partizani.
Tomori won the Albanian First Division championship four times: in 1930, 1950, 1970, and 1977.
In 1991–1992, F.K Tomori participated in the Balkans Cup but lost on aggregate to FC Oţelul Galaţi (2:4), who went on to be runners-up of the competition.
Their first participation in European football was in the UEFA Cup 2000-01, losing 2–5 on aggregate to Cypriot team APOEL F.C.
In 2000, F.K Tomori were runners-up in the championship, losing on penalty kicks against FK Tirana with the game having finished 1–1 after extra time had been played.
Stadium edit
Tomori Stadium was built in 1985 and holds 14,500 spectators. This is the third highest capacity stadium in Albania after Qemal Stafa Stadium and Loro Boriçi Stadium.[3] The stadium finally completed its renovation in early 2012, where 13,000 tickets went on sale for the first game held there. Interest was high because the last Albanian Superliga game to be held there was in 2002.[4]
Fans edit
Tomori has some of the most fervent fans in Albania.
Also, Tomori have tifo-groups like Mistrecat, Berat Hooligans and Ultras Tomori.
Rivalries edit
Tomori's biggest rivals are Naftëtari, with Kuçovë only 20 kilometres down the road and with fans of both clubs working together in the textile industry during the 1970s. Also Lushnja and Apolonia Fier are in a small distance from each other.[5]
Honours edit
- Kategoria e Parë:
- Winners (4): 1930, 1950–51, 1970–71, 1976–77
- Runners-up (7): 1957, 1958,1962, 1975–76, 1988–89, 2002–03, 2010–11,
- Kategoria Superiore:
- Runners-up (1): 1999–00
- Albanian Cup:
- Runners-up (1): 1963–64
- Balkans Cup:
- Semi-final (1): 1991–92
- Albanian Second Division:
- Winners (1): 2015–16
European Cups history edit
2000–01 UEFA Cup edit
After finishing second in the 1999-2000 season, Tomori would play for the first time against APOEL. Since that year the team has never been able to play in European competitions. Gentian Lako was the first player to score a goal for Tomori in a UEFA CUP qualifying round.
- QR1=1st Qualifying Round
| Season | Competition | Round | Country | Team | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991–92 | Balkans Cup | SF | 
|
Oțelul Galați | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–4 |
| 2000–01 | UEFA Cup | QR1 | 
|
APOEL | 2–3 | 0–2 | 2–5 |
Recent seasons edit
Players edit
Current squad edit
- As of 1 August 2023
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Notable players edit
Top scorers of Albanian Superliga edit
| Season | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 |  Përparim Kovaçi
|
Tomori | 18 |
| 1987 | Arben Arbëri
|
Tomori | 14 |
| 1991 | Kliton Bozgo
|
Tomori | 29 |
| 2000 | Klodian Arbëri
|
Tomori | 18 |
Coaching staff and officials edit
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Klodian Arbëri
|
| Assistant manager | Polizoi Arbëri
|
| Goalkeeper manager | Madrit Muxhaj
|
| Medic of club | Elton Fani
|
| Fitness coach | Altin Allidri
|
| Club Secretary | Ismet Ajazi
|
Historical list of coaches edit
Mandi Xhamo (1973)- Guxim Mukli (1990-1991)
- Fatos Karkanjozi (1992-1994)
- Kristaq Mile (1994)
- Fatos Karkanjozi (1995)
- Kristaq Mile (1995)
- Fatos Karkanjozi (1996)
- Kristaq Mile (1996-1997)
- Theodhor Arbëri (1998-2000)
- Kristaq Mile (2000-2001)
- Theodhor Arbëri (2001)
- Saimir Dauti (2001-2002)
- Kristaq Mile (2002)
- Eqerem Memushi (Jul 2010 – 22 Jan 2011)
- Artan Bano (22 Jan 2011 – May 2011)
- Përparim Daiu (Aug 2011 – 2 Oct 2011)
- Eqerem Memushi (2 Oct 2011 – 15 Mar 2012)
- Madrit Muzhaj (interim) (Mar 2012)
- Ernest Gjoka (15 Mar 2012 – Jun 2012)
- Kristaq Mile (Jul 2012 – 8 Nov 2012)
- Madrit Muxhaj (Nov 2012 – Jun 2014)
- Eqerem Memushi (Jul 2014 - Dec 2014)
- Madrit Muxhaj (Dec 2014 – Apr 2015)
- Kristaq Mile (Apr 2015 - May 2015)
- Bledar Sinella (Aug 2015 – Nov 2016)
- Gentian Stojku (Nov 2016 - Apr 2017)
- Santiljano Dule (Jul 2017 - Nov 2017)
- Gersi Arbëri (Nov 2017 - Sep 2018)
- Bledar Devolli (Sep 2018 - Dec 2018)
- Santiljano Dule (Jan 2019 August 2019 )
- Kristaq Mile (August 2019; - June 2020 )
- Bledar Sinella (June 2020; - July 2021)
- Klevis Dalipi (July 2021- Dec 2021)
- Klodian Arbëri (Jan 2022- Oct 2023)
- Avenir Bejo (Oct 2023- Nov 2023)
- Febron Ziu (Nov 2023- Mar 2024)
References edit
- ^ Armillotta, Giovanni (2000). "ALBANIAN FOOTBALL SEASON 1931". Giovanni Armillotta. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
- ^ Albanian Football Season 1937
- ^ WorldStadiums. "World Stadiums Data". Retrieved 3 August 2010.
- ^ 10 vite pritje, Berati në festë
- ^ Përparim Kovaçi, “pantera” e Beratit që u rebelua për një frigorifer - Panorama (in Albanian)