Karol Sobczak (born 27 February 1972) is a Polish politician who is currently the mayor of Olecko. Before starting a career in politics, he was a football player, manager, and educator.

Karol Sobczak
Personal information
Full name Karol Sobczak
Date of birth (1972-02-27) 27 February 1972 (age 52)
Place of birth Olecko, Poland
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
0000–1988 Wigry Suwałki
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1989 Wigry Suwałki
1989–1995 Lechia Gdańsk 143 (18)
1995–1997 Polonia Warsaw
1997–1999 Hetman Zamość
2000–2001 Górnik Łęczna
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Biography edit

Karol Sobczak
Mayor of Olecko
In office
23 November 2018 – Incumbent
Personal details
Born (1972-02-27) 27 February 1972 (age 52)
Olecko, Poland

Sobczak was born in Olecko in 1972. He started his career with Wigry Suwałki's youth teams, progressing to the first team for the 1988–89 season.[1] In 1989 he joined Lechia Gdańsk, spending six seasons with the club. In total, he made 151 appearances in all competitions and scored 19 goals, with most of his appearances coming in II liga.[2] During the winter transfer window, Sobczak joined Polonia Warsaw, winning the league and being promoted to Ekstraklasa in his first season. Sobczak made 5 top-tier appearances as Polonia struggled and ended up being relegated back to second-tier.[3] In the final years of his career, Sobczak played for Hetman Zamość and Górnik Łęczna. Sobczak retired from playing football in 2001 aged 29.

In 1997, he graduated from the Academy of Physical Education in Gdańsk with a master's degree in physical education with a view of what he wanted to do after his playing career. He used his degree when he started working in a school as a PE teacher. He also achieved a 1st class in football coaching. In 2001, Sobczak started working as a footballing coach, working with Czarni Olecko, Płomień Ełk and Unia Olecko and winning promotions with each of the three clubs.[4]

Sobczak was a councilor in Olecko for 12 years, and became its mayor on 23 November 2018.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ "Wigry Suwalki". zerozero.pt.
  2. ^ "Lechia Gdansk". lechia.net.
  3. ^ "Polonia Warszawa". 90minut.pl.
  4. ^ "O mnie". karolsobczak.eu.
  5. ^ "BURMISTRZ OLECKA". um.olecko.pl.