Czestochowa, a city of over 200,000 people, is mostly known as the home of the famous Black Madonna painting. It is this reputation that gives the local football team its nickname, “Religious Medallions.” The club was founded in the 1920s, with its roots in the city’s industrial district where a big steelworks was located.
For most of the 20th century, the team had a modest record, moving between the fourth, third and second tiers, with a shock run to the Polish Cup final in 1967 providing the standout moment. In 1994, Rakow reached the Ekstraklasa – Poland’s top flight. They stayed up for four seasons, but relegation was quickly followed by further back-to-back relegations that meant that, by 2001, the club was back down in the fourth tier.
Watching in the crowd as Rakow were sent down from the top division was a young supporter named Michal Swierczewski who, seeing fans crying around him, promised himself that one day the club would return.
Thirteen years later, after making his money in computing, the young businessman became Rakow owner.
Within the first two years, five different managers had come and gone, with a couple lasting only a matter of weeks. But after narrowly missing out on the play-offs for promotion to the second tier, Swierczewski finally found his man. In April 2016, he appointed Marek Papszun, a former primary school teacher who had coached in the lower leagues. It was a move that brought an end to the short-termism of Swierczewski’s early appointments, and Papszun has been in place ever since.
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin July 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin July 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team