Draft:FC Benkovski Isperih

FC Benkovski (Bulgarian: ФК Бенковски) is a Bulgarian football club based in Isperih, that competes in the North-East Third League, the third tier of Bulgarian football. It is named after Bulgarian Revival revolutionary Georgi Benkovski.

Despite having moderate success in the 70s and 80s in the second tier, the club bounced between Third League and Razgrad regional divisions since, before folding in 2015. It was refounded in its current state in 2016.

For the first time a team from Isperih qualified for the Northern "B" Group (until season 2012/13 "B" Group was split into Northern and Southern divisions) in the 1975/1976 season. The team spent 7 consecutive seasons in the second tier of Bulgarian football. Their highest finish was 12th place in the 1976/1977 season.

History
Football in Isperih dates back to the 1920s when the local population developed a keen enthusiasm for the sport. During this period, locals began playing football at various locations throughout the town and its surrounding areas.

Golden years
The team's successful entry into the group is largely credited to coach Nikola Yordanov and company chairman Ismet Mehmedov. Under their leadership, the team developed a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork, moving beyond victories over minor opponents. Rigorous training sessions included control matches, high-altitude camps, extensive treks, cross-country runs, sprints, gymnastics, acrobatics, lectures, debriefings, and the political education typical of the era. This marked the end of the "wedding jesters" era, ushering in an era of organized, intelligent preparation.

The players' attitudes transformed, leading to triumphant results. In August 1975, FC Benkovski joined the Northern "B" RFG, sparking celebrations throughout Isperih. The town was abuzz with activity. Volunteers painted benches, completed the changing rooms building, installed stadium drainage, and built new benches on the opposite side. Citizens voluntarily contributed a lev each month for football. During matches, ticket sellers became prominent figures, and sunflower seed vendors roamed the stands.

The team's first match in the "B" group was in the 1975/1976 season against Kom (Berkovitsa), coached by the legendary Dimitar Yakimov. The match in Isperih ended in a 2:2 draw. Nejib Hamidov - Neshko scored the first goal for Isperih, who later played for Ludogorets, Cherno More, and Beşiktaş. Ismet Tatarov scored the equalizer.

Over the years, local stars like Plamen Pavlov-Patso and Dimitar Dimitrov-Slamata played for Benkovski. With additional talent from outside, such as goalkeeper Krasimir Kolarov-Agantseto, Ali Mehmedov-Doktora, the Isperih stadium earned the nickname "the valley of death." It was said, "the road to the 'A' group passes through Isperih!"

In their first season (1975/1976), Benkovski (Isperih) finished 13th out of 20 teams in the Northern "B" group. The following season (1976/1977) saw them finish 12th out of 20 teams, with 35 points.

The team continued to participate consistently in the Northern "B" group, finishing 13th in 1977/1978, 13th again in 1978/1979, and 14th in 1979/1980 under the new name Ludogorska Slava.

In the 1979/1980 season, Dimitar Stoyanov of Ludogorska Slava became the top scorer of the Northern "B" group with 28 goals.

In the 1980/1981 season, Ludogorska Slava finished 19th out of 22 teams, narrowly avoiding relegation by finishing 2 points above the drop zone, ahead of Kaliakra Kavarna, Chernolomets Popovo, and Radetski Kozloduy.

The 1981/1982 season was the last for Ludogorska Slava (Isperih) in the professional Northern "B" group. The group was reduced from 22 teams to 18 in the next championship (1982/1983), and the bottom five teams were relegated to amateur status. Unfortunately, Ludogorska Slava (Isperih) was among the relegated, finishing 18th with 40 points, tied with Dobrudja (Tolbukhin) but with a worse goal difference (-2 compared to Dobrudja's +8).

Recent history
In May 2016 an Initiative Committee from Isperih came up with a proposal for the establishment of a non-profit association - "Benkovski" 2016.

After finishing 1st in the A OFG Razgrad East subgroup in the 2022/23 season, the team from Isperih met the winner of the A OFG Razgrad West subgroup - Minyor (Senovo).

The final was played in Razgrad and the Benkovski team won 2:0. This marked the first time since 1997/98 that the team would play in the third tier of Bulgarian football - Third League.

Benkovski finished 7th in their first season (2023–24) back in the North-East Third League.