Once a formidable soccer establishment in North Macedonia, Vardar discover themselves entangled in an internet of adversity, grappling with monetary destitution, an absence of a house floor, and an acute scarcity of funds to remunerate their devoted gamers.
For a long time, from their perch within the capital Skopje, Vardar have been the envy of the nation, boasting a powerful array of home and former Yugoslavian titles.
However, the membership now exists as a mere shadow of its former self, relegated to North Macedonia’s second league, the place they depend on hand-me-down tools and substandard follow amenities.
In an effort to make ends meet, the membership’s ultras, often known as the Komiti, have stepped as much as fill within the gaps with fundraisers, handouts, and an unwavering presence within the stands to help their forlorn staff.
“I have been a fan of Vardar since my birth,” says Jane Petkovski, 36. “I will be a fan of Vardar until my last breath.”
Despite its modest inhabitants, the football-crazy Balkan nation has maintained three home leagues and achieved notable success on the worldwide stage, together with qualifying for Euro 2020 and defeating Germany and Italy in a failed bid to succeed in the earlier 12 months’s World Cup finals.
At house, Vardar as soon as reigned as a power to be reckoned with, boasting 11 titles within the First Macedonian League, 5 Macedonian cups, and two tremendous cups.
However, their downfall started in 2021 when the staff’s proprietor, Russian businessman Sergey Samsonenko, withdrew his investments and offered the membership, leaving Vardar drowning in debt and on the point of chapter.
Unable to cowl fundamental bills, the staff ceased paying gamers’ salaries and will now not afford the mandatory charges to play in Skopje’s Tose Proeski National stadium, their house for a few years.
Consequently, matches have been relocated to a lot smaller venues, accommodating just a few hundred followers.
The timing of their monetary disaster was significantly harsh, as pandemic restrictions prevented supporters from attending video games, depriving the staff of one other income.
Nevertheless, followers rallied collectively and arranged a “ghost game” ticket sale, elevating tens of hundreds of euros to assist alleviate the monetary burden.
“Every team… has ups and downs, and we stand together, we mourn together, we do the best we can to support each other,” says Pierre Nobbe, who traveled from Germany with a bunch of Schalke supporters to attend a match.
The membership’s devoted supporters have launched numerous initiatives, together with fundraisers and memorabilia raffles, to contribute in direction of the membership’s bills.
Since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, followers have returned in full power, waving pink and black flags, igniting flares, and main chants in modest venues on the outskirts of Skopje.
Despite the turbulent possession modifications, unpaid salaries, and the exodus of expertise to different golf equipment, Vardar clings to the hope of a late-season surge that would reverse their fortunes.
Just one win away from reclaiming their place within the First Football League, Vardar goals to draw new traders and much-needed monetary help.
“We play without money and simply with the best fans,” says Vardar’s goalkeeper, Filip Gacevski, 32. “We simply give superhuman efforts for the club. Some say that we are crazy, but really we are positively crazy.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
