Draft:FC Vihar

Krum Delchev Stadium
Стадион Крум Делчев
	Krum Delchev Stadium, October 2022. You can see the renovation works.
Address	Aytos; Bulgaria
Owner	Aytos Municipality
Operator	FC "Vihar" Aytos
Seating type	Seats
Capacity	400
Surface	Grass
Construction
Broke ground	1971
Opened	1973
Renovated	2017, 2023
Tenants
	FC "Vihar" Aytos (1973-present)

FC "Vihar" Aytos
Founded	17 June 1921
Stadium	"Krum Delchev"
Capacity	400
Exec. director	Valentin Ivanov
Head coach	Milen Minchev
League	"A" Regional Group Burgas
2023/2024	9th
Home colours	Away colours

„Vihar“ Football Club is a bulgarian football club based inAytos. The club was established in 1921 and plays in the "A" Regional Group Burgas.

History

Early history (1921-1943)

The first club meeting was held in November 1921, at a field which now has on it a school. Initiators and organisers were: Paskal Yanakiev, Krum Delchev and Nikolai Velkov, founders - about 15 young men. They named the first football association from Aytos. „Vihar“ with the idea that the most important quality of the game was speed. The field was cleaned of stones and dry grass and it became the club's first ground. The club's first kit was all black. They played in slippers padded at the heels with hodden. Krum Delchev's mother sews the first red shirts, specially made for the participants in the Spartakiad in Burgas in 1922.

The players from the first squad were: Pencho Kutev, Boris Garabinov, Todor Mihaylov, Nata Neykov, Pencho Peykov, Vasil Fotev, Kosta Ganchev, who afterwards was a long-standing captain and coach of the team and author of the first club anthem, Nikola Zlatev, Niko Fotev, Ivan Mutafchiev, Martin Dimitrov, also a bit later Todor Kasabov, Nikolai Dichev, Marcho Tsonev, Nedelcho Tinekidzhiev, Osman Ahmedov, Bedros Rafaelyan, Kutsar Petrov and the younger Vitan Minchev, Boris Parashkevov and Stoyan Seymenliiski. Pencho Peykov is known as the club's top goalscorer for the 30s.

In 1925, a reserve team was created from younger players. A youth team was created called „Small Vihar“, from which are developed the future starting players Apostol Mirchev, Panayot Yanev, Georgi Iliev, Evtim Yordanov, Nikola Madzharov, etc. The club sees exponential growth in the period 1931–1935. During 1927-1944 the club participates in all competitions in the then-existing Burgas province. The club enjoys successful matches against other big clubs from Burgas. Due to a lack of finances, the players were supposed to walk to nearby cities/villages for matches. The club's ground was slightly upgraded - the field has been replaced and it now has wooden frames used as goals. New balls were made by local leathersmiths. In 1935 a new club was created – "Big Vihar", but there still is no permanent ground. In 1937 the town's administration decides the ground's permanent location - at the northwest part of Aytos.

The 40s were tough times for football, but the players did not lose motivation. One of Big Vihar's most notable players was Georgi Lefterov Kolarov, who during the 60s was the club's captain and coach. He played at right-back and centreback, and later joins "Chernomorets" Burgas as a goalkeeper. From his notes it becomes obvious that football has grown so much in the town that a second ground was needed. Two notable matches from the period are: Vihar Aytos - Drazhev Yambol (2–1) and Vihar Aytos - Slavia Burgas (3–0).

"Vihar" during socialism (1944-1989)

In the 50s, a P.E association was formed in Aytos. A regional physical education and sports committee was also created, which leads the association.

After the formation of the association the club now has finances. In the late 50s the club's first coach was hired with a salary. The club's leader was Aprahamyan. The interest in football in the town grows exponentially, the players also increase, which compels the administration to construct a stadium in town.

Initiators for the construction of the stadium are Dimo Bozhilov and Vasil Stoyanov. The club's first coach was Kosta Ganchev, who prior was a captain. Other captains of the club are Boris Garabinov, Bai Geno, Todor Kasabov, Dragan Dimitrov and Georgi Lefterov after his return from Chernomorets Burgas. From Lefterov's notes it becomes apparent that Vihar was not the only sports club in the town. Others were: SC "Small Vihar", SC "Big Vihar", SC "Borislav" and others.

In the 70s, Georgi Chobanov becomes the first licensed football coach in Aytos. Vihar was first place in the region three consecutive seasons (1967 to 1969), even though the club still did not have facilities, due to the "Krum Delchev" stadium still being under construction. Under mayor Boris Shterev's leadership, an urgent renovation of the stadium begins, and the venue was finished and furnished in 1973. Coaches during this period were Rusi Dolapchiev and Hristo Momchev, and under the latter's coaching in 1973 Vihar reaches the "V" Group.

In 1975, Vihar had four teams - children, juniors, seniors and men. In that period Georgi Chobanov was coach. Until 1990 the club's chairmen are Dimo Bozhilov, Kolyo Tsvetkov and Ilya Ralev - DFS Aytos. During autumn 1979 Mihail Yordanov becomes the men's team coach, changed to Lachezar Palankov in 1980, and Georgi Chobanov leads the children's and junior teams.

During the period 1983–1986, the club was in the third tier of Bulgarian football - "V" Group under Georgi Chobanov. From 01.01.1986 the football club separates from DFS and becomes its own club FCVSM with chairman Yordan Danov. After the amateur league format was changed, the club starts playing in the newly formed "A" Regional Group.

Chairman of the football association Stancho Kutsarov and secretary Mihail Ruskov provide help for the club. A disciplinary commission and commission for work with youth teams are created as part of the association. Georgi Chobanov's squad - Dragiya Zhelev, Plamen Rusev, Stoyko Gradev, Rumen Hristov, Marin Ivanov, Drago - "the soldier", Kosta Kostov, Valcho Ivanov, Valentin Ivanov and Gancho Ivanov show high professionalism while not earning anything.

In 1986-1987, the club's coaching was under Nikolay Matev. His coaching was rather successful. In 1986 at a match between Vihar – Hebros, Vihar loses 0–1. The only goal was scored by Hristo Stoichkov. This was also a period where finances are insufficient. During this period key players leave the club - most notably Pencho Ivanov and Valentin Ivanov, joining Beroe Stara Zagora and Neftochimic Burgas respectively. This leaves a negative effect on the club's performances.

During autumn of the 1988/1989 season, "Vihar" was known for its fast and effective attacking football, coached by Totko Dremsizov. The club also plays very well for the Bulgarian Cup, but was knocked out by third division Pomorie with an aggregate result 6–3. Due to the club's performance it gets popular in the region and also participates in a mini tournament in Russia. The club loses 0-3 from third division club Belorechensk in a match played under lights and thousands at the stands, and later on achieve a result of 1–2 against second division club Kuban Krasnodar. The next spring the season finished with Vihar on top, the draw was finished and it's decided that the club will play qualifications in two rounds for participation in the Southeast "V" Group. The first leg was against the first-placed team in the "A" Regional Group Sliven, "Dinamo" Sliven. In the first leg as guests, Vihar lose, but in the second leg as the home team Vihar win 4–0. The second match was against Maritsa Simeonovgrad. In the first leg of the second round as guests Vihar lose 4–0. In the second leg at home Vihar lead 4-0 for most of the match, but the result in the end was 4–2 with an aggregate result of 6-4 for Maritsa Simeonovgrad. This meant that Vihar missed out on third division participation.

Recent history (1990-now)

The early 90s were a period of standstill, which also coincides with the government changes in Bulgaria and the years that the finances for sports end. On 14.05.1991, with a decision from the general assembly from the club, the club was liquidated.

Georgi Chobanov and Nikolay Matev are handed contracts for terminating their coaching activity active from May 1991. Both continue to coach the youth teams without pay with a will to preserve the club. From 1991 to 2000 Vihar does not have a men's team.

In 2000, Aytos mayor Ivelin Yordanov begins work on reviving the men's team. A meeting was held at the stadium, in which Stoyan Mangarov was selected to be club president, Yordanov - chairman of the management board and Stanimir Genev - executive director. Gancho Ivanov was selected as the men's team coach, Valentin Ivanov and Georgi Stamatov are selected as youth team coaches. The club's name was decided to be FC "Vihar 2000" Aytos.

Since 2001, the club has been playing in the "A" Regional Group Burgas.

Vihar has been champion of the regional group in 2002, 2005 and 2009, but due to a lack of finances the club never advances to the "V" Group. People, who have contributed for the first-place finished in the group are Yordan Tashev, Dimitar Rusev, Anesti Stoychev, Rusi Hristozov and Sebahatin Shaban. The youth teams are also successful.

In 2012, the first international tournament for under 21s was organised at the "Krum Delchev" stadium in Aytos.

Multiple youth teams are created, including a preparation group for the youngest talents. From the last couple of years, both the youth teams and men's teams are successful. Since 2005, the men's team plays only with players from the area. Head coach Milen Minchev's main aim was to search and find local talents. In 2014, to aid the training process, two artificial grass pitches were made in the "Krum Delchev" sports complex by the Aytos municipality. The club also receives a subsidiary of the municipality's budget.

Autumn of 2015 was a successful period for the club. In 11 matches the club achieved 11 wins and 41 goals. These wins by the men's team, and the success brought from Italy from the youth tournament "Danoniada" by the youth team proves that football in Aytos has potential. Representatives from the club won awards in the annual "Athlete, coach and club of 2015" awards.^[1]

Honours

"A" Regional Group Burgas

1st place (8) - 1967, 1968, 1969, 1982, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2019

Kits

Originally the club's home kits were all black. This changed in 1922 when Vihar played with their first red kits, allegedly sewn by Krum Delchev's mother for the Spartakiad in Burgas held that year.

The club's home kits nowadays have remained red. The away kit colours have varied, but most commonly they have been black-red. Kits are usually manufactured by local sportswear companies like Tomy.

Stadium

Krum Delchev Stadium is a multipurpose stadium located in Aytos, Bulgaria. Opened in 1973, it has only been used by FC "Vihar Aytos".

The idea to construct a stadium in the town arose in the late 50s, after interest in football grows exponentially in the town. It is unknown when exactly the stadium has broken ground, but it is known that an urgent renovation began in 1971 (due to the lack of facilities for Vihar) and in turn the stadium was finished in 1973.

In 2017, the stadium's old benches were replaced with seats.

In 2023, a renovation of the administrative building took place. The club offices and locker rooms were renovated and the building was painted.

League positions in the last seasons

Season	League	Position
2023/2024	"A" RG Burgas	9th
2022/2023	"A" RG Burgas	5th
2021/2022	"A" RG Burgas	5th
2020/2021	"A" RG Burgas	5th
2019/2020	"A" RG Burgas	5th
2018/2019	"A" RG Burgas	1st*
2017/2018	"A" RG Burgas	4th
2016/2017	"A" RG Burgas	5th
2015/2016	"A" RG Burgas	4th
2014/2015	"A" RG Burgas	3rd
2012/2013	"A" RG Burgas	6th

*The club did not get promoted to the Third Amateur Football League for the 2019/2020 season due to insufficient finances.

Sources

^ KotaSport.com (2017-11-05). "Как бе създаден "Вихър"-Айтос. История на почти един век". KotaSport (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-11.