History of Shakhtar Donetsk

History overview

The team has played under the following names: Stakhanovets (1936-1946), Shakhtyor (1946-1992) and FC Shakhtar (since 1992).

The club was originally formed in May 1936 and was initially named Stakhanovets after Oleksiy Stakhanov, a legendary coal-miner in the Donbass distinguished for his prominently hard work. The first success for the team was in 1951, when then-renamed Shakhar took third-place in the USSR Championship.

The 'Miners’ country' team has always been famous for its willing disposition, team identity, and never-say-die attitude. Beginning in the 1960s, Shakhtar under Oleg Oshenkov’s coaching were three-time USSR Cup finalists, winning it twice in 1961 and 1962. The club was nicknamed “The Cup Team” due to Shakhtar’s success in vying for the trophy every year, however the Miners’ more notable achievements occurred later from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s.

In 1975, Shakhtar took 2nd in the USSR Championship and received the right to represent the Soviet Union in EuroCups. In 1978, Shakhtar finished third in the USSR Championship. A year later, the team once again took the honorable second place and its captain – striker Vitaliy Starukhin – was named the best player and the best forward in the USSR Championship (26 goals scored).

Shakhtar twice, in 1980 and 1983, brought home the crystal USSR Cup to Donbass and in 1983, it won the USSR Super Cup over then-domestic league champions FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.

In the newly independent Ukraine, FC Shakhtar along with Dynamo Kyiv became perennial first place competitors. In part to the generosity of Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov who has run FC Shakhtar since 1996, the club has steadily improved its play and infrastructure, as promised by the club president himself (who has vowed to bring European glory to FC Shakhtar and its fans).

In 1999, an FC Shakhtar Football academy was opened and nowadays hosts football training for roughly 3000 children. The same year, a Sports Training Complex "Kirsha", considered to be one of the best in Europe,Template:Facts was opened for the senior squad's use.

Shakhtar have, to date, appeared in all three editions of the First Channel Cup, winning the 2006 edition and finishing runners up in the 2008 edition.

Stadium

FC Shakhtar has been playing most of its games at the recently renovated RSK Olimpiyskiy stadium. The team has started construction on a new stadium, Shakhtar Stadium which will have a capacity of 50,000 and will be a UEFA five star venue.

FC Shakhtar's old home, the central Shakhtar Stadium which was built in 1936, and was reconstructed four times, is currently being used by FC Metalurg Donetsk. The stadium received some major renovations, including the installation of bench seats in 2000, when FC Shakhtar made it to the Champions League Group Stage.

Logo history

The first logo of the club was designed in 1936, it featured a blue hexagon, with a red 'S' in the middle, crossed over by a jackhammer. In 1946, when the club was renamed, the logo was changed to black and white, with addition of club's name.

Later in the middle of the 60s logo depicted two crossed hammers and a writing Shakhtar 'Donetsk' in the circle. About the same time the crest was added to the kit and remained there since, except for several seasons, in the beginning of 1990s.

In 1989, an artist, Viktor Savilov, on the event of the club restructuring offered a draft variant of a logo with elements of the ball and a pitch. Some time later the logo was remodelled into the present one. Today's emblem was added to the kit in 1997.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Rivalry

Shakhtars biggest rivals are Dynamo. These are the 2 most popular clubs in Ukraine. When the two teams play there are full stadiums. The other rivalry is the derby between Shakhtar and Metalurg Donetsk.

Fans

The biggest fan group is the ultra group Za Boys Ultra

Club song

Words by: K.Arsenev; Music: I.Krutoiy

Glory to you, Shakhtar!

Heavens of football stars

Will always be on your side,

And the light of your best dreams

Is shining from above.

Refrain:

Beauty of green fields, that's for you, Shakhtar.

My fate is in your hands, you are the best, Shakhtar.

And for you, Shakhtar, the medal of my love

Will always shine on pitch where you are,

And forever will protect you from defeat

The brightest football star!

Honours

• Ukrainian Championship: 4

2002, 2005, 2006, 2008

• USSR Cup: 4

1961, 1962, 1980, 1983

• Ukrainian Cup: 6

1995, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008

• USSR Super Cup: 1

1983

• Ukrainian Super Cup: 2

2005, 2008

Runner-Up

• Ukrainian Championship: 9

1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007

• USSR Championship: 2

1975, 1979

• USSR Cup: 4

1963, 1978, 1985, 1986

• Ukrainian Cup: 2

2003, 2007

• USSR Super Cup: 2

1980, 1985

• Ukrainian Super Cup: 3

2004, 2006, 2007

League and Cup history

Season	Div.	Pos.	Pl.	W	D	L	GS	GA	P	Domestic Cup	Europe		Notes
1992	1st	4	18	10	6	2	31	10	26	1/2 finals
1992-93	1st	4	30	11	12	7	44	32	34	1/16 finals
1993-94	1st	2	34	20	9	5	64	32	49	1/8 finals
1994-95	1st	4	34	18	8	8	52	29	62	Winner	UC	Qual round
1995-96	1st	10	34	13	6	15	44	43	45	1/2 finals	CWC	1st round
1996-97	1st	2	30	19	5	6	72	28	62	Winner
1997-98	1st	2	30	20	7	3	61	25	67	1/8 finals	CWC	2nd round
1998-99	1st	2	30	20	5	5	70	25	65	1/2 finals	UC	2nd qual round
1999-00	1st	2	30	21	3	6	60	16	66	1/4 finals	UC	1st round
2000-01	1st	2	26	19	6	1	71	21	63	Winner	UC	3rd round	ECL - 1st group stage
2001-02	1st	1	26	20	6	0	49	10	66	Winner	UC	1st round	ECL - 3rd qual round
2002-03	1st	2	30	22	4	4	61	24	70	Runner-up	UC	1st round	ECL - 3rd qual round
2003-04	1st	2	30	22	4	4	62	19	70	Winner	UC	1st round	ECL - 3rd qual round
2004-05	1st	1	30	26	2	2	63	19	80	Runner-up	UC	Round of 16	ECL - 1st group stage
2005-06	1st	1	30	23	6	1	64	14	75	1/8 finals	UC	Round of 32	ECL - 3rd qual round
2006-07	1st	2	30	19	6	5	57	20	63	Runner-up	UC	Round of 16	ECL - 1st group stage
2007-08	1st	1	30	24	2	4	75	24	74	Winner	UCL	1st group stage
2008-09	1st									1/8 finals	ECL	group stage

External links

• Official website
• Ukrainian Soccer Net
• Fan-site