Football in Svidník is over, at least at senior level, because 1. FK Svidník withdrew from the Slovak Fourth League (East Group). They were second to last (15th) in the table after the first part of the season, accumulating only 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw, and 13 defeats), which meant that they were in danger of relegation to the Fifth League anyway. Problems arrived some time ago, and, after 9 years competing in the Third League (2015-2024), the team was relegated to the Fourth League at the end of the 2023-2024 season.
Relegation brought nothing good, as most of the players left, and almost an entire new team had to be structured to play in the Fourth League. Results were poor, as mentioned. Sponsors were not sufficient, players were not paid all their salaries. The whole winter brought no solutions. Lukás Hricov and Noro Sališ were interested in taking over the club, under several conditions (including a renaming of the club), but the current president Michal Goriščák did not agree to sell. It all came down to a meeting of the Svidník Town Council, where 37,700 Euro were agreed to subisidize the club. However, 20,000 Euro were meant for the youth teams, and only 17,700 to the senior team, which was far below the 75,000 Euro asked by president Michal Goriščák.
1. FK Svidník postponed their matches against Spartak Medzev and Kežmarok scheduled in March, but no miracle happened and eventually they had to withdraw from the competition. All their previous results were cancelled.
The youth teams will continue however in their respective competitions.
The senior team will be only allowed to enroll in the lowest league in autumn (the Slovak Seventh League), if they wish to come back to any competition. By then, some things may change. It is also possible that a new club will be born in Svidník.
The situation is very sad, taking into account that this year is the anniversary of a 100 years of football in Svidník. The first club, ŠK Svidník, was established in 1925. Throughout these 100 years, the club went through some name changes, but it always represented the town of Svidník. This spring, the town of Svidník no longer has a senior football team.
1. FK Svidník (in white) before the start of their match against Slovan Sabinov in August 2024, at Svidník Stadium. Photo source: MFK Slovan Sabinov Facebook page
