NK Karlovac 1919 is a Croatian professional football club based in the town of Karlovac. Karlovac plays their home matches at Stadion Branko Čavlović-Čavlek.
History Traditionally lower-level minnows, the club's most successful period in the Yugoslav football league system was in the 1970s when they competed in the Yugoslav Second League. After the breakup of Yugoslavia and the formation of the Croatian football league system in 1992 Karlovac spent most of the time playing in Druga HNL and Treća HNL, second and third levels.
Led by manager Igor Pamić, Karlovac won consecutive promotions in the 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons, which saw them join the top level for the first time in their history. After a sixth-place finish in debut season in 1. HNL and equally good second season, financial troubles during 2011–12 season hit Karlovac hard. They faced relegation to second division but due to financial irregularities, Karlovac was suspended by Croatian Football Federation.
In summer of 2012, NK Karlovac 1919 was founded as a successor club but the two clubs' track records and honors are kept separate by the Croatian Football Federation.
Former names Founded in 1919 as NK Borac, they changed their name in 1920 to NŠK Karlovac. This lasted until 1941 when they merged with several local sides to form ŠK Velebit. Following World War II Velebit was disbanded and re-established as FD Udarnik, which was then renamed in 1948 SD Slavija before adopting their current name NK Karlovac in 1954.
Borac (1919–1920) NŠK Karlovac (1920–1941) HŠK Velebit (1941–1945) Udarnik (1945–1948) Slavija (1948–1954) Karlovac (1954–1958) KSD (1958–1960) Karlovac (1960–2012)
Honours Druga HNL Runners-up (1): 2008–09 Treća HNL – Center: Winners (1): 2004–05 Treća HNL – West: Winners (1): 2007–08
Recent seasons SeasonLeagueCupTop goalscorerDivisionPWDLFAPtsPosPlayerGoals19922. HNL North1032581785th1992–932. HNL North30861641692214th1993–942. HNL North301061434462610th1994–952. HNL West361381559354712thR11995–962. HNL West34981725523514thR11996–972. HNL Centre3017765632583rd1997–982. HNL Centre30761936592712th1998–993. HNL Centre3013985340485th1999–20003. HNL Centre2817745017582nd2000–013. HNL Centre301081243433811thR12001–023. HNL Centre30145115334477th2002–033. HNL Centre3017494936552nd2003–043. HNL Centre30145115045476thPR2004–053. HNL Centre3219587337621st ↑R12005–062. HNL South32462221701812th ↓Saša Kajkut52006–073. HNL West341371446494612thR1Ivan Trbušić122007–083. HNL West3428339620871st ↑Mario Rac302008–092. HNL3018575024592nd ↑R2Ivan Lišnić102009–101. HNL30121173223476thR2Enes Novinić, Zvonko Pamić52010–111. HNL30118112527416thR2Karlo Primorac52011–121. HNL30671725532415th ↓R2Enes Novinić7
Key 1st2nd ↑ ↓ChampionsRunners-upPromotedRelegated
Top scorer shown in bold when he was also top scorer for the division.
P = Played W = Games won D = Games drawn L = Games lost F = Goals for A = Goals against Pts = Points Pos = Final position
1. HNL = Prva HNL 2. HNL = Druga HNL 3. HNL = Treća HNL
PR = Preliminary round R1 = Round 1 R2 = Round 2 QF = Quarter-finals SF = Semi-finals RU = Runners-up W = Winners
Current squad
Other players under contract
Out on loan
Managers Igor Pamić (2007–2011) Srećko Lušić (Mar 2011 – Sept 2011) Damir Petravić (Sep 2011 – Dec 2011) Krešimir Ganjto (Jan 2012 – Mar 2012) Sanjin Lucijanić (Mar 2012 – May 2012) Igor Pamić (8 Oct 2021–present)
References