Fudbalski Klub Budućnost Podgorica (Cyrillic: Будућност Подгорица, , ) is a Montenegrin professional football club from Podgorica, Montenegro. Budućnost competes in the Montenegrin First League ever since 2006. The colours of Budućnost are blue and white.
Founded in 1925, Budućnost was the Montenegrin club with the most appearances in the Yugoslav First League, debuting in 1946. Due to the city being renamed during the communist rule in Yugoslavia, Budućnost was known as Budućnost Titograd throughout that era. Since Montenegrin independence in 2006, the club has won seven Montenegrin First League titles and three Montenegrin Cups. They are the Montenegrin club with the most games and seasons in European competitions, winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1981.
The team has produced many top-class European players, some of them include the UEFA Champions League winning strikers Dejan Savićević and Predrag Mijatović. FK Budućnost is a part of Budućnost Podgorica sports society.
History
The 1925–1941 period
The club was founded in June 1925, as a Workers' sports club Zora (RSK Zora). After two years, the club was renamed to RSK Budućnost. Historically, the first ever team of RSK Zora / RSK Budućnost, between 1925 and 1928, played Musaja Čelebičić, Vaso Vukadinović, Bećo Abdomerović, Vaso Čarapić, Vlado Kirsanov, Đorđe Kešeljević, Vaso Kulić, Blažo Prelević, Duljo Džaferadžović, Blažo Šutulović, Buto Krkanović, Luka Bulatović, Tahir Čelebić, Ilija Ivanović, Milo Pajović, Milovan Radulović, Vuko Vuksanović, Dušan Krcunović, Đorđije Vučeljić, Branko Rajković, Smail Bibezić, Šećir Kapadžić and Arso Marković. The first coach was Slovenian-born Karlo Vugrinec, who served in Podgorica as an electrician.
The first game in the history of FK Budućnost was a friendly match against local rival GSK Balšić, played in 1925. Budućnost won the game, with a result of 2–1."75 godina FK Budućnost (1925–2000)", Husein Tuzović, Podgorica 2000.
In the late 1920s, RSK Budućnost played their first games in official competitions. Their debut in the Montenegrin football championship occurred in the 1927 season under the name Zora, when they were eliminated in the first stage of competition against GSK Balšić (0–3). Next season, Budućnost made their first win in official competitions, defeating GSK Balšić (2–1), but were eliminated in Championship semifinals against Lovćen (2–3).
In the next two years, Budućnost was eliminated in the early stages of Montenegrin Championship, and in spring 1931, for the second time in history, played in the semifinals. After elimination of GSK Balšić (4–1) and Berane (3–0), the team from Podgorica lost the semifinals against Obilić Nikšić (3–5).
In autumn 1931, Budućnost played in the finals of the Montenegrin football championship for the first time, but lost against SK Crnogorac Cetinje (1–2). In the previous stages of the competition, Budućnost eliminated GSK Balšić (6–2) and Gorštak Kolašin (3–1).
The Podgorica side played their first international game in 1932. Budućnost was hosted by KS Vllaznia in Shkoder and won 1–0.
In autumn 1932, Budućnost won their first title of Montenegrin champion. In the finals, the team from Podgorica defeated FK Lovćen (6–3). During that season, FK Budućnost played their first official game against FK Sutjeska (2–1), which was the first edition of Montenegrin Derby—the greatest rivalry in the history of Montenegrin football. In the spring of 1933, Budućnost defended their trophy. Their opponent in the final game was once again, FK Lovćen (2–0; 2–2). FK Budućnost won their third Montenegrin championship in 1934. Their opponent in the finals, was FK Lovćen (2–0, 1–1). The last time Budućnost played in a Championship final was in 1935; in that year FK Lovćen won the title (1–2).
In the beginning of 1937, as a team which supported workers' ideas, together with FK Lovćen, FK Budućnost was abandoned by the regime of that time. During the next years, the club, under the temporary name RSK Crna Gora, only played a few friendly, illegal games, against Lovćen and FK Velež from Mostar.
With the beginning of World War II, all sports' activities of the club were suspended. All the players joined the Partisan movement and 19 died during the battles. Outside of Podgorica City Stadium (Western stand), there is a memorial tablet commemorating all FK Budućnost players who died or participated in the war.
The 1945–1975 period After the war, the club was refounded under the name FK Budućnost. Their first game was played on 1 May 1945, against FK Lovćen at Cetinje (4–2). In January 1946, Budućnost played its first international friendly game after the war against KF Tirana (6–1) in Podgorica. Soon after that, the team from Podgorica won the first official football competition after World War II in the Montenegrin Republic League for the 1946 season, which meant they were placed in the inaugural season of the Yugoslav First League (1946–47). During the six matches, Budućnost did not have a single defeat and made one of the biggest official victories in the team's history against Arsenal (8–0).
In their first game in the First Yugoslav League, FK Budućnost played on 25 August 1946 against Dinamo Zagreb (2–2), in front of 5,000 spectators in Podgorica, which was equal with the town population of that time. On 16 March 1947, Budućnost defeated NK Nafta 9–0. Until today, it remains the biggest home victory of Budućnost in the First League.
Until 1955, FK Budućnost played three seasons in the Yugoslav First League, four in the Yugoslav Second League and three in the Montenegrin Republic League. During this entire period, their head coach was Vojin Božović, who still holds two records in the club's history, Manager with most seasons (10) and with the most official games (199). In the season 1953, FK Budućnost made the biggest victory in their official games history, against Iskra away (13–1).
From 1955 to 1960, the team from Podgorica was a permanent participant of the Yugoslav First League. Their best performance of that era occurred in the 1956–57 and 1958–59, finishing as a ninth-placed team.
The most important moment in the next decade occurred in the season of 1964–65. Budućnost was a member of the Yugoslav Second League, but they surprisingly participated in the final game of 1964–65 Yugoslav Cup. They lost a game against Dinamo Zagreb (1–2). In their first Cup final, Budućnost played with following team: Hajduković, Folić, Gardašević, Pavlović, Savković, Kovačević, Šaković, Todorović, Šorban, Ćerić, Franović (coach: Božidar Dedović). The only goal for Budućnost scored Franović in the 35th minute. In previous rounds, FK Budućnost eliminated Sutjeska (3–2), Radnički Beograd (1–0), OFK Beograd (3–2) and Vardar away (2–0) in semifinals.
On the other side, during the 1960s, FK Budućnost spent only one season in the top tier (1962–63).
From 1969 to 1974, FK Budućnost was one of the best teams in the Yugoslav Second League sides, as they were title holders three times and twice runners-up. But, in all five seasons, they failed to gain a promotion to Yugoslav First League via playoffs. Rows of playoff losses started in 1969 against Sloboda Tuzla (0–3, 1–1), and continued in 1970 against Sloga Kraljevo (2–0, 0–2; lost on penalties), 1971 against Vardar Skopje (1–1, 0–3), 1972 against Spartak Subotica (1–0, 1–2; lost on penalties) and in 1973 against Maribor (1–0, 0–1; lost on penalties).
Finally, in the season of 1974–75, Budućnost gained their first promotion to top flight after 12 years. They won the Second League title with 14 points more than second-place Sutjeska and prepared for their comeback to the Yugoslav First League.
The 1975-1992 period The 1975–1985 period was known as the golden age of football in Podgorica. Budućnost was a permanent top-tier member, finishing two seasons as six-placed team.
A big comeback of FK Budućnost to the Yugoslav First League occurred in the 1975–76 season. Budućnost avoided a relegation and during the season a few attendance records were made. The third game-week between Budućnost and Hajduk Split (1–2) was attended by 20,000 spectators, which is the highest number in the history of Budućnost home games, it is also the highest attendance for a game played in the Podgorica City Stadium too. On average 1975–76 First League games in Podgorica averaged 12,765 supporters, which is also an all-time record.
In the 1976–77 season, FK Budućnost had another notable performance in the Yugoslav Cup final. Their rival was Hajduk Split and the team from Podgorica lost the final. This time, they were defeated in extra-time (0–2). In the final, Budućnost lined-up with the following team: Vujačić, Janković, Folić, J. Miročević, Vukčević, Milošević, Kovačević, Bošković, Radonjić, A. Miročević, Ljumović (coach: Marko Valok). In previous rounds, Budućnost eliminated Pobeda Prilep (3–1), Rudar Kakanj (1–0), Sarajevo (3–2) and Radnički Niš in the semifinals (1–1; Budućnost won the penalties). The two appearances in the Yugoslav Cup finals (1965, 1977) are considered as the greatest achievements of FK Budućnost in the era of SFR Yugoslavia.
At the same time, in spring 1977, Budućnost debuted in the Balkans Cup, finishing second in their group with Panathinaikos (1–2, 2–2) and Vllaznia (2–0, 1–1).
During the seasons 1978–79 and 1980–81 Budućnost were remembered with them having the best performance in the Yugoslav First League. Both times, the team from Podgorica finished in sixth place. In season 1978–79, no one from the big four of Yugoslav football (Hajduk, FK Crvena Zvezda, GNK Dinamo and FK Partizan) won a game in Podgorica.
With sixth place in 1981, FK Budućnost qualified for the Intertoto Cup. They had a successful campaign in the Intertoto Cup, finishing among nine group winners. In Group 4, Budućnost played against Odense (4–2, 1–1), Östers (3–1, 0–0) and Wacker Innsbruck (1–2, 3–1).
In the middle of the Yugoslav First League 1981–82 season, all-time top-striker of FK Budućnost Mojaš Radonjić was transferred to AEK Athens. Radonjić has played for Budućnost ever since 1972, with overall 84 scored goals, and among them 52 in the Yugoslav First League.
During the 80s, Budućnost were never relegated from the First League, on the other side Budućnost were producing great players. In 1983 FK Budućnost debuted Dejan Savićević, who would later on win two UEFA Champions League titles, with one scored goal in the final. Savićević played for Budućnost from 1983 to 1988, including 130 games in the Yugoslav First League with 36 goals scored. For most matches in his career, Savićević played for Budućnost.
Another great talent of FK Budućnost, Predrag Mijatović, debuted in 1987 and would later win and score a goal in one UEFA Champions League final. Mijatović played two seasons with Budućnosts senior team, with 73 appearances and 10 goals scored.
Other players who started their careers in FK Budućnost during the 80s include Branko Brnović (100 games / 13 goals for Budućnost in First League), Željko Petrović (59/6), Niša Saveljić (98/8), Dragoljub Brnović (183/12) and Dragoje Leković (133/0); they were all members of national teams SFR Yugoslavia and FR Yugoslavia.
In the period between 1985 and 1991, FK Budućnost continued to play in Yugoslav First League. Their best finish at that time occurred in season 1986–87 where the team from Podgorica finished seventh, with the same amount of points as Dinamo Zagreb, and were only one point away from fourth-placed Rijeka.
The 80s were also remembered for the founding of the Budućnost Ultra group, Varvari (Barbarians) which was founded in 1987. It was the strongest organised supporters group in Montenegro and among the well-known in former Yugoslav territories.
On 28 May 1989, FK Budućnost played their first game under the newly built floodlights in Podgorica City Stadium, against Rad (3–0).