Football Club Desna Chernihiv (Ukrainian: ФК «Десна» Чернігів) is a Ukrainianfootball club based in Chernihiv. The original name of the club was "Avanhard" (FC Avanhard Chernihiv) during its first year of existence as part of a republican Avanhard sports society. Between 1961 and 1970 the club was called Desna. In 1972 it was replaced with SC Chernihiv (team of the SKA Kyiv) that played in Chernihiv for the next couple of years. In 1977 Desna was revived now in place of the amateur club "FC Khimik Chernihiv" that won regional competitions.
Due to the infrastructure of the club being destroyed by the Russian military during the Siege of Chernihiv in 2022, the club pulled out of professional tournaments and plays irregular amateur-level matches (e.g. the Chernihiv Oblast Championship). Desna, along with FC Mariupol, were awarded rights to play in the Ukrainian Premier League in the future case of restoring their infrastructure.[1]
Oleh Kuznetsov, played for FC Desna Chernihiv in the season 1981–1982
The team of masters was established in Chernihiv in 1960 under the name "Avanhard" as part of the republican Avanhard sports society and entering competitions of the class "B" competitions (concurrently Football Championship of the Ukrainian SSR).[2] That year the Chernihiv team "Avanhard" would take part in the state football championship (challenge) among the Class B teams. The team was created on already existing Chernihiv city team that also was known as Avanhard and played earlier in republican level competitions.
In the season 1958, "Avanhard Chernihiv", signed Viktor Bannikov for one year, considered one of the best goalkeepers in the Soviet Union earning the title of the best twice in 1964 and 1970 and distinguished Master of Sport of USSR (1991). From 1966 to 1979 the goalkeeper was Yuriy Hruznov from Chernihiv.
In the "Avanhard Chernihiv"'s squad were included better footballers of the region (Chernihiv Oblast). Among them are goalkeeper V.Lomako, field players V.Kravchynskyi, Yu.Shkolnikov, O.Finkelberh, and others, in such way the chairman of regional council of sports societies and organizations V.Tatur informed readers of "Desnyanska Pravda" on 10 February 1960.[3] "The team's coach is appointed a former Dynamo Kyiv player Aleksandr Shchanov. These days "Avanhard" will proceed with its training and in already the nearest future in Chernihiv will start reconstruction and upgrade of the city's stadium. In its construction will take part quite a few city residents, public, youth, and Komsomol activists".[3] Over 26 seasons in the USSR championships, Desna played 1,099 matches, of which 380 won, 301 – tied and 418 – lost. They scored 1145 goals, conceded – 1251.[4]
In February, "Avanhard Chernihiv" took part in the winter championship of the Chernihiv Oblast (see Chernihiv Oblast Football Federation), and the team played their first official match on April 17, 1960, in Kirovohrad against the "Zirka" (0:3). The next match, "Avanhard" held a draw with Kyivan "Arsenal" (0:0), and then lost at its home field to "Lokomotyv" out of Vinnytsia (today FC Nyva Vinnytsia) with a score of 0:6. In May 1960, Aleksandr Shchanov was dismissed. The duties of a head coach were performed by his assistant Anatoliy Zhigan, who was approved in this position in July 1960. In its first season in the USSR championship, the team took 16th place out of 17 teams in the 1st zone of the Ukrainian Class B class (second tier) and won relegation playoff against Avanhard Pryluky to stay in the league.
Name Change from "Avanhard Chernihiv" to "FC Desna Chernihiv"
In 1961 the team received the name "Desna". According to the results of the 1961 season, Desna took the 5th place in its group and the 10th place in the final of the Ukrainian SSR (class "B"). Among all the Ukrainian teams of the championship of the USSR Chernihiv team was the 13th.[2]
In 1962, the team was coached by Yevgeny Goryansky and in 1965 Desna achieved its highest achievement in the Soviet Union era. Defeating six opponents, including class "A" teams – "Shinnik" and "Neftçi", the team reached the 1/8 finals of the USSR Cup, where they lost to "Kairat" in Almaty with a score 3:4.[5][6] The following season, the team fought for leadership in the first zone of the Ukrainian class "B" – the winners were given the right to fight for securing the second group of the "A" class (later reorganized into the First League). "Desna" skipped forward only Khmelnitsky "Dynamo", and in the overall standings took the 4th place in the championship of the Ukrainian SSR.[6]
In 1968, Desna, taking fourth place in the final tournament of the best Ukrainian teams of the "B" class, won a ticket to the second group of the "A" class.[5] At the end of the 1970 season, the team took 11th place among 22 teams, but at the end of the year the decision of the new head of the Chernihiv region was to disband the club.[7][6] In 1972 the city of Chernihiv was represented by a football team called the "team of Chernihiv city" and later renamed as SC Chernihiv. The team represented the Armed Forces of Kiev Military District and better known as SKA Kyiv. The 1976 season was its last season at professional level.
In August 2007 Desna changed its president and the new president became a local activist and businessman Oleksiy Savchenko who headed a public organization "For Chernihiv!".[12] In the 2007/08 season Desna took the 4th place in the Ukrainian First League, which at that time was the best result of the team in the Ukrainian championship.[6] In October 2008 the club's president Oleksiy Savchenko made a huge announcement stating that he paid around $5,000 to $15,000 to referees for the club to get the needed result.[12] The Football Federation of Ukraine (today Ukrainian Association of Football) was not able to ignore such announcement and Hryhoriy Surkis took it under a personal control and called on the General Prosecutor's Office to initiate an investigation.[12] As a result the FFU Control and Disciplinary Commission prohibited Savchenko and former Desna head coach Kucherenko perform any duties connected with football until the end of the investigation.[12] In addition, five Ukrainian referees were suspended of their duties during that time as well.[12] In November 2008 the club's president Oleksiy Savchenko announced that he sold 50% of the club's stock for ₴10 million and the club's co-owner became Ukrainian parliamentarian of Party of RegionsPavlo Klymets[13] who was the owner of "Olimp" company specializing in production of vodka.[14][15] Later in 2008 in interview Savchenko denied the fact that he ever stated of "greasing" referees for the club.[12] And he also denied the fact of selling the club stating that he transferred the club to the city authorities for free.[12]
During the winter break of the 2008/09, the Desna leadership changed again and the new president Korotkov invited "experimental" head coach Mykhailo Dunets who in the fall half headed Komunalnyk Luhansk that became insolvent.[16] Korotkov already worked with Dunets back in 1990s in Veres. Following the 2008/09 season, Desna faced serious financial crisis and the club's players refused to play due to unpaid wages.[12] In the middle of July 2009 Dunets was forced to take a leave and he tried to fight requesting to be officially relinquished of duties.[17] His protest was ignored and few days later Oleksandr Ryabokon became the new head coach.[17] After the end of the 2009/10 season Desna was deprived of professional status due to the fact that it did not pass the certification,[18] but the new authority managed to revive the team and declare it in the Second League.[19]
With the election of Viktor Yanukovych in 2010 the ownership of Desna was taken over by Oleksiy Chebotaryov who had close relationships with Yanukovych, Minister of Interior Vitaliy Zakharchenko and General Prosecutor Shokin.[20] In the season 2011–12, the coach was Oleksandr Deriberin that brought the club at the second place in Ukrainian Second League and gained the playoff. Following the Euromaidan as many other members of Party of Regions Chebotaryov runaway from Ukraine to Moscow.[20]
In the 2012–13 season, Desna won the Ukrainian Second League title and rose in the class.[21] Following the results of the championship of 2013/14 the team took the 5th position in the First League. In the Ukrainian Cup in the season 2013–14, the team for the first time in history reached the quarter finals, having beaten "Metalurh" Zaporizhya (1:1, in a penalty shootout – 5:4) on its field. In the match 1/4 finals with the "Shakhtar" "Desna" lost with a score of 0:2.[22][23] The coach Oleksandr Ryabokon was elected best coach of the Ukrainian First League in the season 2016–17.
However, on 1 June 2017, it was announced that Desna was denied in receiving license to play in the top division. The argument was that the club is not able to provide guarantees for an adequate financing of infrastructure.[25] In reality, the problem was not only in half-shady financial irregularities, but also shady ownership of the club.[26] The license was received by NK Veres Rivne, the third-placed team during the last season in the second-tier division.[27]
Both clubs FC Desna Chernihiv and NK Veres Rivne did not play at their home stadiums in the 2016–17 Ukrainian First League. The first one played in Kyiv at the Obolon Arena, while the other one played in Varash, at the Izotop Stadium of the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant. The administration of Desna released a letter of protest before a meeting of FFU representative.[28] On 2 June 2017, it was announced about the final composition of the clubs and calendar for the upcoming season.[29] In October 2017 the club's ownership was passed to Volodymyr Levin. According to the results of the 2017/18 season Desna won the bronze medals of the First League and gained the right to compete in the Premier League through the play-offs against Zirka Kropyvnytskyi. The captain Denys Favorov was elected Best Player Ukrainian First League in the season 2017–18. The team got into the Quarterfinals of the Ukrainian Cup in the season 2017–18 against Dynamo Kyiv.
Fair Play prize of Ukrainian Premier League
In the summer of 2020, the captain Denys Favorov left the club after 4 years, to the surprise of many people, as the club chose not to extend his contract. It was particularly surprisingg given that Favorov was elected Ukrainian Footballer of the Year in 2020.[30][31] The striker Oleksandr Filippov was sold for 1.5 million euros, becoming the most expensive player sold by the club, also with some Italian clubs interested in the player.[32][33] After the draw for the Europa League third qualifying round, Desna got the German team VfL Wolfsburg and on 24 September 2020 they lost 2–0 at the AOK Stadion.[34]
In October 2020 Yukhym Konoplya (on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk), has been called for the Ukraine national football team, for friendly match against France and UEFA Nations League matches against Germany and Spain on 7, 10 and 13 October 2020 respectively, becoming the first player of playing in Desna Chernihiv, called in the Ukraine national team.[35][36]
In January 2021, the team has won the Fair Play prize in the UPL as the best team in the season 2019–20.The award ceremony was attended by the President of the Ukrainian Football Association, UEFA Executive Committee member Andriy Pavelko, UAF First Vice President Oleh Protasov, UAF Referees Committee Chairman Luciano Luci, UPL Executive Director Yevhen Dyky and PFL President Oleksandr Kadenko.[37][38][39]
In summer of 2021 the club fails to qualify for the cups and according with the president of the club, Volodymyr Levin, said that the club has a 4-month debt to the players for the payment of salaries and the management of the UPL club decided to cut the budget for the 2021/22 season. A number of players have left Desna.[40] The club begins the rejuvenation of the team, leaving starting players who have made the history of the club and begins to develop the team's academy and choose some of Desna 2 players.[41] The team was requalified and new young players has been added into the club with good results at the beginning of the season to the surprise of many people and the press. In September 2021, Vladyslav Kalitvintsev has been included in the reserve team of Ukraine national football team against Finland, becoming the first player belong to Desna to been called in the Ukraine national football team.[42]
The team play in the Olympic sports training center "Chernihiv" (formerly Stadion Yuriya Gagarina). The Stadion Yuri Gagarin in Chernihiv was built in 1936 for 3,000 spectators in eastern portion of a city park (garden) that exists since 1804 and where previously was located residence of the Chernihiv Archbishops. During World War II, the Chernihiv Stadium was heavily damaged and in the 1950s was completely reconstructed, included stadium walls and two stands for 11,000 spectators. In 1961, it was named after the Russian Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. On 25 May 1964, Gagarin in person attended the stadium. In the mid 1980s, the stadium capacity was increased to 14,000. The stadium was heavily damaged by Russian forces during the Siege of Chernihiv in 2022.
Training centre
Desna Chernihiv, train in the "Olympic sports training center" and sometime in Chernihiv Arena, which is belong of FC Chernihiv. Desna Chernihiv and the young brother team FC Chernihiv, want to build football fields and other sports infrastructure. Both plots are located in the ZAZ neighborhood near Kiltseva – Voloshkova – Kalinova – Dachna streets. The first has an area of 1.4794 hectares, its regulatory monetary value is ₴1,923,367.94. Based on the results of the bidding, the relevant agreement will be concluded by December 31, 2026. The area of the second plot is 3.9469 hectares, its normative monetary value is ₴5,131,364.69. The agreement will be valid until December 31, 2025.[43]
The fans of FC Desna Chernihiv are called Ultras Desna. During FC Desna Chernihiv matches, the fan area is a strip of white and blue colors.[48] On 12 March 2020 during the Quarterfinal match against Vorskla Poltava, the match was played behind closed doors due to quarantine in Ukraine during COVID-19 pandemic and "Ultra Desna" supported the team outside the Stadion Yuri Gagarin. They are also active in many social media like the Russian-based Telegram Channel.[49] There are fans outside Ukraine, like in Italy but there is also an Australian fan of Desna called Ian Brash who constantly travels from England to Ukraine to see the team playing at home and away since 2016 supporting the club.[50][51][52][53][54]
The crest of the club, which was created in early 2008 contained an image of an eagle from the coat of arms of Chernihiv and a sign of Chernihiv prince Mstyslav Volodymyrovych.[59][60]
The modern crest, made in the traditional white and blue colors of the Desna, was presented on July 27, 2016.[61] In the development of the emblem the fans of the team took part.[62] On the shield is a stylized eagle – the main element of the city coat of arms of Chernihiv. The image of the eagle was used as a symbol of Chernihiv princes from the middle of the 10th century. The golden cross, which holds the eagle, symbolizes the importance of Christianity in the history of the city, one of the main spiritual centers of Ukraine. Vertical blue and white stripes on the emblem are based on the form in which the players of the Desna have been playing since 1962. The inscription "Desna" is made in a font that was used on the previous emblems of the club.[63]
There are old crests of the club:
Club logo until 2008
Club logo from 2008 to 2016
Club logo from 2016 to the present
Colours
The historical colours of Desna are white and blue.[64] In the 1961 season, white and blue were used as home colours, green and blue as away colours. In a friendly match against Hammarby on 22 October 1961, Desna players wore red shirts and blue shorts.[6]
Desna Chernihiv players wearing blue and white kits on 22 May 2014
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No.
Pos.
Nation
Player
No.
Pos.
Nation
Player
Other players under contract
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
