TRAVERZA ROSTOKLATY 1974, F.C.
Traverza Rostoklaty, Football Club,
found in summer of 1974 in a village located ten kilometres
eastwards from Prague, the capital of Czech Republic in Europe, is
not an ordinary club you normally meet. Though the official history
has been lasting for 35 years and the club does not belong to long-running
traditional franchises in the country, last couple of years it has
grown enormously.
Nobody
really cares an A-team participates only at the ninth football
competition-level in the country, out of ten in total.
At the
beginning of 1980s the team stepped up incredibly and for one season
experienced the top regional competition, one above the current one.
Anyway, the glory days, measured not by football skills in the pitch,
but by joy and enthusiasm of the people involved, were only to come.
There
was one crazy and lonely drummer at the dawn of a new millennium,
supporting the team and hitting mercilessly his old orange drum. And
there was one of the players – the future captain and the club
legend Robert Krajník, who took over the care about his mates and
fans during so called „third halves“, following most of the home
games and practices too.
GLORY DAYS
In summer
of 2004, the club organized a great one day show, celebrating its
30th anniversary. On the top of that and saving a memorable moment
for ages, at the very same day in a competitive game, one of the
legendary players Petr Fischer, scored – as the first ever in the
club history – his 100th goal in championship games in Traverza´s
jersey.
Then – the
wild down-hill race started! And has never stopped since.
The
team went globally, releasing its unique website and publishing game
reports, photos, later showing on YouTube postgame press conferences
and other funny or interesting content. Then a famous club anthem
„TRAVERZA JEDEM“, one of the very best you have ever heard, was
added, by the way composed and mastered by friends from famous Czech
beat bands – Medvěd 009 and Divokej Bill. Bill is a holder of the
most prestigious Czech music award – „Golden Nightingale“. Actually,
you can download the anthem for free in DOWNLOADS section.
Not to
forget, music as such soon became an integral part of the club
regular activities. The club organized a big night village Karaoke
contest, dominated by the club defender Hanz Pakandl. The multi-talented
guy started then a big music career and drew a huge attention of
beat fans throughout the country by running a series of indoor music
festivals. Together with a teammate Peťa Strnad, brought to
Rostoklaty exceptional names of the growing Czech scene.
They
run the festivals on a quaterly bases and made a country „bang“ by
organizing a first open air festival at Traverza stadium, attended
by almost a thousand of people, who came to listen to famous Czech
bands like Prohrála v kartách, Bow Wave or Ready Kirken. Considering
a village with not even 500 inhabitants, it was a tremendous success!
That´s
not all. An accordeon player and Golden Nightingale holder Martin
Pecka of Divokej Bill and a promoter of Divokej Bill plus a GM of
biggest Czech music festival Rock for People Petr Fořt, the holder
of the „Angel award“ (the top Czech music award, awarded by music
experts), both play for Traverza.
However,
it has not been music alone. The club does organize numerous events
with totally unique content. It made a Miss contest for women and Mr.
contest for men, it runs darts championships and table-tennis
tournaments. At the end of the year the club staff also presents a
great multi-media show „The Football King of Traverza“, always
attended by 100 plus visitors, who enjoy a night with many club
awards and surprises. Usually famous Czech or Slovak bands do take
part. Once it was even „Horkýže Slíže“, a winner of Aurel for the
best Slovak band!
Let´s
move further. For certain period at the beginning of a new millenium
the club ran its own women squad, which twice beat a big rival
Čechie Tuklaty, in front of hundreds of spectators.
In
2006, due to enromous interest of ex-players, unused veterans and
other football fans to play for Traverza, the club found its reserve
squad, which soon became very popular.
We can
not avoid to mention other unforgettable moments. During spring of
2006 the Czech champions in american football Prague Lions
could not use their home pitch and asked Traverza for playing two of
their first division games at Traverza stadium. Well, each of at
least two hundred speactators of those games will remember for ever,
what those big guys did to the very quality lawn at Traverza.
As any
club, Traverza has also its own archrivals. They are called Čechie
Tuklaty, the club from a neighbouring village. When Traverza beat
Čechie in Tuklaty 3-0 in fall 2000, nobody from Traverza players
went to work the other day! That was an incredible achivement back
then. However – since this game Traverza has beaten Čechie several
times, even famously 4-1 at home, when Tomáš Menšík scored a goal
from fifty metres! Many of these „derby“ games are decorated by an
incredible pre-game show, even with fireworks, and supported by
drums and other instruments. Actually, many of the games are filled
with enourmous noise, made by drummers, trumpet players and public
announcers, celebrating each of Traverza´s goals.
In the
global world, Traverza did not hesitate to go internationally in the
pitch too. It added two Macedonians a few years ago, one of them
Sašo Belovski played even the championship game of Macedonian Cup
for men. Later on, an acquisition from France Thomas Venel came to
play.
Not to
forget, club´s website is regularly visited from abroad and even
some of the foreign clubs try to copy, what Traverza already has
developed.
FAMOUS PERSONALITIES
In 35
years so far, Traverza has not had many managers. For even twenty
years it was led by an ex-player and an amazing personality Ladislav
Kubelka, who was followed in 2000 by his ex-teammate and also
brother-in-law Vladimír Kolankiewicz, one of the top scorers in the
club history. In spring 2009, a teammate of Kolankiewicz – Petr
Kadláček – took over the job. Beginning a season 2009/10 he started
to run two practices a week, focused simultaneously on conditioning
and football skills.
By the
way, 50-years old Kadláček is a true club legend. Member of an all-time
All-Star Team was also awarded with a title „The best Traverza
player of three decades“. At his age, he is still an active player –
a goalie, who by the way scored 50 goals at the dawn of his club
career. Considering his achievements and contribution, club board
made a huge exception and awarded him in 2007 - as still an active
player – with Hall of Fame membership!
More
over – as a top gift from his club mates to his 50-years celebration
ceremony he was awarded a big Congratulation! directly at Traverza
stadium from his other beloved club Bohemians 1905 – in person of
the „Master of penalties“ Mr. Antonín Panenka, the author of the
famous penalty shot from June 20th 1976, when Czechoslovakia became
champion of Europe.
The
other Hall of Famers are as follows: Ladislav Kubelka Senior,
Vladimír Kolankiewicz, current club President and third 100 plus
club scorer Miroslav Němec, ex-player and a very active club
official Jan Košťál, outstanding midfielder from a famous squad from
the early 1980´s and a die-hard fan Tibor Menšík.
There
are two offensive midfielders, who once will definitely become Hall-of-Famers.
Petr Fischer, the first ever 100 plus scorer in Traverza´s jersey,
and Robert Krajník, who achieved the same just a bit later. At his
prime, he had been chased by the best regional clubs and had been
offered big money to transfer, however he decided to stay for ever
in Traverza.
As you
see, we are really The Club! In order to confirm this – find the
MEDIA section, PHOTOGALLERIES and also an impressive FANSHOP – you
have never seen such. Do not forget – Traverza is the only from
current teams in the competition not having been relegated for more
than unbelievable 20 years! Now – the best is yet to come…
INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS OR DOING BUSINESS?
For any
other inquiries, you would have, do not hesitate to reach the club
staff on GSM phone number +420 603 819 817 (from abroad), or 603 819
817 (within Czech Republic)
We welcome
any international contacts or meetings with clubs from abroad, and
also business partnerships with new partners or sponsors, since we
always have much to offer.
SEE YOU ALL IN
TRAVERZA LAND SOON!
THERE IS NO REASON TO WAIT!
THE CURRENT SEASON
IS THE ONE TO BE REMEMBERED! |