The oldest active Macedonian football club has been officially accepted as member of the Club of Pioneers, the society that brings together the centenary clubs from around the globe.

photo by FK Ljuboten Tetovo: the membership certificate

Tetovo based Ljuboten celebrated its 100th birthday on the 28 of March this year and therefore met them the necessary conditions to enter this word famous society. Founded back in 19191 Ljuboten is the oldest active football club in Macedonia. They are currently playing in the 3.MFL West and are ranked in the middle.

Sheffield chairman Richard Tims welcomes Ljuboten:

The Club of Pioneers is a society founded by the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC which is formed on the 24th of October 1857. It gathers in one place the oldest clubs from each country, but keep in mind that each country can give only one club, the oldest within its borders. Ljuboten is the 22nd member joining the likes of Genoa, St. Gallen, Recreativo de Huelva, First Vienna, Odd, Cliftonville, Wrexham, Queen’s Park, Royal Antwerp, Académica de Coimbra, Fola Esch etc.

Members of the Club can also take part in the Pioneers Cup which is an annual tournament where only club members can participate. Maybe we will soon see Ljuboten playing against some of the world’s oldest clubs.

The club received a top (L) of world’s first club, Sheffield; photo: FK Ljuboten Tetovo

The club’s board pose with the certificate; photo: FK Ljuboten Tetovo

A bigger view of the the membership certificate; photo: FK Ljuboten Tetovo