FC Chornomorets Odesa
ClubnameChornomorets Odesa
FullnameФутбольний Клуб «Чорномо́рець» Одеса
Football Club Chornomorets Odesa[1]
Short nameFCCO
Founded26 March 1936 (age 90)
GroundChornomorets Stadium
Capacity34,164
OwnerVertex United (100%)[2][a]
ChairmanOleksandr Hranovskyi[3][a]
ChrtitlePresident
MgrtitleHead coach
ManagerRoman Hryhorchuk[4][b]
LeagueUkrainian First League
Season2024–25
PositionUkrainian Premier League,
16th of 16 (relegated)
Websitechornomorets.ua
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Shorts 1000000
Socks 1000000
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Pattern la 2_chornomorets2023-24_away
Pattern ra 2_chornomorets2023-24_away
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Rightarm 2FFFFFF
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Current2025–26_FC_Chornomorets_Odesa_season

FC Chornomorets Odesa (Ukrainian: Футбо́льний Клуб Чорномо́рець Оде́са tʃornoˈmɔretsʲ oˈdɛsɐ) is a Ukrainian professional football club based in Odesa, Ukraine.

According to the club's website, it was formed in 1936 as Dynamo,[5] but until 2002 it carried a logo with 1958 and 1959[6][7] listed as the club's years of foundation on its shield, which is when the club received its current name. The club's shield is very similar to the shield of Romanian FC Farul Constanța.[8]

Chornomorets is the first club in the modern history of Ukraine to win the Ukrainian Cup (1992), and also repeated this success in the 1993–94 season.

For over 30 years, the club was sponsored by the Black Sea Shipping Company (1959–1991).[9] The club was among top 20 Soviet clubs that competed in Soviet Top League. The club's home ground is Chornomorets Stadium and has been opened in 2011.

History

Naming history

See also: Language policy in the USSR

Officially in the Soviet Union Ukrainian teams carried both names in Russian and Ukrainian.

  • 1926: Club formed FC Dynamo Odesa (out of Spartak Odesa)
  • 1936: Dynamo was admitted to the All-Union competitions
  • 1936: KinAp Odesa entered league competitions at republican level (Ukraine)
  • 1938: Pischevik / Kharchovyk Odesa entered league competitions at republican level (Ukraine)
  • 1940: Dynamo football team dissolved, its players joined Kharchovyk which admitted to the All-Union competitions
  • 1941: Club renamed Spartak Odesa
  • 1942: World War II (club was dissolved)
  • 1944: Club revived as Dynamo Odesa which qualified for final stage of the Cup of the Ukrainian SSR
  • 1945: Club reformed as Kharchovyk Odesa admitted to the All-Union competitions
  • 1950: Kharchovyk relegated and dissolved
  • 1951: Metalurh Odesa (team of Kim Fomin) promoted to the All-Union competitions
  • 1955: Club split reviving Kharchovyk Odesa in the All-Union competitions (in place of Metalurh, while Metalurh continued to play at republican level)
  • 1958: Club renamed Chornomorets Odesa as part of the Odesa Rope Factory

Black Sea (pre-history)

At the beginning of the 20th century, in Odesa, within limits of Alexander Park (today Shevchenko Park), a construction started of what was supposed to become a pond. However, after the pit for the pond was dug out, the funding stopped and so did the construction. Soon the hole began to serve as a field for one of city's non-league teams. As the hole resembled a shape of the Black Sea, that was the nickname given to the field, and the team was named "Чорне море" Chorne more. And although that team is unrelated to the today's club, it was the first team in Odesa to play under that name.

Dynamo and previous names

See also: FC Dynamo Odesa

The official date of foundation of Chornomorets Odesa is considered to be 26 March 1936 as Dynamo Odesa. Dynamo Odesa, however, participated before that in the city championship since 1923 (the year of establishment of the Ukrainian football competitions)[7] winning it in 1933. Dynamo Odesa itself was first called Spartak Odesa until 1926.[7] In 1940, after relegating from the Top level, the club was merged with Kharchovyk Odesa that participated in the republican competitions (Championship of Ukrainian SSR) and replaced Dynamo in next competitions.[7][10] In 1941, the club was reformed again when it was included into the War Championship (Top division) under the name of Spartak Odesa.[10]

Concurrently in league competitions of the Ukrainian SSR, since 1936 in Odesa played another team Kharchovyk Odesa.

Until Chornomorets Odesa was bought out by Leonid Klimov sometime in 2001, the club's foundation was considered to be 1958.[7]

Post WWII and Kharchovyk / Pischevik

After World War II the club was reestablished as Kharchovyk Odesa in the lower Soviet division (Class B).[10] In 1950, the club lost its place in the play-offs to Spartak Uzhhorod (Zakarpattia Uzhhorod) and was dissolved. In 1953, upon the enlargement of the "Class B" competitions (Second division), the city of Odesa was represented by Metalurh (in Class B 1953, 1954) which soon was replaced again with already more familiar Kharchovyk Odesa.[10] In 1957–58, there was established Avanhard sports society which adopted number of other smaller societies in Ukraine under its umbrella.[10] In 1958, the Odesa city team adopted the name Chornomorets and represented the city's Rope Factory.[10]

Chornomorets (Black Sea Shipping Company)

In 1959, Chornomorets was handed over to the Black Sea Shipping Company which was a member of Vodnik sports society. Since then its emblem corresponded with the main emblem of Vodnik society. In 1960, Chornomorets was only in 4th place in its zone. That same year, the Odessa "national" team defeated Inter Milan 5:1 in a friendly match in Odesa.

In 1974, the club became the bronze medalist of the USSR championship. Chornomorets started well in the championship and was able to develop this success, for some time it was even in second place in the standings. The successful game of the "sailors" was based on the active actions of the midfield and defense, the loss of Anatoliy Shepel was felt in the attack, an equivalent replacement for whom was never found. Thus, defender Viktor Zubkov scored six goals in the championship, and midfielder Vladimir Makarov - thirteen, which allowed him to become the team's top scorer.

In the last season of the Soviet Top League, Chornomorets earned fourth place, the only time it ever placed above the big clubs in Ukraine, Dynamo Kyiv, Shakhtar Donetsk and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.

Recent history

The club was a founding member of the Ukrainian Premier League, winning the Ukrainian Cup and finishing 5th in the inaugural 1992 season. Chornomorets finished 3rd the next two seasons and 2nd during the following two seasons. They also won another domestic Cup in 1994. The club's most successful spell was achieved under the guidance of Viktor Prokopenko, and later under Leonid Buryak. At the end of the 1997–98 season, following big financial troubles and the sale of a number of leading players, the club was relegated to the First League.

They won promotion the following 1998–99 season, but finished in the second last place next year and were relegated again. Sometimes in 2001, the Klimov's Primorie company which owned SC Odesa along with Imexbank acquired the city's main team.[11] In 2002 SC Odesa was merged with Chornomorets. Chornomorets came back up again for the 2002–03 season and enjoyed several decent seasons in the Premier League. They finished third in the 2005–06 season and took part in the 2006–07 UEFA Cup tournament.

Chornomorets were deducted 6 points by FIFA on 6 November 2008. It was confirmed by Ukrainian Premier League on 2 March 2009.[12] The club managed to finish the 2008–09 season in 10th place despite the deduction. The 2009–10 season started badly with a 5–0 loss to Dynamo Kyiv and a poor run of form that saw the team finish the first half of the season in 13th place, just two spots away from the relegation zone. The club was relegated to the First League at the end of the season. It took, however, just a year for Chornomorets to return to the Ukrainian top flight for the 2011–12 season.

Following a loss in relegation playoffs on 27 May 2018 Chornomorets fans attacked the head coach of the club.[13]

League and Cup history

See also: List of FC Chornomorets Odesa seasons

The scheme below shows performance of a team which carried names Kharchovyk (Pischevik) and Chornomorets (Chernomorets) only.

Ukraine

* UPL – Ukrainian Premier League

European record

Chornomorets Odesa participates in European competitions since 1975 after playing its first game against S.S. Lazio in the UEFA Cup 1975/76.

Stadium and infrastructure

Main article: Chornomorets Stadium

The main stadium of the club is traditionally considered Chornomorets Stadium, which until 2012 was called the Central Stadium of the Black Sea Shipping Company. Until the late 1990s, both the stadium and the teams of masters were part of the Black Sea Shipping Company. The stadium is located in the Shevchenko Park.

Among other stadiums Chornomorets also used Stadion "Dnister" imeni V.Dukova (2004–2005, reserves) in Ovidiopol at the Dnister Liman, Spartak Stadium (2005–2006, reserves) in Odesa, Chornomorets Training Base in Lymanka (2006–2007, reserves).

In 2006, FC Chornomorets opened its training grounds in one of the Odesa city microdistricts, Lustdorf (Liustdorf).[14]

Academy

In 1979, the Soviet team of masters established its football academy, which for that purpose was served by the local specialized sports school of Olympic reserve. In 2005, it was named after its founder and former footballer, Anatoliy Zubrytskyi.[15]

Crest and colours

Crest

The club's emblem dates back to the Union of Labor Black Sea Cities, whose official colors were blue, black, and white.

According to heraldic canons, the elements of the crest mean:

  • Blue color – symbolizes generosity, honesty, loyalty and impeccability or simply the sky.
  • Black and white colors – mean two elements: earth and air.
  • Seagull – means pride.
Crests of FC Chornomorets Odesa

Colours

PeriodKit manufacturerFirst kitSecond kitThird kitGoalkeeper
2015–2016Legea-
2016–2017
2017–2018-
2018–2019
2019–2020
2020–2021
2021–2022Kelme-
2022–2023
2023–2024
2024–2025-
2025–2026

Kit sponsors and suppliers

Chornomorets' kit was produced by local manufacturers until 1970, when Adidas became the first kit supplier.

PeriodKit sponsor (chest)Sleeve sponsorBack sponsorShorts sponsor
1958–1989BLASCO
1989–1990Nisso Boeki
1990–1991BLASCO
1992–1994Pony
1994–1997Reusch
1997–1999Puma
2001–2014Imexbank
2015Euphoria Trading FZE
2015–20172+2
2017–2021Gefest
2021–2022Parimatch,
Tavria V		ParimatchTavria V
2022–2023Parimatch,[16]
Allrise Capital[17],
Tavria V		vbetParimatch,[16]
MTB Bank
2023–2024vbet,
Tavria V		Allrise Capital,
MTB Bank
2024–2025UPL.TVMTB Bank
2025–2026vbet[18]
PeriodKit supplier
1936–1970unidentified
1970–1980Adidas
1992–1994Pony
1994–1997Reusch
1997–1999Puma
1999–2002Adidas
2002–2010Umbro
2010–2016Nike
2016–2021Legea
2021–Kelme

Honours

TypeCompetitionTitlesSeasons
DomesticSoviet First League31961, 1973, 1987
Soviet Top League Cup11990
Ukrainian Cup21992, 1993–94

Domestic achievements

International achievements

Alley of Football Glory

On September 1, 2012, the Alley of Glory (Ukrainian: Алея Слави), as a commemorative site of the Chornomorets Odesa former footballers, was solemnly opened near the central arch of the Chornomorets Stadium in Odesa.[20] The site is located within Shevchenko Park, next to the western entrance to the stadium.[21] On the day of the opening, eleven nameplates in Russian language with memorable "stars" were laid in honor of those who made a great contribution to the success of the Sailors' team — Viktor Prokopenko, Tymerlan Huseynov, Volodymyr Ploskina, Akhmed Aleskerov, Igor Belanov, Vasyl Moskalenko, Konstantin Furs, Anatoly Zubrytsky, Yuriy Zabolotny, Semen Altman, Leonid Sevasteyev.[22] Another plate is dedicated to the "12th player" — loyal fans of "Chornomorets" Odesa of all time.

The decision to include someone in the Alley is made by the public council of JSC 'FC Chornomorets' by voting on the proposal of the club administration.[21] The decision is preceded by studying the opinions of fans, journalists, the city's sports community, and public organizations.[21] In 2012, residents of Odessa were invited to participate in discussions about the candidates for receiving a personalized star and a commemorative certificate.[21] For this purpose, a vote was organized on the official website of FC "Chornomorets".[21] The addition of signs to the Alley is usually carried out on dates timed to coincide with City Day (September 2).[21] Individuals eligible for placement on the Alley include players, coaches, and staff who have made a significant contribution to the development and establishment of FC Chornomorets through their work, as well as those awarded state and sports honors or honorary sports titles.[21]

Exactly one year later, on September 1, 2013, two nameplates were added in honor of Viktor Hryshko and Igor Sokolovsky. On February 19, 2014, two more plates were added to the Alley of Glory in honor of Valeriy Porkujan and Roman Hryhorchuk. On September 13, 2014, four new nameplates appeared on the walk in honor of Ilya Tsymbalar, Vyacheslav Leshchuk, Matvey Cherkassky and Vasyl Ishchak.

On September 13, 2015, the Alley of Glory was replenished with two new nameplates in honor of Leonid Buryak and Volodymyr Nechayev. On September 11, 2016, two new nameplates appeared on the walk in honor of Volodymyr Sokolov and Vitaly Serafimov. In September 2017, two nameplates in honor of Viktor Zubkov and Oleksandr Ruga replenished the walk. A year later (2018), a nameplate in honor of Volodymyr Fink appeared on the walk. On September 17, 2023, the alley of fame was replenished with two new nameplates in honor of Oleksandr Degtyarev and Oleksandr Polishchuk. On 14 September 2024, before the match of the 6th round of the 2024–25 Ukrainian Premier League between FC Chornomorets and FC Inhulets on the Alley of Glory of the FC Chornomorets Odesa was held a solemn ceremony of opening a new nameplate in honor of Anatoliy Doroshenko.[23] On September 13, 2025, a new nameplate appeared on the walk in honor of Edward Luchin.[24]

Players

Current squad

As of 09 May 2026 [c]

Notable players

Note: Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries (national or/and olympic team) while playing for Chornomorets Odesa.

Soviet Union
Soviet Union / C.I.S. / Ukraine
Soviet Union / Ukraine
Ukraine
Europe
Asia

Captaincy history

Below is a list of all the official club captains FC Chornomorets Odesa has had since its foundation.[e]

PeriodName
1991Viktor Hryshko[f][27][28]
1992Viktor Hryshko[g]
Yuriy Shelepnytskyi[g]
2002–2003Vitaliy Kolesnichenko[h]
Valeriu Catînsus[h]
2003–2004Valeriu Catînsus[i]
2004–2005Viktor Dotsenko[j]
2005–2006Andriy Kirlik[k]
2006–2007Andriy Kirlik[l]
2007–2008Vitaliy Rudenko[m]
2008–2009Gennady Nizhegorodov[n]
2009–2010Vladyslav Vashchuk
2010–2011Oleksandr Babych
2011–2012Serhiy Politylo
2012–2013Dmytro Bezotosnyi
2013–2014Dmytro Bezotosnyi
2014–2015Anatoliy Didenko
2015–2016Artem Filimonov
2016–2017Artem Filimonov
2017–2018Serhiy Lyulka
2018–2019Serhiy Litovchenko
2019–2020Volodymyr Arzhanov
2020–2021Vladyslav Klymenko
2021–2022Beka Vachiberadze
2022–2023Illya Putrya
2023–2024Illya Putrya
2024–2025Bohdan Butko
2025–2026Yaroslav Rakitskyi[o]

Club staff

[29]

PositionName
Administration
PresidentOleksandr Hranovskyi
Vice-presidentDmytro Shapiro
General directorValeriy Deordiev
Executive directorAndriy Chernov
Sporting director-
Coaching (first team)
Head coachRoman Hryhorchuk
Assistant coachSerhiy Politylo
Andriy Parkhomenko
Goalkeeping coachAndriy Hlushchenko
Coaching (Chornomorets-2 team)
Head coachDenys Kolchin[p]
Assistant coachVitaliy Starovyk
Goalkeeping coachYevhen Borovyk
Fitness coachVictoria Samar
Coach analystSergey Aristarkhov

Managers

First team

Presidents

See also

Notes

  1. ^ since 1 January 2022
  2. ^ since 14 January 2026
  3. ^ The list includes players who have been signed by the club and/or who were part of the first team squad for at least one official match (domestic league/cup) in the current season.
  4. ^ Represented USSR olympic team while playing for Chornomorets Odesa.
  5. ^ Only the person who has started the most official matches as captain within a specific period is mentioned. Official matches include domestic league/cup, european cups.
  6. ^ Played a total of 31 (domestic league 30/domestic cup 1) matches as captain of the starting lineup.
  7. ^ Played a total of 11 domestic league/domestic cup matches as captain of the starting lineup.
  8. ^ Played a total of 11 (domestic league/domestic cup) matches as captain of the starting lineup.
  9. ^ Played a total of 19 (domestic league 15/domestic cup 4) matches as captain of the starting lineup.
  10. ^ Played a total of 18 domestic league matches as captain of the starting lineup.
  11. ^ Played a total of 19 domestic league matches as captain of the starting lineup.
  12. ^ Played a total of 30 domestic league and UEFA Cup matches as captain of the starting lineup.
  13. ^ Played a total of 25 domestic league/domestic cup and Intertoto Cup matches as captain of the starting lineup.
  14. ^ Played a total of 10 domestic league/domestic cup matches as captain of the starting lineup.
  15. ^ Played a total of 17 (domestic league 16/domestic cup 1) matches as captain of the starting lineup.
  16. ^ since 16 January 2026
  17. ^ Sources (mass media, stats sites) indicate he was the club's vice president.

References

  1. ^ "Football Club Chornomorets Odesa | Official website" (in Ukrainian)
  2. ^ The Vertex United has become the new owner of the F.C. Chernomorets Odesa
  3. ^ Данііл Киріяка (25 December 2025). "КУЧЕР: «Я відмовився від пропозицій клубів УПЛ і з-за кордону»" (in Ukrainian). sport.ua. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  4. ^ Тарас Бондар (2026-01-09). "Роман Григорчук очолив одеський "Чорноморець"" (in Ukrainian). sport.ua. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  5. ^ A brief overview of the club's establishment at the official website (in Ukrainian)
  6. ^ FC Chornomorets Odesa (ФК "Чорноморець" Одеса). Ukrainian Heraldry Society Forum. 27 June 2010
  7. ^ Chornomorets Odesa. Kopanyi-myach.
  8. ^ Plagiarism in sports emblems (Плагіат у спортивних емблемах). Ukrainian Heraldry Society Forum. 9 January 2010
  9. ^ An overview of the club's history in 1958–1969 at the official website (in Ukrainian)
  10. ^ Spartak Odesa. Kopanyi Myach.
  11. ^ Anatoliy Chystov – "football is a small life of my big life!" (Анатолий Чистов – «футбол – это маленькая жизнь в моей большой жизни!»). Odesskiy. 2002
  12. ^ "ru:С "Черноморца" сняты шесть очков!" [Chornomorets deducted 6 points] (in Russian). UA Football. 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  13. ^ "uk:Вболівальники побили тренера ФК “Чорноморець”: не дійшов до Прем’єр-ліги" ["Fans attacked a coach of FC Chornomorets": has not reached the Premier-Liha] (in Ukrainian). Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  14. ^ Тренувальні бази (офіційна сторінка ФК «Чорноморця») Archived 16 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine (in Russian)
  15. ^ Академія. www.chernomorets.odessa.ua Archived 8 July 2025 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ On March 13, 2023, Chornomorets suspended cooperation with its sponsor Parimatch.
  17. ^ On September 10, 2022 "Allrise Capital" became one of the title sponsors of the Sailors.
  18. ^ Complete inscription on one sleeve is "vbet перша ліга".
  19. ^ as Champion of Ukrainian SSR
  20. ^ Novak, Volodymyr. "Алея футбольної слави з'явилася в Одесі" (in Ukrainian). www.ukrinform.ua. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  21. ^ "(no title)" (in Russian). old.chernomorets.odessa.ua. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  22. ^ Давыдов, Helpdeskid (4 April 2021). "АЛЕЯ СЛАВИ" (in Ukrainian). stadium.odessa.ua. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  23. ^ "Відбулося відкриття "зірки" на честь Анатолія Дорошенка" (in Ukrainian). chornomorets.football. 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  24. ^ "Відкрита «зірка» на честь Едварда Лучіна" (in Ukrainian). chornomorets.football. 2025-09-14. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  25. ^ Yuriy Nikiforov represented USSR olympic team, C.I.S. national team, and Ukraine national team while playing for Chornomorets Odesa.
  26. ^ Ivan Hetsko represented USSR national team, and Ukraine national team while playing for Chornomorets Odesa.
  27. ^ Chornomorets Odesa in the 1991 Soviet Top League
  28. ^ Chornomorets Odesa in the 1990–91 Soviet Cup
  29. ^ "FC Chornomorets Odesa – Coaching and administration staff" (in uk-UA). FC Chornomorets. Retrieved 2025-03-25.