OFC Sliven 2000

The beginnings

OFC Sliven 2000 was founded on 29 February 2000, after the bankruptcy of FC Sliven, but as it is the real representative club of the same-name town, it keeps the tradition started back in 1914 with the first local football club Sportist. Through the years the leading club in Sliven had different names - Asenovetz, DNA, General Zaimov, Mlada Gvardia etc.

First Promotions and A Group Period

After World War II, Sliven took part in B PFG for ten years before seeing its first promotion to A PFG in season 1963-1964. Up to 2008–09, the club has played 22 seasons at the highest level of Bulgarian football (including continuously from 1974 to 1993). In 1983-84 FC Sliven finished on 7th place in A PFG and qualified for the UEFA Cup for 1984-85 because of reaching the semi-finals in the Soviet Army Cup; the Cup winners Levski Sofia qualified for European Cup; the finalist was not allowed to play in European competitions; where they faced FK Željezničar Sarajevo, winning the first leg 1–0 at home, but suffering a 1–5 defeat in the second leg.

First major trophy and European return

Sliven had its biggest success in 1990, winning the Bulgarian Cup against CSKA Sofia, with a score of 2–0. The goals were scored by Valeri Valkov and Yordan Letchkov. In the 1990-91 Cup Winners Cup, Sliven were drawn against former European champions Juventus, losing both matches by scores of 0-2 and 1–6, respectively.

Bankruptcy and rebirth

Sliven could not…

First League: 6th place: 1983, 1986, 1992 Bulgarian Cup: Winners (1): 1989–90