KF Besëlidhja Lezhë
| Full name | Klubi i Futbollit Besëlidhja Lezhë | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Dragonjtë e Veriut | ||
| Founded | 17 November 1930 as Bardhyli i Leshit
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| Ground | Brian Filipi Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 5,000 | ||
| Owner | Lezhë Municipality | ||
| President | Pjerin Fushaj | ||
| Manager | Elvis Plori | ||
| League | Kategoria e Dytë, Group A | ||
| 2024–25 | Kategoria e Dytë, Group A, 6th | ||
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Klubi i Futbollit Besëlidhja Lezhë is an Albanian professional football club based in Lezhë. They are currently competing in Kategoria e Dytë, Group A. Their home ground is Brian Filipi Stadium.
History
Football in Lezhë dates back to 1916 when a senior Austrian officer introduced two leather balls, complete with inner bladders made from cattle, to the local youth. On June 1, 1920, an amateur team under the name Djelmnia e Leshit played organized matches in nearby Shkodër.
By 1930, the Zogu government, through a decree dated June 6, established the Albanian Sports Federation and mandated the formation of football clubs in regions of the country that lacked such teams. That same year, the first national football championship was launched. Bardhyli i Leshit was officially established on November 17, 1930.
In 1936, the club competed in the Second Division Championship, Group A, where they faced teams like Kongresi i Lushnjes, Tomorri of Berat and Foleta e Lirisë of Krujë. Finishing first in their group, Bardhyli advanced to the final tournament, held in Tirana. On July 26, they triumphed over Shkumbini of Peqin with a 2–0 win and the following day defeated Aleksandri i Madh of Përmet 7–2. These victories earned the team the Second Division championship, securing its promotion to the First Division for the following season.
The club made its debut in the national championship against Teuta of Durrës. Hundreds of fans traveled from Lezhë — by foot, bicycle and car — to witness the inaugural match, which ended in a 1–7 defeat. Bardhyli’s second match against Erzeni, in Shijak, also resulted in a loss (0–4), but the return leg saw Lezhë secure a 5–1 victory, its first official win. Home matches during this period were played at Gryka e Zezë field.[1]
Besëlidhja has participated in the top flight league for 24 seasons, having yet to secure qualification for European competitions.[2]
Honours
Records
- Biggest Home Victory: 7–0 vs KS Gramozi Ersekë (11.04.2012)
- Biggest Home Defeat: 3–4 vs FK Kukësi (23.04.2012)
- Biggest Away Victory: 7–1 vs KF Laçi (18.12.2004)
- Biggest Away Defeat: 1–5 vs KF Tirana (21.02.2003)
Current squad
- As of 31 January 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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List of managers
- Isuf Pelingu (1971–1975)[3]
- Lin Shllaku (1973–1974)
- Isuf Pelingu (1981)
- Nikolin Lorenci (1982–1983)
- Anastas Buneci (1983–1984)
- Vasil Bici (1984–1985)
- Ritvan Kulli (1992–1993)
- Vasil Bici (1993–1995)
- Paulin Deda (1995)
- Taip Piraniqi (1996)
- Luan Vakatana (1999–2000)
- Vasil Bici (2001–2002)
- Medin Zhega (2002)
- Ritvan Kulli (2003)
- Xhavit Gruda (2003)
- Stavri Nica ( – 11 Sep 2007)
- Neptun Bajko (1 Dec 2007 – 22 Feb 2008)
- Ilir Gjyla (22 Feb 2008 - Jun 2008)
- Alban Bruka (2010)
- Ritvan Kulli (2010 - 2012)
- Sokol Meta (Aug 2012)
- Gledis Lani (2012)
- Saimir Malko ((Dec 2012 - Mar 2013)
- Sinan Bardhi ((Mar 2013 - Dec 2014)
- Ritvan Kulli (2015)
- Kreshnik Krepi (Jul 2015 - 25 Jan 2016)
- Samuel Nikaj (25 Jan 2016 - Jun 2016)[4]
- Stavri Nica (Jul 2016 – Nov 2016)
- Alban Bruka (2016–2017)
- Elvis Plori (Jun 2017 - Nov 2017) [5]
- Gledis Lani (Nov 2017 - May 2018)
- Ndriçim Kashami (Jul 2018 - Oct 2018)
- Gledis Lani (Oct 2018 - Dec 2018)
- Vladimir Gjoni (Dec 2018 - Sep 2019)
- Elvis Plori (Sep 2019 - Aug 2020)
- Alban Bruka (Aug 2020 - Oct 2022)
- Hasan Hoxha (Oct 2022 - Nov 2022)
- Nikolin Çoçlli (Nov 2022 - Feb 2023)
- Artan Bano (Feb 2023 -Jun 2023)
- Dritan Smajli (Jun 2023 - Oct 2024)
- Edmond Dalipi (Oct 2024 - Jun 2025)
- Elvis Plori (Sep 2025 - )
Sponsors
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–1992 | Meyba | None |
| 1992–1998 | Joma | |
| 1998–2006 | Vega | |
| 2011–2012 | Adidas | NOKA |
| 2014– | Legea |
See also
- KB Besëlidhja Lezhë (basketball)
References
- ^ History of football in the district of Lezha Archived 2019-06-08 at the Wayback Machine - Lezha
- ^ Gjikola, Preng (18 November 2015). "Besëlidhja feston 85-vjetorin, ja historia e klubit!". Panorama Sport.
- ^ Isuf Pelingu, shkodrani "që la nam" si trajner në Lezhë - Shkodra Sport (in Albanian)
- ^ Nikaj tregon sfidën: Ja pse pranova Besëlidhjen Archived 2024-06-11 at the Wayback Machine - Panorama (in Albanian)
- ^ Ndryshime në stolin e Besëlidhjes, Elvis Plori drejt marrjes së drejtimit Archived 2024-06-11 at the Wayback Machine - Panorama (in Albanian)