Kraków Dragoons FC

Kraków Dragoons FC, founded in 2016, is an association football club based in Kraków, Poland.^[1][2][3][4]

The club was founded by a group of expats and started competing in the Polish football league system in the 2019–20 season. The Dragoons played two seasons in Klasa B before eventually being crowned champions of their group at the end of the 2021–22 season and winning promotion to Klasa A.

Since the 2022/2023 season, Dragoons FC has been competing in the Fenix Trophy, an UEFA sanctioned tournament for non-professional clubs.

Founded in 2016, Krakow Dragoons FC is one of the most unique football clubs in Poland. What began as casual kickabouts has grown into a remarkable journey – from grassroots football to league champions and even European competition. Today, the Dragoons proudly compete in Krakow’s Klasa A, the 8th division of Polish football, as a truly international team bringing players from around the world together on and off the pitch.

With over 20 nationalities in the squad, the Dragoons are the first foreign-founded, multinational football club competing in the Polish league system. More than just a team, the club provides a platform for expats in Krakow to connect, integrate, and share the universal language of football.

A common question we often hear is simple but important: why “Dragoons” and not “Dragons”? Since the name “Kraków Dragons” was already taken by a local quidditch side, the founders sought an alternative. Eventually, we chose “Dragoons” – somewhat of a foreign alternative to Hussars, Poland’s famous cavalry – which gave the club both a historical connection and a unique identity. Moreover, the Wawel Dragon, Krakow’s landmark symbol, still takes pride of place on the badge, linking the club’s modern name to the city’s legendary past.

From a group of strangers meeting for casual kickabouts to a competitive league side with international recognition, the Dragoons’ story reflects what happens when football, friendship, and ambition come together. Above all, the club continues to grow both on and off the pitch, while inspiring new arrivals to Krakow to find a home in the beautiful game. ^[5]

The story began in 2015 with casual kickabouts organised by founder Alex Băcica. However, the group quickly grew in size and ambition, eventually deciding to formalise their passion into something more sustainable. By March 2018, the Dragoons had officially registered as KS Dragoons Kraków, and only a year later entered the Polish league system. At the same time, they received special dispensation to field more non-EU players, formal recognition of the club’s unique community role in bringing together Krakow’s international residents.

On 28 July 2019, the Dragoons played their first competitive match in the Puchar Polski (Polish FA Cup). A scorching hot afternoon ended in style, with a 6-0 victory against SF Fairant — the perfect beginning to what would soon become a remarkable journey. Even now, that debut remains a cherished memory, not only for the players but also for the growing number of supporters who realised they were witnessing something special.

The Dragoons quickly earned a reputation for their possession-based football. The highlight came in 2021/22, when the team lifted their first league title after a 15-game winning streak, earning promotion to Klasa A. Furthermore, they proudly represented Poland in the Fenix Trophy, competing with community clubs from across Europe in a UEFA-affiliated tournament. That adventure marked a true landmark achievement, symbolising how far the team had come in such a short space of time.

The story of the Dragoons began when a group of strangers posted on Facebook to organise a kickabout at the J&J Sports Centre. From then on, weekly kickabouts quickly became a fixture in Krakow until winter arrived.

Future club president Alex Băcica took charge of organising weekly games at Nadwiślan Kraków, a scenic venue near Wawel Castle. Meanwhile, social activities created a welcoming environment for newcomers. That year, the team chose the name “Dragoons,” designed their first badge, and bought official kits to play proper 11-a-side matches. Soon, the Dragoons joined the Cracow Sunday Football League (CSFL) and Ashvin Asani lead the team as Head Coach. 2016 also marked a first trip to Warsaw for a six-a-side festival, with the trip becoming an annual tradition.

The Dragoons finished third in their first CSFL season, impressing against established sides. Inspired by English grassroots team Palmers FC, the club began recording matches and producing video highlights, helping to gain exposure. As interest grew, discussions started about transforming the Dragoons from a social club into a fully registered football club. Eventually, meetings with lawyers laid the groundwork for ambitious plans to enter the Polish league system.

After months of planning and negotiations with the Małopolski Związek Piłki Nożnej, the Dragoons registered as Klub Sportowy Dragoons Kraków in the National Court. This milestone allowed the club to enter the Polish league system in 2019. That year, the Dragoons hosted their first international tournament, the GOAL! Festival, welcoming original English pioneers Wanderers FC. In addition, they gained international attention by participating in the Manchester United x DHL initiative, marking the club’s first appearance in global football media.

The Dragoons won the CSFL and hosted the third GOAL! Festival, welcoming South Bank Cuaco FC. They became the first foreign-founded multinational club to enter Poland’s football pyramid. Making their maiden official appearance at Nadwiślan under the shadow of Wawel Castle, they crushed SF Fairant Kraków 6–0 in the Puchar Polski. Portuguese national Daniel Silva scored their first ever goal and capped off the game with a hat-trick! Adrian Paliś, Ernesto Bumba Jr. and Vitor Pereira were the other goal scorers in the historical match. The team started its league journey in Klasa B, narrowly losing their first match 2–1 to Grębałowianka II Kraków.

The Dragoons attended the SD Europe conference as a fan-owned club hosted by KSK Beveren. They signed their first sponsorship deal with Krakow Boat Party and produced a kit reveal video with volunteers’ help. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic cut their debut Klasa B season short, leaving the team fourth. Despite this, the City of Krakow nominated the Dragoons as Multicultural Ambassadors, and the club produced a professional presentation video to showcase its values.

Thanks to a partnership with Błonia Sport, the Dragoons moved into a modern training facility while continuing matches at Nadwiślan. Their second Klasa B season ended in fourth place again. However, the team impressed in the Puchar Polski, reaching the third round and defeating two Klasa A sides. The 2021/22 season began spectacularly, with the Dragoons winning twelve consecutive matches.

2022 became one of the club’s most successful years as Mateusz Święcicki (ur. 1987) featured the team in a mini-documentary. The Dragoons also earned an invitation to represent Poland in the Fenix Trophy, a UEFA-accredited competition which involves European non-professional clubs, chosen for their exceptional social, historical and cultural distinctiveness. On the pitch, they won the Klasa B championship and secured promotion to Klasa A, with a total of 20 wins and 103 goals. Goalkeeper Gabriel Muñoz became the first Dragoon to play 50 matches for the club, holding 12 clean sheets along the way. Partnerships began to grow as the club moved home to the 1,300-capacity home ground of KS Prądniczanka. Meanwhile, sponsorship deals with Real Recruitment Solutions, Promo Estates, and Xplicit Apparel followed, as well as a partnership with local sports manufacturer Power Canvas who created a brand new customised kit for the team. Additionally, the club also modernised further by purchasing a VEO camera, making the Dragoons one of the few lower-league Polish sides to live stream games.

The Dragoons hosted their first Fenix Trophy matches against Prague Raptors and DWS Amsterdam, with the latter featuring on Polish National Television (TVP3). With Ashvin Asani’s departure in May, Hugo Cruz became interim Head Coach for the remainder of the 2023/24 season. The team finished their first Klasa A season in eighth place and Cruz took on the reigns permanently. Another Fenix Trophy campaign paired them against French YouTube sensation Vinsky FC and English non-league giants FC United of Manchester. Founder Alex Băcica stepped down as club president, with Daniel Finnegan taking over as interim president. The highlight of the season came when the Dragoons hosted FC United of Manchester, attracting over 400 fans in Kraków.

The Dragoons signed an agreement with Secret Shirts to give the club jersey further international exposure. On the pitch, the club played in front of 571 people against FC United of Manchester in a challenging 14-0 defeat. The result saw the Dragoons break Fenix Trophy history with the record highest defeat in the competition. On a more positive note, 17-year-old Jan Krzyżanowski, made his debut in the same game to become the youngest ever player. Back in the league, the team finished sixth in their second Klasa A season. Later in 2024, Gareth Davis, club supporter since day one and a regular attendee of the Nadwiślan kickabouts in the early days, was elected Club President by players and staff at the club’s Annual General Meeting.

The Dragoons entered a new chapter. Gonçalo Ferreira replaced Hugo Cruz as head coach, aiming to guide the club to even greater achievements in the coming years. The team reached the fourth round of Puchar Polski for the first time in history, beating Prokocim, a team playing one division above the Expats, before being eliminated by Radziszowianka Radziszów, who are competing two tiers up, in V Liga. Captain Enrico Forabosco reached the incredible landmark of 100 appearances for the club, with nearly 8000 minutes in his legs, scoring 48 goals and assisting 44 times since joining in 2020.^[6]

As of 27 February 2026^[7]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

• Klasa B
  • Winners 2021–22