Founded in 1923, it is one of the most traditionally successful clubs in the country. It has played its home games since inception at Anton Malatinský Stadium, located in the very centre of the city. The club's anthem is Il Silenzio and it has been played prior to every home match since the late 1960s.[1]
Domestically, the club has won six league titles and nine cups. The most successful era came on the verge of 1960s and 1970s, when club dominated Czechoslovak football, having won the Czechoslovak First League five times in the span of six seasons. During these times, Spartak Trnava also made its name at the international level, having won Mitropa Cup in 1967 and more importantly, progressing to the semi-finals of European Cup in 1969 and quarter-finals in 1973 and 1974 (the former still standing as the record achievement in the competition for Slovak or Czech club). More recently, the club won the Slovak league title in 2018, as well as Slovak cup in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2025.
The club has a large fan base, having regularly averaged the highest attendance in Slovak football. It has a long-standing rivalry with Slovan Bratislava, with whom it contests a derby.
Spartak's colours are red, black and white. Since early days, the home kit consisted of a red-and-black striped shirt. Spartak's away kit has traditionally been completely white, giving the club its nickname bíli andeli (the white angels in local dialect).[2]
History
The club was founded on 30 May 1923 by the merger of Šk Čechie and ČšŠk into TSS Trnava. After a communist takeover it became affiliated with the metal industry and was renamed to TJ Kovosmalt ("Metal-enamel").
Previous names
ŠK Rapid Trnava (1923–39)
TSS Trnava (1939–48)
Sokol NV Trnava (1948–49)
TJ Sokol Kovosmalt Trnava (1949–53)
DŠO Spartak Trnava (1953–62)
TJ Spartak Trnava (1962–67)
TJ Spartak TAZ Trnava (1967–88)
TJ Spartak ZŤS Trnava (1988–93)
FC Spartak Trnava (1993–present)
Golden era
In 1952, the club gained its current name, but the performance in those years was very unstable, Spartak played the 2nd league and after advancing to the highest competition, they occupied mostly the lower parts of the table. A better position came only in the 1959/60 season, when Spartak took 4th place. The golden era of Spartak began in the 1966–67 season. The team of legendary coach Anton Malatinský was top of the league by the autumn, but by the end of the season had finished only in third place. Great success was achieved in the Mitropa Cup. Spartak beat teams like Budapest Honvéd, Lazio and Fiorentina and in the final they defeated Újpest of Hungary. In the following season Spartak gained their most memorable European results. They reached the semi-final of the European Cup to face Ajax. It is their greatest success to date.[3][4]
Under the management of Ján Hucko, the team also won a second championship. In 1970–71 and 1971–72, Trnava won their third and fourth championship titles under coaches Valér Švec and Anton Malatinský. The team also reached the quarter-final of the European Cup in 1973 and 1974.[5] The fifth and the last league title in 1972–73 beckoned the end of Spartak's golden era. In 1976, Karol Dobiaš was in the squad that won the UEFA Euro 1976.[6]
1990s
Although Spartak finished 16th (and last) in the last unified Czechoslovak league season in 1992–93, the latter half of the 1990s can be considered the renaissance of football in Trnava. During the 1995–96 season, Spartak finished third and its popularity grew. The 1996–97 season was a memorable one for the fans of Spartak, Karol Pecze almost led the team to its first Slovak league title but got beaten to it by Košice in the final week of competition. The following season, under new coach Dušan Galis the team again achieved second place and then third place during the 1998–99 season which saw the end of this recovery of footballing prowess in Trnava.[5]
2017–2019: Title after 45 years
In the 2017–18 season, Spartak won the league title for the first time in 45 years. Under the leadership of coach Nestor El Maestro, Trnava won the title three games before the end of the 2017–18 season after a 2–0 victory over Dunajská Streda.[7] The title celebrations took place after the last season match against AS Trenčín (17,113 spectators).[8] They included an autograph session, a ride on the city on an open bus, fireworks and a solemn Holy Mass in the Cathedral sv. Jána Krstiteľa.[9] These were the biggest title celebrations in the history of Slovakia. During the 2018–19 season Spartak reached the UEFA Europa League group stage for the first time. They played against GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Fenerbahçe and R.S.C. Anderlecht. They finished 3rd with a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses.[10]
Thanks to defending third place and winning the Slovak Cup, secured another chance to compete for European competitions. In the qualification for the European Conference League, Michal Gašparík’s team defeated Newtown 6–2 on aggregate in the 2nd preliminary round, after winning 4–1 and 2–1.[12] In the 3rd preliminary round, they were eliminated by the Polish team Raków Częstochowa.[13] The quest for a European autumn thus ended prematurely and the team focused on the Niké League and the Slovak Cup.[5] The 2023 Slovak Cup final was played at the Anton Malatinský Stadium in front of over 15,000 spectators. In the 110th minute, Jakub Paur gave Spartak the lead with a precise header.[14] The overall result and the defense of the Slovak Cup were sealed with a goal to 3–1 after a converted penalty by Filip Twardzik.[5][15]
Anton Malatinský Stadium is located in the centre of Trnava, directly behind the walls of the old town. Formerly known simply as Spartak stadium, it was renamed in 1998 in honour of the club's most successful manager Anton Malatinský.
Stadium underwent a complex reconstruction in 2013–2015. Opening ceremony of the new stadium took place on 22 August 2015. The stadium has capacity of 18,200 spectators.
Affiliated clubs
The following clubs are currently affiliated with Spartak Trnava:
The main ultras group are called Ultras Spartak. Traditionally, the club has had great support in the city, but it is very popular in the whole region.
The club's official anthem is Il Silenzio. It is played prior to every home match, when the players are entering onto the pitch.
The greatest rival is Slovan Bratislava. The rivalry has a long tradition and the derby is considered the most prestigious match in the Slovak football calendar. There is also great rivalry with DAC 1904, as they are the second most prominent club in the Trnava Region after Spartak.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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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