The story of Rakow, the humble club from the southern Polish city of Częstochowa, deserves only one definition - a Cinderella story. It is hard to believe that the team, which secured the Polish First League title for the first time in its history three rounds before the end of the season, was already in the depths of the Third Division table in 2017.
How did a club whose even name (in the village of Rakow, near Częstochowa, the steel factory that sponsored the football team) exude eternal gloom, leap from mediocrity to excellence? Unlike the fairy-tale Cinderella story, the main role was played not by magic but by determination.
Rakov was founded 102 years ago, but most of its existence has fluctuated between the lower leagues. During the depression years the team was relegated to the fifth division, and several times was close to passing away completely. During World War II, its existence ceased, two of its previous presidents were murdered by the Germans in concentration camps, and some of the players fell into the hands of the occupiers. The group was re-established in 1949, but even then it did not know much satisfaction. The only brilliance came in the 1966–67 season, when Rakow played in the Third Division and, surprisingly, reached the final of the Polish Cup. The miracles that year ran out in the final - Rakov held on against the superior Wisla Kraków for 90 minutes, but conceded two goals in extra time.
In 1993, Rakov was promoted to the top division for the first time, but dropped out after four seasons and dropped to the fourth division. The team was also unhappy there, and in 2001 Direon was known for a glorious 10:0 defeat in one of its games in the fourth division. No wonder the authorities planned to expropriate its small stadium, and were only debating what to build in its place - a commercial center or a new cemetery.
Schwarczewski, Photo: Getty Images
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The repair, as expected, began with a combination of romance and money - both courtesy of businessman Michal Schwarczewski, owner of the X-Kom chain of electronics stores and star of Poland's Richest List. As in business, Šwarczewski, who had been a fan of Rakow since childhood, came up with a detailed plan to elevate Rakow to the elite of Polish football, but in order to realize it he needed a different kind of coach. A coach with dreams, like Mark Pepchon, who came to the club in 2016.
Pepchon's beginnings were modest, like the club he was chosen to coach. He was a history and physical education teacher at school, but in the first training sessions he repeatedly explained to his insecure players that they deserved to compete even against Barcelona. His determination and the patience of owner Schwarzewski began to pay off: in 2019 Rakov was already promoted to the top league, and in 2021 its players achieved what their predecessors had missed almost 55 years earlier - the Polish Cup.
Rakov fans. Finally walking proudly, Photo: Getty Images
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The following summer, Šwarczewski added an overall achievement to the trophy: Rakov's surprising players, which cost him only 100,8 euros, were sold to other clubs for <> million euros. The method was immediately re-tried, and again worked - Papchon located and signed anonymous and cheap players, and it was they who brought Rakov the unprecedented championship. Will this end Cinderella's story from Częstochowa or will she reach the Champions League? The first signs indicate that the miracles are over, and that reality is beginning to prevail over the legend - Pepchon has announced his retirement as coach, and Rakov's home stadium is not at all suitable for the Champions League. But who knows, maybe Rakov will still be able to teach us all that dreams have no limits.
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