Football Club Botev was founded in March 1912 in the city of Plovdiv. For the majority of its history, the club was part of the Premier Bulgarian Leagues - "A" group, Visha Liga or any other name. Botev Plovdiv is twice champion of Bulgaria - in 1929 and in 1967. The team has also two National Cups - won in 1962 and in 1981. The most successful run in European Club Tournaments is in 1962/63, when Botev manages to reach the quarterfinals, where it is defeated by the holders of Cup Winners' Cup Atletico Madrid.
Since 1951, the team has always been part of the "A" group, relegated only twice - in 2000/01 season, but won its place immediately, finishing 3rd in the second division, and then - again relegated in 2003/04 season, and again winning it's place in "A" group in the next season, finishing 2nd in the so-called "B" group. The biggest disaster the club has faced was in the 2009/10 season, when due to financial breakdown, the club was excluded from the "A" group and was forced to start it's road to the top from the third Bulgarian division - V AFG, where the club is currently playing, as of 2010/11 season.
Greatest single player achievement is Georgi Slavkov's Golden Boot, won in 1981. Six times a Botev Plovdiv Player has been the best goalscorer in the Bulgarian "A" group. It is interesting, that this is achieved by six different forwards, none of which manages to repeat his performance. Ivan Sotirov scores 20 goals in 1961, becoming the first Botev Plovdiv Player to be Top Goalscorer. Again with 20 goals, this does Ivan Pritargov in 1975. Georgi Slavkov scores 31 goals in 1981 to win both Top Goalscorer in Bulgaria and European Golden Boot award. Only two years later, in 1983, Antim Pehlivanov scores 20 goals to become Top Goalscorer in Bulgaria. Shortly after, Atanas Pashev makes an amazing performance, reaching Georgi Slavkov's heights - scoring 30 goals. Pashev was beaten in the Golden Boot standings by Marco van Basten, who scored 37 for Ajax. In 2008 Georgi Hristov scores 19 goals to become the last Yellow-Black Top Goalscorer in Bulgaria.
Extended club history can be found in this page.
Honours
Winner of the Bulgarian championship - 2 in 1929 and in 1966/67
Silver Medalists - 2 in 1962/63 and 1985/86
Bronze Medalists - 12
Winner of the Bulgarian National Cup - 2 in 1961/62 and in 1980/81
Finalists for the Bulgarian National Cup - 8 other occasions
Holder of the Balkan's Club Cup in 1972
Participant in the UEFA European Champions Cup in 1967/68 and 1985/86
Participant in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1962/63(When the team reaches the 1/4 finals of the tournament), 1981/82 and 1983/84
Participant in the UEFA Cup(previously known as Intercities Fair Cup) in 1968/69, 1970/71, 1986/87, 1987/88, 1988/89, 1992/93, 1993/94 and 1994/95.
Plovdiv
The city of Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, after the capital Sofia. Plovdiv is at least 6000 years old, regarded as one of the oldest existing cities in Europe, with founded remains of settlements, dated older than 4000 BC. The city is a famous tourist attraction, mostly for its cultural and historic remains. Plovdiv is known as the city of the seven hills. Three of them, which are connected, hosts rich history, spanning from the Neolithic age to modern age. This district is called "The Old Plovdiv", with the majority of the buildings - beautiful examples of the Bulgarian Renaissance Age - XVIII and XIX century. There is also one of the biggest and one of the best preserved Ancient Roman Theaters in all Europe. In Plovdiv's city center there is also a huge 30 000 Ancient Roman Stadium. More for Plovdiv here: Tourists Info Center Plovdiv.
The Club Patron - Hristo Botev
The club patron is the Bulgarian national hero - the poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev.