# Valmiera FC > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Valmiera_FC > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Valmiera_FC.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valmiera_FC > Source revision: 1350520744 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Association football club in Latvia}} {{Redirect|Valmiera Glass Via|the related basketball club|Valmiera Glass Via (basketball)}} {{More citations needed|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Valmiera | image = ValmieraFC-Logo.png | upright = 0.9 | fullname = Valmiera Football Club | nickname = | founded = {{start date and age|1996}} | ground = [Jānis Daliņš Stadium](/source/J%C4%81nis_Dali%C5%86%C5%A1_Stadium), [Valmiera](/source/Valmiera), [Latvia](/source/Latvia) | capacity = 1,000 | chairman = Uldis Pūcītis | manager = [Gatis Kalniņš](/source/Gatis_Kalni%C5%86%C5%A1) | league = [LVBET līga](/source/Latvian_First_League) | season = [2025](/source/2025_Latvian_Second_League) | current = 2026 Latvian First League | position = [Altero.lv LIIGA](/source/Latvian_Second_League), 1st (Promoted) | website = {{URL|http://www.valmierafc.com}} | pattern_la1 = _nikechallenge5bw | pattern_b1 = _nikechallenge5bw | pattern_ra1 = _nikechallenge5bw | pattern_sh1 = | leftarm1 = 000000 | body1 = 000000 | rightarm1 = 000000 | shorts1 = 000000 | socks1 = 000000 | pattern_la2 = | pattern_b2 = _niketrophy5htcb | pattern_ra2 = | leftarm2 = 0CAFFF | body2 = 08E8DE | rightarm2 = 0CAFFF | shorts2 = 08E8DE | socks2 = 08E8DE | pattern_la3 = | pattern_b3 = | pattern_ra3 = | leftarm3 = | body3 = | rightarm3 = | shorts3 = | socks3 = }} '''Valmiera Football Club'''{{Cite web|url=https://optibetvirsliga.com/news/kluba-pazinojums-par-nosaukuma-mainu-valmiera-fc|title=Kluba paziņojums par nosaukuma maiņu ''Valmiera FC''|access-date=2020-02-18|archive-date=2020-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218150529/https://optibetvirsliga.com/news/kluba-pazinojums-par-nosaukuma-mainu-valmiera-fc|url-status=dead}} is a [Latvia](/source/Latvia)n professional [football](/source/association_football) club playing in the [LVBET līga](/source/Future_League), the second highest division in the [Latvian football league system](/source/Latvian_football_league_system). The club is based in the city of [Valmiera](/source/Valmiera). By winning the [Latvian First League](/source/Latvian_First_League) in 2017, the team was promoted to the 2018 Virslīga after a 14-year absence, and won their first title in 2022. ==History== A predecessor of the club and the main team of the city of Valmiera from 1978 to 1993 was '''FK [Gauja](/source/Gauja) Valmiera''', which won the final [Football Championship of the Latvian SSR](/source/Football_Championship_of_the_Latvian_SSR) in 1990 and continued in the top flight after the restoration of the independence of Latvia. However, after the [1993 Virslīga season](/source/1993_Latvian_Higher_League) Gauja was relegated and slowly declined, disbanding in the mid-1990s while playing in the [2. līga](/source/Latvian_Second_League). The current club was founded in 1996 as '''Valmieras FK''' (Valmieras futbola klubs). It participated in the [1. līga](/source/Latvian_First_League) (the second-highest division of Latvian football). The team finished second in the league which gave Valmiera the possibility to battle with the second from bottom team of the [Higher League](/source/Latvian_Higher_League) – [Skonto-Metāls](/source/Skonto-2) for a place in the top division of Latvian football. In the first game in [Riga](/source/Riga) Skonto-Metāls won 1:0, but at home Valmiera overcame the one goal deficit and won 2:0 (I. Maļukovs, Dz. Savaļnieks), thus earning a place in the Virslīga. In its debut season in the [Virslīga](/source/Virsl%C4%ABga) Valmiera managed to finish 7th out of 9 teams with a comfortable margin over the two weakest teams. The following season was even more successful as the team finished 5th in Virslīga, and the same result was repeated in 1999. The new [millennium](/source/millennium) brought financial difficulties for FK Valmiera. After the 2003 season the team had to leave the Virslīga because of financial difficulties and since then played in the 1. līga, paying more attention to developing young talent.{{Cite news|url=http://www.delfi.lv/sports/news/football/news/futbols-pilseta-valmieras-futbola-vesture.d?id=20347931#ixzz3HkdkzyH4|title='Futbols pilsētā': Valmieras futbola vēsture|last=DELFI|date=2008-02-25|work=DELFI|access-date=2018-09-27|language=lv}} Several of former Valmiera players have played in the [Latvia national football team](/source/Latvia_national_football_team). Those include [Vīts Rimkus](/source/V%C4%ABts_Rimkus), [Viktors Morozs](/source/Viktors_Morozs), [Gatis Kalniņš](/source/Gatis_Kalni%C5%86%C5%A1), [Deniss Romanovs](/source/Deniss_Romanovs) and [Māris Smirnovs](/source/M%C4%81ris_Smirnovs). For more than ten years Valmiera was a mid level team in the [1. līga](/source/Latvian_First_League). Since 2010, under manager [Gatis Ērglis](/source/Gatis_%C4%92rglis) a number of young local players experienced rapid development and the team became one of the leaders of the 1. līga.{{Cite news|url=http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/1_liga/02032010-valmieras_fk_ergla_vadiba_gatavojas_sezon|title="Valmieras FK" Ērgļa vadībā gatavojas sezonai|date=2010-03-02|work=Sportacentrs.com|access-date=2018-09-27|language=lv-LV}} In 2016 the sports organisation was established as "SO Valmiera Glass / Vidzemes Augstskola" or "'''Valmiera Glass ViA'''" - taking the name of the team's long-time sponsor [Valmiera Fiberglass](/source/Valmiera_Fibreglass) and [Vidzeme University](/source/Vidzeme_University_of_Applied_Sciences), which inherited the legacy of Valmiera football.{{Cite web|url=https://www.valmiera-glass.com/en/group-1/sponsorship/we-are-on-the-ball-in-supporting-young-footballers|title=We are on the ball in supporting young footballers - VALMIERA GLASS GROUP|website=www.valmiera-glass.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-27}} Also joining Valmiera Glass ViA was the school's [basketball club](/source/Valmiera_Glass_Via_(basketball)).{{Cite web|url=http://va.lv/en/study-here/student-life/sport-and-activities|title=Sport and activities at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences|website=[Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences](/source/Vidzeme_University_of_Applied_Sciences)|language=en|access-date=2018-09-27|archive-date=2022-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630004500/https://va.lv/en/study-here/student-life/sport-and-activities|url-status=dead}} In 2017 the team's best scorers were [Alvis Dubovs](/source/Alvis_Dubovs) and [Niks Savaļnieks](/source/Niks_Sava%C4%BCnieks), helping Valmiera Glass ViA to win the [Latvian First League](/source/Latvian_First_League) with a ten-point margin. In 2018, Valmiera Glass ViA returned to the [Virslīga](/source/Virsl%C4%ABga). One of the biggest offseason deals for the team was the return of [Gatis Kalniņš](/source/Gatis_Kalni%C5%86%C5%A1) to his hometown, but the veteran striker was mostly sidelined due to injuries.{{Cite news|url=http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/virsliga/19022018-kalnins_atgriezas_dzimtaja_pilseta_un_pie|title=Kalniņš atgriežas dzimtajā pilsētā un pievienojas Virslīgas jaunpienācējai|date=2018-02-19|work=Sportacentrs.com|access-date=2018-09-27|language=lv-LV}} The team struggled in amidst fierce competition and earned only one point in the first ten rounds of the league. That led to the decision to replace long time manager Ērglis with [Ukrainian](/source/Ukraine) coach [Mykola Trubachov](/source/Mykola_Trubachov).{{Cite news|url=http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/virsliga/30052018-virsligas_pastarite_valmiera_glass_via_tr|title=Virslīgas pastarīti "Valmieru" trenēs ukraiņu speciālists Trubačovs, asistēs Kalniņš|date=2018-05-30|work=Sportacentrs.com|access-date=2018-09-27|language=lv-LV}} In 2019, he was replaced by [Georgian](/source/Georgia_(country)) coach [Tamaz Pertia](/source/Tamaz_Pertia). In 2020 club was renamed to "Valmiera FC" (Valmiera Football Club), reportedly due to Valmiera Fibreglass entering a temporary legal protection process due to financial difficulties.{{Cite web|title=Kluba paziņojums par nosaukuma maiņu ''Valmiera FC''|url=https://optibetvirsliga.com/news/kluba-pazinojums-par-nosaukuma-mainu-valmiera-fc|access-date=2020-09-20|website=Optibet Virslīga / Futbola Virslīga|language=lv|archive-date=2020-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218150529/https://optibetvirsliga.com/news/kluba-pazinojums-par-nosaukuma-mainu-valmiera-fc|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|date=2020-02-17|title=Futbola klubs "VALMIERA GLASS VIA" maina nosaukumu uz "Valmiera FC" - VALMIERA GLASS GRUPA|url=https://www.valmiera-glass.com/lv/valmiera-glass-live/jaunumi/futbola-klubs-valmiera-glass-via-maina-nosaukumu-uz-valmiera-fc|access-date=2020-09-20|language=lv}} In 2022, Valmiera won the Latvian top-tier league for the first time in history under the management of coach [Jurģis Kalns](/source/Jur%C4%A3is_Kalns). This was followed by two consecutive 4th place finishes. However, around 2024 the team started to accumulate unpaid debts, which led to the club being denied a license to play in the [2025 Virslīga season](/source/2025_Latvian_Higher_League) and being banned from the first tier, resulting in immediate disqualification from the 2024 campaign. [FS Jelgava](/source/FS_Jelgava), who finished 10th and would have been otherwise relegated, then got the all-clear to take Valmiera's place.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-29 |title=Valmiera booted from top Latvian football league over financial affairs |url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/sport/29.01.2025-valmiera-booted-from-top-latvian-football-league-over-financial-affairs.a585687/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=[eng.lsm.lv](/source/eng.lsm.lv) |language=en}} Later, Valmiera was denied a [Latvian First League](/source/Latvian_First_League) license as well, making the future of the team unclear. Ultimately, the club managed to reduce its debt and was granted a license to play in the third-level [Altero.lv LIIGA](/source/Altero.lv_LIIGA) in the 2025 season.{{Cite web |last=Ozerinskis |first=Emils |date=2025-03-13 |title=2022. gada Latvijas čempione "Valmiera" pielaista dalībai Otrajā līgā |trans-title=2022 Latvian champions Valmiera granted permission to play in the Latvian Second League |url=https://sportacentrs.com/futbols/citi_latvijas_turniri/13032025-2022_gada_latvijas_cempione_valmiera_piel |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Sportacentrs.com |language=lv}} ==Honours== *'''[Latvian Higher League](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)''' **'''Champions (1):''' [2022](/source/2022_Latvian_Higher_League) ==League and Cup history== ;FK Valmiera / Valmiera Glass ViA / Valmiera FC {|class="wikitable" ! Season ! Division (Name) ! Pos./Teams ![Latvian Football Cup](/source/Latvian_Football_Cup) |- |align=center|1996 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center|'''2'''/(13) |align=center | 1/16 finals |- |align=center|1997 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center |'''7'''/(9) |align=center | 1/8 finals |- |align=center|1998 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center |'''5'''/(8) |align=center | 1/2 finals |- |align=center|1999 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center |'''5'''/(8) |align=center | 1/4 finals |- |align=center|2000 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center |'''6'''/(8) |align=center | 1/4 finals |- |align=center|2001 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center |'''6'''/(8) |align=center |1/4 finals |- |align=center|2002 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center |'''5'''/(8) |align=center |1/4 finals |- |align=center|2003 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center |'''6'''/(8) |align=center |1/8 finals |- |align=center|2004 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center |'''7'''/(14) |align=center |1/16 finals |- |align=center|2005 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center |'''6'''/(14) |align=center |1/8 finals |- |align=center|2006 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center |'''7'''/(16) |align=center |1/8 finals |- |align=center|2007 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center |'''10'''/(16) |align=center |3rd round |- |align=center|2008 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center |'''7'''/(15) |align=center |Did not participate |- |align=center|2009 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center |'''11'''/(14) |align=center |Not held |- |align=center|2010 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''6'''/(12) |align=center |Did not participate |- |align=center|2011 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''9'''/(13) |align=center |1/4 finals |- |align=center|2012 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''8'''/(14) |align=center |1/8 finals |- |align=center|2013 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''3'''/(16) |align=center | 1/8 finals |- |align=center|2014 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''3'''/(16) |align=center |1/8 finals |- |align=center|2015 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''2'''/(16) |align=center |1/8 finals |- |align=center|2016 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''4'''/(15) |align=center |1/32 finals |- |align=center|2017 |align=center|2nd ([1.līga](/source/Latvian_First_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''1'''/(12) |align=center |1/8 finals |- |align=center|2018 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''8'''/(8) |align=center | 1/4 finals |- |align=center|2019 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''4'''/(9) |align=center |1/8 finals |- |align=center|2020 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center bgcolor=#A67D3D|'''3'''/(10) |align=center |1/2 finals |- |align=center|2021 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center bgcolor=silver|'''2'''/(8) |align=center |1/2 finals |- |align=center|2022 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center bgcolor=gold|'''1'''/(10) |align=center |1/4 finals |- |align=center|2023 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''4'''/(10) |align=center |1/4 finals |- |align=center|2024 |align=center|1st ([Virslīga](/source/Latvian_Higher_League)) |align=center bgcolor=|'''4'''/(10) |align=center |1/4 finals |} ==European record== {{main|Valmiera FC in European football}} ''As of match played 17 August 2023'' {| class="wikitable" ! Season ! Competition ! Round ! Club ! Home ! Away ! [Agg.](/source/Playoff_format) |- | [2020–21](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_UEFA_Europa_League) | [UEFA Europa League](/source/UEFA_Europa_League) | [1QR](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_UEFA_Europa_League) | {{flagicon|POL}} [Lech Poznań](/source/Lech_Pozna%C5%84) | {{n/a}} | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| '''0−3''' | {{n/a}} |- | [2021–22](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_UEFA_Europa_Conference_League) | [UEFA Europa Conference League](/source/UEFA_Europa_Conference_League) | [1QR](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_UEFA_Europa_Conference_League) | {{fbaicon|LTU}} [Sūduva](/source/FK_S%C5%ABduva) | style="text-align:center; background:#ffd;"| 0–0 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 1−2 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| '''1−2''' |- | [2022–23](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_UEFA_Europa_Conference_League) | [UEFA Europa Conference League](/source/UEFA_Europa_Conference_League) | [2QR](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_UEFA_Europa_Conference_League) | {{fbaicon|MKD}} [Shkëndija](/source/KF_Shk%C3%ABndija) | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 1−2 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 1−3 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| '''2−5''' |- | rowspan=3| 2023–24 | [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League) | [1QR](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_UEFA_Champions_League) | {{fbaicon|SVN}} [Olimpija Ljubljana](/source/NK_Olimpija_Ljubljana) | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 1−2 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 1−2 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| '''2−4''' |- | rowspan=2| [UEFA Europa Conference League](/source/UEFA_Europa_Conference_League) | [2QR](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_UEFA_Europa_Conference_League) | {{fbaicon|SMR}} [Tre Penne](/source/SP_Tre_Penne) | style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 7–0 | style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| 3–0 | style="text-align:center; background:#dfd;"| '''10–0''' |- | [3QR](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_UEFA_Europa_Conference_League) | {{fbaicon|ALB}} [Partizani](/source/FK_Partizani_Tirana) | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 1−2 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| 0−1 | style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"| '''1−3''' |} ;Notes * '''QR''': Qualifying round ==Players== ===Current squad=== {{updated|6 April, 2026}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.vgvia.lv/futbols/komanda/|title=VALMIERA GLASS VIA futbols » Komanda|website=www.vgvia.lv|language=lv|access-date=2018-09-27|archive-date=2019-03-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330043941/http://www.vgvia.lv/futbols/komanda/|url-status=dead}} {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no= 1|nat=LAT|pos=GK|name=Haralds Kalnins}} {{Fs player|no= 2|nat=JPN|pos=DF|name=Toki Yamamura}} {{Fs player|no= 3|nat=LAT|pos=DF|name=Ernests Kalnins}} {{Fs player|no= 4|nat=LAT|pos=DF|name=Mārcis Ērglis}} {{Fs player|no= 5|nat=FRA|pos=DF|name=Lenny Manisa}} {{Fs player|no= 8|nat=LAT|pos=MF|name=Vladimirs Stepanovs}} {{Fs player|no=10|nat=TUN|pos=MF|name=Fraj Kayramani}} {{Fs player|no=11|nat=BRA|pos=FW|name=Gleilson Lopes}} {{Fs player|no=12|nat=LAT|pos=GK|name=Ralfs Sakalis}} {{Fs player|no=13|nat=LAT|pos=DF|name=Ņikita Cepeļevs}} {{Fs player|no=15|nat=LAT|pos=DF|name=Rodzers Krasts}} {{Fs player|no=17|nat=LAT|pos=DF|name=Rinalds Freilihs}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=18|nat=LAT|pos=MF|name=Jekabs Vagars}} {{Fs player|no=19|nat=LAT|pos=FW|name=Daniils Cepelevs}} {{Fs player|no=22|nat=LAT|pos=DF|name=Matiss Jurka}} {{Fs player|no=25|nat=MLI|pos=FW|name=Mahamadou Dembele}} {{Fs player|no=27|nat=LAT|pos=MF|name=Adrians Bannikovs}} {{Fs player|no=28|nat=LAT|pos=MF|name=Arturs Berzins}} {{Fs player|no=29|nat=LAT|pos=MF|name=Igors Kulitis}} {{Fs player|no=33|nat=LAT|pos=MF|name=Alekss Tkacenko}} {{Fs player|no=41|nat=JPN|pos=MF|name=Wataru Abe}} {{Fs player|no=42|nat=LAT|pos=MF|name=Rojs Buss}} {{Fs player|no= -|nat=SEN|pos=FW|name=Pape Doudou}} {{Fs player|no= -|nat=LAT|pos=MF|name=Ralfs Streiba}} {{Fs end}} ===Out on loan=== {{Fs start}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs end}} == References == == External links == *{{official website|http://www.valmierafc.com}} {{Latvian First League}} Category:Valmiera FC Category:Valmiera Category:Football clubs in Latvia Category:Association football clubs established in 1996 Category:1996 establishments in Latvia --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Valmiera FC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valmiera_FC) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valmiera_FC?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.