FC Fakel Voronezh

FC Fakel Voronezh is a Soviet and Russian professional football club based in Voronezh. Founded in 1947, the club has played in the Soviet Top League and the Russian Premier League. The club returned to the Russian Premier League in the 2022–23 season. The club holds the record for fan attendance in Eastern Europe. History The club was founded in 1947 at a then classified airplane plant. For reasons of secrecy, the team was not officially given a name and was referred to as the Voronezh city team. In 1959 the team became a part of Trud sports society and was renamed Trud Voronezh. In 1977 the team was renamed Fakel, meaning "Torch". The team played in the Soviet League since 1954: 1954–1960 in Class B 1961 in Class A (Soviet Top League) 1962 in Class B 1963–1970 in Class A, Group 2 1971–1978 in Second League 1979–1984 in First League 1985 in Top League 1986–1987 in First League 1988 in Second League 1989–1991 in First League The club's best results were 15th place in the Top Division in 1961 and 17th in 1985. Fakel reached the semifinal of the Soviet Cup in 1984.