Lech Poznań II
Lech Poznań II (Polish pronunciation: [lɛx ˈpɔznaj̃]) is the reserve team and the senior academy team of Lech Poznań, a Polish professional football club based in Poznań. The team and its facilities are based in Wronki.
| Full name | Kolejowy Klub Sportowy Lech Poznań II | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Kolejorz (The Railwayman) | ||
| Ground | Lech Poznań Academy Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 5,000 | ||
| Chairman | Karol Klimczak | ||
| Coach | Grzegorz Wojtkowiak | ||
| League | III liga, group II | ||
| 2023–24 | II liga, 16th of 18 (relegated) | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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They currently play in group II of the fourth tier of the league pyramid.
Overview
The team is intended to be the final step between Lech's academy and the first team, and usually consists promising youngsters between the age of 15 and 22, with a few veteran players drafted in to provide experience.
Occasionally, first team players are included in line-ups, to give them an opportunity to regain match fitness.
History
They are known for the remarkable feat of winning all 36 games in the 1994–95 IV liga season; it was the last season where 2 points were awarded for a win (instead of 3 points), which meant they finished on 72 points (would have been 108 in a three-point system).
They gained promotion in the 2003–04 season to the third tier after winning the league[1] and beating Jarota Jarocin 2–0 twice, 4–0 on aggregate.[2] In that same season, they reached the 1st round of the Polish Cup, but were knocked out by Górnik Konin following a 3–1 loss.[3] After the 2006–07 season,[4] the reserve teams were scrapped in favour of a central youth league, meaning that between 2007 and 2013 the team ceased to exist. They were reinstated to their previous league position for the 2013–14 season.[5]
They won promotion to II liga at the end of the 2018–19 season, making them the highest placed reserves team in Poland at the time.[6] They remained at the third tier for five years, before being relegated from the 2023–24 II liga after finishing 16th.[7]
Current squad
- As of 26 May 2024[8]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Other players under contract
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Coaching staff
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Grzegorz Wojtkowiak | Head coach |
| Jędrzej Łągiewka | Assistant coach |
| Grzegorz Kużniak | Assistant & goalkeeping coach |
| Filip Zaranek | Match analyst |
| Jakub Marynowicz | Fitness coach |
| Rafał Hejna | Physiotherapist |
| Tomasz Małek | Team manager |
Stadium
The Lech Poznań Academy Stadium in Wronki is a small, modern venue with undersoil heating. The ground holds just over 5,000 spectators – a third of the town's population – and has floodlighting. The stadium staged three games during the 2006 UEFA U-19 European Championships held in Poland. It used to be the home of Amica Wronki.
References
- "IV liga 2003/2004, grupa: wielkopolska (północ)". www.90minut.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- "Baraże o udział w III lidze, grupa: 2". www.90minut.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- "Puchar Polski 2003/2004". www.90minut.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- "III liga 2006/2007, grupa: 2". www.90minut.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- "Rezerwy skazane na niższe ligi". Legia.info.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- "Rezerwy Lecha wywalczyły awans do II ligi". Przegląd Sportowy (in Polish). 8 June 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- Dyśko, Maksymilian (25 May 2024). "Lech II Poznań z hukiem spada z 2. ligi. Lechici okazali się gorsi, niż rezerwy najgorszej drużyny ekstraklasy!". gloswielkopolski.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- "Rezerwy" (in Polish). Lech Poznań. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
Bibliography
- Jarosław Owsiański, Lech Poznań – przemilczana prawda, Poznań: Drukarnia Beyga, 2017, 978-83-939221-6-1.