Skonto plot return to glory days

Latvian footballing world records are few and far between – Skonto FC at least ensure there is one. However, the club that won the first 14 post-Soviet Latvian championships will start 2008 in an unfamiliar situation, without a trophy in the cabinet.

Run over
Skonto's title triumphs between their debut season of 1991 and 2004 set a world best for successive championship victories – yet not only was their record equalled in 2007 by Tafea FC from Vanuatu in the South Pacific, the Riga-based team also finished outside the Virsliga's top three to miss out on European qualification for the first time.

Starkovs era
Since their foundation in 1991, Skonto have been the iron horse of Latvian football, owing much to the clear strategic course kept by coach Aleksandrs Starkovs, appointed in 1993, and president Guntis Indriksons. Starkovs later combined his Skonto duties with those of Latvia coach, leading the country to UEFA EURO 2004™, but then left for FC Spartak Moskva – a huge blow to the club.

New path
As Skonto were forced to forge a new way, so results dipped, SK Liepajas Metalurgs taking their crown before FK Ventspils claimed the 2006 and 2007 titles. Indriksons decided it was best to build on the club's own youth resources, declaring himself unperturbed by the downturn. "Okay, we finished fourth [in 2007], but it could have been worse," he said. "Before the start of the season I had told myself that medals didn't really matter. I wanted new players to develop – players capable of playing in the top European leagues. I don't want a situation where veterans are winning the title for Skonto."

Coach's pain
This approach has left coach Paul Ashworth with a tough job, as he seeks to recapture the glory days with an inexperienced side. "We finished outside the top three, which was very disappointing," said the Englishman. "It got me down, but it's important to bear in mind that we were in contention until the last matches."

Great expectations
Ashworth understands he has a reputation to maintain. "Skonto are the most famous club in the country, with great traditions," he said. "Maybe it sounds strange, but Skonto for Latvia is like Manchester United [FC] for England. Fans are used to Skonto being top, so they demand trophies every single season. That's good, but it's harder to achieve in the current conditions. We're laying foundations for the new Skonto, which will definitely make its name soon."

This is an edited version of an article from the uefa.com Magazine. To read it in full, click here.