Celje – the biggest test yet

In the late 1970s Rod Stewart had a hit record entitled “I’d walk a million miles for one of your goals”. It soon became a terrace anthem.  Over the last few months the Shels supporters must share Rod’s ambition for a Conference League goal.  Hopefully, it will  come on the club’s second visit to Slovenia.

In 2003, Shels were pipped 1-0 by Olympija Ljubljana in the UEFA  cup. The 200 or so fans still talk about the beauty of the country, its scenery and its culture.  This time the opposition is NK Celje who have won two league titles in the Slovenian Priva Liga. The club was formed in 1919.  Over the last few seasons Celje have been regular qualifiers in European competition and have played Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers.  In the current Conference League phase they have beaten AEK Athens, Rovers and Legia Warsaw.  Their manager Albert Rivera is a former Spanish International and spent two years at Liverpool from 2008-2010.  He recently locked horns with Shamrock Rovers Stephen Bradley over the small matter of a handshake.

Celje-based handball players, judoists, athletes are also famous in  Europe.  Only last week NK Celje was voted the best and most recognisable sports brand in Slovenia.  Celje, like Shelbourne Football Club, visit primary schools in their area and introduce football to the youngest.  Celje also educate the children in local history and the values of their city.

Celje is Slovenia’s third largest city, situated on the banks of the Savinija river and surrounded by green hills, it combines a medieval past with a modern social scene.  The travel books recommend a visit in December to sample the Christmas markets.  Unfortunately, one tourist attraction which Shels fans will miss is the Zalec beer fountain just outside Celje.  Due to seasonal opening hours, “the first beer fountain in the world “ but maybe next summer…

We have enjoyed a fascinating few months in the Conference League campaign and unfortunately we have suffered too many hard luck stories.  But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.  

Roll on 2026