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City: Bytom Country: Poland League: Ekstraklasa Founded: 1920 Stadium: Stadion Edwarda Szymkowiaka (16,000) Colors: Blue, Red Previous Names: Ogniwo, Sparta, Polonia/Szombierki Bytom (1998-99) Official Website: polonia.bytom.pl Polonia Bytom was born on January 4, 1920 but lasted only two years in its initial phase. At the time of the club's foundation the city of Bytom was a part of Poland but the region of Upper Silesia joined Germany in 1922 and Polonia Bytom ceased to exist. Many of the players and officials ended up joining another club, Silesia Miechowice. At the end of World War II, the city of Lvov (previously within Poland) became a part of Ukraine (and thus the Soviet Union). A signficant number of refugees from Lvov settled in Bytom, in particular members of Pogoń Lwów. Those members decided to reform Polonia Bytom and the club is, to some extent, a continuation of Pogoń Lwów and Polonia's colors and emblem are taken from that of Pogoń Lwów. The club merged with city rivals Szombierki Bytom in 1997 but the merger lasted barely over a year before the two separated again. The full name of the club translates as Polonia Bytom Sports Society. The stadium is named for a legendary former goalkeeper, who made 53 appearances for Poland in the 1950s and 60s. Trophy Room: |
