As most of us already know, Stari Grad on Hvar this year marked 2400 years since its establishment. What many of us may not know is that the celebrations that were had in the town were joined by footballers from HNK Jadran from Stari Grad, who is also marking a major anniversary this year. Dalmatinski Portal helps us remember Jadran’s history.
Image by HNK Hajduk
HNK Jadran was established in 1936 on the stairs in front of the school in Stari Grad, by way of an initiative of several young players. The first Jadran jersey was striped blue and white colors.
In the spring of 1938 in the barbershop Ivana Riviera, members of Jadran, together with older footballers from Stari Grad, held a meeting at which they made the club rules. The strength of the club members in the first years after the foundation was around 30 to 40. Under the name “Jadran Klub”, they played the first recorded match against their peers from Dol on Hvar on 3 July, 1938 with the result ending 4:1 for Jadran.
During World War II, a large number of players from Stari Grad fell victim to the fight against fascism, as is evidenced by the Stari Grad monument for the footballers at the Dolci in Stari Grad. After the end of World War II, between 1945 and 1954, Jadran won the title on the island of Hvar four times.
From 1955 to 1965, Jadran won the championship three times, and three more times in the period from 1966 to 1977. Jadran is a 12-time champion on the island of Hvar and a 4-time Cup winner.
During the Homeland war, many members of NK Jadran participated, and after the end of the war, football on Hvar became an integral part of the island’s way of life. In the Hvar football league, Jadran showed more than successful, performing in competitions at the level of the County in various categories.
This year marks the great jubilee of 80 years since Jadran’s foundation. The central part of the celebration will be a friendly football match between Jadran and Hajduk on Friday, 11 November at the stadium Dolci in Stari Grad.
All are invited to join the festivities, while inviting Hajduk to the island.
