Passion for Trabzonspor shines bright in North Macedonia’s Turkish communities

In the heart of North Macedonia, the passion for Trabzonspor runs deep in the villages of Upper Banisa (Gornja Banjitsa) and Lower Banisa (Dolna Banjitsa), where a significant Turkish population resides.

Despite the challenges, this fervent love for the Turkish football club has united these communities for years.

A legacy of love for Trabzonspor

In 2015, under the leadership of former Upper Banisa headman Abdulhadi Huseyin, a football club named Trabzonspor was established.

Although the club is no longer active because of financial constraints, Huseyin’s dedication to keeping Trabzonspor’s spirit alive in North Macedonia continues.

“Türkiye is our homeland,” Huseyin proudly declared, emphasizing the deep connection between the Turkish diaspora in North Macedonia and their roots in Türkiye. “We may be far from Türkiye, but we are brothers, and our efforts to strengthen this bond should be supported, not from afar, but up close.”

When Trabzonspor won the championship in the 2021-2022 season, the celebrations in North Macedonia mirrored those in Türkiye. “There are 18 teams in Türkiye, and we support them all, but Trabzonspor holds a special place in our hearts,” Huseyin shared, reflecting the widespread admiration for the club.

Trabzon: A home away from home

Having visited Trabzon, Huseyin recounts the experience as feeling no different from his village in Upper Banisa. “The hospitality and dialect in Trabzon are just like ours. It felt like visiting a neighboring Turkish village,” he fondly recalled.

To further solidify their cultural identity, in 2011, Huseyin and the village council decided to give Turkish names to the streets in Upper Banisa. “Our village is 100% Muslim, with 85% being Turkish and 15% Albanian. We wanted to honor both communities with respectful naming,” he explained.

Despite the challenges of being a minority in North Macedonia, Huseyin remains determined to preserve their heritage.

“Türkiye has always supported us, and we strive to raise our children with strong cultural values. If a nation forgets its past, it will never find its future.”

Lifelong devotion to Trabzonspor

In Lower Banisa, Burhan Aydini, a Trabzonspor fan since 1974, shares his unwavering loyalty to the club. “I love the Black Sea region and its people. I’ll support Trabzonspor until I die,” he declared.

Although Aydini has yet to visit Trabzon, his passion remains strong. “I wanted to join the championship celebrations in Trabzon, but we celebrated here instead. Still, nothing compares to being there,” he added.

Teacher’s tribute to Trabzonspor

Zekeriya Hasip, a Turkish language and literature teacher, began supporting Trabzonspor in the 1990s. “Back then, Trabzonspor stood out because they had few if any, foreign players. That uniqueness drew me in,” Hasip reflected.

He praises the legendary players who shaped the club, such as Hami Mandirali, Ogun Temizkanoglu, Abdullah Ercan, and Unal Karaman.

“From the 1992-1993 season onwards, we’ve followed and supported Trabzonspor. Even here, in the remote corners of North Macedonia, our hearts beat for Trabzonspor. My children are Trabzonspor fans too,” he proudly shared.

The enduring slogan “Bize her yer Trabzon” (Everywhere is Trabzon for us) truly resonates in these villages, where the love for Trabzonspor transcends borders.