FK Meteor Praha VIII (Czech Republic)

FK Meteor Praha VIII is one of the oldest clubs in the Czech Republic, having been formed in the capital in the autumn of 1896 as Sportovní kroužek Kotva Libeň. Three years later, the name of the club was changed to SK Meteor Libeň, which was taken from the dilapidated cycling track called Meteor and the area where the club was based.

The club became SK Meteor Praha VIII in 1901 and began regular matches in 1902, using a military training ground at Invalidovně for home matches. Other venues were also used before they settled at U Perutzů on Voctářově ulici in 1910 near the dockyards.

The club won junior titles in the 1920s before a move to Střížkova Na Stráži followed in 1929, at which point the club had turned professional and played in the top tier of Czech football for a couple of seasons. Meteor were relegated, but returned to the top flight in 1930.

From 1931 onwards, the club operated mainly at the level of the second and third leagues. In 1934, the final solution of a home base was solved as they moved into a new ground at Sokolovny in Liben, District 8, which was related in the club title.

Following World War II, the country was under Soviet communist rule, with players being forced to represent the company which employed them for a while. Club names were also changed, with Meteor becoming Sokol České Loděnice in 1948.

Two further changes to the club name occurred in the 1950s: DSO Spartak Loděnice in 1953, and then TJ Libeň Loděnice. Throughout this period, the club participated in the second and third tiers of Czech football.

Meteor came close to promotion to the top flight in 1965. The following year, the club was renamed TJ Meteor Praha. After a decade, the name changed to TJ Meteor Praha ŽSP. Two more name changes took place before the end of the millennium: TJ Meteor Praha and finally FK Meteor Praha VIII, around the time that Vít Caudr was head coach.

Pavel Žáček was given the role of head coach in 2004. The club continued to progress with the introduction of junior sides and a second complex at Ďáblicích to accommodate all the club’s sides. In 2007-08, they lifted the fifth-tier Pražský přebor, otherwise known as the Prague Championship, under head coach Jaroslav Peřina. 

In 2012-13, a further promotion was clinched as Meteor lifted the Czech Republic 4. Liga Divizní Skupinu B title, with Josef Dub in charge of the team. At the end of the 2014-15 season, Meteor were relegated from the ČFL back to the Czech Republic 4. Liga Divizní Skupinu B, where the team finished in sixth place in 2015-16.

Jan Fíček led the side to eighth in 2016-17 and then a huge improvement to reach third in 2017-18 before coming fourth the following campaign as Jan Zemánek topped the scoring. Meteor were in third place when the COVID-19 pandemic ended the 2019-20 season.

Once things returned to normal following the pandemic, the side finished tenth in the fourth-tier competition, before they enjoyed a slight improvement in 2022-23 with Elkhan Budinov scoring most goals. Fifth place followed a year later, as Adam Žák starred.

The level was retitled 4. Liga for the following 2024-25 season, which saw Meteor remain in Division B and finish as runners-up, thanks in part to the goals of  Jan Král.

FK Meteor Praha VIII will play in the 4. Liga Division B in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Friday 11th March 2016

My first morning of a long weekend in Prague was progressing nicely as the weather continued to brighten. Having already visited the impressive home of FK Admira Praha, I was ready to see more, and the excellent Soccerway website had given me an inkling that I wouldn’t be disappointed at Meteor.

The number 10 tram took me downhill from Kobylisy towards town to alight at Stejskalova. A path up some steps adjacent to the stop took me past some government office buildings, a gym to U Meteori with its artificial pitch on the right. I was delighted to see that the gate into Areál Libeň was open.

Having taken my photos and looked on in awe of such a beautiful old grandstand, I returned to the Stejskalova stop and took a couple of trams to the Generali Arena, which was the sponsored name of the Letna Stadion, home of AC Sparta Praha.