Down the memory lane: 1978 league title

On 28^th of May 1978, Partizan completed one of the most impressive league runs, winning 8^th title in the club`s history.

After down-to-the-wire 1976 season, when Partizan secured the title in a sixth minute of stoppage time of the final league game, our team`s roster the following season was quite weakened – leading to six defeats after opening twelve rounds and early National Cup and European Cup exits.

As a result, Head Coach Tomislav Kaloperovic departed to be deputized by Zoran Miladinovic until January 1977 when Ante Mladinic took over Partizan dugout. Over the next five months, Mladinic managed to push our team to the 4^th place in the final league standings.

During the summer transfer window, Mladinic signed only one player – forward Jovic – but he was able to count on regular army service returnees Pejovic, Golac and Vukotic, allowing him to form a quite convincing roster.

Partizan lost only two matches over 34 league rounds, winning top 4 rivals Crvena Zvezda twice (3-1, 3-2), Dinamo Zagreb (2-0 away, 5-0 home) and Hajduk Split away 2-1, securing the title four rounds before the end of the 1977-78 season.

Petar Borota, Nenad Stojkovic, Nikica Klincarski and Momcilo Vukotic played all 34 games, Aleksandar Trifunovic played 32 while Djurovic, Hatunic, Zavisic, Bosko Djordjevic and Jovic were also regular starters. Top Yugoslav goalscorer of all time, Slobodan Santrac, also signed for the club during winter transfer window.

In a final 1977-78 season championship round, Partizan hosted Sarajevo for a goalless draw and great title celebration, including steam roller`s lap of honour at the stadium`s athletic track.