It is difficult to say how long the rivalry between Zvezda and Banat might have lasted had Banat not been reinforced as early as mid-1936 by former players of Jedinstvo, who were significantly older and physically stronger. Under such circumstances, Zvezda, with its predominantly youthful team, was no longer able to compete on equal terms. The first match played between the two clubs after these changes took place on April 9, 1936, and ended with a 4–2 victory for Banat.
Not only did experienced players from the former Jedinstvo join Banat, but older sports officials also entered the club’s new management. Their ambition was clear: to transform what had until then been a boys’ club into a team capable of competing in regular senior football competitions. As a result, younger players were pushed out, not only from the first team but also from the club’s administration.
During 1936, Banat played matches almost every week and achieved several notable results. In Novi Bečej, a combined team of Borac from Petrovgrad (today’s Zrenjanin), at that time the champion of Banat, drew 3–3. Banat defeated Sloga from Velika Kikinda 3–1 and Švebiše from Petrovgrad 1–0. Narrow defeats were suffered at home against ŽAK from Velika Kikinda (2–3) and Građanski from Stari Bečej (3–4).
Thanks to these victories, as well as the general economic situation—marked by a noticeable revival of economic activity already in 1936—public interest in football matches increased significantly.
However, instead of using this renewed interest and showing the persistence that had characterized earlier sports activists in Novi Bečej, the management of Banat acted in the opposite way. The first material and financial difficulties proved discouraging enough for the club leadership to abandon their efforts. As a result, Banat merely struggled to survive through the remainder of 1936 and was finally dissolved the following year, in 1937.
Overview of SK Banat Matches
1935
- Banat – Zvezda (Vranjevo) 2–3, Novi Bečej
- Banat – Zvezda (Vranjevo) 3–0, Novi Bečej
1936
- Banat – Jugoslavija (Kumane) 1–4, Kumane
- Banat – Vojvodina (Dragutinovo) 2–4, Dragutinovo
- Banat – Zvezda (Vranjevo) 4–2 (2–0), Novi Bečej
- Banat – Švebiše (Petrovgrad) 1–0 (0–0), Novi Bečej
- Banat – Borac (Petrovgrad) 3–3 (2–1), Novi Bečej
- Banat – Sloga (Velika Kikinda) 3–1 (0–1), Novi Bečej
- Banat – ŽAK (Velika Kikinda) 2–3 (0–3), Novi Bečej
- Banat – Građanski (Stari Bečej) 3–4 (1–4), Novi Bečej
- Banat – Slavija (Stari Bečej) 0–5 (0–2), Stari Bečej
- Banat – Panonija (Nadalj) 4–2 (2–0), Novi Bečej
SK Banat team, which defeated Švebiše from Petrovgrad 1–0 on July 12, 1936.
Standing from left to right: Radivoj Markuš, Luka Boberić, Živa Mali (from Beodra), Ljubiša Putnik (from Kikinda), Vasa Martić, Maćaš Senji, Milutin Nešić, and Bora Kovačev.
Crouching: Žarko Jovčić, Pál Šagi, and Lesko Jovčić.
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