Újpest FC

Újpest FC
Full name	Újpest Football Club
Nickname(s)	Lilák (Purples)
Founded	1885 as Újpesti Torna Egylet
Ground	Szusza Ferenc Stadium,; Budapest; (Capacity: 13,501)
Chairman	Joe Böröcz
Manager	Lázár Szentes
League	Soproni Liga (NB1)
2007-08	4th
	Home colours
	Away colours

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Újpest Football Club (usually known simply as Újpest), earlier known as Újpesti TE (UTE) and Újpesti Dózsa, is a Hungarian football club, based in Újpest, Budapest. The club's colours are purple and white. Their 20 league titles and 8 cup titles make them one of the most successful clubs in the country while their long history makes them the oldest still existing one. There are a number of outstanding players who played for the team during its history. Újpest plays at Budapest's Szusza Ferenc Stadium.

Újpest FC is part of the Újpesti TE family. The club includes other sports sections that represent the club at ice hockey, waterpolo, women's volleyball, athletics, wrestling, judo, flatwater canoeing/kayaking, karate, youth football, boxing, modern pentathlon, shooting, gymnastics, triathlon, swimming, fencing and there is even a leisure section and also a section for the club's fans called 'circle of friends' (baráti kör).

In March 2008 the club started the Újpest FC Online TV, which is the first of its kind in Hungary.

[edit] History

[edit] Early years

The club was founded on 16 June 1885 by school teacher János Goll in Újpest, a separate city in those times, just next to the borders of Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, under the name Újpesti Torna Egylet (Újpesti TE). It was formed first as a general athletic club, performing gymnastics and fencing, and their motto was "Soundness, Strength, Harmony" (Hungarian: "Épség, Erő, Egyetértés"). In 1899 a football club was formed in the city of Újpest under the name Újpesti FC and with the same colours: purple and white. The first official match of Újpesti FC was a 1:1 draw on April 29, 1900 against III. Kerületi TVE. In 1901 the two clubs merged together and formed the football division of Újpesti TE and the club joined the second division of the newly formed Hungarian League. Újpest is ever since one of the only two teams in Hungary that have never missed a season since the beginnings of league games in the country.

Újpest were promoted to the first division in 1904 and they have managed to play on top flight ever since except for the season of 1911-12 when they finished as champions of the second division after a one year relegation.

[edit] The first golden era

The club built the new Megyeri road stadium in 1922, which marked the opening of a new era of medal collection. The legendary "Fogl-gate" (Fogl-gát in Hungarian), a massive defending formation of brothers Károly Fogl II and József Fogl III for both the national team and Újpest was the key point for the club's successes. From 1926, after the introduction of professional football in Hungary, the football team was playing under the name Újpest FC. The late 20's and 30's brought the first golden age of the club, marked by finishing on top of the Hungarian first division 5 times and international cup success, including two Mitropa Cup titles in 1929 and 1939, and also the Cup of Nations title in 1930. The team finished on one of the first three positions in every season between 1926 and 1942, and played in five cup finals during the 20's and 30's.

Újpest gave 5 players for the World Cup of 1938 to silver medalist Hungary including György Szűcs, Antal Szalay, István Balogh I, Jenő Vincze, and the rising star of Hungarian football, Gyula Zsengellér.

[edit] After World War II

The first years after World War II saw the second golden era of Újpest, and saw the club on the top of the championship three times in a row, once even giving 9 players to the Hungarian national team. Players like Ferenc Szusza, Béla Egresi, Sándor Balogh II, István Nyers or Mihály Nagymarosi were setting records of winning 30 consecutive games, or scoring 187 goals in one single season.

In 1950 the communist government chose Újpest as official club of the police and renamed them Budapesti Dózsa (after György Dózsa), a fairly common practice in Eastern Bloc countries (except that in other places "police clubs" were all named Dinamo/Dynamo) and two decades of moderate league and cup success followed. In 1951, defender Sándor Szűcs, after being executed by the communist government, became a martyr of the club. As a result of the less successful years, Mihály Tóth was just one of two Újpest players in 1954 World Cup squad, and the only one to play in the final. During the 1956 revolution, the club renamed itself Újpesti TE, however after the revolution was pulled down by the Soviets, the Hungarian government - unlike for FTC or MTK - didn't let the club use their old name. This resulted the name Újpesti Dózsa, which was referring both to the district and to the police. After 13 years without a league title, Újpest became champions of Hungary in 1959-60, and reached the Cup Winners' Cup semi-final in 1962 with the help of the new star, János Göröcs.

[edit] Magic Újpest

The year 1967, when manager Lajos Baróti was signed by the club leaders, marked the start of a new golden era. After two silver medals, Újpest won the league in 1969 and played in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final in the same year (and lost with a result of 2-6 on aggregate against Newcastle United). The team started an amazing 7 wins in a row in the league, Újpest won all the seasons from 1969 to 1975, setting incredible post-war records like scoring exactly 500 goals in the seven seasons or losing only 4 home matches in 10 seasons. The club enjoyed success in the other domestic competition, winning the Hungarian Cup for the first time in 1969, and also in 1970 & 1975. On international level besides the Inter-Cities Faris Cup final, Újpesti Dózsa reached the European Cup quarter-finals in three consecutive year after 1972 and once even played in the semi-final in 1974, where only the later winners Bayern Munich could put a stop to the campaign. The club was considered one of the best teams in Europe beating such teams like English champions Leeds United in 1969, Spanish champion Valencia CF in 1971, Scottish champion Celtic Glasgow in 1972, or Portuguese top team Benfica in 1973.

The 'landmark' of the team - as always for Újpest - was goal scoring. The famous Fazekas - Göröcs - Bene - Dunai II - Zámbó attacking formation, invented and led by manager Lajos Baróti, scored dozens of goals, attracted thousands of football fans both in Hungary and outside the country. Bene became 5 times topscorer of Hungary, Dunai II and Fazekas won the Silver boot award for scoring the second most goals in the continent.

After Göröcs, Bene and Dunai left the team, András Törőcsik and László Fekete joined Újpest to reach two more league titles in 1978 and 1979 with former player Pál Várhidi as the head coach. Törőcsik was considered a "magician" by the fans of the club, making unbelievable dribbles, scoring amaizing goals and getting unexpected assists to teammates, while Fekete also won the European Silver boot.

[edit] 1980s-1990s

The general decline of Hungarian football reached the club in the early '80s, and league results worsened, winning only one silver and one bronze medal during the decade. However the team was more successful in the cups, winning the Hungarian Cup in 1982, 1983 and 1987. Some good results were also reached by Újpest on International level, beating UEFA Cup title-holder IFK Göteborg, German top team 1. FC Köln and Cup Winners' Cup title holder Aberdeen, which also meant reaching the Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final in 1984.

After the fall of communism, the club changed their name back to Újpesti TE. The club started the new decade with a championship title in 1989-90, and with cup success in 1992. The team also won the first ever edition of the Hungarian Super Cup in 1992. However the league results were again poor, with a 14th position and relegation/promotion playoff games bottom in 1993. After securing their first league position, better results started to come. The team, including players György Véber and Zoltán Szlezák, reached the 2nd and 3rd positions in the middle of the decade, and finally won the Hungarian league in 1997-98, after Zoltán Kovács and Miklós Herczeg joined the squad.

[edit] Recent History

2006/07.

With the fall of the communist government and the termination of state sponsorship there came financial problems as well, just like for all other Hungarian football teams. Professionalism was once again introduced in 1998, thus the club changed their name again, but this time to the well known Újpest FC. However hard times reached the club soon, and the key players left Újpest due to the lack of money. The situation became better after 2001, when the stadium went over a complete renovation, and the club's new owners invested more money in football. Their efforts resulted in a new Cup and Supercup title in 2002, but the team finished in the middle of the league table for years.

With two silver medals won in 2004 and 2006, Újpest is once again back to the top teams of Hungary. Today the club's financial situation is relatively stable, with one of the largest budgets in the country. They are currently strong contenders in the domestic league, but international appearances are still few and far between.

The club is now looking into a link up with English based Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., which will include the exchange of players, who will experience a training with the Wolves Academy

[edit] Name Changes

1885: Újpesti TE
1926: Újpest FC (due to the introduction of professional football)
1945: Újpesti TE
1950: Bp. Dózsa SE
1956: Újpesti TE (during the Hungarian revolution)
1957: Újpesti Dózsa SC
1991: Újpesti TE
1998: Újpest FC

[edit] NB I Results

Main article: Újpest FC seasons

Since 1905 Újpest FC has spent 103 seasons in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I, winning the league 20 times.

[edit] Stadium

Main article: Szusza Ferenc Stadium

Újpest's home stadium is Szusza Ferenc Stadium, which has been their home since the opening on 17 September 1922. It was known as Megyeri úti stadium until it was named after the club's legendary player, Ferenc Szusza in October 2003. After the renovations which took place in 2000 and 2001 the ground can hold 13,501 spectators.

[edit] Supporters

Újpest has a large and loyal fanbase, but due to the general decline of Hungarian football the stadium crowd is not so large, but it is still more than the Hungarian average. According to some statistics, Újpest FC is one of the most popular teams in Hungary. Újpest fans are famous for being the best travelling crowd in the country and the cheering is organized by the country's oldest organized ultra group, Ultra Viola Bulldogs. The youngest ultra group in Újpest is Viola Fidelity. These are the two organized supporters groups in Újpest. Újpest ultras and Fradi ultras who have been old rivals for a long time had many serious hooligan fights and meant problems for their clubs and for the police. Like many other ultras in Hungary Újpest ultras are also infamous for their racist behaviour especially against Fradi and against MTK Hungária FC.The ultras palace is the "D" sector in the Stadium.

[edit] Videos

[edit] Famous Újpest FC fans in Hungary

Dezső Straub, actor.
András Stohl, actor, anchorman.
Henrik Havas, teacher, anchorman, writer.
Zsolt Lányi, politician of FKgP.
Zolee Ganxta (Zoltán Zana), rapper, singer, musician.
Majka (Péter Majoros), rapper and anchorman.

[edit] Current squad

As of 3rd Jan, 2009

1.Balajcza

2.Dudić

4.Lipták

21.Korcsmár

18.Mijadinoski

13.Bori

7.Božić

5.Sándor

24.Pollák

8.Rajczi

22.Kabát

Újpest FC current line-up(2008 autumn)

No.	Position	Player
1	GK	Szabolcs Balajcza
2	DF	Ivan Dudić
3	DF	Josip Ćutuk
4	DF	Zoltán Lipták
7	MF	Mario Božić
8	FW	Péter Rajczi
9	FW	Attila Simon
10	FW	Tibor Tisza
°12°		°Supporters°
13	MF	Gábor Bori (on loan from MTK Hungária FC)
14	MF	Péter Kincses

No.	Position	Player
15	DF	Zoltán Kiss
18	DF	Mirsad Mijadinoski (on loan from FC Sion)
20	FW	Foxi Kethevoama
21	MF	Zsolt Korcsmár
22	FW	Péter Kabát
23	GK	András Dombai
24	DF	Zoltán Pollák
25	DF	Gábor Dvorschák
26	GK	Péter Kurucz
27	FW	Mohamed Remili
28	MF	Jucemar

The 12 is supporters' number.

[edit] B squad

As of 31st August, 2008

No.	Position	Player
1	GK	Tamás Horváth
3	DF	Imre Hibó
4	DF	Tamás Tóvizi
5	DF	Ádám Privigyei
7	MF	Krisztián Simon
9	FW	Ifj. Bence Szabó
10	MF	Dávid Barczi
11	FW	Péter Tóth
13	MF	Viktor Mundi
14	MF	Márk Bogdán

No.	Position	Player
15	MF	Gergely Fűzfa
16	MF	Sándor Mihalecz
17	DF	Róbert Litauszki
18	MF	Electo Wilson
19	MF	Szabolcs Üveges
21	MF	László Gyürü
22	FW	Ádám Kisznyér
24	FW	Richárd Frank
26	GK	Péter Kurucz
--	FW	Lázár Bence

[edit] Out on loan

No.	Position	Player
5	MF	György Sándor (on loan to PFC Litex Lovech)
6	MF	Ronald Habi (on loan to BFC Siófok)
8	MF	Norbert Hajdú (on loan to Zalaegerszegi TE)
11	FW	Attila Széki (on loan to Szolnok)
16	MF	Dávid Szekér (on loan to Gyirmót SE)

No.	Position	Player
17	MF	Attila Hullám (on loan to Szolnok)
19	DF	Tamás Vaskó (on loan to US Avellino)
24	FW	Marcell Takács (on loan to BFC Siófok)
25	DF	Krisztián Vermes (on loan to Sparta Rotterdam)

[edit] European cup history

[edit] UEFA Cup Winners' Cup

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1961-62	UEFA Cup Winners' Cup	Preliminary Round	Floriana FC	10-2	5-2	15-4
		1. Round	Ajax Amsterdam	3-1	1-2	4-3
		Quarter-finals	Dunfermline FC	4-3	1-0	5-3
		Semi-finals	ACF Fiorentina	0-1	0-2	0-3
1962-63	UEFA Cup Winners' Cup	Preliminary Round	Zagłębie Sosnowiec	5-0	0-0	5-0
		1. Round	SSC Napoli	1-1	1-1	2-2 (playoff 1-3)
1982-83	UEFA Cup Winners' Cup	1. Round	IFK Göteborg	3-1	1-1	4-2
		2. Round	Real Madrid CF	0-1	1-3	1-4
1983-84	UEFA Cup Winners' Cup	1. Round	AEK Athens	4-1	0-2	4-3
		2. Round	1. FC Köln	3-1	2-4	5-5(a)
		Quarter-finals	Aberdeen FC	2-0	0-3	2-3(aet)
1987-88	UEFA Cup Winners' Cup	1. Round	FC Den Haag	1-0	1-3	2-3
1992-93	UEFA Cup Winners' Cup	1. Round	Parma FC	1-1	0-1	1-2

[edit] UEFA Intertoto Cup

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1963	UEFA Intertoto Cup	Group 2	Stade Français	0-0	1-0
		Group 2	AC Mantova	4-0	4-1
		Group 3	CKD Praha	2-2	3-2
		Quarter-finals	RH Slovnaft Bratislava	1-0	1-4	2-4
1985	UEFA Intertoto Cup	Group 10	Valerenga IF	3-0	0-2
		Group 10	Hammarby IF	2-1	2-2
		Group 10	SC Eisenstadt	3-0	1-0
1986	UEFA Intertoto Cup	Group 6	Aarhus GF	1-0	3-2
		Group 6	Grasshoppers FC	3-1	1-0
		Group 6	VfB Admira Wacker	2-0	2-3
1987	UEFA Intertoto Cup	Group 3	FC Erzgebirge Aue	3-3	0-3
		Group 3	PFC Spartak Varna	5-1	0-2
		Group 3	Halmstads BK	4-2	0-2

[edit] UEFA Cup

<

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1958-60	Inter-Cities Fairs Cup	1. Round	Zagreb XI	1-0	2-4	3-4
1960-61	Inter-Cities Fairs Cup	1. Round	Birmingham City	1-2	2-3	3-5
1963-64	Inter-Cities Fairs Cup	1. Round	SC Leipzig	3-2	0-0	3-2
		2. Round	PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv	0-0	3-1	3-1
		Quarter-finals	Valencia CF	3-1	2-5	5-6
1965-66	Inter-Cities Fairs Cup	2. Round	Everton FC	3-0	1-2	4-2
		3. Round	1. FC Köln	4-0	2-3	6-3
		Quarter-finals	Leeds United	1-1	1-4	2-5
1968-69	Inter-Cities Fairs Cup	1. Round	US Luxembourg	x-x	x-x	w/o
		2. Round	Aris FC	9-1	2-1	11-2
		3. Round	Legia Warszawa	2-2	1-0	3-2
		Quarter-finals	Leeds United	2-0	1-0	3-0
		Semi-finals	Göztepe AS	4-0	4-1	8-1
		Final	Newcastle United	2-3	0-3	2-6
1969-70	Inter-Cities Fairs Cup	1. Round	FK Partizan	2-0	1-2	3-2
		2. Round	Club Brugge	3-0	2-5	5-5(a)
		3. Round	FC Carl Zeiss Jena	0-3	0-1	0-4
1976-77	UEFA Cup	1. Round	Athletic Bilbao	1-0	0-5	1-5
1977-78	UEFA Cup	1. Round	LASK Linz	7-0	2-3	9-3
		2. Round	Athletic Bilbao	2-0	0-3	2-3(aet)
1980-81	UEFA Cup	1. Round	Real Sociedad	1-1	0-1	1-2
1988-89	UEFA Cup	1. Round	ÍA Akranes	2-1	0-0	2-1
		2. Round	Girondins Bordeaux	0-1	0-1	0-2
1995-96	UEFA Cup	Preliminary Round	FC Košice	2-1	1-0	3-1
		1. Round	RC Strasbourg	0-2	0-3	0-5
1997-98	UEFA Cup	1. Qualifying Round	KÍ Klaksvík	6-0	3-2	9-2
		2. Qualifying Round	AGF Aarhus	0-0	2-3	2-3
1998-99	UEFA Cup	1. Round	Club Brugge	0-5	2-2	2-7
1999-00	UEFA Cup	Qualifying Round	FK Vojvodina	1-1	0-4	1-5
2002-03	UEFA Cup	Qualifying Round	KÍ Klaksvík	1-0	2-2	3-2
		1. Round	Paris Saint-Germain	0-1	0-3	0-4
2004-05	UEFA Cup	2. Qualifying Round	Servette FC	3-1	2-0	5-1
		1. Round	VfB Stuttgart	1-3	0-4	1-7