The Soccernostalgia Interview-Part 95- A video Interview and blog presentation with English Author Mr. David AJ Reynolds, discussing Videoton’s UEFA Cup adventure in 1984/85 season)

 For this interview, I look back at Videoton Sport Club- Székesfehérvári’s UEFA Cup adventure in 1984/85 season.

The Interview will be as a video link companion, while the Blog will be a presentation of the events.

The Interviewee is:

English Author Mr. David AJ Reynolds

 

Mr. Reynolds’ contact info:

Email: ideasarelikestars@yahoo.com

Link to Mr. Reynolds’ books: https://www.amazon.com/Revising-History-Communist-Europe-Counter-Revolution/dp/178527208X

https://hungarianreview.com/product/david-a-j-reynolds-within-the-grace-of-meaning/

 

 

My contact information:

on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

 

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2dtAhwirtLVabnNPVgetzt?si=jOkTpzxXQ8izIg_yJqAlDQ&nd=1&dlsi=65c641d7c41345a5

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-soccernostalgia-interview-part-95-a-video/id1601074369?i=1000668720418

Videoton Sport Club- Székesfehérvári in the UEFA Cup 1984/85

 

It is hard to imagine the Videoton adventure of the 1984/85 season happening these days. A small Hungarian side, without much of a European pedigree, reaching the Finals of the UEFA Cup by eliminating the likes of Paris St. Germain, Partizan Belgrade and Manchester United along the way before losing to Real Madrid in the Final.

 

The team located in Székesfehérvár was founded in 1941. Along the way, the team changed its name multiple times. For most the 60s, the name of the club was Székesfehérvári VT Vasas but another name change occured when the side reached the First Division in 1968.

The side would be known as Videoton, the name of the Electronics company headquartered in the City (state owned).

 

Videoton had short experience in European competitions prior to the 1984/85 season.

A fourth-place finish in the 1973/74 season earned the side a place in the UEFA Cup for the following season. The side was eliminated at the first hurdle by Napoli and it would take another couple of seasons before the side was back in Europe and the UEFA Cup. In the 1976/77 season, Videoton eliminated Fenerbahce and SSW Innsbruck in the first two rounds before losing to Magdeburg in the Third Round.

Videoton’s last experience in Europe was in the 1981/82 season of the UEFA Cup and they were eliminated by Rapid Vienna in the First Round.

 

Videoton qualified for the 1984/85 UEFA Cup by the virtue of finishing third during the 1983/84 season.

The side was managed by Ferenc Kovacs. He was a former MTK player from the 50s and 60s. The defender earned one cap for Hungary in 1955. He had previously managed Videoton (1972-77) and the National Team in a brief stint at the end of the decade. After spells managing Vasas and Debreceni, he returned to Videoton in 1983.

This Videoton team included a few players with International experience and some on their way.

The goalkeeper was the bearded Péter Disztl, first capped in 1984.

The rest of the defense comprised his brother László (also first capped in 1984), József Csuhay (first capped in 1983), Tibor Végh (one cap in 1987), István Borsányi and Gábor Horváth.

 

In midfield, the key player was Team Captain Ferenc Csongrádi (First capped in 1976). The others included Gyõzõ Burcsa (First capped in 1979), Imre Vadász, István Pálkovics and Géza Wittmann.

The frontline was led by József Szabó and Lajos Májer (3 caps from 1976 to 1979).

Among this group, Gyõzõ Burcsa was the main arrival in terms of transfers (from Győri ETO).

 

Photo From: Képes Sport, 31. Evf, 50. Szam, XII.11, 1984

(Ferenc Csongrádi)

Photo From: Képes Sport, 31. Evf, 45. Szam, XI.6, 1984

(József Szabó)

In the first round, Videoton faced Czechoslovakia’s Dukla Prague. József Szabo made the difference as Videoton won (1-0) in Hungary followed by a scoreless tie away from home.

 

In the second round, they faced French side Paris St. Germain containing the likes of Dominique Rocheteau and Luis Fernandez. The French side were in for a shock at home, as Videoton took advantage early on and scored four times before Rocheteau pulled two goals back for the Parisian side.

Despite this win, the continent still took no special notice of Videoton.

The French saw them as a modest side and blamed the defeat to other factors. 

Paris St. Germain were having a difficult season and questioned their errors in recruitment and individual defensive errors as well as injuries to explain this heavy defeat at home.

The return leg at Hungary, saw Videoton build a (2-0) lead before fog stopped the match. The match was replayed on the following day and Videoton won once more (1-0).

 

Photo From: Képes Sport, 31. Evf, 48. Szam, XI.27, 1984

(October 24, 1984, UEFA Cup, Paris St Germain 2-Videoton 4)

A confident Videoton faced Yugoslavia’s Partizan Belgrade in the third round and inflicted a (5-0) win with Szabo scoring four goals. The return leg was academic at this point and the (0-2) was mere consolation for Partizan.

 

Photo From: Képes Sport, 31. Evf, 49. Szam, XII.4, 1984

(November 28, 1984, UEFA Cup, Videoton 5-Partizan Belgrade 0)

Photo From: Labdarugas, January 1985

(December 12, 1984, UEFA Cup, Partizan Belgrade 2-Videoton 0)

Videoton were also dominant in the domestic League and led the table at the halfway stage of the season.

In March 1985, Videoton faced Manchester United in the quarterfinals. In the First leg at old Trafford, Manchester won (1-0).

The takeaway was that Manchester controlled and should have scored more and that would be their undoing.

In the return leg, Videoton had a few worries. Majer and Csuhay were suspended and Csongradi was injured.

Manchester United felt confident and arrived the day before the match. They did not even inspect the field nor train on it.

Videoton scored as Géza Wittmann’s free kick was deflected by John Gidman. As predicted, Manchester United went into the offensive and had opportunities but failed to capitalize.

The match went into overtime and subsequently to a penalty kick shoot-out. Péter Disztl was the hero, as Videoton won the shoot-out to advance to the semifinals.

Later Manchester United captain Bryan Robson criticized Videoton’s tactics. He said he had never seen a team in Europe that right from the start wanted to play extra time and force a penalty kick shoot-out.

Photo From: Képes Sport, 32. Evf, 11. Szam, III.12, 1985

(March 6, 1985, UEFA Cup, Manchester United 1-Videoton 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1985

(March 6, 1985, UEFA Cup, Manchester United 1-Videoton 0)

Photo From: Képes Sport, 32. Evf, 15. Szam, IV.10, 1985

(March 20, 1985, UEFA Cup, Videoton 1-Manchester United 0)

 

It was around these quarterfinal matches in March, that Videoton started to lose their grip on the League. Honved would soon take over at the top in this second half of the season. They would break away from the pack and end up winning the League title with a ten-point advantage over Videoton and Raba Eto.

 

In the semifinals, Videoton faced Yugoslavian side Zeljeznicar Sarajevo managed by Ivica Osim. In the first leg at Hungary, Videoton won (3-1) to get one step closer to the Final.

The return leg was a different match and Zeljeznicar dominated in impressive fashion and were winning (2-0) to hold the edge on the away goals rule.

But in the 87^th minute, Csuhay scored and Videoton were through. Afterwards Osim was in complete disbelief as his side had been so excellent.

Videoton became the first Hungarian side since Ferencvaros in 1975 to reach a European Cup Final.

 

Photo From: Onze, Issue 113, May 1985

(April 24, 1985, UEFA Cup, Zeljeznicar Sarajevo 2-Videoton 1)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 113, May 1985

(April 24, 1985, UEFA Cup, Zeljeznicar Sarajevo 2-Videoton 1)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 19 (553), May 1-7, 1985

(April 24, 1985, UEFA Cup, Zeljeznicar Sarajevo 2-Videoton 1)

In the Final, Videoton were to face Real Madrid, and this was one hurdle too many.

Real Madrid had been impressive in Europe that season eliminating (with a few remonatdas) the likes of Rijeka, Anderlecht, Tottenham and Internazionale Milano.

The side included West German Uli Stilieke, Michel, and Emilio Butragueno among others.

In the first leg at Székesfehérvár, Videoton had the added disadvantage of missing key players (Szabo (suspended), Csongradi and Majer (injured)).

Real Madrid won (3-0) away from home and the trophy was all but theirs.

In the return leg at Madrid, Real Madrid were never really in danger and Majer’s goal near the end was too little and too late.

Videoton had surprised Europe and their victory was in reaching so far against all odds.

From this Videoton side, three players would make Hungary’s 1986 World Cup squad (Péter Disztl, László Disztl, József Csuhay with Ferenc Csongrádi missing out).

 

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 63, June 1985

(May 8, 1985, UEFA Cup, Videoton 0-Real Madrid 3)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 63, June 1985

(May 8, 1985, UEFA Cup, Videoton 0-Real Madrid 3)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2044, June 11, 1985

(May 22, 1985, UEFA Cup, Real Madrid 0-Videoton 1)

Videoton were unable to build up on this success. In the following season (1985/86), they finished sixth in the League. Ferenc Kovacs left after this season.

The season after (1986/87) was worse as Videoton finished in the 14^th position and just missed out on relegation.

They played in the UEFA Cup in the (1985/86) season but were eliminated in the second round.

Videoton were a one-season wonder in Europe. They nevertheless remain the last Hungarian side to reach a European Final.

 

 

Videoton Sport Club- Székesfehérvári (1984/85 season):

Players who took part in these matches (on the field or on the bench):

Goalkeeper:

Péter Disztl (March 30, 1960, Baja) (aged 24-25 years old at the time)

János Koszta (March 18, 1959, Sajószentpéter) (aged 25-26 years old at the time)

Defenders:

József Csuhay (July 12, 1957, Eger) (aged 27 years old at the time)

Tibor Végh (March 31, 1956, Székesfehérvár) (aged 28-29 years old at the time)

István Borsányi (February 25, 1958, Szombathely) (aged 26-27 years old at the time)

Gábor Horváth (May 21, 1949, Leicester) (aged 29 years old at the time)

László Disztl (June 4, 1962, Baja) (aged 22 years old at the time)

Midfielders:

Ferenc Csongrádi (March 29, 1956, Apácatorna) (aged 28-29 years old at the time)

Gyõzõ Burcsa (March 13, 1954, Kaposvár) (aged 30-31 years old at the time)

Imre Vadász (November 10, 1959, Elószállás) (aged 24-25 years old at the time)

István Pálkovics (October 4, 1957, Sárospatak) (aged 26-27 years old at the time)

Géza Wittmann (September 14, 1961, Polgárdi) (aged 23 years old at the time)

Gyula Vaszil (May 31, 1964, Siófok) (aged 20 years old at the time)

Ottó Gömöri (May 5, 1962, Hatvan) (aged 22-23 years old at the time)

László Gyenti (December 11, 1965, Székesfehérvár) (aged 18-19 years old at the time)

Máté Faddi (September 19, 1965, Kiskunhalas) (aged 18-19 years old at the time)

Forwards:

József Szabó (January 31, 1956, Dorog) (aged 28-29 years old at the time)

Lajos Májer (August 14, 1956, Sárbogárd-March 11, 1998, Székesfehérvár) (aged 28 years old at the time)

György Novath (January 1, 1958, Székesfehérvár) (aged 26-27 years old at the time)

 

Coach: Ferenc Kovács (January 7, 1934, Budapest-May 30, 2018) (aged 50-51 years old at the time)

Team Captain: Ferenc Csongrádi 

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor: None

 

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1985

(Videoton 1984/85)

Photo From: Tele Poche, 1985

(Videoton 1984/85)

 

References:

France Football, Issue 2011, October 23, 1984

France Football, Issue 2012, October 30, 1984

France Football, Issue 2014, November 13, 1984

France Football, Issue 2031, March 12, 1985

France Football, Issue 2033, March 26, 1985

France Football, Issue 2038, April 30, 1985

Kepes Sport 1984

Kepes Sport 1985

Labdarugas_1985

Mondial, new series, issue 63, June 1985

Onze, Hors serie 23, 1985

Onze, Issue 113, May 1985

Onze, Issue 114, June 1985

World Soccer, April 1985

World Soccer, May 1985

World Soccer, June 1985