A look back to the last time Videoton were big in Europe

Videoton had their finest hour back in the 1984-85 season, when under the management of Ferenc Kovacs, they reached the Uefa cup final that season. That run brought international attention to the team from the west of Hungary. The story began back on the 18th September 1984, when Czech side, Dukla Prague were beaten 1-O in Fehervar. The return leg in Prague ended goaless, which meant that Vidi progressed to the next round.

The return leg in Belgrade, took place on the 12th December 1984. The home side run out 2-O winners in front of 30,000. That meant an overall aggregate result of 5-2 to the Hungarians, and it was them that went through to the next round. Next up for Kovacs side were the mighty Manchester United. Videoton travelled to Old Trafford on the 6th March 1985, and a single goal from Frank Stapleton, gave the home team a 1-0 lead. The home crowd of 45,000 would not have been convinced that the 1st leg lead would be enough for the 2nd leg. And so it proved two weeks later on the 20th March, with a single goal from Wittmann, taking the tie into extra time and a penalty shoot out. Keeper Disztl proved the hero of the night, as Vidi won the shootout 5-4, to send the 25,000 into delight.

The world began to take notice of Videoton at this point. This victory had taken the red and blues to the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup, taking them to within two games of the final. In their way were yet another Yugoslavian side, Zeljeznicar Sarajevo. The first leg was played on the 10th April 1985, in front of 30,000 passionate Vidi fans. Goals from Burcsa, Disztl and Vadasz gave the home side a 3-1 first leg lead. The media were cautious warning that the two-goal advantage may not prove enough for the second leg. Sarajevo was the setting on the 24th April 1985, with Videoton just 90 minutes away from the UEFA cup final. The hosts were leading 2-0 with just two minutes left. They would have gone through at that point on away goals. However, Csuhay had other ideas as he scored one of the clubs most important goals in the 88th minute. That gave the Videoton an overall 4-3 aggregate win.

Videoton lined up for the UEFA cup final with the following team: Disztl P. - Borsanyi, Disztl L., Csuhay, Horvath - Palkovics, Vegh, Wittman, Vadasz - Novath and Burcsa. Real Madrid inlcuded stars in their line up such as: Miguel Angel, Chendo, Sanchis, Stielike, Camacho - San Jose, Gallego, Michel - Butragueno, Santillana and Valdano. In the end it was the Madrid side who proved too strong for a brave Videoton team, with the goals on the night coming from Michel, Santillana and Valdano, but the fact that Videoton had come this far, certainly brought this Szekesfehervar team to the forefront of European football. 

Everyone had given up any hope of Videoton winning the cup, having lost two weeks earlier by a 3-0 scoreline in Fehervar. The return leg of the final took place on the 22nd May 1985 at the famous Bernabeu stadium

Manager Ferenc Kovacs built a solid team in the mid 80s. Peter Disztl at the time was one of the best keepers in the World. He was also the Hungarian keeper who went on to play in the 1986 finals in Mexico. In the defence was the busy centre back, Borsanyi.  Talented Laszlo Disztl, the younger brother of Peter, was another member of the defence. He  went on to have a good career in Belgium, while also representing Hungary at the Mexico World Cup finals. Csuhay was a very strong defender and the backbone of the side. Gabor Horvath was a left back, who was keen and today assists manager Gyorgy Mezey.

Vegh was the final part of the defence, playing on the right side, with his many attacking runs down the right side still fresh in the mind of many. Palkovics was the motor of the team and never stopped running. Wittman was a left sided midfielder, who also organised the side. Vadasz was another hard working midfielder in the talented Videoton side back then. They were lucky to have the talents of Szabo up front, who regularly found the back of the net. It was Szabo who was the hero of the night, scoring 4 times in the 5-0 home win over Partizan Belgrade. The final member of the side was the popular playmaker, Burcsa. who played just behind Szabo and was the provider of many of the goals.

No other Hungarian side since then has been able to match the achievements of Ferenc Kovacs side. Videoton, today, are building once again, on a solid foundation, with the aim of matching those great moments of the mid eighties. Today, Videoton boast a talented young side who are competing at the top of the Soproni league under the guidance of an equally talented manager Gyorgy Mezey.  

Ferenc Kovacs, the manager of the 1985 Vidi team