FC Progresul București

Titus Ozon, a legend of Progresul București and Romanian football, being ranked 10th in the top ten highest goalscorers of Liga I, with 157 goals.

FC Progresul București was founded as B.N.R. București on 10 May 1944 at the initiative of Nicolae Pop Sr. and Traian Pătrașcu, who proposed the creation of a football team to the National Bank of Romania at a meeting at the I. Vidrighin Hotel in Rășinari. The idea was quickly embraced by the bankers present, and the club was subsequently formed. Initially, no formal constitution was signed, an issue which remained unresolved for several years, until one was informally written by a local writer Valentin Căltuț, based on the wishes of Nicolae Pop Jr. (son of Nicolae Pop Sr.) and founding members Peter Lambru, Iosif Micu, Petre Mihăilescu, Ernest Rădulescu, and Constantin Stoian.[1]

Nicolae Oaidă, a legend of Progresul București with 226 matches played for "the bankers" in the Divizia A and Divizia B.

After only two seasons spent in the third tier, "the Bankers" promoted to Divizia B at the end of the 1946–47 season, being ranked 8th of 16 at the end of their inaugural season. In the summer of 1948, B.N.R. București was renamed as Banca de Stat București, before being renamed Spartac București the following year. 1955 was the first season spent by "the bleu and blues" on the main stage of Romanian football, Divizia A. Their successful performance and style of play impressed football fans in Romania, fostering a growing fan base for the organization. Approaching the championship with only one well-known player (Titus Ozon), who co-ordinated a group of players who were unknown at the time, the team eventually ranked 3rd of 13, ahead of leading clubs like CCA București or Știința Cluj. Titus Ozon also led "the barbers" into trailing results from the 1950s (1955 – 3rd, 1956 – 9th and 1957–58 – 4th). The squad of Progresul in the first season of Divizia A was composed of: Popovici, Gică Andrei, Bratu, Paraschiv, Soare, Colosi, Ciocea, Banciu, Cosma, Știrbei, Cacoveanu, Fusulan, Dragomir, Dobrescu, Cruțiu, M. Smărăndescu, Tănase, Mihăilescu, E. Iordache and Ioan Lupaș (head coach).[2]

In the summer of 1958, several prominent players left the team: first Ozon, then Moldoveanu, Dinulescu and Cojocaru. Some new players also came: Maior, Nedelcu, Nicu Smărăndescu, Ioniță, Baboie, Mafteuță, Marin, Birn or Vasilescu. At the 1958–59 season, the team was ranked 6th and reached the semi-finals of the Romanian Cup; there Progresul missed the chance to play the final, losing the match against Baia Mare with 1–2.[2] The second semi-final took place between Dinamo București and Rapid București (5-3), which saw Ozon play his first match after a one-year career break as part of the Rapid team.[2]

In the 1959–60 season, the team was ranked 9th with a squad led by international players such as Mândru, Karikaș, Soare and Oaidă, Progresul conquered the Romanian Cup, achieving a great performance: 15 goals scored and only one conceded. The final was played between Progresul and Dinamo Obor at Republicii Stadium in front of 30,000 spectators. Progresul won the match, with goals scored by Oaidă and Soare. The squad that brought the first cup to Dr. Staicovici street was composed of: Mândru – Nicu Smărăndescu, Karikaș, Soare – Ioniță, Maior – Oaidă, Mafteuță, Marin, Mișu Smărăndescu and Protopopescu. Despite earning the right to participate in the 1960–61 European Cup Winners' Cup by winning the Romanian Cup, the team were barred from doing so by communist authorities, who disliked the players' conduct at the Cup's award ceremony.[2][3]

Chart of yearly table positions of Progresul București in the national leagues.

In the 1960–61 championship edition, the bankers ranked 9th, as in the previous one. At the Cup, they reached the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Steaua. The team finished at the following positions in subsequent seasons: (1961–62 – 3rd, 1962–63 – 9th and 1963–64 – 4th), before ending last at the end of the 1964–65 season and being relegated to the second division.[2]

With a valuable squad, the team was expected to return to the first division shortly. After a close battle against Știința București, they confirmed those expectations. At the promotion round, Progresul entered in the first eleven players such as Mateianu, Mândru, Oaidă, Baboie, Unguroiu, Colceriu, Adrian Constantinescu or Mafteuță.[2] In the first season after promotion, the team ended at the 10th position, and were subsequently almost relegated again after finishing 13th out of 14 at the end of the 1967–68 season. At second-to-last place, the team played a promotion/relegation play-off where, together with Crișul Oradea, they qualified for the next season of Divizia A, to the detriment of Steagul Roșu Brașov and Politehnica Galați.[2] However, the team's weak form only led them to relegation in the next season, when they finished 15th out of 16. Nonetheless, the team was once again promoted after only one season, starting the 1970s as a Divizia A member.

After the first rounds of the new season, another great player of the team, Viorel Mateianu, retired from his professional career. The new players Raksi, Pavlovici and Dudu Georgescu also made their debut in the first squad; Dudu Georgescu would also join later at the European Golden Shoe.[2] Despite the fact that during the second part of the 1970–71 season, Progresul housed one of the most talented teams in its history, with a middle line comprising Kassai and Beldeanu, a forward line composed of Sandu Ion, Dudu Georgescu, Mircea Sandu and Viorel Năstase, and a defensive comprising Tănăsescu and Filipescu, the weak results from autumn sentenced them to relegation.[2]

Viorel Mateianu, former player and manager of the club.

After relegation, the many of Progresul's talents left. Mircea Sandu and Viorel Năstase were transferred in the summer; at the end of the season, the team took second place behind Sportul Studențesc, resulting in the losses of Paul Manta, Adalbert Kassai, Nicolae Tănăsescu, Gabriel Raksi and Aurel Beldeanu.[2] In the 1972–73 edition, the team was ranked as a middle-table squad of the second tier. It was only in 1976 that the team promoted into Divizia A again, after three seasons spent in the second division. The joy of promotion was a short one, however. After a season spent in the top flight, Progresul relegated again in 1977, after finishing only 17th out of 18. The inconsistency of the team continued over the next few years, especially due to financial problems, and the youthfulness of the team. After two mediocre campaigns, the team would promote again in the summer of 1980, this time under the name of Progresul Vulcan București, finishing at only two points ahead of Rapid București.

The 1980s started with a tough season for Progresul, which managed to stay in the first division by having a better goal difference than Politehnica Iași after scoring a goal at the end of the last day of the season.[2] The team also secured victories against Steaua (1-0) and Universitatea Craiova (3-2). At the following championship, Progresul relegated, alongside Universitatea Cluj and UTA Arad. In the 1980s, teams such as FC Olt Scornicești, Flacăra Moreni and Victoria București appeared in the first stage of Romanian football.[2]

Management of the club tried to replace Mateianu, who returned to the team after a successful stint at Baia Mare, with Robert Cosmoc. The results were unsatisfactory and in the spring, the team reached only 10th place. The journalist Radu Cosașu, a sympathizer of the team, wrote about this period: "Throughout these years, Progresul has strengthened me through suffering."[2]

The decade continued in a bad rhythm for the team, which could not promote to the first league for six years, in which it finished at the following positions: 1983–84 – 10th, 1984–85 – 3rd, 1985–86 – 2nd, 1986–87 – 2nd. After three unsuccessful seasons, an overall lack of success and the decommissioning of the team's own Dr. Staicovici Stadium, the club was demoralized, and could only play its home matches at various other stadiums (Autobuzul, Giulești, ICSIM, Mecanica Fină, Metalul, 23 August, Voința, etc.).[2]

The 1987–88 season was a disastrous one. During this season, Progresul collected only 14 points, and head coach Paul Popescu resigned. The club then went through a number of coach replacements in short succession: Marin Moraru and Vasile Aelenei in the first part of the season, Costică Toma and Adrian Rusu in the second part of the season, and then Nicolae Lupescu. The series of Divizia B was won in that season by Inter Sibiu; Progresul, after 40 years, was relegated to the lower leagues of the Romanian football.[2] Twelve players left the club afterwards, in their place arriving at least twenty-five, many of them having been promoted from youth squads, or having returned after completing military service. Very few of them succeeded; among the valuable players were Liviu Ciobotariu, Cristian Diaconu, Carol Marina and Valentin Oprea, who each stayed for at least five consecutive years and later went on to contribute to the return of Progresul in the first division.[2]

The club's next season, in the Divizia C, was started under the name of Progresul Energia București, with a new chairman, Dan Ionescu, and a new manager, Paul Popescu. The club also reduced the size of the squad from 38 to 24 players. Unfortunately, the club was ranked only 2nd in its series at the end of the season, after Mecanică Fină București. During the 1989–90 season, events took a happy turn for the barbers. The Romanian Revolution resulted in a change in the organization of the National Bank of Romania. With new institutional support, Gheorghe Cristoloveanu as a new manager, and a squad debuting the young striker Florin Cârstea, Progresul won the series with five points ahead of second place. It, along with Metalul București, promoted into Divizia B after two tough seasons. The first season after the promotion was not a great one; the club finished only 14th in the second series. Nonetheless, the season saw Tinel Petre made his debut at the first squad.[2]

The club returned at the start of the 1991–92 season to the old name of Progresul București, with the National Bank as the main sponsor. Vlad Soare, back then, deputy governor of the National Bank, took over the club; beneficial effects were seen immediately. A few valuable players are brought in to cover up suffering positions; Vasile Simionaș was named manager with Dumitru Ștefan as assistant manager; and a long-term program was implemented. Progresul started well in the season, but the second part proved to be more difficult, as Gloria CFR Galați was also in the fight for the first place with the threat of an impressive comeback. Eventually, the club promoted with a total of 47 points, returning to the first stage of the Romanian football league system after 10 years.[2]

Gino Iorgulescu, former player and chairman of the club from 1994 until 2005.

At their first season, the club ranked only 15th out of 18. However, the team started to grow in value, and with it, the results. During the 1993–94 season, Simionaș left the club, but in his place appeared three important coaches: Jackie Ionescu, Viorel Kraus and Gelu Cristoloveanu. Players such as Cârstea, Liță, Tinel Petre, Potocianu or Luțu also made their debut for Romania national football team. From an administrative point of view, Cornel Dinu was named as chairman of SC Progresul SA, an entity which aimed to bring the team up to European standards. Progresul displayed good football, finishing 9th at the end of the season, far away from relegation worries.[2]

The middle of the 1990s was probably the best period in the history of the club, at least since the end of the 1950s. In the summer of 1994, Progresul was renamed again, this time as FC Național București, with an honorary president, Ilie Năstase. The team, led from the bench by Liță Dumitru, had an impressive start of the season by defeating Petrolul Ploiești 4–1, Universitatea Craiova 3-2 and Gloria Bistrița 3-1 (at home); Oțelul Galați 5–2, UTA Arad and FC Argeș Pitești 3-0 (away). However, Progresul lost 0–6 in Ghencea, but entered in the winter break as leader of the first division. The first seven rounds of the second part of the season were very weak, seeing Progresul recording five defeats and two draws. Liță Dumitru was then sacked and replaced by Viorel Hizo, who had been recently sacked by Rapid. The club ended the championship in the 6th position. It was believed by the majority of supporters that Cornel Dinu's departure to Dinamo contributed to the drop in form. Former player of the team, Gino Iorgulescu, as also elected chairman that season, and Marin Dună was very close of being the goalscorer of the Romanian championship, ending at the third position of the podium.[2]

From the first round of the 1995–96 season, FC Național practiced at the recently built Cotroceni Stadium, which had covered stands, electronic scoreboards and modern floodlights. Next to the stadium was a new gym, a micro-hotel, and a tennis complex. Almost 10 years after the closing down of Dr. Staicovici Stadium, the team could finally play their home matches again in the Sycamore Park. The move was auspicious, so, at the end of the first part of the season, Progresul ranked 6th; the start was not too good, the team being last after seven rounds, but new coach Florin Halagian, and Gino Iorgulescu's management, managed to recover the situation.[2]

On 20 April 1996, at the Cotroceni Stadium, supporters of the team changed against FC Brașov: "Vice-champions, vice-champions!". At the match, Progresul climbed from the middle of the table to second place, from a 6-17 goal difference to 60-44 and 60 points. Team captain Marin Dună ranked second in the top scorer's table with 17 goals scored, but later being overtaken only by Ion Vlădoiu, who scored 25. Dună also was ranked second in a list by Radio România Actualități of the best footballer of the year, but losing to Adrian Ilie.[2]

1996–97 season started with a UEFA Cup foray by the team, who were eliminated in the third preliminary round by Club Brugge, 1–3 on aggregate, but not before eliminating teams like Chornomorets Odesa and FK Partizan. 1997 was another outstanding year for FC Național, which was again ranked again second, after a match against Steaua București. That year, the team reached the Romanian Cup Final, where they lost 2–4, against Rapid București.

After two great seasons, the bankers remained for the next years in the first part of the table, with slight dips in position: 1997–98 – 5th, 1998–99 – 7th and 1999–2000 – 9th.

After obtaining 7th place at the end of the 2000–01 season, FC Național started the 2001–02 edition of Divizia A with a new ownership and new hopes to repeat the peaks achieved during the 90s. On 17 July 2001, Mugdin Hadzibegović, a Bosnian businessman, agreed to buy 60% of the club's shares. Iorgulescu stepped aside, and Cosmin Olăroiu became the general manager of the club. But as no one tried to verify the Bosnian's creditworthiness, financial problems only worsened. On 23 August, 15 players announced their departure. The next day, the executive committee of the Romanian Football Federation withdrew Hadzibegović's license, and the team went back to its old leadership, with Gino Iorgulescu as president and Cosmin Olăroiu manager.[5]

Nonetheless, at the season, with an experienced squad including players such as Cristian Munteanu, Bogdan Vintilă, Corneliu Papură, Adrian Matei, Dan Potocianu, Gabriel Popescu and Radu Niculescu, the club was in the top of the league with one point ahead of Dinamo one day before the last of the season. In the last round, Dinamo won 4–0 against FC Brașov, while FC Național played against Universitatea Craiova at their home Ion Oblemenco Stadium, in front of 30,000 fans. However, at the round itself, Universitatea Craiova fans cheered instead for FC Național, owing to the rivalry between Craiova and Dinamo, and as many Craiova players were to leave for Dinamo after the round. Yet, in front of the biggest crowd that ever supported them, FC Național lost 1-2, sending the title to Dinamo.[5][6]

The 2002–03 season started with another participation in the UEFA Cup. As in 1996, the team reached the third preliminary round, where they were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain, 0–3 on aggregate. In the first two rounds, they eliminated with 3–2 on aggregate, firstly KF Tirana, then Heerenveen. Their last European participation was followed by mediocre seasons, generally in middle-table positions (2002–03 – 8th, 2003–04 – 7th, 2005–06 – 6th), but nonetheless with three peaks—a 4th place at the end of the 2004–05 season and two Romanian Cup finals in 2003 and 2006, both lost 0–1 against Dinamo București and Rapid București respectively.

After a summer that brought important names to the Sycamore Park, such as Cătălin Cursaru, Erik Lincar, Claudiu Drăgan, Florentin Dumitru, the club reached 3rd place in the new season. The new coach, Marin Dună, was a former player and a club legend. Still, after many consecutive defeats and only two wins in the autumn, Marin Dună was sacked, and Ion Vlădoiu was appointed as the new manager. He obtained a qualification for the team at the quarter-finals of the Romanian Cup, against FCM Bacau, but was nonetheless subsequently replaced by Liviu Ciobotariu, who was later replaced by Sorin Cârțu. The team still lost to Dinamo away, 0–1, with a goal scored by Ionel Ganea, in the 90th minute. The series of consecutive defeats continued for the bankers, and Cârțu resigned. Eugen Nae was appointed as an interim coach, but FC Național nonetheless could not avoid relegation, finally finishing in 16th place.[2]

Marius Șumudică, the second-last manager of the original club.

In the summer of 2007, after relegation, FC Național was renamed again as Progresul București. The general manager became Cristian Munteanu; Corneliu Papură was appointed as the new manager; and Basarab Panduru appointed technical director. After struggles from the technical bench brought the team to the red zone, Dennis Șerban, Basarab Panduru and then Marius Șumudică were successively named as managers, the last one saving the team from a relegation to Liga III.

The team was ranked second at the end of the first part of the 2008–09 season, under the command of Șumudică. However, the club was not scheduled for rounds 23 and 24; it was later declared bankrupt.[7] In 2008, the club was evacuated from the Cotroceni Stadium because of its debts to the National Bank of Romania, owner of the complex and former owner of the club.[8]

On 11 August 2009, AS Progresul București was founded and enrolled in the fourth tier of the Romanian football league system. Tudor Iacov, brother of Constantin Iacov, the last president of the former club, was named chairman. Supporters returned to the club, and AS Progresul București considered itself as the successor of SC FC Progresul SA, although, technically it was not a legally-recognised successor.[9]

In the summer of 2014, due to financial difficulties and rising internal tensions, the club experienced a split. Supported financially by Gabriel Rădulescu, Andrei Erimia, coach of a youth squad, founded on 14 June 2014 a new club, AFC Progresul Spartac 1944 București.[10] The new entity does not claim the record, logo or the succession of FC Progresul,[11] but nonetheless uses some elements of the original brand (bleu and blue colors; the sycamore leaf). It also calls itself the "direct descendant of Progresul București", with an objective of "reviving the spirit of Progresul from Cotroceni". The name of the new club is a combination of names "Progresul" (the most used name of the old club), "Spartac" (name used by FC Progresul between 1950 and 1954) and "1944" (foundation year of the original entity).[12] Despite complications, AS Progresul went on to win Liga IV, Bucharest Series, qualifying for the 2015–16 promotion play-off. It nonetheless lost 1–6 on aggregate against Arsenal Malu, who were the Giurgiu County champions.[13]

In the summer of 2015, a second new entity CS Progresul 2005, split from AS Progresul. Nonetheless, the majority of fans pledged their support to the Progresul Spartac faction.[14][11][15] Despite the tough situation, AS Progresul made another good season and qualified for the Bucharest series promotion play-off, where it played against Progresul Spartac. In committees and through the press, both clubs accused each other of irregularities on the ground.[11] At the end of the play-off, AS Progresul was ranked second. Progresul Spartac won and qualified for the Liga III promotion play-off, where after a spectacular 6–5 on aggregate against Voința Crevedia, it promoted to Liga III.

In the summer of 2017, due to the lack of funding and of a proper stadium, the double split, conflicts with the leadership of the Bucharest Football Association, and its abandonment by its former fans, AS Progresul withdrew from Liga IV and was dissolved.[16] Progresul Spartac București is currently playing in Liga III, while CS Progresul 2005 is in the 4th tier.

Main Stand and South End of the Cotroceni Stadium.

Founded on 10 May 1944 at Rășinari, and where the National Bank of Romania moved its headquarters to during the World War II, Progresul started to play in Bucharest after the end of the war. Dr. Staicovici Stadium, with a capacity of 8,000 seats, situated on the street with the same name, and in the center of the capital, became the home ground of the barbers for more than 40 years, when it was closed and decommissioned in September 1986.[17]

Second Stand of the Cotroceni Stadium.

In 1995, after almost 10 years without a constant home stadium, Progresul returned home to the newly-built Cotroceni Stadium. The first stadium built after the Romanian Revolution of 1989, it was regarded as a jewel for its time, with a capacity of 14,542 seats, covered stands, electronic scoreboards, and modern floodlights. Next to the stadium was a gym, hotel, and tennis complex. The stadium is located in the same zone as the old Dr. Staicovici Stadium, in the downtown of the city in the Sycamore Park (Parcul cu Platani), close to the Palace of the Parliament, Ministry of National Defence and Arenele BNR. In early 2009, Progresul was evacuated from the Cotroceni Stadium because of its debts. For the last decade, the stadium has only seen use for a few championships of oină.[18][19]

Progresul spent almost 10 years in exile, the first period being between 1986 and 1995. Their home ground comprised various stadiums in Bucharest, among them: Autobuzul, Giulești, ICSIM, Mecanica Fină, Metalul, 23 August or Voința. The second period started in 2009 after the bankruptcy of SC FC Progresul SA. AS FC Progresul was forced for years to play at stadiums of varying, often poor, quality. Some of the football grounds used in the 2010s were Coresi, Viitorul, Granitul and Prefabricate. In 2015, Progresul Spartac bought and renovated Prefabricate Stadium, renaming it to the Progresul Spartac Stadium.[20]

• Liga I
  • Runners-up (3): 1995–96, 1996–97, 2001–02
• Liga II
  • Winners (6): 1954, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1975–76, 1979–80, 1991–92
  • Runners-up (5): 1953, 1971–72, 1974–75, 1985–86, 1986–87
• Liga III
  • Winners (2): 1946–47, 1989–90
  • Runners-up (1): 1988–89
• Liga IV – Bucharest
  • Winners (1): 2015–16

• Cupa României
  • Winners (1): 1959–60
  • Runners-up (4): 1957–58, 1996–97, 2002–03, 2005–06

• Appearances in Liga I: 32
• Best finish in Liga I: 2nd place in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 2001–02.
• Place 15 of 101 teams in Liga I All-time table