FC Progresul București

Progresul București

Cotroceni
Capacity	14,542
Home colours Away colours

Fotbal Club Progresul București, commonly known as Progresul București or simply as Progresul, was a Romanian football club based in Bucharest.

The team was founded in 1944 as B.N.R. București, being the team of the

Unlike the three biggest teams of Bucharest and Romania—Steaua, Dinamo and Rapid—Progresul was not historically supported by the communist regime. This, however, drew the sympathy of many supporters, including actors, artists and the then-bourgeoisie of Bucharest.

In April 2009, due to financial problems, Progresul was kicked out from the

One of Romania's most well known footballers, Dan Petrescu, finished his career at the club.

History

Founding, early years and success (1944–1970)

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]

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

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.

Ups and downs, years of exile (1970–1990)

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]

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

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]

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

From the first round of the

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.

Last performances and relegation (2000–2009)

After obtaining 7th place at the end of the

Nonetheless, at the season, with an experienced squad including players such as

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

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.

Grounds

Stadionul Dr. Staicovici

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]

Stadionul Cotroceni

In 1995, after almost 10 years without a constant home stadium, Progresul returned home to the newly-built

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]

Support

Progresul was from the beginning a team with an anti-communist fragrance, which led to the sympathy of supporters who did not wish to associate themselves with the Red Army or KGB. A big part of early supporters were actors, artists and bourgeoisie. Despite the fact that it was repeatedly relegated, the love of supporters remained constant in the 20th century. The home games of the 1970s and 1980s saw at least 6–7,000 people in the stands.^[17]

The year 1986 is regarded by some as the moment when a part of Progresul's spirit died. That year, Dr. Staicovici Stadium hosted Victoria București matches. Securitate's team fell in love with the arena, so much that they thought considered buying it. Former player, Dumitru Bolborea remembered: "No one expected that. They came with a trailer, some of them were cutting the stands with the welding machines and others were carrying them." Following their separation from their home stadium, the club played at the Voința Stadium, IMGB, ICSIM or Automatica, suffering weakened performance and being relegated to the third tier. At the beginning of their hardship, loyalty remained constant, with Progresul bringing in 5–6,000 spectators at Divizia C matches. Over time, the number of supporters decreased, the years of exile leaving deep traces. Valentin Caltuț later recounted, "Think about having to play nine years away. How do you make a kid stay with this team?". After 1995, supporters were few, mostly those nostalgic at old victories. Still, in 2003, a new active group came at the initiative of younger fans a group named "F.A.N.S".^[17]

Progresul supporters consider FC Argeș Pitești supporters to be their allies, with fans of both teams supporting the other during matches.

Honours

Domestic

Leagues

• 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

Cups

• Cupa României
  • Winners (1): 1959–60
  • Runners-up (4):
    2005–06

Other performances

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

European record

Notable former players

The footballers enlisted below have had international cap(s) for their respective countries at junior and/or senior level and/or more than 100 caps for FC Progresul București.

Notable former managers

References

External links

• Official website
• FC Progresul București on
  Facebook
• Club profile on UEFA's official website