Crișul Sântandrei was founded on in 2009 to continue the tradition of the old local football club, Recolta Sântandrei. Crișul played for most of its existence at the amateur level, in the Liga IV, after its promotion from Liga V, in 2011. The team was known at local level for its notable results, but also for its bad luck, "the white and blues" finishing five times in the 2nd place.
Its location, in the Oradea metropolitan area, ensured in the last decade a fast grow for the commune of Sântandrei, demographic and financial. Finally, Crișul won Liga IV Bihor at the end of the 2022–23 season, breaking the 2nd place curse. This county title was the first for Crișul, but also for the commune of Sântandrei, even its predecessor, Recolta, did not achieve this performance.
History
Crișul Sântandrei was founded on 8 December 2009 in order to continue the local football tradition, started by Recolta Sântandrei back in the 1970s, but until 2023 played only at the amateur level.[1] In 2010, Crișul was enrolled in the fifth tier (Liga V) and has promoted after only one season, after winning a tough battle against CS Mădăras and Olimpia Salonta.[2] For "the white and blues" followed a very good first season at county level, where it were ranked 2nd and won the regional round of Cupa României.[3]
In the following seasons, the team based in Sântandrei occupied places in the first half of the league table and were runners-up for another four times (2013, 2015, 2018 and 2022). Crișul had also good results in the regional round of Cupa României, winning the trophy again, in 2022. The team finally won the county league at the end 2022–23 season, breaking the 2nd place curse. This county title was the first for Crișul, but also for the commune of Sântandrei, even its predecessor, Recolta, did not achieve this performance. For the promotion to Liga III, Crișul had to face Liga IV Cluj champions, Arieșul Mihai Viteazu and won the double, 5–4 on aggregate.[4]
The footballers enlisted below have had international cap(s) for their respective countries at junior and/or senior level and/or more than 50 caps for CSC Crișul Sântandrei.
