CFR Cluj

CFR Cluj

Full name	Fotbal Club CFR 1907 Cluj
Nickname(s)	Feroviarii (The Railwaymen) Alb-Vişinii (The White and Burgundies)
Founded	1907 (1907)
Ground	Dr. Constantin Rădulescu
Ground Capacity	24,000[1]
Owner	Arpad Paszkany
Chairman	Iuliu Mureşan
Manager	Toni Conceição
League	Liga I
2014–15	3rd
Website	Club home page
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Fotbal Club CFR 1907 Cluj (Romanian pronunciation: [t͡ʃefeˌre ˈkluʒ]) is a Romanian professional football club from the city of Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania, Romania ('CFR' stands for Căile Ferate Române, meaning Romanian Railways).^[2] The club had spent most of their existence in the lower divisions, except for a spell in Divizia A in the 1970s, until they received significant financial backing from the current owner in 2002. CFR Cluj returned to the top flight in 2004 and the following season took part in their first UEFA competition, the Intertoto Cup, finishing as runners-up. In 2007–08, CFR Cluj were champions of Liga I for the first time in their history, taking the title away from the teams of Bucharest for the first time in 17 years and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stages in the process, six years after having been in the Liga III, the third tier of Romanian league football.^[3] CFR Cluj started the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League with an unexpected win against Roma, followed by a draw against the previous season's Champions League finalists, Chelsea. The team has set a record since their major ownership change in 2002, having managed to win eight trophies: the Liga I championship (three times), the Romanian Cup (three times), and the Romanian Supercup (twice).

The club has a fierce rivalry with Universitatea Cluj, also from Cluj-Napoca. Matches between the two clubs are known as the Derby of Cluj.

History

Early years

The club in 1911

The club was founded in 1907, when the city of Cluj-Napoca was part of Austro-Hungarian Empire, under the name Kolozsvári Vasutas Sport Club (Cluj Railway Sports Club). From 1907 to 1910, the team played in the municipal championship. However, the club did not have any notable achievements during this time. In 1911, the team won the newly organized Championship of Transylvania. The club consistently finished in second place in that competition between 1911 and 1914, a competition that was interrupted because of World War I. After the war, in 1920, Transylvania became part of Romania and the club accordingly changed its name to CFR Cluj, maintaining its links with the national rail organisation, this time the Romanian state railway carrier, Căile Ferate Române, hence the CFR acronym. They went on to win two regional titles, in 1918–19 and 1919–20.

Between 1920 and 1934 the club did not have any notable achievements. Between 1934 and 1936, CFR played for two seasons in the Divizia B, ranking sixth in the 1934–35 season and eighth in the 1935–36 season. In 1936, CFR was relegated to the Divizia C, where the team played for two seasons, finishing second and 4th, respectively. After World War II, CFR played for one season in the Divizia C, earning the promotion to the Divizia B. Before the start of the 1947–48 season, the team merged with another local club, Ferar Cluj, and played in the Divizia A for the very first time in history. Unfortunately, the team lasted only two years in the first league and would not play there again for another 20 years. In 1960, another merger, this time with Rapid Cluj resulted in CSM Cluj. In 1964, the team's name was changed to Clujeana. In that same year, the club's junior team won the national championship. Three years later, the team's name was reversed yet again to CFR Cluj.

1969–1976

In 1969, CFR finished first in Divizia B with 40 points, five more than their rival, Politehnica Timișoara. The conclusive game of that season was a 1–1 draw with Politehnica. Politehnica had a 1–0 lead at half-time, but CFR came back with a fine header.

During the summer of 1969, CFR Cluj advanced to Divizia A under the leadership of coach Dr. Constantin Rădulescu. Rădulescu was originally from southern Romania, but he grew to manhood in the stern atmosphere of Transylvania. Before coaching, he had played for CFR and another well-known local team, Universitatea Cluj, during the 1940s. In the 1969–70 first league championship, CFR made its debut with a 2–0 victory over ASA Târgu Mureș. The next few games did not go as well. Apart from a 1–0 win over Politehnica Iași, there were losses to Steaua București (1–3) and Dinamo București (0–2). These and other defeats were a factor in the team's downhill slide. However, the following spring CFR bounced back with a win over ASA Târgu Mureș (1–0), after a goal from Octavian Ionescu, and managed to avert relegation.

At the beginning of CFR's second season in Divizia A, Rădulescu was replaced by Eugen Iordache as head coach. During his tenure, CFR did not do well, and Rădulescu was swiftly brought back. Even so, CFR Cluj found itself again at the bottom of the table before the winter break. The spring of 1971 was somewhat better, although CFR struggled again to avoid relegation. CFR's last game of that season, against UTA Arad, was a memorable one. CFR led 1–0 at half-time. UTA Arad, however, managed to overturn the match after scoring twice. Nonetheless, the persistence of the players from Cluj was rewarded with a late goal, tying the game at 2–2. UTA went on to play in the European Cups, but, most importantly, CFR avoided relegation.

The 1971–72 season started off badly for CFR. Losses to Dinamo București (1–3); Crișul Oradea (0–1, after a last-minute penalty kick), and Jiul Petroșani (1–2 after two regrettable own-goals) meant CFR's demise after the first round of the championship — the team finished at the bottom, with seven points. CFR's return was dramatic, although inconsistent at times. The team won some important games, such as a 1–0 with Universitatea Craiova and a 3–0 with Petrolul Ploiești. By the end of the season, however, CFR was again struggling to stay in Divizia A. CFR was tied at half-time after having led with 2–0 in their game against Politehnica Iași. In the second half, two late goals from Ionescu and Petrescu saved the team from relegation. When Rădulescu and his players got back home to Cluj, 3,000 fans turned out to celebrate their performance.

During the summer of 1972, CFR made an important transfer. Mihai Adam, from Universitatea Cluj, was traded for Soos. Adam had been twice Romania's top scorer, and was considered one of the best Romanian players of his generation. He and the rest of the team would make the 1972–73 season the most successful in CFR's history. The team achieved its highest ranking ever in Romanian football, fifth in Divizia A. Several important results concluded a great season, including a 2–0 victory against Rapid București, a 2–2 draw against Sportul Studențesc București, and another draw, 1–1, with Steaua București. Additionally, the stadium that CFR continues to use even today was built in 1973. To celebrate the completion of the stadium, CFR Cluj played a friendly game against Cuba. The game ended in a 2–1 victory for CFR.

The 1973–74 season was a rather bad one for CFR, as it barely saved itself from relegation, ranking 14th at the end of the season. The only notable achievement of that season was Mihai Adam's third title as Romania's top goal-scorer who, even though he was 33 years old, scored 23 goals. The 1974–75 season was much like the one before: CFR struggled to avoid relegation, achieving its objectives all the while. The 1975–76 season marked CFR's relegation and its last season in Divizia A during the 20th century. A contributing factor was the age of the team, with most of its players in their 30s.

1976–2002

During the 1977–78 season, CFR attempted a comeback. However, the team managed to finish only second in Divizia B, after Baia Mare. Four years later, CFR slid further down, into the third division, Divizia C. From then on, the team would alternate between the second and third leagues. In 1983, CFR played in Divizia B under its longstanding coach, Dr. Constantin Rădulescu. In the 1990s, CFR struggled financially and found itself more than once on the brink of bankruptcy. Nevertheless, several very talented players were raised, including Cristian Dulca, Attila Piroșka, Cristian Coroian, and Alin Minteuan.

2002–2005

In January 2002, a new sponsor, Árpád Pászkány, head of S.C. ECOMAX M.G., founded a new commercial sport society, with ECOMAX M.G. as the primary shareholder. By the end of the 2001–02 season, CFR had been promoted back to Divizia B.

The summer of 2003 was very important for CFR as many new talented players were transferred, among them being Cătălin Bozdog, Adrian Anca, Cristian Turcu, and Sabin Pîglișan. With these players and others, CFR managed to enter the first league after a successful season in Divizia B. CFR began the season strongly, holding first place for a while. Then the club's main sponsor, Árpád Pászkány, became involved in a public scandal, in which Pászkány accused several referees of corruption. This conundrum plagued the team and resulted in head coach GH. Cioceri's dismissal. CFR lost several consecutive games before the scandal faded away. After the winter break, GH. Cioceri was replaced by Aurel Sunda. In the spring of 2004, Sunda's team had a nearly perfect run, winning 14 out of 15 games, with only one draw. One round before the season's end, CFR was one point behind the Jiul Petroșani, which was in first place. All this changed when Jiul was held to a draw by Gaz Metan Mediaș. This, along with CFR's 3–0 victory, was one of the most crucial moments for the club in the 21st century. The CFR Cluj advanced to the top league for the first time in 28 years. In the summer of 2004, CFR acquired many new players, including Vasile Jula and Radu Marginean.

CFR Cluj's first year back in Divizia A was strong, yet inconsistent. CFR finished sixth after the first half of the 2004–05 championship. It was during this time that CFR played one of its most popular games ever, defeating, Dinamo București at home. The final score was 4–2, after four goals by Adrian Anca and Sorin Oncică, two goals each. However, the second half of the championship proved disappointing for CFR, as it gathered only 12 points after 15 games. The team finished 11th, though, avoiding relegation.

2005–2007

The summer of 2005 brought significant change to CFR Cluj. The club's executives signed the team up for the UEFA Intertoto Cup, being CFR's first European adventure. CFR began well, qualifying for the second round after two victories against FK Vetra (3–2 and 4–1).

Also, the Romanian international Dorinel Munteanu came to CFR from Steaua București. Munteanu would have the dual role of player-coach. His first game produced one of CFR's greatest successes. CFR defeated Athletic Bilbao of Spain 1–0 (although almost all players from Bilbao's side were from the reserve squad) during the second round of the 2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup. The only goal of the match was scored by Cosmin Tilincă with a header. CFR then lost in the city Bilbao (1–0) but still qualified to the next round after a penalty shootout.

Munteanu's team played the next game at Cluj, against French club Saint-Étienne. Adrian Anca played one of the greatest games in his career, even though the match ended in a 1–1 draw. Anca hit the crossbar with a header early in the game, and Tilincă pushed the ball into the net from the rebound. Anca then went on to earn a penalty, but did not score. He then hit the crossbar a second time, in the second half. The away game, in France, was also an eventful game for CFR Cluj. The game ended in a 2–2 draw, so CFR went on to the next qualifying stage due to its away goals. The game began well for CFR, as Cristian Coroian scored from a penalty kick, earned by Adrian Anca. The second half went less smoothly for CFR. Julien Sable managed to score for Saint-Étienne, tying the game at 1–1. This was followed by CFR player László Balint's elimination. However, a Cosmin Tilincă goal gave the team the ability to tie with the French at the very last minute. In the next round, CFR easily disposed of Zalgiris Vilnius, 2–1 in Lithuania and 5–1 at home.

For the final match of the 2005 UEFA Interoto Cup, CFR Cluj's opponent was another French franchise, RC Lens. The first game, at Cluj, ended in a 1–1 draw, with both sides having scored from free kicks. Cristian Turcu scored for CFR. The second game was played at Lens, in front of 30,000 French fans. The Romanian players showed signs of exhaustion and conceded three goals. Player-coach Dorinel Munteanu managed to regain some honour for his team with a goal from a free kick in the 89th minute. Thus ended CFR Cluj's Intertoto journey. CFR then finished fifth at the end of the 2005–06 domestic season. During the 2006–07 season, major changes at the club started to occur. Dorinel Munteanu resigned as player-coach, and was replaced by Cristiano Bergodi. Foreign players from Western Europe and South America were transferred. A partnership with Portuguese club Benfica was signed. On 22 July 2007, CFR Cluj celebrated its centenary year by playing a friendly game against Benfica and inaugurating the new illumination system at its stadium.

2007–present

CFR Cluj at Stamford Bridge in 2008

The team's new coach, Romanian Ioan Andone, formerly of Omonia Nicosia and Dinamo București started the 2007–08 season well, with CFR Cluj leading the league by eight points halfway through the season and remaining undefeated. Their form was not as good in the second half of the season, and they were overtaken by Steaua București with two games remaining. Even though Steaua clashed Gloria Buzau 5–0 in the last matchday, it wasn't enough to bring the title in Ghencea, since CFR won against Universitatea Cluj so the CFR won the title. It was the first team outside of Bucharest to win the title in nearly two decades.^[6] Three days later, CFR Cluj completed a league and cup double, beating Unirea Urziceni in the Romanian Cup final.

By winning the league, CFR Cluj qualified for the group stage of the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League season. They were drawn in Group A against Chelsea of England, A.S. Roma of Italy, and Bordeaux of France and given little chance of progressing, with odds of 300–1 being given on them winning the competition.^[7] In their opening game, CFR caused a shock by beating Roma in the Italian capital, 2–1,^[8] and further exceeded expectations by holding the previous season's finalists Chelsea to a 0–0 draw.^[9]

The end of the 2008–09 season saw CFR finish fourth, the team had two coaching staff changes in the second part of the competition and did not manage to secure a second title. The Romanian Cup was kept for a consecutive year at Cluj, and with this the CFR ended the year in high spirits.

In the 2009–10 season, the team managed to win the league title for the second time in its history, exhibiting the heavy investments in the club's infrastructure, management, and squad transfers. Managed by coach Andrea Mandorlini, CFR Cluj also kept the Romanian Cup and qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage.

The 2011–12 season brought the league title to Cluj for the third time. Starting under Jorge Costa's supervision, the team maintained a spot in the top three. A few major defeats close to the end of the season prompted Costa to be replaced by Ioan Andone. After this managerial change the team tackled all remaining matches with wins and one draw, results which contributed to yet another trophy. Later that year, FC Dinamo București defeated CFR Cluj in the Romanian Supercup with 6–4 after penalties, handing them their first defeat in a final.

During the 2014–15 season the team started strong but as they progressed the club started experiencing financial difficulties, having had to declare insolvency. All of this affected the team negatively resulting in a period of poor performances. As punishment for failing to remunerate in full some five former club players, the Romanian Football Federation decided to deduct 24 points from CFR Cluj, which relegated them to the last position of the league. Because of the difficult financial situation, as well as due to the team's standing in the Liga 1, many players left the club. CFR Cluj challenged the Federation's decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and in May 2015 the Court ruled in their favour, consequently having the deducted points returned, which helped the team secure a 3rd-place finish in the league.

Stadium

Constantin Rădulescu stadium

CFR Cluj plays their home games at Dr. Constantin Rădulescu Stadium, which was expanded in 2008 to seat a maximum capacity of 23,500. The CFR stadium meets all of UEFA's regulations and can host UEFA Champions League matches. In 2006–07, with an investment of €10 million, the club upgraded the field with higher quality turf, built a state of the art lighting system, and updated its infrastructure. All the work was completed for the 100th birthday of the club, when the first official friendly game was played against Sport Lisboa e Benfica of Portugal.

Supporters

CFR fans at a home game

The biggest supporter groups of CFR 1907 Cluj are Commando Gruia and KVSC. As a premier, the 2009–2010 CFR Fans' Trophy was awarded to Cristian Panin as voted by supporters and football reviewers. The trophy is to be awarded every year by the CFR Cluj fans associations to the player that receives the highest aggregate amount of votes online and highest per match rating respectively.^[10] The 2010–2011 CFR Fans' Trophy was awarded to captain Ricardo Cadu and the 2011–2012 CFR Fans' Trophy was awarded to goalkeeper Beto Pimparel as voted by supporters and football reviewers.

Rivalries

CFR have a rivalry with their local city opponents Universitatea Cluj. The animosity between the teams is one of the oldest in Romanian and European football. The first incidents between fans of the two sides occurred in the 1920s. A particularly violent episode took place during a derby played in 1924, when the stadium had to be evacuated because of a large-scale fight between supporters. CFR lost the match 2–1.^[11]

Another significant rivalry in Romanian football is that between CFR Cluj and FC Dinamo București.

Honours

Domestic

Leagues

Liga I

• Winners (3): 2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12

Liga II

• Winners (2): 1968–69, 2003–04
• Runners-up (1): 1977–78

Liga III

• Winners (1): 2001–02

Cups

Romanian Cup

• Winners (3): 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
• Runners-up (1): 2012–13

Romanian Supercup

• Winners (2): 2009, 2010
• Runners-up (1): 2012

European

UEFA Intertoto Cup

• Runners-up (1): 2005

European record

Domestic record

Liga I

Records

• Best finish Liga I: Champions in 2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12
• Greatest victory: CFR Cluj – Minaur Zlatna 10–0 (4 October 2003)
• Biggest defeat: CFR București – CFR Cluj 12–2 (20 April 1949)
• Player with most caps in Liga I: Cadú (202)
• Player with most goals in Liga I: Mihai Adam (47)

Current squad

As of 15 February 2016

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Mihai Mincă 4 DF Răzvan Horj 6 DF Ionuț Larie 7 FW Alexandru Păun 8 MF Filipe Nascimento 9 FW Guima 10 MF Davide Petrucci 11 FW Cristian López 12 GK Cosmin Vâtcă 14 DF Cornel Ene 15 MF Tomislav Gomelt (on loan from Bari) 16 MF Szilard Vereș 17 MF Antonio Jakoliš 18 DF Lucian Goian

No. Position Player 19 FW Steve Leo Beleck (on loan from Fiorentina) 20 DF Dani Coelho 21 FW Sergiu Negruț 22 DF Tiago Lopes 23 DF Andrei Tânc 25 MF Juan Carlos 26 FW Cristian Bud 28 GK Traian Marc 30 MF Andrei Mureșan 31 FW Anthony Carter 45 DF Camora (Captain) 57 MF Bryan Nouvier 90 DF Vítor Bruno

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player GK Răzvan Began (at Sighetu Marmației)

No. Position Player

Club Officials

Board of directors Role Name Owner Ștefan Gadola President Iuliu Mureşan Executive Director Răzvan Zamfir Director of Football Alexandru Matei Board Secretary Florin Popicu

Current technical staff Role Name Manager Toni Conceição Assistant Manager Manuel Baltazar Goalkeeping Coach Cristian Moldovan Fitness Coach Gábor Barta Physiotherapist Viorel Boncoi Club Doctor MD Ovidiu Dragoș Masseur Iosif Mureşan Masseur Bogdan Rus

Notable former players

The footballers enlisted below have had international cap(s) for their respective countries at junior and/or senior level. Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries at junior and/or senior level on through the time's passing. Additionally, these players have also had a significant number of caps and goals accumulated throughout a certain number of seasons for the club itself as well.

Coach history

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to CFR Cluj.

• Official website
• CFR Cluj at UEFA