HISTORY OF DAC DUNAJSKÁ STREDA FOOTBALL CLUB

Sport in Dunajská Streda has a long history. The records say that first organized sports club in the town was founded in 1904 under its current name DAC = Dunaszerdahelyi Atlétikai Club (Dunajská Streda Athletic Club). Athletics, boxing, and football were the most popular sports at those times.

Though the football club survived two World wars and remained in organized form since its beginnings in 1904, the first success came only in 1953, when the team won the title in Bratislava district I A championship.

The end of 1960s brought the first real success: in 1968, DAC advanced in the western Division of third league, but for two years only. After seven years in regional championship, we got back in the Division in 1977. After place 6 in season 1977/78 and place 7 in 1978/79, the third year brought the big turning point in club’s life: as winners of Division, and for the first time in its history, DAC gained promotion to Slovak National League (SNL 1, i.e. national second level).

The newcomers from Dunajská Streda fight against relegation until last rounds and finally end the season in place 11. SNL 1 proves to be a real crowd-puller; average home attendance reaches 2647.

DAC becomes a strong opponent, the home record of 11-4-0 includes victories against the first two teams of the final standings. Overall attendance is 26 089 (average 1739).

First unsuccessful attempt to win promotion to 1st level: DAC, with former star player Juraj Szikora on the bench, end second, four points behind champions Banská Bystrica. Average attendance is 2005.

The same story as one year earlier: DAC ends second, four points behind Petržalka. Average attendance rose to 2819; 3:0 home victory against the champion attracts 8136 fans. Ladislav Tóth scores 22 to become top goal scorer of the League.

On third attempt and under new coach Karol Pecze, a magnificent promotion is achieved. The last home game against Nitra attracts a crowd of 10 000. Average attendance is 3783. 22 goals of Ladislav Tóth mean second golden shoe within two years.

The historical first season in Czechoslovak first League. Relegation is avoided three rounds from the end, the final place is 11. Average attendance reached 7297.

The year of success. DAC is 4th in the League and wins the Slovak and then the Czechoslovak Cup. 8265 spectators per game is the top in club’s history.

First time in Europe. Cup Winner’s Cup campaign starts in preliminary round with two victories (1:0 and 5:1) against AEL Limassol of Cyprus, but ends in 1st round against Young Boys Bern (2:1 and 1:3). In its third season in 1st League, DAC end third - best ever position. Average attendance is 7447.

6:0 victory against Östers Växjö of Sweden in 1st round of UEFA Cup becomes a record victory for years. In round 2, the visit of famous Bayern München attracts 15 572 fans. The last season of Karol Pecze on the bench brings place 6 in League and average attendance of 6205.

Anton Dragúň led the team to 14th place; DAC secured its place in elite in round 29. The poor results led to a decrease in average attendance - 4988 per match.

Juraj Szikora back on the bench - and DAC back on track. Three rounds before the end, the team leads the championship, but unlucky end means 4th place. The average attendance reaches 5536.

The season starts with victory in INTERTOTO Cup, Group 8. Juraj Szikora is replaced by assistant Vladimír Hrivnák after day 12. A comfortable 9th place and average attendance of 4355.

DAC starts the last season of Federal League with young and ambitious coach Dušan Radolský. One of the best seasons in club’s history, with attractive attacking football led to place 4. Average attendance is 4701.

DAC is present at the start of the history of new Slovak League, ends on place 3. The team led by Ladislav Škorpil scores 62 times, Pavol Diňa is top scorer with 19 goals. Average attendance is 3017. After five years, DAC is back in Europe to meet Casino Salzburg (twice 0:2) in UEFA Cup first round.

With Jozef Valovič on the bench, DAC ends on place 4. Average attendance of 2003 proves recession.

Four coaches (!) Jozef Valovič, Anton Grajcár, Juraj Szikora, and Jozef Adamec work hard to avoid relegation. Final place 10 out of 12. Average attendance falls to 1770.

Another hard season for the fans. The team led by Jozef Adamec ends 14th in the new league format of 16 teams. The decreasing tendency of attendance is stopped for a while; this season’s figure is 2281.

After 13 years in the first League, DAC is relegated. Ladislav Škorpil and Dušan Liba led the team to only 5 victories out of 30 games. Final place is 16 (last), average attendance 1816.

New coach Vladimír Rusnák brings back the winning spirit; DAC wins the second league and is back in the elite after only one year. 1501 fans per game.

Due to another reorganization of first League, DAC is again relegated in spite of being placed 14th. Three coaches - Viliam Ilko, Anton Grajcár, and Ladislav Kuna - on the bench. Average attendance is 1674.

DAC, led by Slovak football legend Ladislav Kuna, ends fifth in second league. Neither promotion, nor relegation is in question this season. 646 fans per match mean that after more than 20 years, the average is below 1000.

Coach Ladislav Hudec is replaced by Juraj Szikora after 9 rounds. A comfortable 8th place, average attendance is 1149.

With Tibor Szaban as coach, DAC ends the first half of the season only 3 points from relegation. Under new coach Milan Albrecht, spring campaign starts with 10 games without loss and DAC ends on place 8. Average attendance reached 1040.

Juraj Szikora and Dušan Liba led the team to very poor 9 points in 15 matches. The club was then taken over by Iranian sponsors and the “fairy-tale” became reality: 30 points gained with coach Robert Pflug and relegation is avoided. Average attendance increased to 1512 fans per game.

New coach Štefan Horný is replaced after 15 rounds by former DAC player Peter Fieber. Final place is 8, average attendance 1254. Peak of the season is a 2:0 victory vs. Slovan in front of 2890 fans.

Another reorganization and DAC is relegated from second League. Five (!) coaches - Ladislav Kuna, Peter Fieber, Anton Grajcár, Štefan Zaťko, and DAC-legend of the 1980s Tibor Mičinec - led the team to place 12. Average attendance is 722.

First League is renamed to Corgoň Liga; second League is thus First League. And as two participants say no to this new structure, the new season sees DAC in the First League. Milan Albrecht is back on the bench, but is replaced by Robert Pflug after only 7 games. In one year’s time, DAC is again relegated from the second division. Average attendance is 843.

After 28 years, the club is not present in one of the two nationwide divisions. New coach Tibor Meszlényi led the team to 1st place after 25 rounds, but due to some bad results is replaced by club-legend Peter Fieber who, together with assistant Július Simon (another club legend), leads the team to final victory in the third level (called 2nd League, Western division). Average attendance is 894.

Start of new era: merger with Corgoň liga club FC Senec, led by former DAC president, means that after 8 years first level comes back to Dunajská Streda. First team, with majority of coaches (Djuricic, Lorant, Kranjcar) and players being foreigners, attracts full house for most of the home games (average attendance is 4779), and ends the season in 9th place. Second team plays the second level, but is relegated after only 2 victories in 33 games.

Home victory in last game against Trnava means DAC secured its place in Corgoň liga. Austrian coach Garger is replaced for this last game by assistant and ex-DAC forward Radványi. Average attendance is 3210. Second team ends last and is relegated from the third level.

Mikuláš Radványi is the only head coach in the complete season. A promising autumn is followed by an awful spring season, DAC finishes ninth. Average attendance is 3173.

 

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