Melbourne Hungaria
Encyclopedia
The Melbourne Hungaria Soccer Club (1957–1987) is a defunct Australian association football (soccer) club that was based in Melbourne
, Victoria
. The club was founded by Hungarian migrants in 1957 and quickly became one of the strongest football clubs in Australia in the 1960s and 1970s.
held in Melbourne. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 had just been crushed by the Soviet Union
forces in the weeks before the Olympics, creating a politically charged atmosphere for the Hungarian Olympic team in Melbourne. Following the completion of the Olympics as many as half of the Hungarian delegation defected, many choosing to stay in Australia. This included members of the Hungarian Olympic soccer team. In 1957 these members of the Olympic soccer team founded the Melbourne Hungaria Soccer Club, which was one of many ethnic-based soccer teams founded at the time.
From 1960 to 1975 the club competed successfully in the Victorian State League
, with the stand out year being 1967 under Irish coach Billy Walsh when the club won its one and only Victorian State League championship. That year the club also went on to win its biggest prize the Australian Cup
, defeating Apia Leichardt 4-3 in the Final at Olympic Park. The club’s most notable player, former Socceroo Attila Abonyi
, scored a hat-trick in the Final.
In 1975 the club finished bottom of the ladder and was relegated from the state League; this saw the club struggle for the next decade as they bounced between Division 1 and Division 2. Finally in 1985 the club had its most successful season since the early 1970s as they took out the Division 1 championship to finally be promoted back to the State League. The club's second stint in the State league would be short lived as it finished in bottom spot in 1986 to drop straight back down to Division 1. The following season of 1987 proved to be the last for Melbourne Hungaria as the club struggling to stay afloat finally closed its doors after the completion of the season.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. The club was founded by Hungarian migrants in 1957 and quickly became one of the strongest football clubs in Australia in the 1960s and 1970s.
History
The foundations of the Melbourne Hungaria begin with the 1956 Olympics1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
held in Melbourne. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 had just been crushed by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
forces in the weeks before the Olympics, creating a politically charged atmosphere for the Hungarian Olympic team in Melbourne. Following the completion of the Olympics as many as half of the Hungarian delegation defected, many choosing to stay in Australia. This included members of the Hungarian Olympic soccer team. In 1957 these members of the Olympic soccer team founded the Melbourne Hungaria Soccer Club, which was one of many ethnic-based soccer teams founded at the time.
From 1960 to 1975 the club competed successfully in the Victorian State League
Victorian Premier League
The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
, with the stand out year being 1967 under Irish coach Billy Walsh when the club won its one and only Victorian State League championship. That year the club also went on to win its biggest prize the Australian Cup
Australian Cup (football)
The Australian Cup is a defunct football competition organised by the Australian Soccer Federation. It was held between 1962 and 1968. It was the first nationwide club tournament held in Australia.-Champions and runners up:...
, defeating Apia Leichardt 4-3 in the Final at Olympic Park. The club’s most notable player, former Socceroo Attila Abonyi
Attila Abonyi
Attila Abonyi is a Hungarian-born Australian football manager and former player.Born in Hungary, he took up soccer after emigrating to Australia at age 10. Attila played started playing professional club football for Melbourne Hungaria between 1962 and 1968, St...
, scored a hat-trick in the Final.
In 1975 the club finished bottom of the ladder and was relegated from the state League; this saw the club struggle for the next decade as they bounced between Division 1 and Division 2. Finally in 1985 the club had its most successful season since the early 1970s as they took out the Division 1 championship to finally be promoted back to the State League. The club's second stint in the State league would be short lived as it finished in bottom spot in 1986 to drop straight back down to Division 1. The following season of 1987 proved to be the last for Melbourne Hungaria as the club struggling to stay afloat finally closed its doors after the completion of the season.
Honours
- Australian CupAustralian Cup (football)The Australian Cup is a defunct football competition organised by the Australian Soccer Federation. It was held between 1962 and 1968. It was the first nationwide club tournament held in Australia.-Champions and runners up:...
Winners: 1967 - Victorian ChampionsVictorian Premier LeagueThe Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
- 1967 - Victorian Runners-Up - 1970
- Victorian State League Top 4 Finalists - 1960, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972
- Victorian Division 1 Champions – 1959 (South), 1985
- Victorian Division 2 Champions – 1978, 1982
- Victorian Metropolitan League South Champions: 1957
- Ampol Cup Winners – 1973
- Ampol Cup Runners-Up - 1967