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FC UTA Arad

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UTA Arad
crest
Full nameAsociația Fotbal Club UTA Arad
Nickname(s)
  • Bătrâna Doamnă (The Old Lady)
  • Textiliștii (The Textile Workers)
Short nameUTA
Founded18 April 1945; 79 years ago (1945-04-18)
as IT Arad
2013; 11 years ago (2013) (refounded)
as UTA Bătrâna Doamnă
GroundFrancisc von Neuman
Capacity12,700
OwnersUTA Supporters Association
Arad Municipality
ChairmanFlorian Voinea
Head coachMircea Rednic
LeagueLiga I
2023–24Liga I, 7th of 16
Websitehttp://www.uta-arad.ro/
Current season

Asociația Fotbal Club UTA Arad (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈuta aˈrad]), commonly known as UTA Arad or simply UTA (Uzina Textilă Arad; lit. 'Textiles Factory of Arad'), is a Romanian professional football club based in the city of Arad, Arad County that competes in the Liga I.

The team was founded in 1945 as IT Arad, and has won six national titles and two Cupa României. Domestically, UTA is one of the most successful Romanian sides of the 20th century, sharing with Chinezul Timișoara the record for the most title wins by a club not from Bucharest, earning it the nickname Campioana Provinciei ("Provincial Champion"), a record which ended after the conclusion of the 2020–21 season when CFR Cluj claimed its seventh Liga I trophy. UTA Arad's decline began with a transfer to the second division in 1979, after which it rarely appeared in the top flight before being dissolved in 2014. UTA Arad was eventually promoted from the Liga IV[1] and managed to return to the Liga I in 2020.

The team plays in red and white uniforms at the new Francisc von Neuman Stadium, which was opened in 2020. UTA holds a long-standing rivalry with neighbouring SSU Politehnica Timișoara, with whom it contests the West derby.[note 1]

History

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Name Period
ITA Arad 1945–1949
Flamura Roșie Arad 1950–1957
UTA Arad 1958–2014
UTA Bătrâna Doamnă Arad 2014–2017
UTA Arad 2017–present

1945–1965

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The team was founded under the name ITA Arad by the owner of the Arad Textile Company, Francisc von Neuman, on 18 April 1945. The colors of the club (white – red) were inspired by Arsenal's colors, as Neuman was a fan of the team.[2]

The first football match of the newly established team was on 27 May 1945 against Banatul Sânnicolau Mic, score 2–3.[citation needed]

UTA Arad team in 1946–47.

On 1 September 1946 on the occasion of the match between ITA Arad and Ciocanul București, score 1–0, took place the inauguration of the stadium in Arad, Francisc von Neuman Stadium.[3]

József Pecsovszky (left) won three league titles with UTA Arad.
The club's logo when it was known as Flamura Roșie Arad (1950–1957).

1965–1975

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Flavius Domide spent almost his entire career with UTA from 1966 to 1979.

In the 1970–71, the team took fourth place and participated again in the European Champion Clubs' Cup, eliminating the trophy holder at that time, Feyenoord,[4] after a 1–1 at Rotterdam and 0–0 in Arad.

UTA Arad, champions of Romania (1969–70).

In the 1971–72 season the team became vice-champion of Romania and participated in the UEFA Cup, reaching the quarterfinals after overtaking Austria Salzburg (4–1, 1–3), Zagłębie Wałbrzych (1–1, 2–1) and Vitória Setúbal (3–0, 0–1). They were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Tottenham Hotspur; the first game was at home where they lost 2–0.[5][unreliable source?] The second leg at away at White Hart Lane in London was a 1–1 draw,[6] however this was not enough and Arad were knocked out 3–1 on aggregate.

1975–2013

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The team's decline started in the 1975–76 season, and after it placed 17th in the 1978–79 season, it was reassigned to Divizia B.[citation needed]

Mircea Petescu, captain of UTA's golden team of the 1970s.

After two years in the second division (third place in 1979–80 and ninth in 1980–81), UTA returned to Divizia A under the technical leadership of coach Ştefan Czako, but failed to last for more than a year, and was sent back to the second division after occupying only 17th place in Divizia A at the end of the 1981–82 season.[7]

Between 1984 and 1991, UTA occupied the following positions in the third Series of Divizia B: 13th in 1984–85, 4th in 1985–86, 10th in 1986–87, 3rd in 1987–88, 2nd in 1988–89, 2nd in 1989–90, 5th in 1990–91. It also placed in the second Series of Divizia B: 2nd in 1991–92 and 1st in 1992–93.[7]

Between 1995 and 2002, UTA occupied the following positions in the 2nd Series of Divizia B: 5th in 1995–96, 13th in 1996–97, 11th in 1997–98, 2nd in 1998–99, 6th in 1999–2000, 7th in 2000–01 and 1st in 2001–02.[7]

In the summer of 1999, UTA Arad disputed a play-off match at Alba Iulia against Rocar București for promotion in Divizia A, a match in which it lost 0–2. Coach Francis Tisza organised the following team: Pap – Diaconescu, Botiş, G. Radu (50' Ciubăncan), Găman (76' Baciu), Panin – Todea, Almaşan, Zaha – Mariş, Cl.Drăgan (69' Turcan).[8]

Nicolae "Coco" Dumitrescu (left), former player and manager of UTA.

UTA Arad did not play in this league because after an assignment agreement with Liberty Salonta, UTA took the place of Liberty in Liga I and vice versa in the Liga III.[9][10]

Thus, the team qualified in Liga I for the 2006–07 season. After club president Nicolae Bara signed with coach Marius Lăcătuş and under his leadership, UTA occupied the 12th place at the end of the season.[11]

In August 2013, businessman Adrian Marțian took over Giovanni Catanzariti's majority stake, promising the financial recovery of the club and bringing back the good results, but by November he lost the support of the supporters and Flavius Domide asked him to leave the club to competent people from Arad.[12][13]

Another team, supported by a part of UTA fans, called UTA Bătrâna Doamnă, was founded in 2013 by former player Marius Ţucudean. It was enrolled in Liga IV instead of UTA II and received the logo, the record and the colors of UTA from UTA Supporter Club in March 2014, becoming officially UTA Arad. The Liga II team had to change their name to FC UTA SA. At the end of the 2013–14 season of Liga II, UTA SA was excluded from the championship by FRF for not attending two matches and relegated to the 6th League, where it did not sign up and was dissolved.[14]

2013–present

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UTA Bătrâna Doamnă, promoted in the Liga III at the end of the season after a promotion play-off match against Hunedoara County champion Retezatul Hațeg, won 2–0.[15]

After only one season in the Liga III, the club was promoted back to the Liga II after finishing first in the fourth Series of the league, four points ahead of Nuova Mama Mia Becicherecu Mic.[16]

In their first season after returning to the Liga II, UTA, now known as UTA Bătrâna Doamnă finished second in the second Series of the championship and qualified for a Liga I promotion play-off against Dunărea Călărași and Voluntari. It eliminated Dunărea Călărași 5–4 on aggregate, but lost 1–3 against Voluntari and remained for another season in the Liga II.[17][18]

In the 2016–17 season, UTA finished third and qualified again for a promotion play-off against Poli Timișoara, one of Politehnica Timișoara successors, and ASU Politehnica Timișoara. UTA lost to both teams (1–2, 1–3).[19]

In the summer of 2017, FRF has officialized that UTA Bătrâna Doamnă changed its name back to FC UTA Arad being the official and legal successor of the old club.[20]

Grounds

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Main articles: Stadionul Francisc von Neuman, Stadionul Francisc von Neuman (1946), and Stadionul Motorul (Arad)
The new Stadionul Francisc von Neumann

UTA Arad plays its home matches at the Stadionul Francisc von Neuman. Ranked as a UEFA Category 4 stadium, it can host UEFA Europa League semi-finals and UEFA Champions League group stage matches.

The first match at the stadium was a Liga I game played between UTA Arad and Voluntari, which ended in a goalless draw.[21] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the game was played without spectators.

The first match with spectators was the 2021 women's Romanian Cup final between U Olimpia Cluj and Heniu Prundu Bârgăului,[22][23] which ended with a 1–0 win in extra-time for the Cluj team.

The first international game played on the arena was the friendly goalless draw between UTA Arad and Kolubara Lazarevac.[24]

Honours

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Domestic

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Chart of UTA Arad's league performance 1946–2017.

Leagues

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Cups

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European

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Players

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First-team squad

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As of 6 November 2024[25][26]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Romania ROU Robert Popa (on loan from FC U Craiova)
3 DF Ivory Coast CIV Kouya Mabea
4 DF Romania ROU Alexandru Benga (Captain)
6 DF Martinique MTQ Florent Poulolo
7 FW Romania ROU Andrei Dumiter
8 MF Portugal POR João Pedro (4th captain)
9 FW Nigeria NGA Jordan Kadiri
10 MF Slovakia SVK Andrej Fábry (3rd captain)
12 GK Romania ROU Aleksander Mitrović
14 MF France FRA Lamine Ghezali
15 DF Guinea GUI Ibrahima Conté (Vice-captain)
17 FW Hungary HUN Dániel Zsóri
18 MF Romania ROU Valentin Borcea
19 MF Romania ROU Valentin Costache
20 FW Argentina ARG Agustín Vuletich
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 MF Romania ROU Cristian Mihai
22 GK North Macedonia MKD Dejan Iliev
23 MF Romania ROU Alessio Calotă
24 FW Kenya KEN Eric Omondi
25 DF Republic of the Congo CGO Ravy Tsouka
27 FW Romania ROU Raoul Cristea
28 FW Portugal POR Zé Pedro
29 DF Romania ROU Răzvan Trif
30 MF Belgium BEL Benjamin Van Durmen
31 DF Romania ROU Cornel Râpă
33 GK Romania ROU Mario Popescu
77 MF Romania ROU Alexandru Cîmpanu (on loan from Universitatea Craiova)
94 DF Martinique MTQ Damien Dussaut
97 MF Romania ROU Denis Hrezdac

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK Romania ROU Cristian Blaga (to Corvinul Hunedoara)
— DF Romania ROU Alexandru Pătlăgică (to Jiul Petroșani)
— DF Romania ROU Marco Bota (to CSM Satu Mare)
— DF Romania ROU David Băloi (to Minaur Baia Mare)
— DF Romania ROU Ionuț Anișorac (to Dumbrăvița)
— DF Romania ROU Tudor Telcean (to Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț)
— DF Romania ROU Darius Iurasciuc (to Progresul Pecica)
— DF Romania ROU Gabriel Hara (to Progresul Pecica)
— MF Romania ROU Adelin Nica (to Bihor Oradea)
— MF Romania ROU Răzvan Olăroiu (to Progresul Pecica)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF Romania ROU Răzvan Ristin (to Dumbrăvița)
— MF Romania ROU Mario Salka (to Progresul Pecica)
— MF Romania ROU Robert Vîlcu (to Metalul Buzău)
— MF Romania ROU Fabiano Cibi (to Dumbrăvița)
— MF Romania ROU Raul Popa (to CSM Slatina)
— MF Romania ROU Ahmet Ekmekci (to Dumbrăvița)
— FW Romania ROU Samir Borcea (to Progresul Pecica)
— FW Romania ROU Lucas Câmpan (to Corvinul Hunedoara)
— FW Ukraine UKR Vadim Kyrychenko (to Progresul Pecica)

Club officials

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European record

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Main article: FC UTA Arad in European football
Competition S P W D L GF GA GD
Balkans Cup 1 6 1 0 5 4 12 –8
UEFA Champions League / European Cup 2 6 0 2 4 3 17 –14
UEFA Europa League / UEFA Cup 2 10 3 2 5 13 14 –1
Total 5 22 4 4 14 20 43  –23

League history

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Notable former players

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The footballers enlisted below have had international caps 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.

For a list of all former and current UTA Arad players with a Wikipedia article, see Category:FC UTA Arad players.
Romania-Hungary
Romania
Albania
Argentina
Brazil
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Croatia
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Lithuania
Mauritania
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
Nigeria
Portugal
Russia
Serbia

Notable former managers

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For a list of all former and current UTA Arad players with a Wikipedia article, see Category:UTA Arad managers.

References

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Notes

  1. ^ The original FC Politehnica Timișoara was dissolved in 2012; after that, SSU Politehnica Timișoara and ACS Poli Timișoara were created, but the latter was also disbanded in 2021. In any case, SSU inherited the fanbase and holds the original brand.

Citations

  1. ^ "Membrii cu drept de vot în SCU, inclusiv Bara, au decis: drepturile federative trec la UTA Bătrâna Doamnă care va deveni UTA Arad!" [Members with voting rights in SCU, including Bara, decided: federative rights are passed to UTA Bătrâna Doamnă, which will become UTA Arad!]. Sport Arad (in Romanian). 16 March 2014. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016.
  2. ^ "UTA, sponsorizat de o Universitate! Vezi povestea clubului infiintat de baronul Neumann!". Sport.ro (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Stadionul "Francisc Neumann"- micul Highbury de Arad". adevarul.ro (in Romanian). 22 April 2010. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  4. ^ UTA – Feyenoord, o victorie de legendă. Florian Dumitrescu: "De frică ne-am mobilizat total" Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine. evz.ro
  5. ^ "UT Arad v Tottenham Hotspur, 07 March 1972". 11v11.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Tottenham Hotspur v UT Arad, 21 March 1972". 11v11.com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "Divizia B – Istorie – statistics". romaniansoccer.ro. Archived from the original on 28 May 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  8. ^ Iasi, Ziarul de (14 June 1999). "Barajul Rocar – UTA, la Alba Iulia". ziaruldeiasi.ro. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  9. ^ In fotbal, ca la piata: UTA si-a cumparat locul in Liga I Archived 2017-12-01 at the Wayback Machine. newspad.ro
  10. ^ UTA este în Divizia A Archived 2017-12-01 at the Wayback Machine. aradon.ro
  11. ^ "Dinita, Drida si cinci stelisti, doriti de Lacatus la UTA – România Liberă". Romania Libera. 19 July 2023. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  12. ^ RomanianSoccer.ro, (r). "Adrian Martian va deveni oficial actionar majoritar la UTA". romaniansoccer.ro (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  13. ^ Podină, Patrice (15 November 2013). "Fotbal / Afaceristul clujean Adrian Marţian nu mai este dorit la UTA". Transilvania Reporter. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  14. ^ E oficial! FC UTA, exclusa din campionat Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine. aradon.ro
  15. ^ "UTA BD a promovat in Liga III". ARADON. 21 June 2014. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  16. ^ Prosport, Arhiva (24 May 2015). "Dat afară de la UTA, Voicu a sărbătorit în lacrimi promovarea echipei arădene | VIDEO.** Suporterii îl vor înapoi: "Deja și-a ispășit pedeapsa"". Liga 2 (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  17. ^ MIRACULOS. UTA – Dunărea Călăraşi 4–1. Arădenii câştigă un meci epuizant, cu gol în repriza de prelungiri şi cu un om mai puţin pe teren. Fanii au invadat terenul după fluierul final Archived 10 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine. liga2.prosport.ro
  18. ^ UTA Bătrâna Doamnă – FC Voluntari 1–0. Ciprian Rus a adus victoria arădenilor, însă Voluntariul a rămas în Liga 1 Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine. digisport.ro
  19. ^ "UTA - ACS Poli 1-3. Timişoara a câştigat şi returul barajului şi rămâne în Liga 1". www.digisport.ro (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  20. ^ UTA Bătrâna Doamnă redevine UTA Arad Archived 2017-12-01 at the Wayback Machine. dincolodesport.eu
  21. ^ "UTA Arad - FC Voluntari 0-0. Remiză la debutul pe noul stadion și o ratare rarisimă a gazdelor" [UTA Arad - FC Voluntari 0-0. Draw in the first game on the new stadium and a rare miss by the hosts]. Digi Sport (Romania) (in Romanian). 28 August 2020. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  22. ^ "Primul meci cu spectatori pe "Francisc Neuman", finala Cupei României la fotbal feminin? Bîlcea: "L-am interpelat pe ministrul tineretului și sportului"" [First match with spectators on „Francisc Neuman”, the final of the Women's football Romanian Cup? Bîlcea: „I asked the youth and sports minister”]. sportarad.ro (in Romanian). 10 May 2021. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Finala Cupei României feminin se dispută cu spectatori în tribune! Biletele sunt disponibile online" [The final of the women's Romanian Cup will take place with spectators in the stands!]. sportarad.ro (in Romanian). 3 June 2021. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  24. ^ "Primul meci internațional pe noul stadion "Francisc Neuman". UTA – Kolumbara Lazarevac, 0-0" [The first international match on the new „Francisc Neuman”. UTA – Kolumbara Lazarevac, 0-0]. sportarad.ro (in Romanian). 5 September 2021. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Echipa I" [First squad] (in Romanian). uta-arad.ro. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  26. ^ "UTA ARAD" (in Romanian). Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
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