FC Bihor Oradea (1958)

History

FC Bihor Oradea continued the football tradition in Oradea after the dissolution of CA Oradea. Founded as Crișul Oradea on 1 April 1958, it initially played in the city championship and then the regional championship. In 1960 the team merged with the footwear factory Solidaritatea, and after winning the 1960–61 regional championship, it promoted to Divizia B via a play-off at Sinaia on Carpați Stadium. Renamed ASA Crișul for the 1961–62 season, it finished 11th in the third series of Divizia B, narrowly avoiding relegation.

The following season, 1962–63, the club finished first in its series and promoted for the first time to Divizia A under coach Ladislau Zilahi. Crișul played three seasons in the top flight: 1963–64 (7th), 1964–65 (9th), and 1965–66 (13th), then relegated to Divizia B for two seasons. In summer 1968, it won promotion back to Divizia A via a play-off in Timișoara, coached by A. Fernbach-Ferenczi. After two more seasons in Divizia A (1968–69 13th, 1969–70 15th) it relegated again, but returned in 1970–71 under Ladislau Vlad.

Relegation followed after the 1971–72 season (16th place). The club was then rebuilt as Fotbal Club Bihor starting in 1972.

Support

FC Bihor had many supporters in Oradea and Bihor County. Its ultras group was known as Peluza Nord Oradea (PNO).

Supporters considered Olimpia Satu Mare fans as allies. The main rivalry was against UTA Arad, called The West Derby, a name also used for UTA Arad versus Politehnica Timișoara and FC Bihor versus Politehnica Timișoara. Additional rivalries existed against FCM Baia Mare and local rival Luceafărul Oradea, known as the Oradea Derby.

Did You Know?

• The youth academy produced players such as Claudiu Keșerü, Ovidiu Hoban, and Marius Popa.
• After FC Bihor's bankruptcy, CSM Oradea took over the youth academy.
• The club spent only one season in the fourth tier, its first season.