CSU Dunărea de Jos Galați

History

The club began in 1953 as the football section of the multi-sports club Știința Galați, itself founded in 1951 alongside the Institute of Naval Mechanics. Știința first played in the Galați Regional Championship, finishing 7th in 1953 and winning the national university title that same year. After a second-place finish in 1955, the team earned promotion to Divizia C. In the third division, Știința placed 5th in Series I in both 1956 and 1957–58, then 8th in 1958–59, returning to the regional level when Divizia C was dissolved in summer 1959. The 1959–60 season saw Știința win its regional series but lose the championship final 2–4 on aggregate to CSM Brăila. The following year, the club won Series II and the regional final against Marina Brăila (5–1 aggregate), then topped Group I of the promotion play-off in Râmnicu Vâlcea to reach Divizia B. The squad included players such as Bulancea, Dan, Morcovescu, Dumitru, Curt, Vlăsceanu, Lupea, Șerbănescu, Coman, Fălcuțescu, Păun, Voicu II, Zgardan, Venturini, Bădulescu, and Voicu I, led by I. Iovicin. In Divizia B, Știința finished 7th in its first season, 8th in 1962–63, 12th in 1963–64, and 5th in 1964–65. In 1965, the club surrendered its place to Oțelul Galați. Re-founded in 1967 as Politehnica Galați, it took over Siderurgistul Galați's spot in Divizia B. After a second-place finish in 1967–68, the team went to the promotion play-off in Timișoara but finished last. The squad featured Iorgulescu, Enache, Pac, Costache, Dima, Diaconu, Stancu, Velea, Mureșan, Lehăduș, Adam, Bretan, Cojocaru, Neagu, and Stătescu. In 1970–71, under Vasile Stancu and later Dragoș Cojocaru, the team finished 14th, avoiding relegation on goal difference. Cojocaru then led the side to 4th in 1971–72. Renamed CSU Galați in 1972, the club finished last in 1972–73 but was spared relegation due to the second division's expansion. It placed 11th in 1973–74 and 10th in 1974–75.