Ground Capacity 2,000 / 1,380 Founded 1945 Manager Laurențiu Roșu | ||
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Nickname(s) Bătrâna Doamnă (The Old Lady)Campioana Proviciei (Provincial Champions) Ground Motorul / Otto Greffner Owner UTA Supporters Association | ||
Fotbal Club UTA Arad, commonly known as UTA Arad, or simply as UTA, is a Romanian professional football club based in the city of Arad, Arad County, currently playing in Liga II.
Contents
- History
- Grounds
- Supporters
- Rivalries
- Leagues
- Cups
- European
- First team squad
- Out on loan
- Second team squad UTA II
- Notable former players
- References
Founded in 1945 as IT Arad, they won the Liga I (known as Divizia A before 2006) six times and the Cupa României twice. Domestically, UTA can be considered one of the most successful Romanian clubs of the 20th century, with only three teams winning more championship titles during that period, Steaua, Dinamo and Venus, all from Bucharest. Recently, after a decline which started in 1979 with a relegation to the second league, the team was dissolved in 2014 due to the "faulty and irresponsible management of the club officials". With support from fans, a new team started its way back from Liga IV, the fourth level of Romanian league system, and was credited as the successor of the defunct club.
"The Old Lady" plays in red and white kits at the Motorul Stadium, as their traditional home ground, Francisc von Neumann, is under reconstruction since 2014.
History
The club was founded in 1945 under the name of IT Arad (Industriile Textile Arad – Arad Textile Industries) under the ownership of baron Francisc von Neumann. Team colours: red-white. The beginning of the club's history was successful, between 1946–1954 the club won the championship 4 times (1946–47, 1947–48, 1950, 1954) and the cup twice (1947–48, 1953). A second period of success was during 1966–1970, when, under the coach Nicolae Dumitrescu III, they won another two titles (1968–69 and 1969–70) and played one Romanian cup final (1965–66). Also during this period they played in the European Cup, eliminating the defending champions Feyenoord in 1970. A period of decline started after 1975. At the end of 1978–79 season the club relegated for the first time in istory to the Divizia B In 1993 UTA returned to Divizia A, but only for a short time, because after two seasons, they were again to Divizia B. During the years, the club has changed its name a couple of times: ITA (1945–1949), Flamura Roșie Arad (1950–1957)and UTA Arad since 1958. There were e few variations on the same theme: FCM UTA (1984–1985, 1985–1986, 2006–2010), CSM UTA (1985, 1986–1995), FC UTA (1995–2006, 2010–2014) and ACS UTA Bătrâna Doamnă (2014–present) . Besides the titles won with the senior squad, the club has also won 5 titles one cup and one supercup with the junior squad (1957–58, 1958–59, 1967–68, 1995–1996, 2000–2001 titles) (2015–2016 cup)(2015–2016 supercup) .
Grounds
The club plays its home matches on Stadionul Motorul in Arad, because their stadium, Stadionul Francisc von Neumann, is under reconstruction. Because the reconstruction of Stadionul Francisc von Neumann is not ready untill 2018 the club decided to modernize Motorul Stadium so the club can play home if they promote at the end of 2016–17 season , untill then the team will play at Otto Greffner.
Supporters
UTA also have a large group of supporters named Speta Ultra Rossa, Directivo Ultra, Rasa, Commando Hooligans and Red Skorpions.Now all of them are united under ARAD 1945. Their main rivalry is with the supporters of Poli Timişoara, and have a friendship with fans of Corvinul Hunedoara (currently supporting FC Hunedoara)
Rivalries
UTA's most important rivalry is with Politehnica Timişoara. The match between them, Derby-ul Vestului (The West Derby), has been the leading Romanian football encounter in the last 65 years, as UTA and Poli are the two most successful football teams from the west of the country.
Another rivalry is shared with FC Bihor Oradea, also known as The West Derby.
Leagues
Cups
European
First team squad
As of 27 February 2017Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Second team squad (UTA II)
As of 23 February 2017Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Notable former players
The footballers enlisted below have had international cap(s) 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.