In Forgotten Clubs, I will look at the history of clubs who over time have faded from the memory of football fans around the world.

In this instalment, I decided to explore the history of the recording breaking European Champion FC Steaua București or FCSB as they are now known.

How it all began:

Steaua was founded on 7 June 1947 at the initiative of several officers of the Romanian Royal House. The establishment took place following the signing of a degree by General Mihail Lascăr, high commander of the Romanian Royal Army. The club was to be called ASA București (Asociația Sportivă a Armatei București) or Army Sports Association. It was formed initially as a sports society with seven sections.

Set up as the Romanian Army’s power vehicle, the club had a particularly unique way of attracting talented young players during the Communist era; playing for the club meant no national service.

Steaua in their storied history have changed their name on multiple occasions but the biggest change came at the end of 1961 when the club was renamed to CSA Steaua București (Clutbul Sportiv al Armatei Steaua or Army Sports Club Steaua. The new name translated to The Star and was adopted due to the presence of a Red Star, a symbol of most East European Army Clubs, on its crest.

The Glory Years:

Although FCSB is the most decorated Romanian team in history they had a spell after the name change in 1961 where they won only three titles in almost a decade. 1967-68, 1975-76 and 1977-78. The lack of success changed drastically in a record-breaking way.

The title that changed everything for Romania’s biggest club was in the 1984-85 season, a catalyst for success on a scale unparalled since. Titles followed in 1985-86, 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1988-89. From June 1986 to September 1989 Steaua went on a remarkable 104 game unbeaten run in the Romanian top flight, setting a World and European record that stands to this day.

During this period Steaua had three consecutive invincible seasons a truly incredible run that is unlikely to be matched again.

The height of FCSB’s success came on the 7th May 1986 in the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium of Seville. FCSB reached the European Cup final where they faced Spanish Giants FC Barcelona, the infamous game was 0-0 after extra time and came down to a penalty shootout.

In a big game as tight as this one a hero was needed, and boy did Helmuth Duckadam step up for FCSB in the penalty shootout. The Romanian international saved four consecutive penalties to help his side prevail in the penalty shootout 2-0. Saving four consecutive penalties Duckadam became the first player to do so in an official UEFA competition.

In winning the European Cup Steaua became the only Eastern European club to ever accomplish this feat. Romania’s most recognised player Gheorghe Hagi joined the club just months later and provided the only goal of the game as Steaua beat Dynamo Kiev on 24th February 1987 to add the European Super Cup to a growing list of honours.

Steaua’s dominance in Europe continued up until the end of the decade as they reached a further Semi-Final against Benfica in 1987-88 and another European Cup final in 1989. In the final, they were brushed aside 4-0 by an AC Milan side that featured Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard.

The Controversies and Downfall:

The Romanian Revolution, a period of violent civil unrest in December 1989 was the catalyst for a huge chapter in Steaua’s History. To quickly summarise, the Romanian Revolution culminated in the show trial and execution of longtime Communist Party General Secretary Nicolae Ceaușescu. This put to end 42 years of Communist Rule in Romania.

Back to the Football, the significance of this historical event was that the Romanian Revolution led the country towards a free market. Subsequently, several players of the great teams of the 80’s left to join clubs in the West. Gheorghe Hagi left to join Real Madrid for a record $4.3million transfer fee, a record that still stands in the Romanian top flight.

Although Steaua continued to be successful domestically in the decades to follow they never managed to reach the lofty heights of the late eighties on the continent.

In 1998 following lobbying from Football Department President Marcel Pușcaș, and new Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal (LFP) regulations. The club separated from CSA Steaua București and for the last time changed its name to FC Steaua București.

After years of turmoil for Steaua București, it all came to the fore in 2011 when the Ministry of Defence sued Steaua, claiming the Romanian Army were the rightful owners of the logo, colours, honours, and name.

The legal battle for the rights of the club lasted until December 2014 when Romania’s highest court ruled in favour of the Ministry of Defence, the ruling forced the cancellation of the club’s registration leading to a truly bizarre game on December 7th against CSMS Lasi.

A surreal game occurred in which the country’s most successful club was deprived of their name, colours, and badge. The team was effectively without an identity, the scoreboard read ‘hosts’ and the clubs emblem was replaced by an empty square. The stadium announcer simply announced the team as ‘the champions of Romania’.

In 2017 the executive committee of the Romanian Football Federation approved an application to rename the club to FCSB after more judiciary sentences. Both sides still claim they are the rightful owners of the club’s identity.

As of June 2018, UEFA and LPF regard FCSB as the continuation of Historic FC Steaua whom they attribute all honours to since 1947. However, ownership of the trophies won between 1947-2003 is still widely disputed between the club and ministry of defence.

26 Liga 1 titles, 22 Cupa României cups and 1 European Cup are among the many trophies FCSB has won in its illustrious years as a club in its various entities.

With the battle having no signs of stopping anytime soon, be sure to keep an eye on proceedings in Bucharest as the next incredible chapter of this former European Giant is written before our eyes.