FC Bihor Oradea

Early years, as Crișul (1958–1972)

FC Bihor Oradea continued the football tradition in Oradea after the dissolution of a much greater club, CA Oradea. Founded under the name of Crișul Oradea on 1 April 1958, it has a short activity in the city championship and then in the regional championship. In 1960 the team merged with the footwear factory, Solidaritatea ("Solidarity"), and finishing first in the 1960–61 regional championship, it promoted to the Divizia B after a play-off at Sinaia, on Carpați Stadium. In the 1961–62 season the club was renamed as ASA Crișul, and finished 11th in the third series of the Divizia B, barely escaping from relegation. The following season, 1962–63, the club finished 1st in the series and promoted for the very first time in its history to the Divizia A. Coach Ladislau Zilahi used the following players: Weichelt – Bucur, Pojoni, Boros, Șchiopu, Donciu, Al. Georgescu, Kun I, Curtu, Osan, Stanciu, Podaru, I. Pop, Bokos, I. Sandu, Manescu, Al. Iacob, Șovoială, Lenalt, Fr. Stilgerlbauer and R. Petschovschi.

Crișul played for three seasons in the first league: 1963–64 (7th place), 1964–65 (9th place) and 1965–66 (13th place), then it relegated to the Divizia B where it played for two seasons, 1966–67 (7th place) and 1967–68 (2nd place). In the summer of 1968, it qualified for the promotion play-off, held in Timișoara. There it managed to secure a place in the first league, coach A. Fernbach-Ferenczi, achieved this performance with the…

Leagues

Liga II Winners (5): 1962–63, 1970–71, 1974–75, 1981–82, 1987–88 Runners-up (8): 1967–68, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1979–80, 1992–93, 2002–03, 2005–06, 2010–11 Liga III Winners (1): 1997–98

Friendly

Norcia Winter Cup Italy Winners (1): 2004 Runners-up (1): 2005

Other performances

Appearances in Liga I: 18 Best finish in Liga I: 7th place in the 1963–1964, 1983–84 and 1988–89 seasons. Place 24 of 98 teams in the Liga I All-time table