Arpad Szucs, a renowned midfielder for FC Bihor, tragically passed away on August 28, 2023, at the age of 83 following a fire that consumed his apartment in Oradea.
On the same day that legendary player Nae Ungureanu also died at the age of 69, Romanian football mourned the loss of Szucs, who had an impressive record of 190 appearances and scored 35 goals in the first league.
Szucs’s death occurred after a fire broke out in his apartment around 8:00 PM on that fateful Friday night, as confirmed by FC Bihor and reported by ebihoreanul.ro.
Tragic Incident in Oradea
“RIP Arpad Szucs. What a tragedy, what a fate, what misfortune. The former great footballer of FC Bihor has passed away due to a fire that erupted on Friday, August 28, in a building on Calea Mareșal Alexandru Averescu in Oradea,” stated the announcement from FC Bihor.
According to ISU Crișana, two fire-fighting vehicles, a rescue crew, and a mobile Intensive Care Unit were dispatched to manage the emergency situation. They arrived on the scene around 8:20 PM.
During the rescue operation, firefighters found an unconscious man in the apartment. “He was urgently extricated by firefighters and handed over to the mobile Intensive Care Unit for medical care,” the agency reported.
However, resuscitation efforts proved futile. “The individual succumbed along with the fire. The name of the one who has departed to the heavens is Arpad Szucs,” FC Bihor conveyed in their statement.
Arpad Szucs: A Legacy in Romanian Football
For older fans, Arpad Szucs stands as a significant figure in the history of Bihorean football. Born in Oradea on March 16, 1943, Szucs developed his skills at the historic clubs Stăruința and CAO. He made his debut in Divizia B at the age of 18 with the team then known as Crișana Oradea.
He was thrust into competitive play by the esteemed coach Ferenc Ronay, debuting in 1961 and retiring quietly in 1980.
Szucs played approximately 550 matches, including those in the first and second leagues, cup competitions, and friendly matches, netting over 60 goals. His record in the first league included 190 appearances and 35 goals.
In 1973, he briefly joined Deva before moving to Jiul Petroșani, where he contributed to the team achieving its greatest success by winning the Romanian Cup against Poli Timișoara (4-2), with Szucs scoring in the final.
He returned to FC Bihor in 1974 and continued to play until 1980, later serving as a coach, including a stint as head coach in 1996, as stated in FC Bihor’s announcement.
