Lech Poznań (Polish pronunciation: [ˈlɛx ˈpɔznaɲ]) is a Polish football club based in Poznań, Poland. The club is named after Lech, the legendary founder of Poland. It originates from the established in 1922 Lutnia Poznań, which since then changed its name several times. From 1933 until 1994 club has been linked closely to Polish State Railways (PKP). That is why its popular nickname is Kolejorz, which means The Railwayman in local slang. The club's debut in Polish top division took place in March 1948. The brightest era of Lech were the early 1980s and early 1990s. Lech Poznań is the most popular football club in the Greater Poland region. [edit] Achievements [edit] Domestic - Ekstraklasa (First Division):
- 1st place (5): 1983, 1984, 1990, 1992, 1993
- 3rd place (4): 1949, 1950, 1978, 2009
- Polish Cup:
- Winner (5): 1982, 1984, 1988, 2004, 2009
- Finalist (1): 1980
- Polish SuperCup:
- Winner (4): 1990, 1992, 2004, 2009
- Finalist (2): 1983, 1988
[edit] UEFA participations Lech Poznań has played total of 46 games in the European Cups during the years 1978–2009 (as for 28 February 2009). The most memorable games in the club's history were the clashes against FC Barcelona in the 1988/1989 season of Cup Winners' Cup second round. After both matches ended with 1-1 draw, Lech Poznań lost the penalty shoot-out with 4-5. FC Barcelona finally won Cup Winners' Cup that season. The club's biggest success in European Cup appearances was passing through the Greek champion Panathinaikos during the 1990/1991 season First Round, with 5-1 on aggregate. In the next tie Lech was knocked out by Olympique de Marseille, but achieved a good result at home with a 3-2 win. Few years earlier, during the 1983/1984 season Lech made quite a big surprise with a 2-0 win at home against Spanish champions Athletic Bilbao. Currently, during the UEFA Cup 2008–09 season, Lech made it to the group stage of the competition after knocking out higher seeded teams of Grasshopper-Club Zürich (notching its greatest margin of victory with a 6-0 win at home) and FK Austria Wien (scoring the decisive goal in the last minute of extra-time). In the group stage, Lech finished third-placed ahead of AS Nancy and Feyenoord to secure a place in the Third Round, where it was knocked out by the Italian side Udinese Calcio. [edit] Lech Poznań in Europe [edit] Records - Highest victory, Ekstraklasa: 11-1 vs. Szombierki Bytom, 27 August 1950
- Highest loss, Ekstraklasa: 0-8 vs. Wisła Kraków, 30 May 1976
- Highest attendance overall: circa 65.000 vs. Zawisza Bydgoszcz, 25 June 1972
- Highest attendance at Stadion Miejski: circa 45.000 vs. Widzew Łódź, 8 April 1984
- Highest average attendance, Ekstraklasa: 45.384 per game, in the 1972/1973 season (13 games)
- Most appearances, Ekstraklasa: Hieronim Barczak, 367 (1973–1986)
- Most goals, Ekstraklasa: Teodor Anioła, 141 (1948–1961)
- Most goals in a season, Ekstraklasa: Jerzy Podbrożny, 25 (1992/1993)
- Most national caps: Krzysztof Pawlak, 31 for Poland
[edit] Current squad - As of September 22, 2009.
[edit] Out on loan [edit] Coaching staff [edit] Notable players | | Lists of "famous" or "notable" sports persons with no clear inclusion or exclusion criteria should be avoided. Such lists should be removed or replaced with verifiable lists of players recognized by the club, league, or another reliable source and be properly referenced. | - Teodor Anioła, striker, the best all-time scorer in club's history with 141 goals in the First league (1948-1957).
- Jarosław Araszkiewicz, midfielder/striker, won all five championship titles with Lech Poznań. Finished his career in the age of 38.
- Jarosław Bako - the goalkeeper of Poland national football team in early 90's
- Hieronim Barczak, defender, 367 league appearances for Lech.
- Jacek Bąk, defender, played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and 2006 FIFA World Cup, former player of French clubs Lyon and Lens.
- Edmund Białas, striker, along with Anioła and Henryk Czapczyk, created an offensive trio called A-B-C, which was very successful in the 1950s.
- Bartosz Bosacki, defender, played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup scoring two goals against Costa Rica. Played also in Bundesliga for 1.FC Nurnberg.
- Jerzy Brzęczek, midfielder, silver medalist with Poland in the 1992 Summer Olympics, former Polish national team captain.
- Jimmy Conrad, defender, USA national team member in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
- Henryk Czapczyk
- Jacek Dembiński, striker, played in German Bundesliga with Hamburger SV, currently plays for Lech.
- Roman Jakóbczak, midfielder, Polish national team member in the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
- Andrzej Juskowiak, striker, silver medalist with Poland in the 1992 Summer Olympics, former player of Sporting Lisbon, Olympiakos, Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfL Wolfsburg.
- Mirosław Justek, defender, Polish national team member in the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
- Waldemar Kryger, defender, former player of German club VfL Wolfsburg.
- Janusz Kupcewicz, midfielder, bronze medalist in the 1982 FIFA World Cup
- Henryk Miłoszewicz
- Piotr Mowlik
- Mirosław Okoński, striker, one of the club's icons, especially loved by the fans, after winning with Lech two consecutive championships in 1983 and 1984, transferred to Hamburger SV, played also for Greek side AEK.
- Bogusław Pachelski
- Krzysztof Pawlak, defender, played in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
- Jerzy Podbrożny, played also in M.L.S. with the Chicago Fire.
- Arkadiusz Radomski, began his career with an episode for Lech, then moved to Dutch side SC Heerenveen, now plays for NEC. Made his appearance in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
- Piotr Reiss, striker, played also for Hertha BSC Berlin and MSV Duisburg.
- Piotr Świerczewski, midfielder, silver medalist with Poland in the 1992 Summer Olympics, played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, former Sporting Club de Bastia, AS Saint-Étienne and Olympique de Marseille player.
- Mirosław Trzeciak, striker, played in Spanish clubs CA Osasuna and Polideportivo Ejido.
- Artur Wichniarek, striker, currently in Hertha Berlin.
- Maciej Żurawski, striker, played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and 2006 FIFA World Cup, after playing for Lech, transferred to Wisła Kraków, after that to Celtic F.C.. Currently he is a AC Omonoia player.
Lech Poznań is considered to have the strongest fan support in Poland due to club's highest average attendance in Ekstraklasa and the atmosphere during the games. For over a decade Lech supporters have a fellowship with fans from Arka Gdynia and Cracovia Kraków (the popular watchword: 'Miłość, Wiara, Walka - Lech Cracovia Arka' i.e. 'Love, Faith, Fight - Lech, Cracovia, Arka'). Close friendship links Lech fans also with KSZO Ostrowiec supporters. Relations with local rival Warta Poznań are neutral as the clubs have almost always played in different leagues. [edit] See also [edit] External links |
