A New Line East: Mark Stott’s Stake in Debrecen
It’s widely known that Stockport County’s ownership group now has an interest in a club from Hungary, Debreceni Vasutas Sport Club, or DVSC. Given that this is a massive departure for a club in the third tier of English football, I hope a few words about the new acquisition will not be out of place in a column by the Supporters’ Co-operative.
The club began in 1902 as Egyetértés Football Club and until 1920 drew its players exclusively from staff at MÁV, Hungarian State Railways. This association lives on in the club’s winged wheel emblem and their nickname, Loki.
During the first world war, football in Hungary was played on a regional basis and DVSC competed in the Northern District of the Military Championship. Ironically for a railway social club team, their lack of success was partly due to travel difficulties. After the war, DVSC found success in the Eastern District league, becoming champions on six occasions between 1921 and 1938.
For various reasons, including mergers and government interference in sports policy, the club underwent a number of name changes between the end of world war two and 1979, when it emerged again as DVSC.
The club has enjoyed its most success in the current century. Highlights include seven league championships between 2005 and 2014, including an unbeaten season in 2011-12, five Hungarian Cup wins from 2000 to 2013 and reaching the group stage of the Champions League in 2009-10.
Turning to the modern day, DVSC currently lie fourth in Nemzeti Bajnokság I, or Fizz Liga, Hungary’s top division. Their leading scorer is Donát Bárány on seven goals with twenty games played so far.
2026 will be an exciting year for the Co-op, County and DVSC; if you aren’t already a member, please join us via this link: https://webcollect.org.uk/coop/subscription