András Törőcsik turns 65 today

András Törőcsik was born in Budapest on 1st May 1955 and became a Hungarian youth international while registered with the BVSC club. In 1974, he moved across Hungary's capital city to play for reigning champions Újpest Dózsa, making his debut in a 4-1 home win against Levski Sofia in the European Cup. Two weeks later, Törőcsik marked his league debut for Újpest with a goal in a 5-1 victory over Pécsi Munkás SC on 16th October 1974, the first of 69 he would score in 236 top-flight appearances in his club career overall.

International recognition wasn't far away, his Hungary debut coming in 1976 against Austria and his 19th-minute strike against Bolivia in a World Cup play-off the following year set his country on the way to a 6-0 home success and comfortable qualification to the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.

A controversial dismissal late in the first match of that tournament against the hosts was a setback for Törőcsik and Hungary but despite this and group-stage elimination, The Újpest attacker still enhanced his reputation amongst the media, celebrated British journalist Brian Glanville describing Töröcsik as one of Hungary's "two key players, who had astonishing technique with the ball and who could drive opponents crazy with wonderful tricks", an assertion which was clearly shared by his Hungarian fans, who would chant "Tancoj Törő! (Dance, Törő!).

A serious car accident in 1979 interupted Töröcsik's ascent to footballing stardom but he still remained an effective and sometimes outstanding playmaker for Újpest and Hungary, participation in the World Cup in Spain following in 1982. Three years later, aged 30, his international career came to an end after 12 goals in 45 appearances and he moved abroad to play for Montpellier in France. This was followed by a brief return to Hungary with Volan SC, a spell playing indoor football in Canada and finally two appearances for MTK-VM back in Budapest before retirement beckoned in 1989.

In more recent years, the fondly-remembered forward has suffered ill-health but his condition did improve thanks to the love and attention of family, friends, fans and medical professionals. Happy Birthday, Törő!

Club honours and achievements:

Hungarian league titles (3): 1974-75, 1977-78, 1978-79
Hungarian league runner-up (2): 1976-77, 1979-80
Hungarian league third place: 1975-76
Hungarian Cup winner (3): 1975, 1982, 1983
European Cup Winners' Cup Quarter-finalist: 1983-84