The Return of Istvan Kozma
Friday, 4th Sep 2015103 appearances for the Pars and over 40 for Hungary, Kozma is expected at East End Park for Sunday's Jock Stein Memorial Match.
One of Pars legend Istvan Kozma's last visits to East End Park was for Stewart Petrie's Testimonial Match in January 2003. After the match the official web-site had the pleasure of catching up with Hungarian legend Istvan Kozma, to ask how he enjoyed the evening.
"I want to say many thanks to everybody who remembers me, and thinks about me and I’ve really enjoyed these few days over here. It’s very nice to be remembered - I know many people. The fans today were great, brilliant, but we must go back on Thursday. So I’m a little bit sad."
Out of the 103 appearances that Istvan made for the Pars, one game that the supporters remember more than any other, is the 5-1 victory over St Mirren at East End Park in October 1989. Did the man himself remember that particular afternoon?
"I remember a lot of nice games, but St Mirren is very special. It’s the first time I scored three times. When I was here it didn’t matter whether we won one-zero it was for me the same. It was the crowd, always a full house, and the feeling it was brilliant."
Istvan, who won 40 caps for his country, has been quoted in the national press that he might like to return to Scotland as a coach – how realistic a proposition is this?
"I now have a UEFA licence so I can go anywhere and coach. At the moment I’m still playing but in the summer I want to start my coaching career so who knows if its possible to work here, I’d be really happy with that."
Istvan moved from Dunfermline to Liverpool for £300,000 in February 1992, where did his career take him from there?
"After Liverpool I went back to Hungary. In England they brought in a new rule after I had been there one and a half years, saying that you need to play 75% of the games. It was very difficult, so for the third year I hadn’t a work permit. I could stay because I had a contract for one more year, but I wanted to play, so I went back to Hungary. Afterwards I went out to Cyprus.
"Everybody thinks that Cyprus has nothing for football, but for me it was a very nice two years there. I was with Apoel Nicosia and we won the championship and the cup, without losing so it was a great time."
Finally, Istvan spoke about Stewart Petrie’s ten years with Dunfermline.
"Here in Scotland and England, when somebody plays for one club for ten years, their club never forgets. But in Hungary and over the world they never do that. So playing in Scotland and England for one club, he’s a lucky player. I’d just like to say best wishes to Stewart and he’s a lucky guy."
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