ACS Minerul Lupeni
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| Full name | Asociația Club Sportiv Minerul Lupeni | ||
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| Nicknames |
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| Founded | 1920 as Jiul Lupeni 2021 as Viitorul Minerul Lupeni | ||
| Ground | Minerul | ||
| Capacity | 5,000 | ||
| Owners | Lupeni Municipality Emil Părău | ||
| Chairman | Florin Spînu | ||
| Manager | Ionuț Moșteanu | ||
| League | Liga III | ||
| 2025–26 | Liga III, Series VI Regular season: 2nd of 12 Play-off, Series III: 2nd of 8 | ||
| Website | minerullupeni | ||
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Clubul Sportiv Minerul Lupeni, commonly referred to as Minerul Lupeni, is a Romanian football club based in Lupeni, Hunedoara County, which competes in Liga III, the third tier of the Romanian football league system. Established in 1920 as Jiul Lupeni, the club changed its name several times to Partizanul (1950), Flacăra (1951), Minerul (1953 and 1957) and Energia (1956).[1] Dissolved in 2010, the club from Jiu Valley was re-founded as Viitorul Minerul Lupeni in 2021.
History
The team representing the miners of the Lupeni coal basin was founded in 1920 as Jiul Lupeni.[1] In 1926, the club briefly merged with CAMP, continuing to compete under the name Jiul Lupeni.[2]
In the 1927–28 season, the Jiu Valley side won the Arad Regional Championship and qualified for the national tournament of Divizia A. After eliminating România Cluj 2–0 and Șoimii Sibiu 3–0, Jiul reached the final, where it lost 2–3 to Colțea Brașov. The lineup in the final, coached by Adalbert Szabo, featured Ioan Kiss – Eugen Szabados, Rupp – Alexandru Berkessy, Szülle, Gentl – Kertesz, Aurel Guga, Bognar, Joseph Kilianovitz and Meszner.[2][3]
Renamed Minerul, the team made its first appearance in the Cupa României during the 1935–36 season, reaching the quarter-finals before being eliminated 2–9 by Ripensia Timișoara, the eventual winners.[4] The Miners also competed in the inaugural season of Divizia C, finishing as runners-up in the Western League, before earning promotion to Divizia B at the end of the 1937–38 Divizia C season. That squad featured Sepreny – Sebok, Baki – Maior, Iuliu Peter, Racolțea – Comsloșan, Ilieș, Zelenak, Sorger and Băcilă.[3]
The Red-Blacks spent the next three seasons in the second division, finishing 4th in 1938–39, 2nd in 1939–40 and 6th in 1940–41. After the Second World War, Minerul resumed competition in Divizia B, finishing the 1946–47 season in 12th place in Series II.[5]
During the following decade, the Miners remained in the second division, often finishing in mid-table or fighting to avoid relegation. They finished 6th in 1947–48, 5th in 1948–49, 4th in 1950 under the name Partizanul and 11th in 1951 as Flacăra. That year, the team avoided relegation following the relocation of Flacăra București to Ploiești and the subsequent dissolution of the former Flacăra Ploiești. Minerul then finished 10th in 1952, 14th in 1953—when the club reverted to the Minerul name—6th in 1954, 9th in both 1955, under coach Alexandru Mike, and 1956, and 6th in the 1957–58 campaign.[5]
At the end of the 1958–59 season, Minerul won Series I of Divizia B and achieved promotion to Divizia A after fifteen seasons in the second division. The squad, managed by head coach Vasile Lazăr and assistant coach Adalbert Pall, included Ioan Kiss II, Simion Plev, Alexandru Coman, Vasile Keresteș, Ștefan Szöke, Ioan Groza, Carol Mihaly, Constantin Cotroază, I. Pall, Mircea Onea, Tudor Paraschiva, Carol Creiniceanu, among others.[6]
With several new players, including Teodor Mihalache, Daniel Peretz, Ion Leahovici, Alexandru Dan II, Milea, Alexandru Nisipeanu, Virgil Mihăilă, M. Țurcan, D. Cucu and N. Stanciu, Minerul spent four seasons in the top flight, finishing three consecutive campaigns in 11th place before being relegated after finishing last in the 1962–63 season. In the 1959–60 Cupa României, the Red-Blacks reached the quarter-finals of the Cupa României, losing 1–3 to Dinamo Obor București.
Minerul Lupeni then spent four more seasons in the second tier, finishing 10th in 1963–64 with Ilie Cricitoiu in charge, 4th in 1964–65, 11th in 1965–66 and 13th in 1966–67 under Alexandru Florea, unexpectedly suffering relegation to Divizia C.[3][5]
The Miners went on to spend nine consecutive seasons in the third tier before returning to Divizia B. During this period, the team finished 5th in 1967–68, runners-up in 1968–69, and 3rd in the 1969–70, 1970–71 and 1971–72 seasons. In 1972–73, under the guidance of coach Teodor Mihalache, Minerul finished 7th and qualified for the first round proper of the Cupa României, where the team was narrowly eliminated 0–1 by Steaua București. The lineup featured Șarpe, I. Rus, Șvedak, Burdangiu, Serafim, Polgar, Cristache II, Gh. Voicu, Lucuța, Cotroază and Turbatu (83' Moldovan).[7]
In 1973–74, Minerul finished as runners-up once again, followed by a 3rd-place finish in 1974–75 under Gheorghe Teodorescu, before finally winning Series VII in the 1975–76 season and securing promotion. Under the leadership of Gheorghe Kotormány, the promotion-winning squad featured Budușan, Dodu, Roșu, Tudor, Naidin, Boloș, Dosan, Lucuță, Rusu, Nicșa, Stoinică, Lucian, Gh. Voicu and Burdangiu.[3]
Back in Divizia B, the team competed in Series III, finishing 13th in the 1976–77 season with Petre Libardi on the bench, before suffering relegation at the end of the following campaign after placing 15th in 1977–78, with Libardi replaced by Gheorghe Kotormány after the first half of the season.[5]
Two seasons followed in Series VII of Divizia C, with the team finishing as runners-up in 1978–79 and earning promotion at the end of the 1979–80 campaign by winning the series. The squad, led by Mihai Basarab and assistant coach Constantin Cotroază, included Homan, Grigore, Leordean, Truică, Burdangiu, Dumitru, I. Popa, Boloș, I. Marian, Dosan, P. Popa, Moraru, Voicu, Leca, Covaci, Iacob, Tudor, Sămăreanu, Burchel and Bălosu.[3]
Two more seasons followed in Series III of Divizia B, where Minerul finished 10th in the 1980–81 season and 16th in 1981–82, resulting in another relegation to the third tier.[3]
Minerul earned another promotion at the end of the 1982–83 season, winning Series IX of Divizia C with Petre Libardi on the bench. The squad included Lixandru, Teleche, Rusu, Sebestyen, I. Popa, Truică, Mușat, Voicu, Sălăjean, P. Popa, Nichimiș, Cean, Colceag, Chitac, Dordea, Grigore, Pantilimon, Ene, Henzel, Morar, Vînătoru, Dina and Căldărar.[3]
In their first season back in the second tier, the Jiu Valley side, competing in Series III under the guidance of Petre Libardi, secured an 8th-place mid-table finish, followed by a 9th-place finish in the 1984–85 campaign. However, the 1985–86 season marked a clear decline, as a series of poor results during the first half of the championship led to Petre Libardi being replaced by Gheorghe Tătaru. The managerial change failed to improve the results, and Minerul Lupeni finished the season in last place, resulting in relegation back to Divizia C.[5][8][9]
In the 2004–05 season, Minerul Lupeni won Series VII of Divizia C and returned to Divizia B after nineteen years of absence. The squad, coached by Iosif Rus, included Ardelean, Botezatu, Dobra, Lumperdean, Câmpean, Drăghici, Pilea, Acs, Cr. Barbu, Amaximoaie, Cișmariu, Damian, I. Radu, Baroană, M. Szoradi, Daj, Toader, Noață, Diaconescu, Elisei, Tr. Barbu, Ciorea and V. Stancu.[10]
In the 2005–06 season, following a reorganisation of the league system, no fewer than six teams were to be relegated from each of the three series. Minerul started well with Adrian Matei on the bench, but the second half of the season began with Gabriel Stan, who lasted only five rounds. He was followed by Iosif Rus, and after three more matches, Dan Mănăilă took over from round 23. Lupeni secured safety on the final matchday, finishing 10th. Standout players that season included Urai, Luca, Boroncoi, V. Stancu, Itu, Mihovici, Török and Bălău.[10]
The Red-Blacks continued to compete in Series II of the second division, finishing 5th in the 2006–07 season under Dan Mănăilă and 12th in 2007–08 with Marin Tudorache in charge.[11]
Tudorache was dismissed in September 2008 following a home defeat against Jiul Petroșani and was replaced on an interim basis by Ion Dumitra and assistant coach Iosif Rus. During their interim spell, Minerul's cup run ended in the Round of 32 of the 2008–09 Cupa României with a 0–4 defeat against Unirea Urziceni. As neither Dumitra nor Rus held the required coaching licences, Carol Creiniceanu was appointed official head coach at the beginning of November 2008. However, after undergoing surgery in December, Creiniceanu was unable to continue leading the team. Dumitra and Rus subsequently resumed control and led Minerul until the end of the season, finishing 8th in the 2008–09 campaign. The squad comprised, among others, Bănică, G. Ciucă, Murdărea, Dragomir, Irina, Pocian, C. Bar, Dumitra, Militaru, Daj, Nicorec, M. Roman, Iambor, Apostol, Bozian, Ișfan, Chițu and Vlăduți.[12][13][14]
In the 2009–10 season, Minerul finished 12th, and during the 2010–11 season withdrew from the competition and effectively ceased activity.[15]
Revival and return to the national leagues (2021–present)
In the autumn of 2021, former club captain Adrian Lumperdean, together with his brother Emil Lumperdean and their nephew Lucu Lumperdean, revived the football tradition in Lupeni by founding Viitorul Minerul Lupeni, with support from the local authorities and financial backing from local businessman Emil Părău. The initiative was part of a broader effort to consolidate football activity in the Jiu Valley, initially focusing on youth and junior development before the formation of a senior squad.[16]
The senior team entered the 2022–23 season of Liga IV Hunedoara. Coached by Dan Voicu, the team finished 1st in the regular season and 2nd in the Final Four play-off. In the following campaign, the club adopted the name Minerul Lupeni and finished 2nd in the regular season before winning the county title through the Final Four play-off, thus qualifying for the promotion play-off to Liga III. Minerul drew 0–0 away against Viitorul Arad in the first leg, but lost the return 0–3 at home. The squad included Raț, Tonca, Mazilu, Ciocîrlan, Matei, Arcuși, Prem, Bănceanu, Creciunesc, Iepure, Belei, Șilip, Harangozo, Băcăran, Mândreci, Sllio, Roșian, Maria, Glăvan and S. Popescu.[17][18][19]
Despite losing the promotion play-off, Minerul Lupeni was later admitted to Liga III following the withdrawal of several clubs. The 2024–25 season began with Dan Voicu as technical director and Aurel Moldovan as head coach. The team competed in Series IX, finishing 2nd in the regular season and 1st in the series play-off, securing qualification for the promotion play-offs. Minerul was eliminated in the first round by Olimpia Satu Mare after a 2–2 away draw and a 0–4 home defeat.[20][21]
The 2025–26 season began with the same technical staff.[22] However, following a poor run of results, the club underwent several coaching changes. Dan Voicu resigned after six rounds and, following a brief one-match interim spell under Aurel Moldovan, Gabriel Toma was appointed head coach. He led the team until the end of the regular season, which Minerul finished 2nd in Series VI.[23][24] Ionuț Moșteanu then took over as head coach for the play-off round, guiding the Miners to a 2nd-place finish in Series III and qualification for the promotion play-offs, where they were eliminated in the first round following a 0–3 defeat against Unirea Alba Iulia at Minerul Stadium. The squad comprised, among others, Drîngă, Tonca, Chițimia, Dulap, Stana, N. Toma, Dr. Vlad, Vl. Popa, Mar, Raicea, Al. Moise, Bedea, Petea, Eshun, Trip, Sima, Pancu, Creciunesc, Baiddo and Voinea.[25][26]
| Period | Name |
| 1920–1936 | Jiul Lupeni |
| 1936–1950 | Minerul Lupeni |
| 1950–1951 | Partizanul Lupeni |
| 1951–1953 | Flacăra Lupeni |
| 1953–2011 | Minerul Lupeni |
| 2011–2021 | Inactive |
| 2021–2024 | Viitorul Minerul Lupeni |
| 2024–present | Minerul Lupeni |
Honours
- Runners-up (1): 1927–28
Players
First team squad
- As of 10 September 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out of loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club officials
Board of directors
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Current technical staff
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Notable players
The footballers mentioned below have played at least 1 season for Minerul Lupeni and also played in Liga I for another team.
Former managers
Ion Bălănescu (1960–1961)- Alexandru Marky (1961–1962)
- Teodor Mihalache (1972–1973)
- Petre Libardi (1976–1977)
- Adrian Matei (2004–2006)
- Gabriel Stan (2005–2006)
- Dan Mănăilă (2006–2007)
- Marin Tudorache (2007–2008)
- Ion Dumitra (2008)
- Petre Gigiu (2009–2010)
- Ionel Augustin (2010)
- Dan Voicu (2022–2024)
- Aurel Moldovan (2024–2025)
- Gabriel Toma (2025–2026)
- Ionuț Moșteanu (2026–present)
- Vasile Lazăr
- Gheorghe Kotormány
- Gogu Tonca
League and cup history
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References
- 1 2 "Evoluția denumirilor echipelor de-a lungul anilor" [The evolution of team names over the years] (in Romanian). romaniansoccer.ro. Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- 1 2 "Minerul Lupeni, fostă vicecampioană națională!" [Minerul Lupeni, former national vice-champion!] (in Romanian). ripensia-sport-magazin.ro. 15 June 2016. Archived from the original on 14 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mihai Ionescu & George Tudoran, Fotbal de la A la Z, Editura Sport-Turism, 1984.
- ↑ "Sertarul cu amintiri / Minerul Lupeni în Cupa României" [The drawer of memories / Minerul Lupeni in the Romanian Cup] (in Romanian). zvj.ro. Archived from the original on 31 March 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Liga 2 clasamente" [Liga 2 tables]. romaniansoccer.ro. Archived from the original on 28 May 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
- ↑ "Minerul Lupeni, (alte) file de istorie. Patru ani în elită, cu legendarii Paraschiva și Creiniceanu" [Minerul Lupeni, (other) history pages. Four years in the elite, with the legendary Paraschiva and Creiniceanu] (in Romanian). ripensia-sport-magazin.ro. 16 June 2016. Archived from the original on 14 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ↑ "Sertarul cu amintiri / Minerul Lupeni în Cupa României" [The drawer of memories / Minerul Lupeni in the Romanian Cup] (in Romanian). zvj.ro. 15 October 2008. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ↑ "Mâine începe campionatul Diviziei B" [The Divizia B championship starts tomorrow] (in Romanian). Drumul Socialismului. 10 August 1985. p. 4. Archived from the original on 3 June 2026. Retrieved 3 June 2026 – via bibliotecadeva.ro.
- ↑ "Un singur obiectiv: evitarea retrogrădării" [One goal: avoiding relegation] (in Romanian). Drumul Socialismului. 1 February 1986. p. 3. Archived from the original on 3 June 2026. Retrieved 3 June 2026 – via bibliotecadeva.ro.
- 1 2 "Jubileele sportului Văii Jiului / Acum 20 de ani (2004) / Minerul Lupeni lua startul în campionatul celei de-a 5-a promovări în Liga a II-a" [Sports anniversaries of the Jiu Valley / 20 years ago (2004) / Minerul Lupeni started the championship of the 5th promotion to Liga II] (in Romanian). cronicavj.ro. 29 February 2024. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ "Tudorache - la Minerul Lupeni" [Tudorache - at Minerul Lupeni] (PDF) (in Romanian). Cuvintul Liber. 11 July 2007. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025 – via bibliotecadeva.eu.
- ↑ "Dumitra și Rus, interimari la Lupeni" [Dumitra and Rus, interim coaches at Lupeni] (in Romanian). prosport.ro. 27 September 2008. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ "Carol Creiniceanu a fost cooptat în staff-ul tehnic la Minerul Lupeni" [Carol Creiniceanu was co-opted into the technical staff at Minerul Lupeni] (in Romanian). prosport.ro. 6 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ "Minerul Lupeni – Unirea Urziceni 0-4" (in Romanian). prosport.ro. 15 October 2008. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ "E oficial: Minerul Lupeni nu mai există" [It's official: Minerul Lupeni no longer exists] (in Romanian). liga2.prosport.ro. 14 October 2010. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ ""Viitorul" are perspective favorabile pentru sportul lupenean" ["Viitorul" has favorable prospects for Lupeni sports] (in Romanian). avantulliber.ro. 26 October 2021. Archived from the original on 10 September 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ↑ "Minerul Lupeni duce tradiția mai departe" [Minerul Lupeni carries on the tradition] (in Romanian). zvj.ro. 17 June 2024. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ "Viitorul Arad l-a evidențiat pe portarul celor din Lupeni în manșa tur a barajului de promovare în Liga 3. Totul se decide în Valea Jiului" [Viitorul Arad highlighted the goalkeeper from Lupeni in the first leg of the promotion play-off to League 3. Everything is decided in Valea Jiului] (in Romanian). liga2.prosport.ro. 17 June 2024. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ "Formația fostului președinte de la UTA a defilat în Valea Jiului pentru un loc în Liga 3" [The former UTA president's team marched in the Jiu Valley for a place in League 3] (in Romanian). liga2.prosport.ro. 24 June 2024. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ "Minerul Lupeni vrea în Liga 3, deși a ratat promovarea. Președintele AJF Hunedoara face lobby: "A demonstrat că este o echipă de tradiție, iubită de foarte mulți suporteri"" [Minerul Lupeni wants to be in League 3, even though it missed out on promotion] (in Romanian). liga2.prosport.ro. 5 July 2024. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ "Fotbaliștii de la Minerul Lupeni sunt pregătiți pentru startul noului campionat în Liga a III-a" [Minerul Lupeni footballers are ready for the start of the new championship in Liga III] (in Romanian). ziarulexclusiv.ro. 29 August 2024. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ "Va repeta Minerul Lupeni performanța din sezonul trecut?" [Will Minerul Lupeni repeat last season's performance?] (in Romanian). newsalerthd.ro. 26 August 2025. Archived from the original on 15 January 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Antrenorul Dan Voicu s-a retras de la direcția tehnică a echipei de fotbal Minerul Lupeni" [Coach Dan Voicu stepped down from the technical management of Minerul Lupeni] (in Romanian). ziarulexclusiv.ro. 2 October 2025. Archived from the original on 2 June 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Minerul Lupeni continuă sezonul de Liga 3 alături de alt antrenor" [Minerul Lupeni continues the Liga III season with another coach] (in Romanian). liga2.prosport.ro. 9 October 2025. Archived from the original on 2 June 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ionuț Moșteanu, chemat să promoveze Minerul Lupeni în Liga 2!" [Ionuț Moșteanu, called to promote Minerul Lupeni to Liga II!] (in Romanian). liga2.prosport.ro. 31 March 2026. Archived from the original on 2 June 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Semifinale baraj promovare în Liga 2" [Semi-finals of the promotion play-off to Liga II] (in Romanian). liga2.prosport.ro. 30 May 2026. Archived from the original on 2 June 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
