Antal Szentmihalyi replaced Jozsef Verebes as the new manager of the team. Midfielder Peter Kiss arrived in the summer from Ajka, while Istvan Palkovics and striker Ervin Udvari also joined Vidi. There were several youngsters that were promoted from the youth team including forward Istvan Mihalics, midfielder Geza Wittman, defender Istvan Borsany and Laszlo Tompek. 

Two key players departed the football club during the summer of 1981. Burcsa headed to Győr while Laszlo Karsai headed to Austrian side Eisenstadt. Defenders Janos Toth and Janos Nagy also left and there was talk about Laca Tieber also leaving to join a club abroad. Gyorgy Novath was also linked with a move to Nyiregyhaza while Csongradi was also mentioned ahead of his new contract being signed. This all affected the mood in the dressing room as a result. 

Mixed performances as the team starts to take shape

The season started with mixed results: There were defeats that were followed by wins. There were good performances like the 5-0 win over SZEOL, but poor results also hit the side like the 5-1 defeat to Raba ETO. It was clear for all to see that the team was in the process of being built and that it could become a good side later on. 

The side were in 3rd place with 27 points after week 20 of the season. Raba ETO were on 27 but had a better goal difference and leaders Ujpest Dozsa in first place with 28 points.

UEFA Cup - quick exit this time

Videoton also competed in the UEFA cup during the autumn. September saw a trip to the home of Rapid Vienna. Jozsef Szabo gave the visitors the lead on 32 minutes, and that was defended up until the 81st minute when Weber levelled for Rapid. Vidi were then awarded a penalty in the 88th minute, which Vegh converted from the spot. Unfortunately the Austrians quickly replied at the other end to end up drawing the match 2-2. 

Sadly Vidi could not cope with the visiting Rapid side in the return leg. Szabo had picked up a bad injury in a game against Volan, which was just before the European game. That proved a big loss for the red and blues. The second leg resulted in a Hans Krankl double strike to knock Videoton out of the cup.

Things do not go the way they should over spring and the team miss out on a top three place

The spring season opened with a draw against Haladas. Vidi then won their next three matches against Vasas 3-1, Ujpest Dozsa 1-0 away, and Volan were also defeated 2-1 at the Sostoi. That win resulted in the team moving up to top of the table. The next match was a 2-2 draw with Raba ETO, before a 2-1 loss away at Nyiregyhaza. DVTK were beaten 3-0 and that saw the team sitting in second place on goal difference. However, things got worse with defeats against Csepel, Bekescsaba and Debrecen. 

There were injuries to key players including young keeper Peter Disztl. Antal Mausz replaced him in goal in a game against Csepel. That game also experienced floodlight failure on 49 minutes with the score at 4-1. The game was halted for 30 minutes until the problem was resolved. 

Week 31 was a big home match against Ferencvaros. The visitors were just 2 points off leaders ETO in top spot. That game was the final chance to try and make it into the top three despite the various bits of bad luck during the spring season. Missing players included Disztl, Csuhay, Baranyi, Vegy and Szabo. That was not a good sign and did not give anyone confidence that Vidi could get anything out of the match. A 56th minute headed goal from Pogany gave Ferencvaros the points in a 1-0 win. The team slid down to 5th place with three games left to play. Those final games produced 2 wins and a defeat, which meant a final 4th place finish for the team and just two points short of a top 3 spot.

Final of the MNK Cup

The 1981-82 season also saw the team reach the final of the MNK cup for the first time ever. Dunaujvaros were beaten 2-0 in the last 32, while Mohacs were knocked out 3-0. The semi-finals produced a good 1-0 win over MTK. However, the dream of lifting the cup evaporated after Ujpest Dozsa won the final 2-0.

(fotó: ismeretlen szerző)