The ceremonial kick-off could not be missed this time either, and the honor was given to a special guest: former Vasas player Attila Ladinszky, who enjoyed a successful career in Western Europe. Before the match between VASAS and Újpest II, Ladinszky stepped onto the field once again — this time as a guest of honor. Our marketing manager, Gábor Békeffy, presented him with a season ticket in recognition of his achievements and legacy.
Attila Ladinszky was born on September 13, 1949. He followed in the footsteps of his brother Gábor and began playing for Tűzoltó Dózsa, later joining Tatabánya in 1968.
Two years later, on the recommendation of Iván Menczel, he signed with VASAS — a move that not only advanced his football career but also helped him secure a home. He spent two seasons at Fáy Street as a left inside forward. As he once joked, he used his right foot only to step onto the bus.
A virtuoso footballer, Ladinszky was known for his exceptional dribbling skills and goal-scoring instincts.
During a youth national team tour in Belgium, he made the life-changing decision not to return to Hungary, choosing instead to build his career abroad. He first joined Beerschot, and later, the Feyenoord – though the story behind that move is especially notable.
The father of our current marketing director, Jenő Békeffy, was a well-known and respected football agent in Western Europe. He had a legendary friendship with Austrian football icon Ernst Happel, who at the time was head coach of Feyenoord, fresh off a European Cup (BEK) victory. Thanks to this connection, Ladinszky became a player for the Dutch champions.
With Békeffy Jenő as his manager, Ladinszky would go on to play for prestigious clubs such as Anderlecht and Real Betis. He became a league champion in both the Netherlands and Belgium, and also won a top scorer title.
He returned home to Hungary in 2000, and on this Sunday, he was once again at the Fáy Street stadium — this time to perform the ceremonial kick-off before the VASAS–Újpest II match.
Back at Fáy Street. Attila Ladinszky..