József Eisenhoffer
Encyclopedia
József Eisenhoffer, also known as József Aczél, (born 8 November 1900 in Budapest
, Hungary
; died 13 November 1945) was a Hungarian football (soccer)
player who could play equally well as an inside or outside left
as well as left half
. Eisenhoffer played professionally in Hungary, Austria, France and the United States. He also managed Olympique de Marseille
for six seasons and earned eight caps with the Hungarian national team
. He was a member of the 1924 Hungarian Olympic football team
, owner of the American Soccer League
’s Brooklyn Wanderers
, signed Eisenhoffer. He would play for most of five seasons, except for five games in 1929. In 1928, the ASL initiated a struggle with the United States Soccer Federation
for control of football in the U.S. This conflict, known as the “Soccer War” led to the USFA declaring the ASL an “outlaw league”. When that happened, Eisenhoffer had already played eight games in the 1928-1929 season, but then jumped to the New York Hakoah
of the fully recognized Eastern Professional Soccer League. New York Hakoah won the 1929 National Challenge Cup
with Eisenhoffer scoring one goal in the first leg victory over St. Louis Madison Kennel
. When the ASL made peace with USFA in 1929, New York Hakoah entered the ASL. Eisenhoffer now found himself back in a league he had fled and with a contract still in force with the Wanderers. Agar promptly sued Eisenoffer for breach of contract. In the meantime, Eisenhoffer played five games with Hokoah in the ASL. In December 1929, the suit was withdrawn and Eisenhoffer was fined $500 and allowed to return to the Wanderers. This internecine battle ultimately destroyed the ASL and in 1931, it collapsed. Eisenhoffer left the U.S. and returned to Austria where he signed with Hakoah Vienna. In 1933, Vienna sent him to French Ligue 1
club Olympique de Marseille
where he finished his career. Eisenhoffer experienced considerable success with Olympique, going to the 1934, 1935 and 1940 French Cup
. While Olympique lost in 1934, it won the next year. In 1935, Eisenhoffer became the team’s manager as well as a player and took Olympique to the 1936-1937 league title. He also managed RC Lens
briefly in 1938 before returning to Olympique. He finished his career with one game with Olympique during the 1940-1941 season. In 1944, he was wounded in an air raid on Budapest
. His wound was not treated and eventually led to his death.
between 1920 and 1924. In 1924, he was a member of the Hungarian Olympic Team
. He played two first round games, scoring one goal in Hungary’s win over Poland.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
; died 13 November 1945) was a Hungarian football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who could play equally well as an inside or outside left
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
as well as left half
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. Eisenhoffer played professionally in Hungary, Austria, France and the United States. He also managed Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
for six seasons and earned eight caps with the Hungarian national team
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
. He was a member of the 1924 Hungarian Olympic football team
Professional
Eisenhoffer, a convert to Judaism, began his football career when he signed with Budapest TC in 1912. He was twelve at the time. In 1917, he moved to Kispest A.C. where he played three seasons. In 1920, he transferred to Ferencvárosi where he played until 1924, with a loan to Makkabi des Brno during the 1923-1924 season. In 1924, he transferred to the prominent Austrian Jewish club Hakoah Vienna. In 1926, Hakoah toured the United States. Several players were impressed by both the relatively high pay and low anti-Semitism there. Consequently, several, including Eisenhoffer, remained in the U.S. and signed with local clubs. In June 1926, Nat AgarNat Agar
Nathan “Nat” Agar was an English-American soccer player, coach, referee, team owner and league executive. He was part of the formation of the United States Football Association, but later fought it as a team owner and league official of the American Soccer League and Southern New York State...
, owner of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
’s Brooklyn Wanderers
Brooklyn Wanderers
The Brooklyn Wanderers was a U.S. soccer team which was a founding member of the National Association Football League in the late nineteenth century. It later joined the American Soccer League.-History:...
, signed Eisenhoffer. He would play for most of five seasons, except for five games in 1929. In 1928, the ASL initiated a struggle with the United States Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
for control of football in the U.S. This conflict, known as the “Soccer War” led to the USFA declaring the ASL an “outlaw league”. When that happened, Eisenhoffer had already played eight games in the 1928-1929 season, but then jumped to the New York Hakoah
New York Hakoah
New York Hakoah is a former United States soccer club based in New York City.-New York Hakoah I:Originally formed by former players from SC Hakoah Wien, including among others Béla Guttmann and Rudolph Nickolsburger, they initially played in the Eastern Soccer League in the fall of 1928. In 1929...
of the fully recognized Eastern Professional Soccer League. New York Hakoah won the 1929 National Challenge Cup
1929 National Challenge Cup
The 1928–29 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This edition of the soccer tournament featured 100 entrants...
with Eisenhoffer scoring one goal in the first leg victory over St. Louis Madison Kennel
St. Louis Madison Kennel
St. Louis Madison Kennel was a U.S. soccer team established in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. The team played in the St. Louis Soccer League for two seasons. Madison Kennel reached the final of the 1929 National Challenge Cup where they lost 5-0 on aggregate to New York Hakoah in a two game, home...
. When the ASL made peace with USFA in 1929, New York Hakoah entered the ASL. Eisenhoffer now found himself back in a league he had fled and with a contract still in force with the Wanderers. Agar promptly sued Eisenoffer for breach of contract. In the meantime, Eisenhoffer played five games with Hokoah in the ASL. In December 1929, the suit was withdrawn and Eisenhoffer was fined $500 and allowed to return to the Wanderers. This internecine battle ultimately destroyed the ASL and in 1931, it collapsed. Eisenhoffer left the U.S. and returned to Austria where he signed with Hakoah Vienna. In 1933, Vienna sent him to French Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
club Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
where he finished his career. Eisenhoffer experienced considerable success with Olympique, going to the 1934, 1935 and 1940 French Cup
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
. While Olympique lost in 1934, it won the next year. In 1935, Eisenhoffer became the team’s manager as well as a player and took Olympique to the 1936-1937 league title. He also managed RC Lens
RC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
briefly in 1938 before returning to Olympique. He finished his career with one game with Olympique during the 1940-1941 season. In 1944, he was wounded in an air raid on Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
. His wound was not treated and eventually led to his death.
National team
Eisenhoffer earned eight caps with the Hungarian national teamHungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
between 1920 and 1924. In 1924, he was a member of the Hungarian Olympic Team
Hungary at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Hungary competed at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, returning to the Olympic Games after not being invited to the 1920 Games because of the nation's role in World War I.- Gold:*Sándor Pósta — Fencing, Men's Sabre Individual...
. He played two first round games, scoring one goal in Hungary’s win over Poland.