The technical team from the sportive base of the railway-men
Florentina Stan – manager of the Sportive Railway Complex Rapid
‘I have practiced athletics at CS Rapid and now I am a construction engineer at I take care of the maintenance and arrangement of this sportive basis. It is obvious, through the work I do, that I am a convinced fan of Rapid.
I consider that this Championship crowns the efforts made both by the team and by us, because we have worked enormously so that they could benefit of optimal training conditions.
We all have wished that Rapid should win this Championship and I think each has contributed at least a little to the great victory.”
Mircea Rednic – chief of the economic and administrative service
“As representatives of the railways, I consider that without the little contribution of each of us, the football section wouldn’t have had performances. The involvement degree of these people in creating the best conditions for the development of the activity was accentuated by the love they feel for the players of this team.
We were extremely glad, as being present every day in this club, we wished also to demonstrate to the others that we don’t work in vain.”
Veronica Carp – chief of the technical service
“They must not forget that at each match we were besides them. We trembled, we couldn’t move whenever the opponents send a ball to the gate defended by Lobont, we convinced our children that Rapid is the best football team in the country and last but not least, we laughed and cried for their victories and defeats.
For me this success is the main event of the year 1999. Together with my son who is the chief of all Rapid’s fans from the School no. 310, we shall support this team further. I hope it will bring us a lot of joy.
Among those who take care of the ground and cloak room of the football players
Ilie Gheorghe – the chief of the team of arrangers
“Rapid’s winning the Championship meant a great joy for the supporters and for the team, but especially for the boys on the field. We, the ones who work that the ground satisfies the players, are the happiest. If the persons from UFC Rapid think that only they have contributed to this success, let me tell them that they’re wrong. Anyway, the happiness was at its peak when the goal was scored. Then we knew for certain that Rapid is the champion. We waited for the end of the match and the show that followed was a surprise for everybody. It was beautiful and it had a happy-end.
I have been a fan of Rapid for 12 years, since I came to this club. Then I didn’t think I would take care of the grounds of a future champion. Personally, I am very glad.”
Negoita Ioana – caretaker of the cloak room
“I have worked here for 19 years and I like football. We, the ones who work for these football players, think that this victory is welcome. In the beginning I also had emotions, but everything changed into joy when my boys won. Their work gave results, so they deserved to win.”
Vasile Stancu – arranger
“I have practiced boxing for about 14 years here at Rapid. I abandoned this sport and I became field arranger.
I have waited for this performance for a long time and I was very glad. I don’t know, but I felt floating in the seventh heaven. Usually I am a quiet person and I don’t exteriorize myself.
I knew that this year Rapid would win. When Rapid defeated Dinamo, I suspected that the finals would be like this. Watching all the games, I thought that neither Dinamo not Rapid would lose and they would fight side by side. But Rapid was better.”
Among the pensioners of Rapid
Marian Petrica:
“I think that the atmosphere in 1966-67 was more beautiful, maybe for my age and my “youth”. Now I have felt as much joy and I manifested myself as in those times. The winning of this Championship made me feel young and comfortable.”
Gheorghe Marin:
“I have been a fan of Rapid for as long as I can remember. I was glad that we showed Steaua who is better.”
Dumitru Popa:
“We won the Championship in spite of Steaua’s maneuvers. Here I refer to the fact that they released Lacatus to play against us in the Cup. Rapid will also win the Cup of Romania. There is no doubt, it is obvious that we shall win!
When it was known that Rapid was a champion, I couldn’t sleep until 22 o’clock for joy. I have been a fan of this team since 1960. In 1967 I went on foot to Ploiesti with the champions from those times, who were playing for 200 Lei a month, not for millions, as today. That’s why, these boys need to play seriously in order to take also the Cup.”
Marcel Pacuraru:
“I can’t find words to express the satisfaction I felt. I was not in the country when the game against Craiova was played. When I returned I asked in the train about the score of the game. It made me shout with joy. I have been a fan of Rapid since childhood. In the present we are the best, better than Steaua and better than Dinamo.
Florin Lungu:
“The Romanian Football Federation should take into account the fact that each year we were frustrated and it has “stolen” these Championships away from us, as also did Dinamo. The event with Steagul Rosu (5-1) in Bucharest…..then they asked them to ask beat us with 4-1. Last year, Mr. Savaniuc stole us and the Romanian Football Federation took no measure against him. They say they gave him only six months of suspension. He appealed against this and from ten rounds of suspension he made only four. This is not serious matter.
When Rapid won the Championship, I laughed with tears, because after 32 years we managed to win an honest and correct Championship, not with tricks and thefts as other team do. I honestly tell you that if in the game Dinamo-Rapid there was a Romanian referee we wouldn’t have won the match. We thank the referee from Germany that he was correct and we ask the Federation and the Professional League to bring only foreign referees and then it will be proved who the better is.”