Rudolph Nickolsburger
Encyclopedia
Rudolph Nickolsburger also referred to as Nikolsburger Rezső and Rudy Nichols, is a former Hungarian footballer who played for Ferencvárosi TC, SC Hakoah Wien and Hungary
. He later emigrated to the United States
where he played for New York Hakoah
and Hakoah All-Stars
.
in 1922 to join Makkabi Brno in Czechoslovakia
. This club consisted almost exclusively of Hungarian Jews. In the mid-1920s, Nickolsburger played in Italy
. A Béla Nikolsbuger played as a centre forward for Forli during the 1925-26 season. This may be the same player.
In March 1927 Nickolsburger moved to Austria
and joined the all-Jewish club SC Hakoah Wien. Then in April and May 1927 he joined the club on their second tour of the United States
. He played in several games on the tour, scoring twice against the New York Giants
. He then returned to Austria and started the 1927-28 season with SC Hakoah Wien. However by 1928 he was back in the United States playing for New York Hakoah
of the Eastern Soccer League
, a team made-up of former SC Hakoah Wien players, including Béla Guttmann
. In subsequently helped them win the 1929 National Challenge Cup
. After a merger with Brooklyn Hakoah
, they became the Hakoah All-Stars
and entered the American Soccer League
in the fall of 1929. Between 1929 and 1931 Nickolsburger played 84 league games and scored 30 goals for the All-Stars in the American Soccer League
. His last confirmed game was on 12 June 1932 against the Bohemian Americans.
. He made his international debut in 1920 against Austria
. On 17 May 1925 he also played for a Hungary XI in a 4-1 win against a visiting Bolton Wanderers
.
, New York
. His wife, Mary Tóth Nichols died in 1992. A son Leslie (Laszlo), who was born in Budapest
in 1927, died in February 2006. His surviving daughter, Norma Lee Nichols Mahdavi, resides in New York. Nickolsburger's grandchildren and great-grandchildren have settled in Florida
, Vermont
and Norway
.
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
. He later emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where he played for 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...
and Hakoah All-Stars
Hakoah All-Stars
Hakoah All-Stars is a former United States football club that played in the American Soccer League between 1930 and 1932. The club was formed after the merger of Brooklyn Hakoah of the ASL and New York Hakoah of the Eastern Soccer League...
.
Club career
Nickolsburger played for Ferencvárosi TC during the early 1920s before leaving BudapestBudapest
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...
in 1922 to join Makkabi Brno in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. This club consisted almost exclusively of Hungarian Jews. In the mid-1920s, Nickolsburger played in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. A Béla Nikolsbuger played as a centre forward for Forli during the 1925-26 season. This may be the same player.
In March 1927 Nickolsburger moved to Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and joined the all-Jewish club SC Hakoah Wien. Then in April and May 1927 he joined the club on their second tour of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He played in several games on the tour, scoring twice against the New York Giants
New York Giants (soccer)
New York Giants was a name used by three different New York soccer teams. Two of these teams were associated with the New York Giants baseball franchise. The first team that used the name played in the American League of Professional Football in 1894...
. He then returned to Austria and started the 1927-28 season with SC Hakoah Wien. However by 1928 he was back in the United States playing for 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 Eastern Soccer League
Eastern Professional Soccer League (1928-1929)
The Eastern Professional Soccer League, better known as the Eastern Soccer League , was a U.S. soccer league which existed for only a season and a half in 1928 and 1929. Born of the internecine strife between U.S...
, a team made-up of former SC Hakoah Wien players, including Béla Guttmann
Béla Guttmann
Béla Guttmann was a Jewish Hungarian footballer and coach. He played as a midfielder for MTK Hungária FC, SC Hakoah Wien, Hungary and several clubs in the United States. However he is perhaps best remembered as a coach and manager of some the world’s leading football teams, including AC Milan, São...
. In subsequently helped them win 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...
. After a merger with Brooklyn Hakoah
Brooklyn Hakoah
Brooklyn Hakoah is a former United States soccer team club based in Brooklyn, New York that played in the American Soccer League.-Brooklyn Hakoah I:Originally formed by former players of SC Hakoah Wien, they played in the American Soccer League in 1929...
, they became the Hakoah All-Stars
Hakoah All-Stars
Hakoah All-Stars is a former United States football club that played in the American Soccer League between 1930 and 1932. The club was formed after the merger of Brooklyn Hakoah of the ASL and New York Hakoah of the Eastern Soccer League...
and entered 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...
in the fall of 1929. Between 1929 and 1931 Nickolsburger played 84 league games and scored 30 goals for the All-Stars in 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...
. His last confirmed game was on 12 June 1932 against the Bohemian Americans.
Hungarian international
While with Ferencvárosi TC, Nickolsburger also played twice for HungaryHungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
. He made his international debut in 1920 against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
. On 17 May 1925 he also played for a Hungary XI in a 4-1 win against a visiting Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
.
Later Years
Nickolsburger spent his later years in and around The BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. His wife, Mary Tóth Nichols died in 1992. A son Leslie (Laszlo), who was born in 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...
in 1927, died in February 2006. His surviving daughter, Norma Lee Nichols Mahdavi, resides in New York. Nickolsburger's grandchildren and great-grandchildren have settled in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
.
Honours
New York Hakoah- National Challenge Cup
- 19291929 National Challenge CupThe 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...
: 1
- 1929