The Legend Returns

Istvan Kozma is to be honoured in 2012 DAFC Hall of Fame

Hungarian internationalist, Istvan Kozma, is perhaps one of the most popular DAFC players ever to grace East End Park. His majestic presence helped Dunfermline to top the Premier League table in November 1989 and to reach their first major final for more than two decades in 1991.

This November Kozma returns to Dunfermline to be honoured in DAFC's Hall of Fame at a black tie event at East End Park. Ahead of the event, The Game caught up with him on the telephone to Hungary.

How do you feel about being inducted into DAFC's Hall of Fame along with the likes of Jock Stein, Roy Barry and Norrie McCathie to name but a few?

First time I heard about it, it was a big surprise for me and to be alongside players like Norrie McCathie, who is such a legend, it's a big deal for me, so I'm very happy to be with them in the Hall of Fame.

You were signed by Jim Leishman in 1989 for a huge sum of money at the time - well worth the cost as to so many DAFC fans as you remain a firm favourite!

That's very nice to hear! DAFC is an old club, and there was always such a fantastic feeling at the games, I loved the supporters, the fans were just great and because I came on loan from Bordeaux, I didn't know anyone but everyone made me very welcome. DAFC is a very family orientated Club, it has a different feeling from the other bigger clubs that I played at like Liverpool for instance - the supporters, the people in Dunfermline, the manager, and all the players welcomed me and my family when we came to live in the town. We loved Dunfermline and had a fantastic time and it was great to have all that support.

Who was your biggest influence in the early days?

I think Norrie was my biggest influence - he was a great man and a great player, he was a good friend too, and of course a good captain.

But the whole team gave the maximum - that was why we played so well. Without each other we cannot do anything. It was so great with Norrie at the back, but we had lots of great players, all of them, I loved to play with all of them.

Do you have a favourite football moment from your time at DAFC?

I remember lots of happy times - I remember of course the hat trick against St Mirren, and beating Celtic as they are such a big Club, yes, I remember lots of very nice moments.

This is why I am looking forward to coming back in November - I'm feeling like I'm going to my second home, when I am in Dunfermline, I feel like I'm home.

The DAFC Hall of Fame Dinner takes place on Saturday, 10th November in the Kingdom Suite at East End Park.

Jim Leishman, who will be hosting the event remembers Kozma as an amazing athelete, "he was a class player - he once scored a hat trick, the first with his right foot, the second with his left and the third with his head, total quality! He was worth every penny we spent on him and when he left to go to Liverpool we got it all back. His two years at Dunfermline were amazing, he was a great team player and a real prankster too, behind the scenes he was always playing tricks on everyone. He was an amazing athlete, he would glide round the 200s, a great signing for DAFC and he clearly deserves his place in the Hall of Fame."

Don't miss this great event - tickets are £55 per person and are selling fast with fans wanting to see their great hero.

One such fan is DAFC's own Stadium Manager and Safety Officer, Kenny Arnott, who sites Kozma as his all time favourite player at DAFC.
"When Istvan signed for the club with George O'Boyle from Bordeaux, it signalled a new era at East End park for supporters my age that had missed the heady days of the 60's. An international player signing for us when we had been struggling in the 2nd Division, working our way up into the SPL, he didn't disappoint! His first touch, his passing and his shooting were a step above anything I had ever seen. My favourite Kozma moment has got to be the hat trick against St Mirren in a 5-1 victory and all in 12 minutes - it's the best display from a single player in a Pars strip in the 36 years I've been watching Dunfermline."

Tickets for The Hall of Fame Dinner on Saturday, November 10th are now on sale, contact sales@dafc.co.uk or call 01383 745 901.