Werner Fricker
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Werner Josef Fricker | ||
| Date of birth | January 24, 1936 | ||
| Place of birth | Karlsdorf, Yugoslavia | ||
| Date of death | May 30, 2001 (aged 65) | ||
| Place of death | Horsham, PA, United States | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1954–1969 | Phi. German-Hungarians | ||
| 1963–1967 | U.S. men's national team | ||
| Teams managed | |||
| Phi. United German-Hungarians | |||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Werner Fricker (born January 24, 1936 in Karlsdorf, Yugoslavia; (Banatski Karlovac; died May 30, 2001 in Horsham, Pennsylvania) was a German-American soccer halfback who later became president of the United States Soccer Federation. He is a member of both the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the USASA Hall of Fame.
Fricker was born in Yugoslavia, in Southern Banat, but his family, were forced to abandon the home after new communist government came to rule at the end of World War II. It was there that Werner played his first soccer game. He came to the United States in 1952, and started to play soccer for the German Hungarians in 1954. He had been selected for the United Soccer League All start team numerous times. In 1964 Werner played on the US Olympic Soccer Team. He spent most of his career with the United German-Hungarians of Philadelphia. He was the captain of the German Hungarians, as well as the President of the GH, and of the United Soccer league. While playing for the GH Werner's team won the Championship of the USLofPA 6 times in a row (GH Majors 1961–1966), as well as in 1968, and 1969. Werner was Captain and League Delegate of the team. In 1964 the GH made it to the final of the Amateur Cup and lost to Chicago Schwaben, in Chicago. In 1965, Fricker and his team mates won the National Amateur Cup.
Werner was known as a “splitter” who was always tough in the man to man fight for the ball, but at the same time was always fair in his interferences. He was known to work tirelessly. His long passes were characterized as precise, and he never hesitated to take a shot at the opposing goal at any given opportunity. Werner took his soccer seriously and was a great believer in training sessions and team discipline.
Werner began playing for the GH in 1954, and played continuously until 1969. He started playing in the reserves but was transferred to the Major Team a few seasons later. Werner was named Captain of the Major Team in 1958 and held this position until 1968. While playing for the GH Werner's team won the Championship of the USLofPA 6 times in a row (GH Majors 1961–1966), as well as in 1968, and 1969.In 1964 the GH made it to the final of the Amateur Cup and lost to Chicago Schwaben, in Chicago. In 1965, Fricker and his team mates won the National Amateur Cup.More information about the 1965 Final can be found here GH 1965 Championship. The German Hungarians were Eastern Champions three times during Werner's career with them (1964, 1965, 1966), U.S. National Amateur Finalists twice (1964, 1966), as well as Eastern Pennsylvania Champions for eight seasons. Werner coached for the GH, coaching the U-14 Team, the Reserve Team, as well as the Major Team. Werner was the secretary of the GH from 1962 to 1966. He was the president of the club from 1968–1976. Werner held almost every position within the GH organization. He was part of the Dance group, He served as the Entertainment Chairman, on the Constitution committee, the building committee, he was the Kirchweih Chairman, and the Chairman of the Board. "There has been no one in almost fifty years club history who has had more impact, who has contributed more in all aspects, and has dedicated his efforts both financially and through leadership for our well being as a club than Werner Fricker" – Werner Fricker, Jr., Past President German Hungarians
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