Zbigniew Kruszyński

Zbigniew Kruszyński (born 14 October 1960 in Tczew), commonly known as Detsi Kruszyński or Detzi Kruszyński, is a retired Polish-German football midfielder, who was also adept in defence and attack. In an 18-year professional career, he played league football in Poland, Germany and England. His probably best remembered for his three-year spell in Germany with 1. FC Saarbrücken, making over 130 appearances. He also made over 70 Division One appearances for Wimbledon in England. Kruszyński represented Poland at U18 level and was part of the side which finished third at the 1978 European U18 Championship. Kruszyński currently coaches youth football in Ohio, United States.

Career

Lechia Gdańsk

Kruszyński began his career as a youth at hometown club Unia Tczew, before moving to II Liga side Lechia Gdańsk in 1976. Despite being aged just 16, he made his professional debut in a league match versus Olimpia Poznań on 5 June 1977, coming on as a substitute for Andrzej Głownia after 67 minutes. He made his first start for the club up front in the following game against Ursus Warszawa and scored his first goal for the club on his fourth appearance, bagging what looked to be the winner versus Zawisza Bydgoszcz on 19 June, before a late equaliser saw the game end 1–1. Kruszyński broke into the team the 1977–78 season, making 23 league appearances and scoring two goals and improving again the following year, scoring 10 goals in 34 games. Kruszyński travelled with the club to take part in a friendly tournament in West Germany in the summer of 1979 and refused to return to Poland with the team, causing the Polish FA to suspend him for a year. He made 61 appearances and scored 13 goals for Gdańsk.

Hamburger SV II

While in West Germany, Kruszyński signed for Hamburger SV II in 1979. In a three-season spell, he failed to make an appearance for the club's first team, but was able to train with high-profile players Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Manfred Kaltz and Felix Magath.

SC Concordia von 1907

Kruszyński joined Oberliga Nord side SC Concordia von 1907 in 1982 and departed at the end of the 1982–83 season.

1. FC Saarbrücken

Kruszyński moved back up the German pyramid to sign for 2. Bundesliga side 1. FC Saarbrücken in 1983. He quickly established himself in the team, missing just five league games during the 1983–84 season. Kruszyński made 32 appearances to help the club to a third-place finish in the 1984–85 season and securing promotion to the Bundesliga after winning a playoff versus Arminia Bielefeld. Now playing at the summit of German football, Kruszyński was moved from his forward position back into the defence, making 32 appearances in a poor season which saw Saarbrücken relegated straight back to the 2. Bundesliga. Kruszyński departed the club at the end of the 1986–87 season, a disastrous campaign in which Saarbrücken narrowly avoided relegation to the Oberliga. He made 132 appearances and scored 10 goals during three years at the Ludwigsparkstadion.

FC 08 Homburg

Kruszyński remained within Saarland to sign for Bundesliga side FC 08 Homburg in 1987. He made 34 appearances and scored two goals during a disastrous 1987–88 season, which saw Homburg relegated back to the 2. Bundesliga after just two seasons in the top-flight.

Wimbledon

Kruszyński moved to England to sign for Division One side Wimbledon in December 1988 for a £100,000 fee and he became the third Pole to play in the English top-flight. Utilised as a midfielder by manager Bobby Gould, he struggled to adapt to the physicality of the English game. Kruszyński dropped out of contention during the 1991–92 season and departed the club in August 1992. Kruszyński made 71 appearances and scored four goals during three-and-a-half years with the Dons.

Brentford (loan and permanent signing)

Kruszyński joined Division Three side Brentford on loan for the final eight games of the 1991–92 season. He played in each game in midfield and helped the Bees secure the Division Three title and promotion to the second tier for the first time in nearly forty years. Kruszyński signed permanently for a £60,000 fee in August 1992, but managed only eight appearances in the whole of the 1992–93 season, as the Bees suffered relegation straight back to the third-tier. Kruszyński failed to see eye-to-eye with manager Phil Holder and was transfer-listed in September 1992, before being fined two weeks' wages for a training ground bust-up with coach Graham Pearce later in the year. His contract was cancelled at the end of the 1992–93 season, after making 16 appearances and scored no goals in just over a year at Griffin Park.

Coventry City

After a deal to move back to Germany fell through, Kruszyński remained in England and signed for Premiership side Coventry City in September 1993. He made his debut on 25 September in a 2–0 defeat to Leeds United. After two further appearances, he departed the club in December 1993.

Peterborough United

After a proposed move to Division Two side Birmingham City failed to materialise, Kruszyński joined Division One club Peterborough United in December 1993. He made his debut in a 1–1 FA Cup third round draw with Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur on 8 January 1994. Kruszyński managed just four further appearances before departing London Road.

Non-league football

Kruszyński dropped into non-league football in 1994 and played for Oxford City, St Albans City, Hayes, Chertsey Town and Kingstonian before retiring in 1997.

International career

Kruszyński represented Poland at U18 level and was part of the side which finished third at the 1978 European U18 Championship. Kruszyński's decision to play club football in Germany in 1979 effectively ended his international career, due to citizenship issues.

Coaching career

Since 2001, Kruszyński has coached youngsters at his coaching school in Ohio, United States. At one time, the school had links with Spanish giants Barcelona.

Personal life

Kruszyński's brothers Bogdan and Andrezj were also footballers.

Honours

Poland U18

• UEFA European U18 Championship: 1978 (Third Place)

Brentford

• Football League Division Three: 1991–92

Career statistics