Istvan Fecske was born on February 27, 1933, in Budapest, Hungary. He started his soccer career as a goalkeeper with Budapest club Vörös Lobogó, the club is now known as MTK Budapest. In 1953 he made his senior debut with the club and followed this up with appearances in the European Cup in the 1955-56 season against French club Stadè Reims.
Like so many Hungarians, including top class players like himself, he fled the country during the Hungarian revolt of 1956. He went to Canada and joined Toronto Hungaria before the start of the 1957 National Soccer League season. Hungaria finished the season in fourth place in the final standings in the ten-team league.
On May 8, 1958, the National Soccer League All-Stars met the Mexican National Team in an exhibition game in Varsity Stadium. The Mexican team won 3-1. However, Toronto Hungaria goalkeeper Steve Fecske was described by the press as the star of the match. Steve followed up with a brilliant display for the Ontario All-Stars against Scottish touring club Heart of Midlothian on May 23, 1958.
During a match on July 16 1958 between Malta and Hamilton Hungaria the speaker asked if Steve Fecske was in the stadium and if so, he should come to the offices of NSL secretary Frank Thirkettle to pick up a letter. Steve rushed to the office to find the letter and found that it was an offer of a contract with Mexican club Deportivo Oro.
Steve returned the signed contract to Mexico and was quickly asked to report to training in Mexico. He established himself as Deportivo Oro’s first choice goalkeeper in the 1958-59 season, helping his team to a mid-table finish.
He returned from Mexico in mid-August 1959. On August 22, 1959, Steve was the goalkeeper when International Soccer League club ICA Italia played in an exhibition game against Italian club Palermo.
The 1960 season was spent with the very strong Toronto Italia team. The 1960 Italia team was probably one of the best teams ever in Canadian soccer history. Toronto Italia won both the 1960 NSL regular season championship and the playoff championship.
Steve was seriously injured in a car accident in December 1960 and was forced to retire from soccer. He later settled in California and lived there until he passed away on April 4, 2013, in Los Angeles.
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