Torpedo waiting to fire

By Eduard Nisenboim

In recent weeks, speculation has been rife in Russian football circles that businessman Aleksandr Mamut was about to purchase FC Torpedo Moskva.

Still waiting
Mamut is a close acquaintance of Roman Abramovich, the big-spending new owner of English club Chelsea FC, and the prospect of a major cash injection at one of the oldest Russian clubs was widely welcomed especially as Torpedo have struggled to achieve in the last decade. However, a deal has so far failed to materialise.

Compromise needed
Torpedo owner Vladimir Alioshin said: "We came very close to an agreement, discussed very many things, but finally it went wrong." He explained that a compromise could not be reached on some key details including delaying the deal until after the end of the season to avoid upheaval to the playing and coaching staff.

Not upset
Alioshin added: "There still were some issues left that we couldn't resolve. But we are not upset. That's normal - if the parties involved can find a compromise the deal will be secured, if not, it will be postponed. This is not unusual."

Sixties heyday
Torpedo have a proud history of achievement, notably in the 1960s when they won the Soviet league and cup twice. They also have a fine tradition of proving players for the national team including Valeriy Voronin, Eduard Streltsov, Valentin Ivanov, Slava Metreveli and Anzor Kavazashvili

Little success
However, following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Torpedo have struggled to establish themselves among the Russian élite. Since 1992, the club have won the Russian Cup once, in 1993, and have only managed one top-three finish, in 2000. They have also not fared well in European competition.

Team sold
Torpedo came into being in 1924, founded by the ZIL car factory. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, the company was in financial difficulties and decided to sell the team in the middle of 1996. Torpedo were bought by Luzhniki, a company headed by UEFA Stadium and Security Committee member Alioshin.

New team
Soon after that ZIL recovered and founded a new team, known as FC Torpedo-ZIL Moskva in the following year. Starting in the third division, Torpedo-ZIL soon reached the top flight. Almost immediately both clubs disputed which was the real Torpedo, with fans split 50-50 on the matter.

Third Torpedo
After the 2002 season, ZIL sold the team again and the club became known as FC Torpedo-Metallurg to reflect their new owners. Without a team, ZIL decided to start another club, SC Torpedo Moskva who are in the third division but have pretensions of bringing glory to the Torpedo name.

High hopes
Back at the original Torpedo, Alioshin has been able to stabilise the club's finances although they are still not able to compete with the top sides. In this respect, Mamut's arrival seemed timely with reports that he was prepared to invest up to €40m a year over the next five seasons. Naturally, it was felt that this would lead to some of Europe's top footballers arriving at the club not to mention Russian talent like Dmitri Sytchev, Aleksei Smertin and Andrei Kariaka.

Still ambitious
For now, though, Torpedo will have to rely on what they have including the considerable qualities of Estonia striker Andres Oper. The club lie in mid-table in the Premier-Liga but do have the UEFA Cup - they are on track for the first round after a 5-0 qualifying round first-leg victory against SP Domagnano of San Marino. A good European run may just provide the springboard for an exciting future.