Borys Strelkov turns 80
Monday, April 24, 2017
|
Today, April 24, Shakhtar’s legendary goalkeeper of the 1960s and two-time USSR Cup holder Borys Strelkov marks his 80th birthday
Borys Mykolaiovych had a spell with Shakhtar from 1959 to 1964. Over this period, he made 143 appearances for the team. Strelkov wore the number one jersey for the outfit, which achieved a historic triumph in the USSR Cup in 1961 and followed up this success in the coming season. We bring you an interview with a hero of the anniversary.
- Borys Mykolaiovych, you started your career in Dynamo Moscow, with Lev Yashyn being a regular goalkeeper there.
- Right, I was nothing but a boy at that time, as Yashyn was an experienced and established master. I looked up at him and tried to watch some issues in his performance secretly. Nevertheless, Lev Ivanovych did not give any advice. He played for the first team, and I did for the reserve side.
- Right, I was nothing but a boy at that time, as Yashyn was an experienced and established master. I looked up at him and tried to watch some issues in his performance secretly. Nevertheless, Lev Ivanovych did not give any advice. He played for the first team, and I did for the reserve side.
- How come you became a goalkeeper?
- I could have been a fielder. I come from Liublino, where I started playing football. I do not even know why, but goalkeeping was mine. Following a three-year spell with Dynamo, I moved to Kadiivka, where I spent a year or a year and a half. I was there, right up until the moment when Shakhtar Donetsk came to us for a friendly match.
- I could have been a fielder. I come from Liublino, where I started playing football. I do not even know why, but goalkeeping was mine. Following a three-year spell with Dynamo, I moved to Kadiivka, where I spent a year or a year and a half. I was there, right up until the moment when Shakhtar Donetsk came to us for a friendly match.
- Is it true that you scored a spot-kick on that day?
- I had a case. It was stupid on my side, of course, since I should not have interfered! However, I was young and stepped up to take it. I cannot recall, by which score we won – 2-1 or 1-0 ... Immediately after that game, I left for then-Stalino city. The regular goalkeeper at Shakhtar was Yevhen Lemeshko. When he was injured, I joined the first team - and so things moved on.
- I had a case. It was stupid on my side, of course, since I should not have interfered! However, I was young and stepped up to take it. I cannot recall, by which score we won – 2-1 or 1-0 ... Immediately after that game, I left for then-Stalino city. The regular goalkeeper at Shakhtar was Yevhen Lemeshko. When he was injured, I joined the first team - and so things moved on.
- Did you see the best years of your career at Shakhtar?
- I did. I gained experience and spent good seasons. We were friends with Saveliev, Ananchenko, Rodin ... We had an excellent team. Twice in a row, we raised the USSR Cup. My recollections are only the best!
- I did. I gained experience and spent good seasons. We were friends with Saveliev, Ananchenko, Rodin ... We had an excellent team. Twice in a row, we raised the USSR Cup. My recollections are only the best!
FC Shakhtar and the Donetsk side’s faithful wish the birthday man good health, prosperity and happiness. Happy anniversary!