6.9.12

Železná Sparta

From 1918-1922 Sparta Prague were widely regarded as the best team in Europe.
Železná Sparta (Iron Sparta) won 5 consecutive titles between 1919-1923.  Out of 59 competitive games in this period, Sparta won 58 and lost just one (1:2 vs Unon Zizkov in 1919), with score of  235 for and 46 against.
During this time Sparta were coached by John Dick, a Scotsman and former Woolwich Arsenal player.
The Czechoslovakia team in the 1920 Olympic final featured 10 Sparta players.
In 1921 German champions FC Nuremberg challenged Sparta for an unofficial European championship. Following a goalless draw in Nuremberg Sparta won 5-2 in Prague.

Sparta v Celtic 

In May 1921 Sparta defeated Scottish Champions Celtic twice (2-1, 2-0) in the space of a week.
A further challenge came from Barcelona, but Sparta beat the Catalans 2-3 on their own ground on Christmas Day.