Release from 14.03.2024

The Extra Mile - 03 | Super fan Benő gets a new living room

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In the heart of Székesfehérvár, surrounded by the passion and cheers of ice hockey fans, a personality has had his "living room" in the middle of the Hydro Fehérvár AV19 arena for years. We are talking about Endrődi János, better known by his nickname "Benő" who is more than just a fan - he is a legend. Benő embodies the dedication and loyalty to his team like no other. Since the opening of Ifjabb Ocskay Gábor Jégcsarnok in 1977, Benő has hardly missed a home game. His presence is so striking that a game without him seems unimaginable. This man truly goes the extra mile for Hydro Fehérvár AV19.

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Benő's love of ice hockey began in his school days when he played with his classmates - and it has been unbroken ever since. He is a regular at AVS home games: So much of a regular that he has hardly missed a game since 1977. Since Hydro Fehérvár AV19 joined the win2day ICE Hockey League, he has missed "less than ten" home games in total. The last time was almost five and a half years ago: "I skipped the game against Znojmo (October 7, 2018) - but deliberately. Our farm team was playing in Gyergyószentmiklós at the same time and I decided to watch that game together with my friend Sandor. In the end, we won both games and that evening I also posted a photo with Akos Mihaly with the caption: 'One of the greatest talents'," says the Hungarian with great passion.


Benő discovers his passion

Over the years, the retired police officer has also covered thousands of kilometers to honor his team's performance away from home. "In a regular season, I get to eight to ten road games, and in the playoffs I'm almost always there - even now at the games in Bruneck."

He is also actively involved in the fan community: he supports the organization in recruiting new and active members for the fan club and keeps the spirit of Fehérvár alive with his experience and passion in the stands.


Benő with Akos Mihaly

"Endlesssupport is our strength"
As a "super fan", he - and all other AVS supporters - has one maxim: "Endless support for our team is our strength. In 1998, for example, we lost the final against Dunaujvaros. We then went back to Székesfehérvár, were at home before the team and waited for them and - despite the defeat - celebrated their great development throughout the season. Such processes should be honored just as much as a title. These are things that we also pass on to the young fans." Benő also gets goosebumps when he thinks back to the EBYSL final in 2014, when almost 2,000 fans were in the arena "to support 'the next generation'. That's quite something and you can only be proud of these supporters."

The "living room" of emotional memories will be closed
A new ice hockey chapter will open this year in Székesfehérvár: The "Devils" will play their last season in the venerable Ifjabb Ocskay Gábor Jégcsarnok - the next campaign starting in the fall will then be played in the brand new Alba Arena. This marks the end of Benő's "living room", a place full of emotional memories. "Of course I'm sad about the end of this arena. The charm, the atmosphere - it's unique and will never be the same again. But we have countless memories that we hold close to our hearts. But we are also looking forward to the new arena and are excited to see how our great support will fit into a modern environment. We will create a new identity and turn the Alba Arena into a loud fortress in the win2day ICE Hockey League."

With Fehérvár, Benő is also moving
Benő's story is a living example of the passion and loyalty that can be shown to a team and a sport. His unwavering support and deep attachment to Hydro Fehérvár AV19 go far beyond the classic measure. Benő will inevitably be a central part of this new era in the Alba Arena as well.

The Hungarian success story goes beyond borders
Fehérvár AV19, founded in 1960, has developed into a major name over the years, and not just in Hungarian ice hockey: The team, which has been playing in the multinational win2day ICE Hockey League since 2007, has an impressive track record with 13 Hungarian championship titles, all of which were celebrated in seasons in the Ifjabb Ocskay Gábor Jégcsarnok. In the win2day ICE Hockey League, Fehérvár's greatest success to date has been reaching the final in 2022. This season, the Hungarians qualified for the Champions Hockey League for the second time with their best basic round since joining the league. On Saturday, they will play against HC Pustertal Wölfe to advance to the semi-finals. With them: "super fan" Benő, of course.