1961. FC Shakhtar first USSR Cup.



1962. Donetsk wins second successive Domestic Cup



FC Shakhtar - 1964
FC Shakhtar changed six coaches in the late 50-s. This long-lasting mishmash of the coaches made a mess with the squad formation. New coaches brought new players, who often were about to finish their career. The final result was on top, but Ponomarev, Yermilov, Dangulov, Novikov or Shegodsky were not able to provide it momentarily.

It was a common thing for Shakhtar to be in the low ten and in 1959 only league reorganization saved them from the relegation.

FC Shakhtar performance was directly dependant on their key-players - Ivan Boboshko, Alexander Alpatov, Ivan edosov, Valetin Sapronov, Vyacheslav Alabyev and Peter Ponomarenko.

In 1960 FC Shakhtar occupied the 8th position of 11. And a new coach Oleg Oshenkov joined the club.

The famous manager relied on local players and professionals. In 1960 such players as Gennadiy Snegirev, Nikolay Golovko, Vladimir Salkov and Oleg Kolosov and in 1961 - Anatoliy Rodin and Dmitriy Mizerniy opted for Shakhtar.

FC Shakhtar won their first USSR Cup in the first year under Oshenkov. Donetsk proved their worth agin in 1962 and 1963.

FC Spartak Moskva didn't let to take the trophy to the province Donbass for the third time. Donetsk lakced some goodluck and good referees. Being in favour Shakhtar lost - 1:2.

"Three years of Oleg Oshenkov were not in vain. Donetsk players are now at the same level with leaders", - said daily "Sovetsky sport" about Shakhtar in 1962.

A "Cup team" as they called Shakhtar turned to be strong in the league as well. 1961-63 even-level performance promoted Shakhtar to the 5th position in 1964. "

Yuriy Korotkikh, Alexey Drozdenko, Vitaliy Khmelnitsky, Stanislav Yevseyenko and other players made their debut and then joined the main squad in Shakhtar.

League Table

P TEAM PLD W D L F:A PTS
1 Dynamo 18 15 3 0 44:7 48
2 Shakhtar 18 13 2 3 49:12 41
3 Dnipro 18 12 4 2 35:12 40
4 Zorya 18 9 3 6 26:20 30
5 Metalist 17 7 6 4 27:24 27