Zbigniew Kruszyński

Hamburger SV II While in West Germany, Kruszyński signed for Hamburger SV II in 1979. Kruszyński made 32 appearances to help Saarbrücken to a third-place finish in the 1984–85 season and though he did not play, the club secured promotion to the Bundesliga after winning a playoff versus Arminia Bielefeld.

Now playing in the Bundesliga, Kruszyński was moved from his forward position back into the defence and made 32 appearances in a poor 1985–86 season which saw Saarbrücken relegated straight back to the 2. Bundesliga.

Wimbledon Kruszyński moved to England to sign for First Division club Wimbledon in December 1988 for a £100,000 fee and he became the third Pole to play in the English top-flight. Utilised as a midfielder by manager Bobby Gould, he struggled to adapt to the physicality of the English game.

Brentford Kruszyński joined Third Division club Brentford on loan for the final eight games of the 1991–92 season. He played in each game in midfield and helped the Bees secure the Third Division championship and promotion to the second tier. Kruszyński signed permanently for a £60,000 fee in August 1992, Kruszyński remained in England and signed for Premiership club Coventry City in September 1993. He made just three appearances and departed the club in December 1993. He managed just five appearances before departing London Road.

Non-League football Kruszyński dropped into non-League football in 1994 and played for Oxford City, St Albans City, Hayes, Crawley Town, Chertsey Town and Kingstonian before retiring in 1997. At one time, the school had links with Spanish club Barcelona.

Personal life Kruszyński's brothers Bogdan and Andrzej were also footballers.

Career statistics

Honours 1. FC Saarbrücken 2. Bundesliga: 1984–85

Brentford Football League Third Division: 1991–92

Poland U18 UEFA European Under-18 Championship third place: 1978