THE MASTER'S APEX
This article was made in honor of the memory of Mr. György Orth.

After having performed brilliantly in 1923/24; winning yet another title, while being the team's main influence, there were doubts whether MTK would be Orth's main team in 1924/25. However, after the early stages of the season, which included many disagreements within and outside MTK, after the matches against Zagreb and First Vienna, Orth's permanence was confirmed by MTK. Therefore, The main star of the Hungarian constellation would play one more season of Bajnokság I.

The championship started with a brilliant victory for the MTK, commanded by its main star. Orth, in his great playfulness of his, was everywhere, and often at the risk of his own physical safety, set up situations for his comrades by drawing the defence in, but he got little back from them. 

Circumstances had started very well for MTK. However, the draw against BEAC was a surprise. Orth failed to demonstrate much of his peerless valor. Even so, in the next matches, what was to come in the month of October would be marked in György Orth's career.

TWO DERBYS.

A derby against Újpest was played early in the season. In the first half of the match, Orth played without so much ambition, he played much more calmly. He, however, in the second half of the match, showed his full potential. In addition to his superb passing, he was also remarkably agile. He was often seen in the link-up and half-back line. The brilliant Hungarian star ended the difficult match being widely praised for his performance. In the very next match, MTK would face their main rival: Ferencváros.

The match against Ferencváros was one of the best performances ever performed by a football player.  Orth reached the pinnacle of his performance  against MTK's main rival. Gyuri had already performed great performances, but nothing that had reached that level of mastery; that level of beauty; that level of sovereignty within the four lines of football. Orth scored five goals in that game, but the real spectacle was his works of art, both collectively and, as much as Orth was a passer, for his individual issues as well. When Orth was at that level of excellence, nothing could stop him. This match against Ferencváros is considered the main performance of Orth's career — and the Hungarian himself considers this his best performance.

Writing after text has been written about that match. However, it is quite certain that the correct words to express that most exquisite and spectacular art do not exist.

In the last match of Bajnokság I., in October, precisely against Nemzeti S.C., Orth had produced such a wonderful display of footballing technique and tactics that the crowd involuntarily applauded his artistic actions. Possibly, that month was the one in which Orth reached the highest level of performance in his career.



In the following matches, the first ones in November, MTK, despite winning, were not performing as well as before — and largely due to Orth. However, in the match against VAC, Orth's performances returned to normal. Orth, like György Molnár, was further back due to his performances below the half-back line. In the following match against Kispesti A.C., there was a rather unusual incident. Returning to mark the opposing line, the centre-forward Orth committed a series of fouls — which came as a surprise — on the inside left Ölvedy, thus causing some anger in the opposing player. Ölvedy shouted for one of his comrades, who happened to be facing Orth, to break Orth's leg. However, the referee standing nearby heard the "encouragement" and sent the angry Ölvedy off the pitch.

There was only one match in December: against Törekvés. This match was the best result achieved by MTK since October. The phenomenal play of the forward line, but primarily of Orth and Molnár, compensated for the weak work of the half-back line. Orth's masterful ball handling, the economical and careful placement of his comrades, his tricks and his goal were wonderful.

MTK's first eleven matches had been played — and Orth was one of four players who played in all of them. As omnipresent as he was on the field, both in attack and defence, Orth, in a standard tactical setup, was only selected as a centre-forward in the eleven matches. MTK finished the first half of the season undefeated.

With the end of the first half of the season, MTK went on tour in Switzerland and Germany.

*   *   *

When Nemzeti Bajnokság I. returned, MTK's first opponent was BEAC. In that match, MTK had some difficulty adding goals to the scoreboard. This match reflected a different Orth, being a very, very powerful player, therefore competing much more for the ball. After a combination between Orth-Opata-Molnár, it was mentioned that Molnár opened the scoring through a pass from Orth. In the next match, against Vívó A.C., Orth returned to scoring goals for his team in the championship, adding two goals to the scoreboard. There was no great highlight for the match, as MTK's forward line was performing below what was seen against BEAC.

A DRAMATIC INCIDENT.

The match against III. Kerület was a real battle. Orth clashed, argued and committed fouls. There were several arguments among the spectators of the match. After the foul on Harrer, a full-back, a fight was seen in the audience. Many called for Orth to be sent off, but Ferenc Gerő, the referee, decided to continue the match. A few moments later, Orth argued with the crowd and was sent off.


MATCH REPORT: Orth runs down the left wing, the ball goes into tackle, he argues with the crowd with the ball in his hands, and referee Gerő sends him off.


This was Orth's third time being sent off in Nemzeti Bajnokság I.

Orth returned for the next match against Vasas, which promised to be a spectacular match in front of 20,000 spectators. Orth did not prove to be an executor, but rather an organizer of his team's vanguard. He was always preparing, very well positioned and with very refined intentions. However, the opponent's defensive system did not allow the Hungarian star to perform his usual tricks. However, when in a position to score, Orth was not at his usual shooting accuracy.


CONCLUSION

This edition of Nemzeti Bajnokság I. was widely regarded as the pinnacle of Gyorgy Orth's footballing performance. His refined technique and knowledge were at the top of the footballing ladder — and this could be fully demonstrated in October 1924. Orth proved to be the complete centre-forward, forming, organising and concluding MTK's attacking actions. The Hungarian fields were receiving the mastery of their leading footballer; with Orth on the lines of his team, much could be expected from the spectacle. In addition to the sovereign characteristics of the MTK centre-forward, other aspects were notable in his play, such as dynamism, liveliness and endurance, and the toughness of his actions against opponents. On the other hand, some were also very negative for his image, such as the lack of control on certain occasions, the constant conversation with the crowd and the excessive fouls committed in certain matches.

Orth played 21 matches in total, scoring 17 goals. The Hungarian was also the axis, the conditio sine qua non of most of his team's offensive actions. In addition to the vanguard, Orth constantly retreated to the half-back line, thus reinforcing his team's defence.

In general, this was, in fact, the peak of his footballing ability, in addition to it being in line with his consistency in the championship. Consequently, Orth performed at a level never before seen in Nemzeti Bajnokság I. As mentioned earlier, the month of October served perfectly to illustrate this statement, especially due to the historic match against Ferencváros.