Diary

Monday, 16 November 1953 - It is announced in Budapest that the Hungary players to face England next week will be drawn from eighteen players, including the eleven that drew with Sweden yesterday.
It has been agreed between the FA and the Hungarian authorities that substitutes will be allowed only for injured players. An injured goalkeeper may be replaced at any time, and one other injured player per side can be replaced up to the 44th minute.

Friday, 20 November 1953 - Hungary's vice-Minister for Sport, Gusztáv Sebes, and the President of their FA, Alexander Barcs, donned football kit and joined the eighteen players in an hour's practise in Paris.

Saturday, 21 November 1953 - Hungary play the amateur team from the Renault car factory (17-0). It is where Gusztáv Sebes worked before the outbreak of the war.

Sunday, 22 November 1953 - The Hungarian party arrive in London via the Golden Arrow.

Monday, 23 November 1953 - The Hungarian players were hard at work on Fulham FC's Craven Cottage ground this morning. It was almost a one-man show, with inside-left and captain, Ferenc Puskás, giving an impressive display of shooting. Grosics, the tall Hungarian goalkeeper, had to perform acrobatics to keep out shot after shot. Puskás kept shooting for twenty minutes while his colleagues, after sprints around the track, took part in bouts of passing.
At the Press conference, following the opening of the Sport in Hungary exhibition at Park Lane House, Park Lane in London. The team was announced. It is the same team that drew with Sweden. The Hungarian team, an official stated, were in England on holiday. All Hungarian sportsmen were guaranteed a month's paid holiday and that is how the players, although amateurs, were able to make the trip.

Tuesday, 24 November 1953 - The players visit Wembley Stadium before a final training session at Craven Cottage. All members are reported as being 100% fit, meaning Kocsis has recovered from his ankle injury.

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CG