Vittorio Bergamo was born in Roveredo in Piano (Friuli) on June 25, 1922. He was born in Roveredo by chance as he was really from and grew up in Trieste.
His first club was Fortitudo Trieste between 1938-40 at regional level.
In 1940 he joined Biella (Piedmont) in Serie C. He stayed four seasons with 2nd, 2nd, 4th and 3rd places. He played 66 league games for the "Lanieri" with 10 goals. His managers were Angelo Mattea for three seasons and then he was replaced during the last by Virginio Rosetta and Luis Monti.
In 1944 he joined Vigevano. These were war years and the Ducali played in the mixed Serie C-Prima Divisione and finished 3rd. The following year the "Vige" finished 2nd and were promoted to Serie B. He played 30 league games with 2 goals over this period.
In 1946 he moved down to Liguria and joined Genoa in Serie A. He stayed 4 seasons finishing 10th, 12th, 7th and 11th. He played 132 league games with 9 goals (Modena, Vicenza, Napoli, Alessandria, Torino, Livorno, Bologna, Triestina, Fiorentina). His managers were Englishman William Garbutt, Federico Allasio (briefly at Lazio in 1954) for two years and then John Astley (until December) and Manlio Bacigalupo in his final year.
In 1950 he stayed in the Ligurian capital but joined rivals Sampdoria in Serie A. He was the first player in history to make a similar move (Samp only formed in 1946). He stayed with the Blucerchiati for two seasons. La Samp finished 12th and 7th under first Giuseppe Galluzzi (until April) and Gipo Poggi and then in the second season, former Lazio player, Alfredo Foni (1929-31). Bergamo played 52 league games with 6 goals (Pro Patria, Lazio in 1-1 draw, Genoa, Juventus, Como, Atalanta). So important goals especially in a 3-2 winning derby and a 2-1 victory over Juventus. His teammates included future Lazio manager, Juan Carlos Lorenzo (1962-64, 1968-71, 1984-85).
In 1952 Bergamo himself joined Lazio in Serie A. He stayed three seasons in the capital. In the first year the manager was first Giuseppe Bigogno and then, for the last nine matches, Alfredo Notti. The Biancocelesti finished 10th and Bergamo played 22 league games with 2 goals (Milan, Triestina). The highlights were beating Roma twice.
In 1953-54 the manager was first Mario Sperone and then, for the last ten games, Federico Allasio. The Biancocelesti finished 11th and Bergamo played 26 league games with 2 goals (winner away at Torino, Genoa). The highlight was beating Juventus 2-1 at home.
The 1954-55 was his last in Rome. The manager was first Federico Allasio but he was replaced after 7 games by Englishman George Raynor. Lazio finished 12th and Bergamo played less, 10 league games. The highlights were beating Inter 3-2, Juventus 2-1 and especially Roma 3-1.
In 1955 he joined Palermo for one season in Serie B. The manager was Carlo Rigotti and the Rosanero won promotion with a 2nd place finish. Bergamo played 22 league games with 2 goals (Legnano, Catania).
In 1956-57 he spent one more season with Biellese in Serie C. The manager was Piero Castello and the "Biella" finished 7th. Bergamo played 15 league games with 1 goal (Cremonese).
He then retired at 35.
After retiring he tried a coaching career with Sestri Levante but then returned to Biella, where he had married, to work in the textile business. He also did a lot of voluntary work in hospitals as he himself had always suffered from diabetes.
Bergamo was a midfielder. He was a strong and hard fighting player but was affable, pleasant and jovial off the field. He played 243 league games in Serie A and scored 19 goals.
At Lazio he was a popular player for his gritty, determined style of play. They were average years for the Biancocelesti but they still had some great wins, including three derby triumphs. "Rino" as he was nicknamed played 58 games for Lazio with 4 goals.
Rino Bergamo died in Biella on June 3, 2011.
Lazio Career
Season | Serie A Appearances | Serie A Goals |
1952-53 | 22 | 2 |
1953-54 | 26 | 2 |
1954-55 | 10 | - |
Total | 58 | 4 |
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