Ferencváros to float on stock exchange

Hungary’s oldest and most successful club, Ferencvárosi TC, have taken the first step towards becoming a public limited company.

Capital increase
The Hungarian league leaders have traded as a limited company for the last decade but after a meeting of members a decision was taken to float on the Budapest Stock Exchange, although no date has been set as yet. An extraordinary general meeting will be called in the near future to discuss how to proceed.

Record number of titles
Formed in May 1899, 'Fradi' as they are known have won a record 27 league titles and are the only Hungarian club to have won a European trophy, having lifted the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1965. Ferencváros currently lead MTK Hungária FC on goal difference at the top of the table, ahead of the second half of the season, but they have been bedevilled by injuries over the winter break.

Gyepes out for a month
Defender Gábor Gyepes has become the latest casualty after picking up a knee injury which will keep him out for a month. Gyepes, who had been in fine form throughout the first part of the season, will miss Hungary’s upcoming UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying games away to Poland on 29 March and at home against Sweden on 2 April.

Garami remains philosophical
Ferencváros technical director József Garami remained philosophical over this latest setback, which follows injuries to defender György Kiss and midfield player János Zováth. He said: "It's a good thing that the season starts a week later as we have had a lot of injuries. However, these things can happen during the season and we must have quality players on the substitutes' bench." The season resumes a week later than first planned, on 7 March, due to freezing weather conditions.