Sturkenboom nets Utrecht reward

Dutch Cup holders FC Utrecht have appointed Martin Sturkenboom as club president for the next three years.

Marked upturn
Sturkenboom had been leading the club as interim general manager since October 2002, when he stepped in to save Utrecht from bankruptcy by securing finance which stabilised the club. Last season's Dutch Cup success sealed a place in the UEFA Cup and Utrecht are on the cusp of the competition's new group stage after beating Djurgårdens IF 4-0 in the first leg of their first-round tie.

Committed to future
Club officials are keen to continue this progress and see Sturkenboom's appointment as an affirmation of this commitment. "With Sturkenboom remaining as chairman, the board of directors and the management have made a statement about their faith in the sporting, financial and organisational future of the club," said an official statement.