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Ferencvaros are back on the big stage tonight for the first time since 1995, facing Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
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![Ferencvaros are back on the big stage tonight for the first time since 1995, facing Barcelona at the Nou Camp.[Thread]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekw-ve8W0AAOUsv.jpg "Ferencvaros are back on the big stage tonight for the first time since 1995, facing Barcelona at the Nou Camp.[Thread]")
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After qualifying 25 years ago, and drawing 1-1 to Real Madrid in the group stage, Ferencvaros never got particularly close to qualifying again until 10 years later when an extra time Sparta Prague winner 6 minutes from time sent Fradi to the UEFA Cup.
There they met FA Cup finalists Milwall in a game described as the Battle of Budapest for its off the field antics. One Milwall fan was stabbed, and carnage ensued along the streets of Pest https://twitter.com/MillwallPhotos/status/1316784789043793920
Ferencvaros won the tie 4-2 qualifying for their first European group stage since ‘95. It was to be their last for 14 years.
Off the pitch Fradi were in all kinds of chaos. The club were spending way above their means and by 2005, according to reports at the time, debts were totalling over €3m just 12 months after OTP Bank had saved the club with a €800k last minute loan.
Facing pressure from UEFA and left with no choice but to act, the Hungarian football federation relegated Hungary’s biggest club to the second tier for the first time in their history.
"Those responsible are located one floor above the locker room, I know this is a brave statement to make, but they would do the best for the club if they walked away quietly," said club captain Peter Lipcsei.
Ferencvaros would challenge the ruling in court, but Fradi’s difficulties were known around the country. One report at the time said they were unable to hire a team bus for a pre-season friendly. Relegation was confirmed in 2006.
Most expected Ferencvaros to bounce back up with ease, and they got off to a great start drawing crowds upwards of 10,000 everywhere they went and winning 10 of their first 12 games.
But Fradi’s fortunes started to spin out of control. Over the last 10 games of the season, with promotion looking like an almost certainty, Fradi won just 4 matches and missed out on promotion by 4 points.
Off the pitch, the club were still in trouble, a number of buyers had displayed some kind of interest in salvaging the club, but debts were said to be north of €10m. Then came an English saviour, up step Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe. http://www.hungarianfootball.com/2011/08/12/ferencvaros-english-invasion/
Oddly in 2008, Sheff Utd were one of the trailblazers in multi-club ownership, which (Red Bull & City) have taken to new levels in recent years. Hoping to profit from the Chinese market, Chengdu were acquired, then came an opportunity to purchase one of Europe’s sleeping giants
In February 2008, Kevin McCabe purchased Ferencvaros for approximately €18m and set about stating his ambition, promising a new stadium and stating,
"For Ferencvaros there is really a chance to consistently represent Hungary in Europe. That is certainly our ambition."
"For Ferencvaros there is really a chance to consistently represent Hungary in Europe. That is certainly our ambition."
Cue an English invasion. Within 3 years, Ferencvaros saw James Ashmore, Jordan Robertson, Sam Wedgbury, Sam Stockley, Tommy Doherty, Anthony Elding, Paul Shaw, and most famously Burnley right back Matthew Lowton all joined the club in a playing capacity
Bobby Davison came in as manager taking over from Janos Csank who failed in his attempt to get Fradi any higher than 3rd in NB II, and in his only full season at the club, won the league by 17 points in 2008/09
Unfortunately things didn’t start well for Davison and Fradi, and he was soon shipped out for Craig Short who led the club to a respectable 7th place in their first year back in NB I. 3 months into the new season, he was off to Notts County, and the English invasion retreated.
Suffering strained relationships at board level, in November 2010 McCabe wanted out. 4 months later the club was sold for the price of a beer. Orban ally and Fidesz MP Gabor Kubatov stepped in.
No one really predicted it at the time, but Ferencvaros were destined for glory.
No one really predicted it at the time, but Ferencvaros were destined for glory.
Fradi's rise over the decade hasn’t come from nowhere. The more you think about their success and the more you think about Orban’s use of football to promote the nation & stoke nationalist fervour, the more you wonder how much they've been used as a tool https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jan/11/viktor-orban-hungary-prime-minister-reckless-football-obsession
The money that has flowed into Ferencvaros since Kubatov has taken over has been mammoth, and to boot with a beautiful new stadium, it has propelled Ferencvaros into a true regional force.
Whether Ferencvaros are a government pawn is open for debate, but no one can deny just how impressive this turnaround has been. From managerial appointments to player recruitment, from hooligan quashing to brand building, there have been few missteps along the way.
Sure, Fradi loyalists will hate Kubatov for the vein scanner and their years long standoff with the club is clear evidence of that, but it’s hard to say no good came from that in helping to eradicate the insidious nature that lingered in the heart of the Ferencvaros fan base.
Over the past 10 years, Ferencvaros have become a club Hungary can be proud of from top to bottom. A world-class stadium, a superb manager, a ferocious yet increasingly welcoming fanbase, and above all, a magnificent team.
25 years in the making, Fradi are back on the big stage
25 years in the making, Fradi are back on the big stage
