 | ||||
| Full name | Ferencvárosi Torna Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | Ferencváros,FTC andFradi,zöldek (The greens) | |||
| Short name | FTC | |||
| Founded | 3 May 1899; 126 years ago (1899-05-03) | |||
| Ground | Ferencváros Stadion | |||
| Capacity | 23,700 | |||
| President | Gábor Kubatov | |||
| Head coach | Robbie Keane | |||
| League | NB I | |||
| 2024–25 | NB I, 1st of 12 (champions) | |||
| Website | fradi | |||
 Current season | ||||
| Active departments ofFTC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Closed departments ofFTC | ||||||
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Ferencvárosi Torna Club, commonly known asFerencváros (Hungarian:[ˈfɛrɛnt͡svaːroʃ]),Fradi,FTC is a Hungarian professionalfootball club based inFerencváros,Budapest, that competes in theNemzeti Bajnokság I, the top flight ofHungarian football. Ferencváros was founded in 1899 by Ferenc Springer and a group of local residents of Budapest's ninth district, Ferencváros.[1] Domestically, the club has won the Nemzeti Bajnokság I 36 times,Magyar Kupa 24 times andSzuperkupa 6 times—all competition records. Internationally, they won the1964–65 edition of theInter-Cities Fairs Cup[2] after defeatingJuventus 1–0 inTurin in thefinal. Ferencváros also reached thefinal in the same competition in1968, when they lost toLeeds United, as well as thefinal in the1974–75 season of theEuropean Cup Winners' Cup, losing toDynamo Kyiv.[3]
The best-known part of the club is the well-supported men'sfootball team – the most popular team in the country.[4] The parent multisport club Ferencvárosi TC divisions includewomen's football,women's handball, men'sfutsal,[5]men's ice hockey,men's handball,men's water polo, cycling, gymnastics, athletics, wrestling, curling and swimming teams, some of which are highly successful.
The club colours are green and white, and the club's mascot is a green eagle, hence another of the club's nicknames,The Green Eagles.[6]
On 3 May 1899, Ferencvárosi TC was founded by citizens of the9th district ofBudapest.[6] With the exception of three seasons between 2006 and 2009, Ferencváros have played in theNemzeti Bajnokság I since its inception in1901. The club's financial problems in 2006 resulted in theHungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) withdrawing the club's licence; a withdrawal that was eventually deemed unauthorized.[7] Following this, Fradi were promoted back to the first division in 2009.
Ferencváros are the most successful Hungarian team both domestically and internationally. They won the1964–65 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and have also won theNemzeti Bajnokság I 36 times and theMagyar Kupa 24 times.[8]
They qualified for the renewedChampions League, the first Hungarian club to do so, in the1995–1996 season. Since then, the club have also taken part in the2004–05 UEFA Cup,2019–20 Europa League,2020–21 Champions League, and2021–22 Europa League group stages.[9]
On 3 December 1900 the football section of the club was established. Two months later, on 10 February, the first Hungarian championship match took place between Ferencváros and Budapesti TC, though it was not officially recognized by the Hungarian Football Federation. The first official championship match was played on 21 April 1901, when Ferencváros suffered a 5–3 defeat against MUE. Borbás Gáspár, then 17 years old, scored Ferencváros' first official championship goal. The first point was earned in a 2–2 draw against Műegyetem, and the first victory came on 16 June 1901 (FTC-Budapesti SC 5–1).
Interestingly, Ferencváros made its international debut earlier than in domestic competitions. On 25 March 1901, the Viennese Cricketer defeated the Hungarian team 9–0. On 5 May, against the Old Cricketer (5–0, the first Ferencváros victory in international competition), the players wore the first badge with five green and four white stripes and three inverted E's in a green shield at the bottom – a design that still references the club's motto: morals, strength, unity.
In 1902, Ferencváros suffered its heaviest defeat, losing 16–0 against the English team Oxford FC. The club secured its first championship title in 1903 and the second in 1905, followed by three more in the 1900s (1906/07, 1908/09, 1909/10). On 6 June 1909 FTC permanently won the first Hungarian football challenge trophy, capturing the silver ball for the fifth time.
On 12 February 1911 Ferencváros inaugurated its new stadium on Üllői Road,Ferencváros Stadion, where it still plays today. Schlosser Imre scored the first green-and-white goal in the new facility. In 1911, the club won its third consecutive championship title, remaining unbeaten in 21 matches that season. In 1912, Ferencváros defeated Working FC, winning against an English team in England for the first time. In the same year, they beat the III. district team 11–3, with Schlosser scoring eight goals in one match, a record that still stands for goals scored in a single match. The 1911/12 championship brought another Ferencváros title, marking the club's seventh.
In 1913, Ferencváros achieved not only the championship title but also won the Hungarian Cup for the first time in its history.
In 1914, World War I broke out, bringing a somber year for Ferencváros football players. Almost every member of the team received military service call-ups, and many of them never returned home.
The colours of the club are green and white. The nine stripes on the club badge, five green and four white, symbolise the district ofFerencváros, Budapest's ninth district. The three E's on Ferencváros' badge represent the club's motto of Erkölcs, Erő, Egyetértés (English:Morality, Strength, Understanding).[10]
Ferencvárosi TC has changed names various times throughout their history:[11]
The following table shows in detail Ferencvárosi TC kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors by year:
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1979−1987 | Adidas | Márka |
| 1987–1990 | Pepsi | |
| 1990–1991 | Hargita Kft. | |
| 1991–1992 | Postabank RT | |
| 1992–1993 | Umbro | |
| 1993–1995 | West | |
| 1995–1996 | Adidas | |
| 1996–1999 | Symphonia | |
| 1999–2000 | AVIS | |
| 2000–2001 | Dunapack | |
| 2002 | Arany Ászok | |
| 2002–2003 | Westel | |
| 2003–2004 | Nike | |
| 2004–2007 | T-Mobile | |
| 2007–2008 | Orangeways /Interwetten | |
| 2008–2009 | Orangeways | |
| 2009–2010 | Unibet | |
| 2010–2011 | FantasticLeague.com | |
| 2011–2014 | Groupama Garancia | |
| 2015 | Fő Taxi | |
| 2015–2024 | T-Mobile | |
| 2024– | Macron |
Current sponsorships:
The first stadium of the club started being built in the autumn of 1910. On 12 February 1911, Ferencváros played their first match against Budapest rivalMTK Budapest which was won by the club. The starting line-up consisted of Fritz, Rumbold, Magnlitz, Weinber, Bródy, Payer, Szeitler, Weisz, Koródy,Schlosser, Borbás. The first stadium could host 40,000 spectators.
In 1971 the stands were demolished and a new stadium began to be built. The new stadium was inaugurated on the 75th anniversary of the club. On 19 May 1974, the first match was played againstVasas. The new stadium could host 29,505 spectators (including 10,771 seats and 18,734 standing). In the 1990s the stadium was redesigned to meet the UEFA requirements therefore its capacity was reduced to 18,100. When Ferencváros qualified for the1995–96 UEFA Champions League group stage, a new journalist stand was built over the main stand.
On 21 December 2007, the stadium's name was changed from Üllői úti Stadion to Stadion Albert Flórián.Flórián Albert, the former Ferencváros icon, was present at the inauguration ceremony.There were many plans on how to increase the capacity of the stadium in case theHungarian Football Federation won the bid for theUEFA Euro 2008 or theEuro 2012. However, the Federation did not win any bids therefore the reconstruction of the stadium was delayed.
When Kevin McCabe became the owner of the club the reconstruction was on schedule again. Later, McCabe sold his team to the Hungarian state and the reconstruction did not take place.
Ferencváros Stadion,multi-purpose stadium, is the third home of the club. It has a capacity of 20,000 spectators inUEFA matches and 23,700 in Hungarian League matches.
WhenGábor Kubatov was elected as president of the club, he and Pál Orosz managed to raise enough funds for the construction of a new stadium. The new stadium was rotated by 90 degrees in order to meet UEFA requirements. Therefore, the main stand which was parallel to theÜllői út became parallel to theHungária körút. As part of the national stadium reconstruction programme the new stadium was built between 2013 and 2014.
The stadium was designed by Ágnes Streit and Szabolcs Kormos and was built by Market Építő Zrt from 2013 to 2014. In the arena there can be found the Ferencváros Museum and a fan shop too. The stadium is cutting edge in itsvein matching entrance system[further explanation needed]. On 10 August 2014, Ferencváros played the opening match againstChelsea.[12][13][14]
After the demolition of thePuskás Ferenc Stadion,Hungary played their home matches at the new arena until the newPuskás Ferenc Stadion was opened in late 2019. The national team celebrated the victory againstNorway after a 2–1 win at theUEFA Euro 2016 qualifying play-off.[15]
On 14 February 2008,Sheffield Unitedpublic limited company chairmanKevin McCabe successfully acquired a tender to purchase Ferencváros. McCabe's Hungarian company, EsplanadeLimited liability company bought Ferencváros' real estate for £8.45 million with a view to start paying off the £5 million debt.[16] In April 2008, Ferencváros Torna Club officially agreed to sell the football club, Ferencváros Labdarúgó ZRt. to EsplanadeKft., McCabe's company in Hungary.[17]
In 2011, McCabe relinquished his ownership of the club after describing a "strained relationship" with some minority shareholders.[18]
On 25 February 2011,Gábor Kubatov,Hungarian MP, was appointed as the president of Ferencváros.[19]
On 28 October 2014,Gábor Kubatov was re-elected to serve another four-year term as the president of the club.[20]
Supporters of Ferencváros are mainly from the capital city of Hungary, Budapest. However, the club is popular all over Hungary. Ferencváros' nickname of Fradi is derived from Franzstadt, the German name for the area of Ferencváros, with the club carrying a "vague sense of German ethnicity", according to British sports journalistJonathan Wilson.[21]
Ferencváros has long been associated with right-wing nationalist sentiment. The roots of this alignment stretch back to the early 20th century, but intensified notably in theinterwar period, particularly during Hungary’s drift toward fascism in the 1930s. As the country embraced authoritarian nationalism under Prime MinisterGyula Gömbös and later aligned with theAxis powers during theSecond World War, Ferencváros supporters increasingly adopted an anti-cosmopolitan, oftenantisemitic outlook. In 1944, the club was taken over byAndor Jaross, a leading figure in Hungary’s fascist regime and organiser of the deportation of Hungarian Jews. This period cemented the club’s associations withfar-right ideology.[22]
After the war, under Communist rule, Ferencváros was regarded with suspicion by theHungarian People's Republic government. The regime, aware of the symbolic power of football, attempted to suppress dissent by altering club identities: Ferencváros’ colours were changed, and the club was marginalised in favour of establishment-aligned teams such as Honvéd (army),MTK Budapest FC (state security), and Újpest (police).[22] From 1949 to 1963, Ferencváros won no league titles, and state surveillance was frequently deployed at matches.[22] Despite these efforts, the club’s identity as an outsider and nationalist bastion was preserved and even strengthened. Fans continued to voice right-wing slogans, and anti-Communist sentiment was rife on the terraces. Following the1956 Hungarian Revolution, the regime relaxed its grip, allowing Ferencváros to reclaim its green and white colours and resume its traditional identity.[22]
This liberalisation coincided with a resurgence of nationalism and antisemitism in Hungarian football culture. Ferencváros fans were again central: in the early 1960s, they chanted “we defeated Israel” after beating MTK, burned newspapers in front of a rabbinical college, and used chants referencing gas chambers.[22] These actions were part of a broader trend in which far-right sentiment became a means of expressing group identity and defiance against both rival fans and the state. In the 1980s, as state control weakened, Ferencváros' ultra groups, especially the Green Monsters, helped normalise neo-fascist chants and physical violence. By the 1990s, after the collapse of Communism, this orientation was fully visible, with far-right symbolism and aggression spreading from Ferencváros to ultras across the country.[22]
Since the 2010s, Ferencváros has become associated withFidesz, Hungary’s ruling party. One of the party's central figures,Gábor Kubatov, is both the director of Fidesz and a prominent figure in Ferencváros’s management. His close ties with the club's ultra groups, especially the Green Monsters, allowed the party to co-opt a powerful subcultural identity. This alliance was notably visible during the2006 protests against the Socialist government, when football ultras (including many Ferencváros supporters) took part in the siege ofMagyar Televízió's headquarters, a pivotal moment that helped destabilise the opposition and laid the groundwork for Fidesz's return to power.[23]
The club has also been used more directly in the party’s political operations. In 2016, a group of men linked to Ferencváros's private security blocked opposition MPIstván Nyakó from filing a referendum initiative at the National Election Office. The incident caused a national outcry and suggested that forces connected to the club were being used to physically suppress political dissent. This added to the perception of Ferencváros being associated with Fidesz.[23]
Since the opening of the newly builtGroupama Aréna, the spectators are scanned at the entrance. As a consequence, the main supporter group of the club, called B-közép, announced a boycott in 2014. Club chairman Kubatov said that he had wanted peace in the new stadium and the club had already paid a lot of fines and punishments due to the unacceptable behaviour of the B-közép. Kubatov had expected that the spectators could have been changed due to the new regulations. However, the number of spectators had not increased in the2014–15 and2015–16 seasons.
On 13 March 2016, 10,125 spectators watched the match between Ferencváros' second team againstCsepel SC in the 2015–16 Nemzeti Bajnokság III season. The attendance was a protest by the B-közép to show how many spectators were missing from theGroupama Aréna.[24]
On 24 March 2016, the representatives of the B-közép started negotiations with club leader,Gabor Kubatov.[25] As a results of the negotiations they were allowed back to the stadium.[26]
In the 2020s, tensions have also emerged between Ferencváros supporters and the party’s geopolitical leanings. In July 2023, following the club’s early elimination from the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, fans loudly chanted "Russians go home!", a message aimed at the club’s Russian managerStanislav Cherchesov. While partly a reaction to the sporting failure, the chant also tapped into historic anti-Soviet sentiment embedded in Ferencváros's identity and was interpreted as a veiled criticism of the Hungarian government’s perceived closeness to Russia.[23]
The fans have friendships with fans ofRapid Wien[27] and since both play in Green the alliance is nicknamed the "Green Brothers". They also have friendly relations in Hungary with fans ofZalaegerszeg, in Poland withŚląsk Wrocław andLechia Gdańsk, and in England withCambridge United.
Ferencváros have rivalry with several teams from Budapest includingMTK Budapest,Újpest,Honvéd,Vasas SC, and several provincial clubs such asDebrecen[28] andDiósgyőr. Since Ferencváros has been the most successful club inHungarian Football history by winning 33 Hungarian League titles, 21Hungarian Cup titles and 2Hungarian League Cup titles and the most successful Hungarian club in theEuropean football competitions by winning theInter-Cities Fairs Cup 1964–65 season, every club in the Hungarian League wants to defeat them.
The biggest rivalry is withÚjpest, which dates back to the 1930s when Újpest won their first Hungarian League title. Since then, the fixture between the two teams attracts the most spectators in the domestic league.[29] The matches between the two teams often end in violence which causes big trouble for the Hungarian football. The proposal of personal registration was refused by both clubs.
The fixture between Ferencváros andMTK Budapest FC is called the Örökrangadó or Eternal derby. It is the oldest football rivalry in Hungary, which dates back as early as the1903 season when Ferencváros first won the Hungarian League. In the following three decades either Ferencváros or MTK Budapest won the domestic league.
Honvéd are also considered fierce rivals as the clubs are in very close proximity to each other and in the past frequently competed for honours.
On 26 November 2002, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Committee fined Ferencváros €18,300 for fireworks andhooliganism-related offences committed by the fans of Ferencváros before and after the2002-03 UEFA Cup second tie againstVfB Stuttgart on 12 November 2002.[30]
In 2004, Ferencváros were charged byUEFA with crowd trouble and racist abuse after playingMillwall in the2004-05 UEFA Cup tie in Budapest, Hungary.[31] Four fans of Millwall suffered stab wounds. The racist abuse was directed at Millwall's players ofAfrican origin, includingPaul Ifill.[32][33]
On 17 July 2013, Ferencváros fans fought with police after afriendly match againstLeeds United, which ended in a 1–0 victory over theChampionship club, inMurska Sobota, Slovenia.[34]
On 19 July 2014,UEFA issued sanctions against Ferencváros andDiósgyőr andSlovakia'sSpartak Trnava, following racist behaviour by their fans during2014–15 UEFA Europa League qualifying matches against Maltese sidesSliema Wanderers,Birkirkara andHibernians respectively. Ferencváros were the hardest hit by the UEFA measures as club were fined by €20,000 and the partial closure of their stadium followingmonkey chants and racist banners displayed in both legs inMalta andHungary.[35]
On 27 January 2015,Gábor Kubatov, president of the club, said that he would have the fines paid by the supporters. Kubatov aims to cease the racism and violence at the stadium.[36]
On 9 February 2015,UEFA refused the appeal of Ferencváros in connection with the incidents before and after the2014–15 UEFA Europa League qualifying match betweenNK Rijeka and Ferencváros. According to the verdict, Ferencváros supporters were not allowed to attend the followingUEFA match at home.[37]
| Type | Competition | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Nemzeti Bajnokság I | 36 | 1903,1905,1906–07,1908–09,1909–10,1910–11,1911–12,1912–13,1925–26,1926–27,1927–28,1931–32,1933–34,1937–38,1939–40,1940–41,1948–49,1962–63,1964,1967,1968,1975–76,1980–81,1991–92,1994–95,1995–96,2000–01,2003–04,2015–16,2018–19,2019–20,2020–21,2021–22,2022–23,2023–24,2024–25 |
| Nemzeti Bajnokság II | 1 | 2008–09 | |
| Magyar Kupa | 24 | 1912–13,1921–22,1926–27,1927–28,1932–33,1934–35,1941–42,1942–43,1943–44,1955–58,1971–72,1973–74,1975–76,1977–78,1990–91,1992–93,1993–94,1994–95,2002–03,2003–04,2014–15,2015–16,2016–17,2021–22 | |
| Ligakupa | 2 | ||
| Szuperkupa | 6 | 1993, 1994, 1995, 2004, 2015, 2016 | |
| International | Inter-Cities Fairs Cup | 1 | |
| Mitropa Cup | 2 | 1928,1937 | |
| Challenge Cup | 1 | 1908–09 |
Hungarian First League top scorers
Bold: active player
| Rank. | Player | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Péter Lipcsei | 1990–1995;1997–1998;2000–2010 | 428 |
| 2 | György Sárosi | 1931–1948 | 384 |
| 3 | Sándor Mátrai | 1953–1967 | 356 |
| 4 | Flórián Albert | 1959–1974 | 351 |
| 5 | Máté Fenyvesi | 1953–1969 | 345 |
| 6 | Dénes Dibusz | 2014–present | 337 |
| 7 | József Keller | 1984–1995; 1996;2000–2003; 2005 | 325 |
| 8 | Gyula Rákosi | 1957–1972 | 322 |
| 9 | László Bálint | 1968–1979 | 316 |
| 10 | Zoltán Ebedli | 1973–1984; 1985–1986 | 313 |
| Rank. | Player | Period | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | György Sárosi | 1931–1948 | 351 |
| 2 | Imre Schlosser | 1906–1915; 1926–1927 | 269 |
| 3 | Flórián Albert | 1959–1974 | 256 |
| 4 | Géza Toldi | 1928–1939; 1942–1943 | 213 |
| 5 | József Takács | 1927–1934 | 209 |
| 6 | Tibor Nyilasi | 1973–1983 | 132 |
| 7 | Ferenc Deák | 1947–1950 | 121 |
| 8 | Mihály Pataki | 1910–1927 | 113 |
| 9 | Ferenc Weisz | 1902–1920 | 105 |
| 10 | Péter Lipcsei | 1990–1995; 1997–1998; 2000–2010 | 101 |
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Tibor Simon,Defender (1985–99) –posthumous honour.[40] "The 12th man", reserved for club supporters. Number retired in 2007.Had senior international caps for their respective countries.Players whose name is listed inbold represented their countries while playing for Ferencváros.
Akeem Adams12Flórián Albert45Flórián Albert Jr.
Aleksandar BajevskiLászló Bálint6Zoltán BaloghZsolt BárányosMatthew Bartholomew
Muhamed Bešić10Mihály Bíró2Dániel BödeElemér Berkessy
Miha BlažičZoltán BlumGáspár BorbásPredrag BošnjakSándor BródyLászló BudaiMárton BukoviÁkos BuzsákyZoltán BükszegiEldar ĆivićCsaba CsizmadiaLászló CzéhZoltán CziborJenő DalnokiFerenc DeákLajos Détári
Tommy DohertyAttila DragónerJózsef EisenhofferMárton EsterházyTibor Fábián
Teslim FatusiGyula FeldmannMáté Fenyvesi345István FerencziPál FischerZoltán Friedmanszky3Ákos FüziEmil GabrovitzZoltán GeraÁdám NagyIstván Géczi5József GregorGyula GrosicsGábor GyepesLászló GyetvaiGábor Gyömbér
Justin HaberJózsef Háda12Attila HajduTamás Hajnal
Juha HakolaFerenc Hámori
Marek HeinzFerenc HorváthGyörgy HorváthJános HrutkaSzabolcs Huszti
Aleksandar JovićIstván JuhászGéza KalocsayAdem KapičTibor Kemény1András KeresztúriGéza Kertész
Ihor KharatinBéla KissMartin KleinSándor KocsisLajos Korányi2Béla KovácsJános KovácsAttila Kriston
László KubalaLajos KűZsolt Laczkó
Aïssa Laïdouni11Károly Lakat
Benjamin LauthGyula Lázár12LeandroMiklós LendvaiZsolt LimpergerPéter LipcseiKrisztián LisztesAntal LykaIstván Magyar
Róbert MakGyula MándiSándor Mátrai345Győző Martos6János MátéJános MátyusJózsef Mészáros
Vasile Miriuță
Jason MorrisonSándor NemesDezső NovákElek NyilasTibor Nyilasi67Gábor ObitzJózsef PálinkásMiklós PáncsicsMihály PatakiAttila PinteAttila PintérGyula Polgár12Gábor Pölöskei7László Pusztai6
Vasyl Rats89Tibor Rab67Gyula Rákosi45László RépásiIstván RodenbücherDénes RósaGyula RumboldJózsef SándorBéla Sárosi2György Sárosi12André Schembri
Zenun SelimiImre SchlosserErnő SchwarzGeza ŠiflišTibor SimonVilmos SiposIllés Zsolt SitkuThomas SowunmiStefan SpirovskiImre SzabicsFerenc SzabóJózsef SzabóLászló SzabóFerenc SzedlacsekTamás SzekeresIstván SzőkeLajos SzűcsLajos SzűcsÁkos TakácsJózsef TakácsKrisztián TimárMihály TóthIstván Tóth PotyaAttila TököliGéza Toldi12Dániel TőzsérJózsef TurayĐorđe TutorićRobert VágnerZoltán Varga5Zoltán VéghGábor VinczeOttó VinczeDragan VukmirFerenc WeiszJan-Michael WilliamsRafe WolfeWolry WolfeLászló WukovicsGábor ZavadszkyZalán ZomboriOleksandr ZubkovBoard of directors[edit]
| Board of Supervision[edit]
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Second team[edit]
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Managers from 2010:
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