Újpest FC

Újpest FC was founded in 1885. At that time Újpest did not belong to Budapest. Újpest played their first Nemzeti Bajnokság I match in the 1905 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season. In the 1910–11 season they were relegated. Újpest won their first Hungarian league title in the 1929–30 season.

At international level Újpest's most successful period was in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In the 1968–69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup they were eliminated in the final by Newcastle United. In the 1973–74 European Cup they reached the semi-finals and were eliminated by Bayern München.

On 3 July 2017, Újpest FC announced that they changed their crest.[1]

Szusza Ferenc Stadion panorama

Újpest's home stadium is Szusza Ferenc Stadion, which has been their home since the opening on 17 September 1922. It was known as Megyeri úti stadium until it was named after the club's legendary player, Ferenc Szusza in October 2003. After the renovations which took place in 2000 and 2001 the ground can hold 13,501 spectators.

On 3 December 2008, it was revealed by BBC Sport that the Premier League club Wolverhampton are considering an alliance with Újpest. Jez Moxey, the Chief executive officer of Wolves said that "We have had some initial discussions in Budapest with the officials of Ujpest. We touched on the issues of loaning players, academies and sharing of best practice on and off the field."[2]

Újpest approached Roland Duchâtelet to become the owner of the club. Although Roland refused the club's offer, he suggested his son to be the proprietor of Újpest. Roland Duchâtelet is the owner of the FC Carl Zeiss Jena and former owner of the Standard Liège, AD Alcorcón and Charlton Athletic F.C.

On 19 October 2011, Roderick Duchâtelet, former director of Germinal Beerschot, bought 95% of the shares of the City Budapest Zrt.[3]

Roderick Duchâtelet said that he indtends to bring back the glory of the 1970s.[4]

On 27 October 2011, Csaba Bartha, managing director of Újpest FC, confirmed that the club received 150 million Hungarian forint from Roderick Duchâtelet.[5]

Újpest supporters in the Ferenc Puskás Stadium on 25 May 2014

Supporters of Újpest are mainly from the fourth district of Budapest, the eponymous Újpest. Due to the success in the 1970s, the club gained supporters from all over Budapest and the country.

On May 4, 2007, Újpest were deprived of three points in the 2006–07 Hungarian League season due to racist chanting during their home match against Debrecen. Újpest's official, Szilárd Dányi said "I would ask all of our supporters to think about all factors when they appraise the situation and try to create an atmosphere at matches so that this never happens again. I discussed the topic with the owner and we decided to accept the decision."[6]

Famous supporters

Ferencváros-Újpest derby at the Albert Stadion on 1 April 2011

Újpest are in rivalry with several teams from Budapest including Ferencváros, MTK Budapest, Budapest Honvéd and several provincial clubs such as Debrecen and Diósgyőr. Since Újpest have been the third most successful club of the Hungarian Football history by winning 20 Hungarian League titles and 9 Hungarian Cup titles and the most successful Hungarian club in the European football competitions in the 1970s every club in the Hungarian League wants to defeat them.

The rivalry with Ferencváros dates back to 1930s when Újpest won their first Hungarian League title. Since then the fixture between the two teams attracts the most spectators in the dometistic league.[12] The matches between the two team often ends in violence which causes big trouble for the Hungarian football. The proposal of personal registration was refused by both clubs.

• History of Újpest FC
• List of Újpest FC seasons
• Újpest FC in European football
• List of Újpest FC managers
• List of Újpest FC records and statistics

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Újpest FC.

• Official website (in Hungarian and English)
• Újpest FC at UEFA
• Újpest FC at MLSZ