Ferencvaros start Malta training camp on Friday

Hungarian Football Club Ferencváros has unveiled exciting plans to return to Malta for a two week training camp between 22nd January and 5th February 2010. The intense training programme will provide Ferencváros’ newly appointed manager Craig Short with the perfect opportunity to stamp his own style and tactics onto the team.

Sheffield United’s growing affiliation with the Mediterranean island has helped its sister club Ferencváros set up a base camp at the Maltese National Stadium. The two clubs staged warm weather training camps in 2009, with Ferencváros returning in January during Hungarian football’s traditional winter break.

Commonly known as ‘Fradi’, Ferencváros is the country’s most successful team, having secured 28 Hungarian League titles and 20 Hungarian Cup Final wins. In 1965, they became the only Hungarian club to lift a European Cup. Fradi currently play in the Hungarian top league – Soproni Liga.

All eyes will no-doubt be on Maltese international goalkeeper Justin Haber, who is currently playing for Fradi on a loan-spell from Sheffield United. Haber and his Hungarian team mates are scheduled to play four matches against local teams.

Fradi’s first match will be an evening fixture against the Maltese Under-21 side, which will take place at the Ta Qali pitches located next to the National Stadium on Wednesday 27th January. Additional fixtures will include a triangular tournament involving Fradi, Hamrun Spartans and Mosta FC, a game against Sliema Wanderers, plus an eagerly anticipated match against a Gozo Select Team.

During their stay in Malta, the Ferencváros players and coaches will embrace a number of community events, including a fundraising activity in support of the Dar tal-Providenza residence and a coaching session for Maltese junior teams.

Ferencváros Chief Executive Krisztian Berki said: “Last year we enjoyed staging a Maltese warm weather training camp in conjunction with Sheffield United. We were so impressed with the facilities the island has to offer, it made it an easy decision to return, so the squad can benefit from the warmer training conditions.

“Ferencváros has the biggest fan base in Hungary, so we hope this visit will provide an excellent opportunity to grow the relationship between our two countries. To help develop this association we look forward to staging a number of initiatives to support the Maltese community.”