Budapest Exiles RFC


Budapest Exiles RFC is a Hungarian rugby club in Budapest. They are the currently champions in the Hungarian Extra Liga. The club used to be confined to expatriates, but since 2000 Hungarian players have been welcomed to join.

History

The club was founded in 1991 by Thomas Bain and Neil Currie. They were rapidly followed by Nick Langford and Jean-Claude Fédou, who both had significant management skills. Other players played a prominent role in the launching such as Tom Howard and Mike Caroll, and Philippe Marcheteau. Bain coined the club name "The Exiles" on a recommendation from the former dissident Sulyok Miklos. The management was against a political and provocative title but it stuck with the team. Bain was "called in" to the UK Embassy for explanations, the ambassador having been a 1956 exile he did not take it lightly. The team had a steep initiation curve that culminated in the drafting of the Statutes by Currie and Langford. John Zsigo did all the official translations. Upon approval of the statutes Jean-Claude Fédou was elected first President by a large majority. Niel Currie ended up advising the referees country-wide, and refereeing international matches such as Romania / Hungary and the Sevens in Vienna. That's about it for the inception.
It later merged with Yeti RK, a club from the nearby village of Leányfalu.

Current squad

Former Players