Funen Series
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| Country | Denmark |
|---|---|
| Confederation | DBU Funen (DBU) |
| Founded | 1904 |
| First season | 1904–05 |
| Number of teams | 16 (from 2014–15) |
| Level on pyramid | 5 (from 2008–09) |
| Promotion to | Denmark Series (3 divisions) |
| Relegation to | Series 1, group 1 (south Funen) Series 1, group 2 (north Funen) |
| Domestic cup(s) |
Funen Cup (1920–1953) Danish Cup (1954–present) |
| Current champions |
Boldklubben 1913 (13th title) (2015–16) |
| Most championships | Odense Boldklub (18 titles) |
| TV partners | TV 2/Fyn (2008–2009) |
 2016–17 season
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Funen Series for men (Danish: Fynsserien for Herrer; Herre Fynsserien), also known as Albani Series for men (Danish: Albaniserien for Herrer) for sponsorship reasons, is the highest division for men organized by the regional football association DBU Fyn (DBUF) and one of the fifth-highest divisions overall in the Danish football league system. The league, deciding the Funen Football Championship (Danish: FM for seniorer; Fynsmesterskabet), was first introduced with the 1904–05 season and throughout the years the competition format have gone through several series of changes. At the time of the league's introduction, it was placed at the top of the Danish football league system featuring the best local teams of Funen, but has since been moved to its current status as the fifth best level in Danish football, after a short period as the sixth best level, now featuring lower ranking teams.
The division has changed its name on numerous occasions. It has previously been known as Førsteholdsrækken (1904/05–1913/14), A-rækken (1914/15–1925/26; or FBUs A-række, Række A) and Mesterskabsrækken (1926/27–1944/45; or FBUs Mesterrække to distinguish it from the other regional leagues; unofficially shortened to Mesterrækken), before settling with the current name of Fynsserien in 1945, eventually becoming Fynsserien for Herrer to distinguish it to the women's corresponding regional league, that was introduced in the 1970s. Ahead of the 2008/09-season, the Albani Brewery (since 2000 known as Royal Unibrew) obtained the naming rights for the highest men's and women's leagues under the auspices of DBU Funen, and both leagues have since respectively been known as Albaniserien for Herrer and Albaniserien for Kvinder.
The league tournament under the auspices of the Funen Football Association changed its name from 'A-rækken' to 'Mesterskabsrækken' in 1926, beginning with the 1926/27-season, which also includes a new tournament schedule with several new laws.
In May/June 2008, starting with the upcoming 2008/09-season, Fyns Boldspil-Union (FBU) signed a marketing agreement with the local company Albani Brewery (who became Royal Unibrew in 2000), that involved promoting the highest amateur leagues for both men and women under the auspices of the regional football association – an agreement that have been continuously renewed in subsequent years. The agreement effectively changed the name of men's league to 'Albaniserien for Herrer' and also involved the winners of both the men's and women's leagues receiving cash prizes – the two winners of the 2010/11-season received DKK 10,000. At the same time, cooperations was established with the two regional newspapers, Fyns Amts Avis and Fyens Stiftstidende, to publish extended pre-season startup appendixes in addition to the normal newspaper layout, and with the regional television station TV 2/Fyn to bring weekly match highlights and interviews from a selected match, chosen by DBU Funen, in a given league round besides focusing on a specific theme, such as fair play, inspiration for managers, fan cultures and the referee's work and function, during the entire TV report and including local football celebrities. The initiative behind this project of promoting the league came to life by the chairman of Sanderum Boldklub, Jan Nanfeldt, and was made in the wake of a large dropout rate in the youth ranks and in the hopes of making it more attractive to play and watch association football in the lower ranking leagues. The weekly coverage project by the television station was discontinued before the beginning of the 2009 spring season.
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