Bayern membership numbers hit record levels

Bayern Munich have announced a rise in membership numbers during 2012-13 that sees their fans now own 81.8 per cent of the club.

The German treble winners saw their total increase by almost 30,000 last season to 217,241 registered members, moving them closer to Benfica, who top the list with 224,000 members.

As part of Bundesliga rules all member clubs are required to have at least 51 per cent fan ownership, but the recent rise makes them the first German outfit to pass the 200,000 mark.

Club president Uli Hoeness spoke of his pride at the progress the club have made and predicted that they will soon move above Benfica.

“We at FC Bayern are very proud of this sensational growth in membership in the space of just one year,” he told the club’s official website.

“If it carries on like this, it’s only a small step to becoming the biggest club in the world by membership.”