Enric Reyna Martinez, president of FC Barcelona for a short period in 2003, has passed away. Born in Barcelona on 15 May 1940, Reyna led the club during a particularly difficult period. A property developer by profession, he became a Barça member on 15 September 1965.

Reyna was appointed to the Board of Directors of Joan Gaspart when the latter became president on 24 July 2000. In December 2002 he became vice-president of the club, a position he held until February 2003, when Gaspart resigned. In accordance with the club’s statutes, Reyna then assumed the presidency and remained in office until the Extraordinary General Assembly of 5 May 2003. The following day, after the resignation of the entire Board, a caretaker management committee, chaired by Joan Trayter, took charge of the club in order to organise the presidential elections.

Reyna’s three months as Barça president were particularly challenging, with the club facing a severe financial crisis and the football team going through a slump. Nevertheless, during that period the club’s other sections won three trophies: the Spanish Cup in both basketball and roller hockey, and the EHF Cup in handball.

Despite the difficulties, the club’s social base remained strong, as demonstrated by the 105,983 members registered in May 2003. Moreover, during Reyna’s presidency, in March 2003, a collaboration agreement was signed with the Catalan Sports Council to promote the practice, dissemination and exhibition of sport among school-age children and young people across Catalonia.

Reyna’s brief and difficult presidency ultimately proved to be the prelude to better times for Barça. As he himself said in his farewell speech on 5 May 2003: “I dream of a Barça of which members, supporters, employees, players and directors feel proud, both of the colours and of the way things are done.”

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