Abstract: A fuel cell stack (2) comprises a stack (3) of alternating solid oxide fuel cell and gas separator plates within a housing (4). Each fuel cell plate has apertures therethough aligned with corresponding apertures through adjacent separator plates. A first aligned series of apertures in the fuel cell and separator plates opens to the anode side of each fuel cell to form a first manifold (5) for incoming fuel gas. A second aligned series of apertures in the fuel cell and separator plates opens from the anode side of each fuel cell to form a second manifold (6) for exhaust fuel gas. A third manifold (7) for in coming air is formed between the stack (3) and housing (4) and opens to the cathode side of each fuel cell. A fourth manifold (8) for exhaust air is formed between the stack (3) and housing (4) and opens from the cathode side of each fuel cell.