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KPN Eredivisie, 2000-2001: Club Profile

FC GRONINGEN: THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE 'PRIDE OF THE NORTH'

Even though FC Groningen's honors list is still blank, and the club spent two recent years in the First Division, recently, no club in Holland will under-estimate games against FC Groningen. Simply because the white and green side has that special aureole of a big club, which - with all due respect - clubs such as RKC and AZ have not, even if they're higher on the league table. There's that intangible halo of pride around FC Groningen, just because they have a real traditional stadium, a real fanatical fanbase, a real football atmosphere.

And of course they're from a real city: Groningen, by far the largest city in the northern Netherlands. Or rather: the only city in the north, as the people of beautiful old Groningen will correct you. They refer to themselves as Stadjers, the local word for 'city people', and to FC Groningen as 'the FC'. Because there's only one 'Pride of the North' - simple as that. They're known for being stubborn and proud, but also for being faithful. Which came in very useful in the FC's history, which shows some remarkable ups, as well as a few painful downs.

The city's football pride, GVAV, changed its name in 1971. New-born FC Groningen had a modest start, in the First Division. The tide changed when coach, Theo Verlangen, took over. His second name is the Dutch word for 'desire' or 'longing' - and that's what the fans did: longing for the Eredivisie and for the success a city like Groningen deserves. The promotion came in 1980 and qualification for the UEFA Cup followed in 1983, achieved by a team of local heroes. Groningen had its own 'KKK' in those days: the dynamic midfield consisting of Keukens, Koeman and Koeman. Yes, indeed: Ronald and Erwin Koeman started their careers in the green and white strip of the FC.

The heroic 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in an electric Oosterpark Stadium, in 1983, is probably one of the sweetest memories of the older Groningen supporter. But the best team FC Groningen ever had, came to stand some six years later. Led by local hero, Jan van Dijk, the team blew away Ajax in the semi final of the Dutch national cup in 1989: 3-0. PSV was a too strong in the final. Two years later, the club had its best season ever. Briljant striker couple, Hennie Meijer and 'the Magician of Macedonia', Milko Djurovski, were the revelation of Dutch football. FC Groningen battles for the title until the end, but could not keep up with PSV, in the end.

Beautiful memories, but - typical for FC Groningen history - both the 'golden era' of the 1980s was followed by a tragedy of almost fatal impact. Chairman, Renze de Vries, got involved in a nasty case of tax fraud. Ajax had survived a similar case a few years earlier, in 1988. FC Groningen was forced to think economically, a football euphemism for selling the best players and coaches, without signing replacements. The good days were over and the worst was yet to come. The spring of 1998 brought was no-one had ever expected: the unbelievable, devastating relegation of 'the Pride of the North'.

Two long, dark, frustrating years in the basement of Dutch professional football followed, but the crowd Oosterpark Stadium never let the team down, proving that a city like Groningen and a club like 'the FC' does simply not belong in the First Division. The one and only Mr FC Groningen, Jan van Dijk, midfielder of the succesful 1980s teams, was the man to bring the FC back into the Eredivisie as a coach, with his two sons, born and raised Stadjers playing in the first team. Next goal: bringing the glory of the 80s back. And when a Groninger really wants something, it usually happens. (MP)

FC GRONINGEN FACTS

Founded: 16 June, 1971 (continuation of GVAV, founded 26 January, 1921)
City: Groningen
Stadium: Oosterpark Stadium
Capacity: 13,000
Official website: http://www.fcgroningen.nl

Honors:

• No national or international trophies won.

Ajax vs FC Groningen, the last five seasons: