De Graafschap Explained

Clubname:De Graafschap
Upright:0.7
Fullname:Vereniging Betaald Voetbal
De Graafschap
Nickname:Superboeren (Super Farmers)
Ground:De Vijverberg
Doetinchem
Capacity:12,600
Chairman:Theo Hek
Manager:Jan Vreman
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Website:https://www.degraafschap.nl
Current:2023–24 De Graafschap season
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Vereniging Betaald Voetbal De Graafschap, simply known as De Graafschap (in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /də ˈɣraːfsxɑp/) is a professional association football club based in Doetinchem, Netherlands. The team competes in the, the second level of the Dutch football league system.

Founded on 1 February 1954, the club has played its home games at De Vijverberg since their foundation. Translated from Dutch, the club name means "The County", while its fans are affectionately referred to as Superboeren ("Super Farmers"). The club dons blue and white hooped shirts paired with white shorts and blue socks.

Though modest in stature compared to some European counterparts, De Graafschap has maintained a consistent presence in the top-tier Eredivisie, albeit without clinching any major trophies. Despite this, the club boasts a substantial stadium and a dedicated fan base, particularly notable within the second-tier Eerste Divisie. Over time, the club has cultivated heated rivalries, notably with Vitesse.[1] However, circumstances have also fueled a burgeoning rivalry with Go Ahead Eagles.[2] [3]

History

Foundation

Following the Watersnoodwedstrijd (Flood Disaster Match), a benefit game featuring Dutch foreign professionals, held at the Parc des Princes in front of 40,000 spectators against France one month after the devastating North Sea flood of 1953, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB)'s rejection of professional football prompted the establishment of the wilde bond (wild federation) Nederlandse Beroeps Voetbal Bond (NBVB) to advocate for its introduction.[4] [5] New clubs were founded to support this initiative. Under the guidance of Amsterdam native Johan Roodbergen, the professional football club De Graafschap was established in Doetinchem on 1 February 1954.[6] The name was chosen to represent the Oost-Gelderland region known as De Graafschap, which encompasses Doetinchem, formerly known as Graafschap Zutphen (County of Zutphen; until 1795 known as the Quarter of Zutphen), and now recognised as the Achterhoek.[7] The club adopted a uniform featuring horizontally striped blue and white shirts, white shorts, and horizontally striped blue and white socks.

Prior to this initiative, professional football had never been played in Doetinchem. Following the merger of the NBVB and KNVB, De Graafschap joined the professional league. To facilitate this transition, the club merged with VV Oosseld (founded in 1922, abbreviated as VVO) to establish the professional association De Graafschap after initial discussions about merging all clubs around Doetinchem fell through. The clubs completed the 1954–55 season independently, after which the merger was formalised, with Oosseld becoming the amateur department of De Graafschap. Despite attempts to involve VV Doetinchem in the merger, the Doetinchem members rejected the proposal. De Graafschap played their first competitive match on 4 September 1954, drawing 1–1 with Fortuna '54 featuring players such as Frans de Munck, Cor van der Hart en Jan Notermans.[8]

De Graafschap stands as the only team from the NBVB that persists as an independent professional club. Founder Roodbergen, after whom a grandstand was named, never witnessed 'his' De Graafschap play due to his severe visual impairment. The team's home matches were held at the newly constructed stadium De Vijverberg.

First promotion (1972–89)

Under the leadership of head coach Piet de Visser and with Guus Hiddink as a key player, De Graafschap clinched the first promotion playoff win in Dutch football during the 1972–73 season.[9] Their debut season in the Eredivisie proved successful, securing a fourteenth-place finish highlighted by a notable 1–0 home victory over Ajax.[10] The following two seasons saw the team maintain its position in the top flight. However, in the 1976–77 season, De Graafschap finished bottom, marking the first of nine relegations throughout the club's history, with equally as many promotions.[11]

In the 1980–81 Eerste Divisie season, De Graafschap found themselves out of contention for top spots in the league. Their striker, Boudewijn de Geer, was unpopular among supporters that season, and faced jeers from the crowd during a crucial promotion playoff match against Den Bosch. However, sentiments shifted dramatically when De Geer scored twice, propelling De Graafschap back into the Eredivisie.[12] Despite this triumph, the club finished bottom in the subsequent season, resulting in their second ever relegation.[13]

A motto in the Achterhooks dialect, embraced by the club and its supporters, encapsulates De Graafschap's sporting history: "Wi-j komt altied weer terug" ("We always come back").[14] This phrase reflects the club's recurrent pattern of fluctuating between divisions, highlighting its resilience over the years.[15]

Invincibles and eight years Eredivisie (1990–2003)

In the 1990–91 season, under the management of Simon Kistemaker, De Graafschap achieved an undefeated championship title in the Eerste Divisie.[16] However, their Eredivisie stay lasted only one season as they were immediately relegated the following year.[17]

Between 1995 and 2003, De Graafschap enjoyed its lengthiest unbroken tenure in the Eredivisie. Under Fritz Korbach's management in 1997, the club achieved its highest-ever league finish, securing eighth place.[18] Subsequently, the club's performance began to decline, and in 2003, under the guidance of Peter Bosz, De Graafschap suffered relegation back to the Eerste Divisie after an eight-year spell in the top flight.[19]

Up and downs (2004–present)

De Graafschap's rollercoaster ride between divisions culminated in a thrilling promotion to the Eredivisie, despite finishing sixth in the 2003–04 season of the Eerste Divisie. This achievement was made possible by a dramatic late goal from Michael van der Kruis during an away match against Excelsior at Woudestein. This crucial goal propelled them past Heracles Almelo in the standings, securing a last-minute promotion.[20] However, a year later, they faced relegation back to the Eerste Divisie after a seventeenth-place finish in the Eredivisie.[21]

In 2007, they dominated the Eerste Divisie under head coach Jan de Jonge with players such as Berry Powel, Jhon van Beukering, and Lasse Schöne, clinching the title, and briefly surprised in the Eredivisie the following season, albeit barely staying up through relegation playoffs after a poor second half to the season.[22] [23] However, in the 2008–09 season, they were relegated after a loss to RKC Waalwijk in the relegation play-offs.[24] Again, they won the second-tier title in the 2009–10 season in convincing fashion under head coach and former player Darije Kalezić.[25] He would subsequently lead them to one of their best Eredivisie performances in years, placing fourteenth in 2011, only losing three out of 17 home games. In 2012, however, they suffered relegation once again through the playoffs.

In the 2015–16 Eredivisie season, De Graafschap were once again relegated through playoffs after finishing seventeenth but not before drawing 1–1 against Ajax on the final day of the season, denying Ajax the championship. In 2018, the club gained promotion again by winning the promotion playoffs, beating Almere City FC in the playoffs finals.[26] They were relegated in 2019, and the next season ended in further heartbreak on 24 April 2020 as they were denied a possible promotion back to the top flight due to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the Eredivisie to declare their season void with no promotion or relegation.[27]

Late in the 2020–21 season, De Graafschap were in control of their promotion hopes, only needing one win in their final two games to secure promotion. However, they were held to a 1–1 draw, followed by a goalless draw versus Helmond Sport, denying them an automatic promotion spot and forcing them to go through the promotion playoffs.[28] [29] De Graafschap crashed out of the playoffs in the first round after a 3–2 home loss to Roda JC, thus meaning that they would remain in the Eerste Divisie.[30]

Interestingly, despite experiencing multiple relegations, including seventeenth-place finishes and relegation playoffs in 2005, 2009, 2012, 2016, and 2019, De Graafschap has managed to avoid finishing at the bottom of the Eredivisie since 2003.[31]

Honours

Results

Below is a table with De Graafschap's domestic results since the introduction of the Eredivisie in 1956.

Players

Current squad

[32]

Notable former players

The players below had senior international cap(s) for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed represented their countries while playing for De Graafschap.

Coaching staff

PositionName
Head coach Jan Vreman
Assistant coaches Mees Siers
Mathijs de Waard
Goalkeeping coach Jordy Rondeel

Managerial history

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rivalen van De Graafschap . De Graafschap . 10 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210729074730/https://www.degraafschap.net/rivalen/ . 29 July 2021 . nl-NL . live.
  2. News: Bolink . Judah . GA Eagles - De Graafschap een risicowedstrijd, maar rivaliteit? . 10 February 2024 . De Stentor . 1 March 2018 . nl.
  3. News: Steenbergen . Mark van . Fans Go Ahead Eagles niet blij met feestende Superboeren: Blummel geraakt door aansteker . 10 February 2024 . De Gelderlander . 8 March 2020 . nl.
  4. News: Watersnoodwedstrijd leidt profvoetbal in . 10 February 2024 . Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) . 22 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231012003353/https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/oranje/nederlands-elftal/17384/watersnoodwedstrijd-leidt-profvoetbal . 12 October 2023 . nl.
  5. Web site: Vooren . Jurryt van de . De Watersnoodwedstrijd van Cor van der Hart . Sportgeschiedenis.nl . https://web.archive.org/web/20071021030600/http://www.sportgeschiedenis.nl/2006/12/13/de-watersnoodwedstrijd-van-cor-van-der-hart.aspx . 21 October 2007 . nl . 13 December 2006 . dead.
  6. News: Oprichter zag De Graafschap nooit spelen . 10 February 2024 . De Gelderlander . 10 October 2007 . nl.
  7. Book: Kuile . E.H. ter . Zutfen, Het kwartier van Zutfen . 1958 . Staatsdrukkerij- en Uitgeverijbedrijf . The Hague . nl.
  8. Web site: Historie . De Graafschap . 10 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230930164403/https://www.degraafschap.nl/club/historie . 30 September 2023 . nl.
  9. News: Vooren . Jurryt van de . Vijftig jaar geleden was De Graafschap de eerste club die promoveerde via de nacompetitie . 10 February 2024 . Sportgeschiedenis . 17 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227043608/https://sportgeschiedenis.nl/sporten/voetbal/precies-vijftig-jaar-geleden-won-fc-wageningen-de-eerste-periodetitel-ooit-2/ . 27 December 2023 . nl-NL.
  10. News: De Graafschap won pas twee keer van Ajax . 10 February 2024 . Tubantia . 6 May 2016 . nl.
  11. News: Bijna recordaantal promoties De Graafschap . 10 February 2024 . NOS . 31 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240210150143/https://nos.nl/artikel/2038727-bijna-recordaantal-promoties-de-graafschap . 10 February 2024 . nl.
  12. News: Kokke . Michiel . 'Wij vormden een Achterhoekse familie' . 10 February 2024 . De Gelderlander . 28 March 2007 . nl.
  13. Web site: Schoenmakers . Jan . Netherlands 1981/82 . RSSSF . 10 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116081103/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned82.html . 16 November 2023 . 2005.
  14. News: Jungmann . Bart . 'Wi-j komt altied weer terug' . 10 February 2024 . de Volkskrant . 28 September 2015 . nl.
  15. Web site: WI-J KOMT ALTIED WEER TERUG ! . De Graafschap . 10 February 2024 . nl . 20 May 2018.
  16. News: Sommerdijk . Jan . Boek over culttrainer Kistemaker: 'Legende voor De Graafschap' . 10 February 2024 . Omroep Gelderland . 17 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217075419/https://www.gld.nl/sport/8059693/boek-over-culttrainer-kistemaker-legende-voor-de-graafschap . 17 December 2023 . nl.
  17. News: Kistemaker: 'Omkoping bij degradatie' . 10 February 2024 . De Gelderlander . 6 November 2009 . nl.
  18. Web site: Met Fritz Korbach naar de top 3 (video docu) . De Graafschap . 10 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230930153916/https://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/met-fritz-korbach-naar-de-top-3-video-docu . 30 September 2023 . nl . 11 November 2016 . live.
  19. News: Peter Bosz weg bij De Graafschap . 10 February 2024 . Voetbal International . 30 May 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240210191813/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/peter-bosz-weg-bij-de-graafschap . 10 February 2024 . nl.
  20. News: Promotie De Graafschap na doldwaas slot . 10 February 2024 . Voetbal International . 3 June 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240210192942/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/promotie-de-graafschap-na-doldwaas-slot . 10 February 2024 . nl.
  21. News: Vandenberghe . Dirk . De Graafschap bijna zeker van degradatie . 10 February 2024 . NRC . 4 June 2005 . nl-NL.
  22. News: De Graafschap en VVV zijn de slechtste eredivisieteams van 2008 . 10 February 2024 . De Gelderlander . 18 April 2008 . nl.
  23. Web site: De Graafschap 3–1 PEC Zwolle (11 mei, 2008) Commentaar . ESPN . 10 February 2024 .
  24. News: Liethof . Alexander . Degradatie De Graafschap een feit . 10 February 2024 . Omroep Gelderland . 3 June 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531042336/https://www.gld.nl/nieuws/283461/degradatie-de-graafschap-een-feit . 31 May 2023 . nl.
  25. News: Kalezic langer bij De Graafschap . 10 February 2024 . Het Parool . 26 April 2010 . nl.
  26. https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/816432/de-graafschap-knokt-zich-voorbij-almere-city-en-keert-terug-in-eredivisie.html De Graafschap knokt zich voorbij Almere City en keert terug in Eredivisie
  27. Web site: Afwikkeling voetbalseizoen 2019/'20 een feit Eredivisie. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200424231654/https://eredivisie.nl/nl-nl/uitgelicht/afwikkeling-voetbalseizoen-201920-een-feit . 24 April 2020 .
  28. Web site: De Graafschap grijpt naast directe promotie door gelijkspel tegen Helmond Sport. 13 May 2021. De Graafschap. 12 May 2021 . nl.
  29. Web site: 12 May 2021. Anti-climax voor De Graafschap na bizar slotstuk tegen Helmond Sport: Superboeren grijpen naast directe promotie in waterballet, Roda JC eerste tegenstander in play-offs. live. 4 September 2021. de Gelderlander. nl. https://web.archive.org/web/20210513080645/https://www.gelderlander.nl/de-graafschap/anti-climax-voor-de-graafschap-na-bizar-slotstuk-tegen-helmond-sport-superboeren-grijpen-naast-directe-promotie-in-waterballet-roda-jc-eerste-tegenstander-in-play-offs~aa34e9a8/ . 13 May 2021 .
  30. Web site: De Graafschap vs Roda JC Kerkrade – Eredivisie Qualification – Quarter-Final stats, H2H, lineups. 15 May 2021. FotMob. en.
  31. News: De Graafschap gedegradeerd . 10 February 2024 . NOS . 13 May 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211208003403/https://nos.nl/artikel/372611-de-graafschap-gedegradeerd . 8 December 2021 . nl.
  32. Web site: Eerste Elftal - De Graafschap .