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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 Stadion
Capacity: 13,000
Official website: http://www.fcgroningen.nl
I knew that this would be tough, but I had already brought a small Janaese J-League 2 side to a title snatching 100 points, so I was confident of a high finish.
Just to show the optimism of the board, I was allowed £240k to invest in new players and rebuild the side.
Heh, what's that about?
Anyway, I had to have an initial look through the side, of course, and asses what I had available to me from the start....
Goalkeepers
13. Roy Beukenkamp
He is, without doubt, our best goalkeeper, and will have the number one jersey this season. He's got fantastic reflexes, and is a real calming influence at the back
Others: 26. Jeroen Lambers, 1. Mike Romer
Defenders
Right Backs
2. Kurt Elshot
26 year old who has been capped at schoolboy level for the national side. He's very pacey, and with what will be a 4-4-2 formation with attacking full backs, that will come in handy. Has played 155 games for the club.
12. Lesley Fellinga
17 year old, who seems to better suited in the centre. I doubt he'll be integral for us, but we'll see.
Left Backs
8. Mathias Florén
Capped for Sweden twice, the 26 year old is our only "proper" left back. He's a far more defense oriented player, who is strong, and is more then adequate at marking.
22. Bjorn Schilder
24 year old who is transfer listed. He seems decent all round, but is surplus to requirements, and so therefore is up to bring us some extra cash.
Central
3. Regillio Vrede
In his prime at 30, he makes one half of a very good partnership at the back. Quick and brave, he will be vital to how well we do this season - his first at the club.
5. Arnold Kruiswijk
Just 18, but already a first team player. Arnold will make his first appearances for the club this season - starting in defence.
16. Sander van Gessel
26 year old schoolboy international who can also play at left back. He's decent, but not really good enough for me. Will be in the squad, however.
20. Mile Krstev
11 caps and 3 goals for the 26 year old Macedonian, who can play defensively and attacking. He's a fantastic looking player, and I'm sure a player of his ability won't struggle to find a place.
Avid Smit
Very pacey player on loan from PSV. Smit is one of the guys that I feel could be dynamic off the bench.
17. Rolf Landerl
Has one cap for Austria, and can also play up front. Landerl is likely to be just a squad player.
Left
21. Ignacio Tuhuteru
Quick 29 year old who has been capped at schoolboy level for the Dutch. Scored 8 times for us last season.
14. Chris de Witte
A good squad player, again. The 25 year old Belgian is in his first season at the club.
29. Brian Pinas
Funny name, funny player really. Quite quick, but not much else about him.
Central
6. Hugo
A Brazilian international :cool: Well, at schoolboy level some 10 years ago, at least. Our 28 year old playmaker will be the most vital cog in our midfield engine.
15. Melchior Schoenmakers
A more defensive player, and decent too. But he will have to fight hard to get into the starting 11.
19. Paul Matthijs
My other option for the centre, right now, Matthijs is a very determined, natural leader.
Others: 27. Ray Gian Carlo Frankel, 23. Jóhannes Hardarson, 25. Marcel Pennekoek
Forwards
Just two in the squad, ffs
10. Martin Drent
33, good finisher, but bloody slow. 4 goals last season :/
9. Glenn Salmon
First season at the club - but he looks utterly fantastic. Good finisher, and quite quick too
2 games into the preseason, and things are very promising. Away to Oldenburg, Glenn Salmon scored twice is a convincing 2-1 win. And despite going down 1-0 to HSV, we put in a decent performance, with a weakened side.
We've also signed centre back Chris Zoricich from Margate for £18k. Capped 72 times for New Zealand, Chris is a fine player, who adds a lot of experience to the back. On top of this, we've loaned Alexis Nicholas in for the season from Chelsea.
We continue to plow along nicely in the preseason. A 1-1 draw with St. Pauli saw Roman Hristov score on his debut, and another debutant scored in a 2-0 away victory at ACV. Striker Fali Montes joined Martin Drent on the scoresheet.
Three more signings for us. Winger Rumen Hristov joining for £40k from Maritsa. Fali Montes joining in a deal that will be worth £160k for Corralejo, as well as snapping up Santos on a free.
One For Raptor 
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