FC Groningen

Foundation

Established in 1921, GVAV were founder members of the Eredivisie in 1956, the first tier of Dutch football. At the time, they were one of four professional teams from the city of Groningen, alongside Be Quick, Velocitas and Oosterparkers. GVAV soon faced significant financial difficulties; as a result, "Stichting Betaald Voetbal GVAV" (lit. 'Professional Football Foundation GVAV') was established in 1963—a triumvirate of GVAV, the Groningen City Council and a consortium of local businesses. Each party contributed 300,000 Dutch guilders, becoming equal shareholders in the foundation. GVAV's finances remained fragile, however, also putting the future of professional football in Groningen at risk, especially as GVAV had become the city’s only remaining professional team. The side remained in the Eredivisie until they were relegated to the Eerste Divisie in 1969–70. In February 1970, Harm Brink, the chairman of amateur club GRC Groningen, proposed the creation of a new professional team to represent Groningen. His idea gained support from several local amateur clubs, while both the local businesses and the Groningen City Council were willing to write off the debts of Stichting Betaald Voetbal GVAV. In September 1970, a majority of GVAV's members voted in favour of Brink's proposal. GVAV won promotion to the Eredivisie after a one-year absence, and Football Club Groningen was founded on 16 June 1971 as the successor of GVAV, who returned to amateur…

Eerste Divisie (Tier 2) Winners: 1979–80 Promoted: 2023–24 Promotion play-off winners: 1999–2000 KNVB Cup Winners: 2014–15 Runners-up: 1988–89 Johan Cruyff Shield Runners-up: 2015