and current squad

FC GRONINGEN WAS FOUNDED ON JUNE 16TH 1971 AND TOOK THE PLACE OF GVAV IN GRONINGEN (FOUNDED 1921). CLUB COLOURS ARE WHITE AND GREEN, REMEMBERING OF THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG OF THE CITY OF GRONINGEN.

Famous players of GVAV when they were in the highest division in Holland were goalkeeper Tonny van Leeuwen (who died at the age of 28, one day before FC Groningen was founded), defender Martin Koeman, midfielder Piet Fransen and striker Rikkert Lacrois. In the former stadium of FC Groningen, Stadium Oosterpark (1933-2005) there was a stand named after Tonny van Leeuwen. In the current stadium the three main stands are named after Tonny van Leeuwen (north kop), Piet Fransen (east side) and de Koeman-family (south kop).

In the history of FC Groningen the sons of Martin Koeman played in the late ’70’s and early ’80’s for FC Groningen. Ronald and Erwin Koeman had great international careers afterwards and became European champions in 1988 with The Netherlands. After their playing careers finished they became coaches and this season they will be manage English Premiership side Southampton together. In 1990/1991 FC Groningen came close to the Championship in the Dutch Eredivisie and ended at an all-time high third place. Two years earlier FC Groningen played the Dutch Cupfinal and lost to PSV (4-1).

After 18 years on the highest level FC Groningen were relegated in 1998 but gained promoted in 2000 through play-offs. The year 2000 was the start of a new era for the club. Plans were made for a new and modern stadium and the club was aiming to play European football after the early exits in 1991 and 1992. Arjen Robben played for FC Groningen between 1996 (youth) and 2002 before he transferred to PSV. In 2006 Groningen moved to Euroborg Stadium and immediately reached the playoffs in the Eredivisie. In 2006 and 2007 FC Groningen qualified for the UEFA Cup and played against Partizan Beograd and Fiorentina in the play-off stage. Coach Ron Jans was clubs most successful ever coach between 2002 and 2010. Former Rangers player Pieter Huistra and Robert Maaskant then took over. Huistra served as head coach for two full seasons but after narrowly avoiding relegation he was sacked.

A new coach, named Erwin van de Looi then took the hot seat. Van de Looi once played for Groningen, became trainer/coach in youth department before stepping up to be the new coach. He made his debut in 2013/2014 and reached the play-offs to play in this season’s Europa League.

This will be the tenth appearance of FCGroningen in UEFA competitions (ex. Three Intertoto-participations). After impressing in 2013/2014 many of the Groningen players were in the spotlight. Young striker Richairo Zivkovic moved to Ajax and was replaced by Danny Hoesen. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot left for Belgium as Sergio Padt came the opposite way. Furthermore Jarchinio Antonia, Dino Islamovic and former youth player Martijn van der Laan also came in this season.

information courtesy of our friends at FC Groningen www.fcgroningen.nl/

FC Groningen | the squad | 2014/15