Feyenoord
Feyenoord Rotterdam is a Dutch professional football club founded in 1908 and based in Rotterdam. The club plays in the Eredivisie, the top tier of Dutch football, and has called the Stadion Feijenoord (nicknamed De Kuip) home since 1937. Feyenoord is one of the most successful clubs in Dutch football history, having won 16 Dutch championships, 14 KNVB Cups, and 5 Johan Cruyff Shields. Internationally, the club has claimed one European Cup, two UEFA Cups, and one Intercontinental Cup, making them the first Dutch club to win both the European Cup and Intercontinental Cup.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Feyenoord is one of the most successful clubs in Dutch football, with a continuous presence in the top division since gaining promotion to Eerste Klasse in 1921. The club has played more times in the Dutch football system's top ten than any other club in the country, including Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. Known as a people's club with large national support, Feyenoord's most successful period came in the 1960s and 1970s when players like Coen Moulijn, Willem van Hanegem, and Ove Kindvall led the team to six league titles and multiple European trophies.
Most recent season and achievements
In the 2023-24 season, Feyenoord finished second in the Eredivisie behind PSV and won the KNVB Cup by defeating NEC Nijmegen 1-0 in the final. The club secured qualification for the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League group stage. Current head coach Robin van Persie took over from Brian Priske, who was dismissed during the season, with the club maintaining third place and Champions League qualification for the following season.
History
Early years
The football club Wilhelmina was founded on 19 July 1908 in the pub De Vereeniging, initially playing in blue-sleeved red shirts and white shorts. Between 1908 and 1912, the club underwent several name changes, becoming Hillesluise Football Club in 1909, then RVV Celeritas, before settling on SC Feijenoord in 1912 after earning promotion to the National football association. The club adopted the red and white shirts, black shorts, and black socks that remain their traditional colors today.
After earning their first national championship in 1924, just 16 years after formation, Feijenoord enjoyed success in the late 1920s with divisional titles in 1926, 1927, 1928, and 1929, plus a second national championship in 1928. The club won their first Dutch Cup in 1930 by defeating Excelsior in a derby final, followed by a second cup victory in 1935.
Successful period
The club's golden era began in the 1960s when they claimed their first professional Eredivisie Championship in 1961. In the 1969-70 European Cup, Feyenoord became the first Dutch team to win a major European trophy by defeating Celtic 2-1 in the final, with Ove Kindvall scoring the winning goal in extra time. They followed this triumph by becoming the first Dutch club to win the Intercontinental Cup, defeating Estudiantes La Plata 1-0 in the second leg in Rotterdam.
In 1974, the club changed its name to Feyenoord to help international pronunciation and won the UEFA Cup by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 on aggregate in the final. The 1984 season saw another double victory with notable players including Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit, and Peter Houtman.
Crisis and recovery
The late 1980s and early 1990s brought financial difficulties, with the club struggling to avoid relegation in the 1989-90 season. However, under manager Wim Jansen, Feyenoord began to recover, winning the KNVB Cup in 1991 and 1992. The club secured another Dutch Championship in 1993 and continued their cup success with victories in 1994 and 1995.
The 2002 UEFA Cup triumph stands as a highlight of this period, with Feyenoord defeating Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in the final at their home stadium De Kuip. This victory, achieved under manager Bert van Marwijk, marked the last time a Dutch team won a European trophy.
Current period
After an 18-year title drought, Feyenoord returned to championship glory in the 2016-17 season under manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, with club legend Dirk Kuyt scoring a hat-trick in the title-clinching match against Heracles. Under Arne Slot, the club reached the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League final, losing to Roma, before winning their 16th championship in 2022-23. The club has maintained competitive form in recent seasons, consistently challenging for domestic honors and European qualification.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Feyenoord has won 16 Dutch football championships, with their most recent title coming in the 2022-23 season. The club has claimed 14 KNVB Cups, including victories in 2016, 2018, and 2024. They have also won 5 Johan Cruyff Shields, demonstrating their consistent success in Dutch football's premier competitions.
Continental and global competitions
Internationally, Feyenoord has achieved remarkable success with one European Cup victory in 1970, making them the first Dutch club to win this prestigious trophy. They have won the UEFA Cup twice, in 1974 and 2002, with the latter being the most recent European trophy won by a Dutch club. The club also claimed the Intercontinental Cup in 1970, becoming the first Dutch team to win the world club championship.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
During Feyenoord's centenary celebrations in the 2008-09 season, the club returned to using their historical "golden logo" as their official emblem, which had been presented at the 2007 New Year's brunch.
Traditional home and away kits colors
Feyenoord's traditional home kit features red and white shirts split down the middle, with black shorts and black socks. These colors were adopted in 1912 when the club became SC Feijenoord and have remained unchanged since then, representing one of the most recognizable color schemes in Dutch football.
Traditional club anthem
Feyenoord's official hymn since 1961 is "Hand in Hand," with its melody written in the 19th century by German Wilhelm Speidel. Jaap Valkhoff wrote the Dutch lyrics in 1961, and the song became popular among supporters who adopted it as their unofficial anthem. The song is heard wherever Feyenoord play their matches and has been adapted by fans of other clubs including MVV and Club Brugge.
Traditional Rivals
De Klassieker
Ajax from Amsterdam are Feyenoord's archrivals in what is known as De Klassieker ("The Classic"). This rivalry represents not only a clash between two football clubs but also a confrontation between the Netherlands' two largest cities, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, which have extreme differences in attitude and culture. The meeting between these teams is considered the biggest match of the season. The rivalry has unfortunately been marred by violence, including the infamous Beverwijk clash in 1997 where Ajax fan Carlo Picornie was killed, and a 2004 incident where Feyenoord players, including Robin van Persie, were attacked by Ajax hooligans during a reserve team match.
Rotterdam derby
Feyenoord shares Rotterdam with Sparta Rotterdam and Excelsior, creating local rivalries within the city. The rivalry with Sparta dates back to the 1910s and 1920s when Sparta was regarded as a club for the elite while Feyenoord was seen as the people's club for workers. Some Sparta fans have historically refused to enter De Kuip stadium, even when their team reached cup finals played there. The rivalry with Excelsior is less intense, as Excelsior previously served as Feyenoord's feeder club.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
Feyenoord began using shirt sponsors in the 1981-82 season, starting with Gouden Gids (Dutch Yellow Pages). Major sponsors have included Opel (1984-1989), HCS (1989-1990), Stad Rotterdam Verzekeringen (1990-2004), Fortis (2004-2012), and Opel again (2012-2018). Kit suppliers have included Adidas, Puma, Hummel International, and Kappa throughout different periods.
Nicknames
The club's supporters are nicknamed Het Legioen (The Legion), and squad number 12 is permanently reserved for them rather than being assigned to any player. The stadium De Kuip is nicknamed "The Tub" due to its distinctive bowl-like shape.
Ownership and finances
Feyenoord experienced significant financial difficulties in the late 2000s but was reclassified to a more favorable financial category by the KNVB in 2011 following player transfers and capital injection from VVF (Vrienden Van Feyenoord - Friends of Feyenoord). The club has maintained financial stability since then while continuing to compete at the highest level.
Traditions and culture
Feyenoord is known as a people's club with one of the most loyal supporter groups in the world. The annual opening day attracts 60,000-70,000 fans to Rotterdam, featuring stadium tours, performances, and the presentation of new players who traditionally arrive by helicopter. The club operates youth projects and maintains strong community connections, particularly through their Jeugdproject focusing on children aged 6-12.
Stadium
The Stadion Feijenoord, nicknamed De Kuip, has been Feyenoord's home since 1937. With a capacity of 51,117 seats, it is the second-largest stadium in the Netherlands and has hosted a record ten UEFA club competition finals, including the 2002 UEFA Cup Final won by Feyenoord. The stadium has witnessed historic moments, including the first use of floodlights in 1957 when fans were asked to light matchsticks as the lights were activated. Despite various plans for a new stadium over the years, including the proposed Feyenoord City project, financial constraints have kept the club at their historic home ground.