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KPN Eredivisie, 2000-2001: Club Profile

FC UTRECHT: 'UTREG' FANS NEVER STOP SINGING

While Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV fans keep themselves busy with their everlasting dispute about the question who has the best, most devoted and most faithful crowd, the most fanatical fanbase in The Netherlands may well be that of FC Utrecht. Wherever FC Utrecht goes, the Utrecht fans go. In large numbers, continuously yelling and banging their drums. No matter whether their team is doing well or not.

In 2001, FC Utreg (the 'g' at the end of words is not pronounced in broad Utrecht speech) finally succeeded in giving the indefatigable fans what they deserve: a fifth position on the Eredivisie table and - after many, many years of frustrating patience - a ticket for the UEFA Cup. The city council invited the team on a triumphal boat trip along Utrecht's stunningly beautiful Oudegracht ('Old Canal'). For the 2001-2002 season, all available season tickets sold out immediately. Which indicates that the city of Utrecht, Holland's fourth in size, believes in its FC again. There is hope, after years of darkness.

Throughout the 1990s, FC Utrecht either fought against relegation or performed in the gray, mediocre centre group of the Eredivisie. Incredible, for a club from such a city, with such a fanbase and with such ambitions. FC Utrecht wanted a lot, but it never happened. The most important reputation of the club didn't have too much to do with the game itself: FC Utrecht was that club that fired three coaches in three years, and saw no less than five chairmen and two general managers leave the sinking ship in the same period. The fanatical 'Bunnik Side' fans operated as a highly influential and therefore dangerous fifth column. For coaches, stepping into the snake pit of Utrecht became a risky, almost suicidal career move.

Now, the atmosphere at Nieuw Galgewaard stadium is relatively peaceful. There is a well-considered philosophy, there is young talent - there is, all in all, hope for better times. Maybe, the glorious eighties will return in the 21st century. Back then, FC Utrecht was a notorious gang of local football ruffians, such as Frans Adelaar, Gert Kruys and Jan Wouters, who won the Dutch Cup with FC Utrecht (1985) before Johan Cruijff invited him over to Ajax. He was a typical fighter in Utrecht's British-looking, opportunistic system, with striker Erik Willaarts as a feared goalgetter. The team qualified for Europe regularly, although the saddest moment became the most famous: many Dutchmen still remember defender Herman Verrips, who wanted to play safe against Italians Hellas Verona, but accidentally fired the ball into his own goal, eliminating Utrecht in the very last minute.

The city of Utrecht was fertile ground for football talent in those years. Not only the local FC did well, but the new, promising Ajax crop of the mid-80s also had Utrechters on key positions. Jan Wouters, of course, and then there were two talented strikers: left winger, Rob de Wit, who was bought from FC Utrecht, and a talented fellow named Marco van Basten, who was discovered at Utrecht amateur side, Elinkwijk. Elinkwijk was one of the three local clubs to merge into FC Utrecht in July of 1970, but the amateur section continued independently. Velox and legendary club, DOS, were the remaining two participants in the fusion. DOS was the only club to ever bring the Dutch championship to Utrecht, in 1958.

It may take a while before FC Utrecht will have won an actual trophy again. Knowing that, it must also be a very good feeling to know that the Utrecht fans will never stop singing until that day has arrived. And after that day, they'll sing even louder. (MP)

FC UTRECHT FACTS

Founded: 1 July, 1970, as a fusion of DOS (1901), Velox (1902) and Elinkwijk (1919)
City: Utrecht
Stadium: Nieuw Galgewaard
Capacity: 14,000 (to be increased to 24,150 during the 2001-2002 season)
Honors:

• Dutch Cup winners: 1985

Ajax vs FC Utrecht, the last five Eredivisie season: RELATED LINKS

• Official FC Utrecht website