View source for FC Groningen

{{Short description|Professional football club from Groningen}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname     = Groningen
| image        = FC Groningen logo.svg
| fullname     = Football Club Groningen
| upright      = .8
| nickname     = ''Trots van het Noorden''<br/>({{lit|Pride of the North}})<br>''De FC'' ({{lit|The FC}})
| founded      = {{start date and age|1971|06|16|df=y}}
| ground       = [[Euroborg]]
| capacity     = 22,525
| owner        = FC Groningen Beheer [[B.V.]]
| chairman     = Jakob Klompien
| mgrtitle     = Head coach
| manager      = [[Dick Lukkien]]
| league       = {{Dutch football updater|Groningen}}
| season       = {{Dutch football updater|Groningen2}}
| position     = {{Dutch football updater|Groningen3}}
| current      = 2025–26 FC Groningen season
| website      = {{URL|https://www.fcgroningen.nl}}
| pattern_la1  = _groningen2425h
| pattern_b1   = _groningen2425h
| pattern_ra1  = _groningen2425h
| pattern_sh1  = _groningen2425h
| pattern_so1  = 
| leftarm1     = FFFFFF
| body1        = 000000
| rightarm1    = FFFFFF
| shorts1      = FFFFFF
| socks1       = FFFFFF
| pattern_la2  = 
| pattern_b2   = 
| pattern_ra2  = 
| pattern_sh2  = 
| pattern_so2  = 
| leftarm2     =
| body2        =
| rightarm2    =
| shorts2      =
| socks2       =
| pattern_la3  = 
| pattern_b3   = 
| pattern_ra3  = 
| pattern_sh3  = 
| pattern_so3  = 
| leftarm3     = 
| body3        = 
| rightarm3    = 
| shorts3      = 
| socks3       = 
}}
'''Football Club Groningen''' ({{IPA|nl|ɛfˈseː ˈɣroːnɪŋə(n)}}) is a Dutch professional [[association football]] club based in [[Groningen]], [[Groningen (province)|Groningen province]]. Founded in 1971 as the successor of [[GVAV-Rapiditas|GVAV]], Groningen compete in the [[Eredivisie]], the first tier of [[Football in the Netherlands|Dutch football]].

Groningen played in the Eredivisie during their first three seasons, before the side were [[Promotion and relegation|relegated]] to the [[Eerste Divisie]] in [[1973–74 Eredivisie|1973–74]] as they got into financial difficulties. Groningen were [[Promotion and relegation|promoted]] back to the Eredivisie as champions in [[1979–80 Eerste Divisie|1979–80]] with a squad composed mostly of players who were recruited from the club's youth academy, and remained in the top flight for 18 seasons before they dropped to the second tier in [[1997–98 Eredivisie|1997–98]]. The team won promotion back to the Eredivisie in [[1999–2000 Eerste Divisie|1999–2000]], where they remained for 23 seasons before suffering relegation in [[2022–23 Eredivisie|2022–23]]. Groningen finished as runners-up in the [[2023–24 Eerste Divisie]] and returned to the Eredivisie at the first attempt.

Groningen have won the [[KNVB Cup]] once, in [[2014–15 KNVB Cup|2014–15]], and were runners-up in [[1988–89 KNVB Cup|1988–89]]. Groningen achieved their highest league finish in [[1990–91 Eredivisie|1990–91]] when they ranked third in the Eredivisie, competing for the league title until the latter part of the season. The side have participated in [[UEFA competitions|European competitions]] on several occasions; Groningen's [[FC Groningen in European football|first participation in European competition]] came during the [[1983–84 UEFA Cup]], when they defeated [[Atlético Madrid]] on [[Two-legged tie|aggregate]] in the first round, but were eliminated by [[Inter Milan]] in the following round. [[Erwin Koeman]], [[Ronald Koeman]], [[Arjen Robben]] and [[Virgil van Dijk]] started their careers at Groningen, while it was [[Luis Suárez]]'s first European club.<ref name=SportES />

The team's first home ground was [[Stadion Oosterpark|Oosterparkstadion]]; since 2006, they have played their home games at [[Euroborg]]. Groningen's home [[Kit (association football)|kit]] colours are based on the city's coat of arms: green and white. The club is nicknamed "Trots van het Noorden" ({{lit|Pride of the North}}), and has a rivalry with [[Friesland|Frisian]] side [[SC Heerenveen|Heerenveen]], with whom it contests the [[Derby of the North|Derby van het Noorden]] ({{lit|Derby of the North}}).

==History==
===Foundation===
[[File:DWS tegen GVAV 3-1, elftal GVAV, Bestanddeelnr 916-8730.jpg|thumb|right|[[GVAV-Rapiditas|GVAV]] in 1964, away at [[AFC DWS|DWS]]|alt=Black and white image of GVAV]]
[[File:Tonny van Leeuwe statue.jpg|thumb|right|Statue of goalkeeper [[Tonny van Leeuwen]]. He died a day before Groningen's foundation.|alt=A statue of Van Leeuwen in front of Euroborg]]
Established in 1921, [[GVAV-Rapiditas|GVAV]] were founder members of the [[Eredivisie]] in 1956, the [[Dutch football league system|first tier of Dutch football]].<ref name=FCGHist>{{Cite web |title=Historie |trans-title=History |url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/club/historie |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515232329/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/club/historie |archive-date=15 May 2021 |access-date=2 September 2021 |publisher=FC Groningen |language=nl}}</ref> At the time, they were one of four [[Professionalism in association football|professional]] teams from the city of [[Groningen]], alongside [[Be Quick 1887|Be Quick]], [[Velocitas 1897|Velocitas]] and {{ill|Oosterparkers|nl}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Derksen |first=Johan |date=9 November 2003 |title='De magische krachten van Stadion Oosterpark' |trans-title='The magical powers of Stadium Oosterpark' |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/de-magische-krachten-van-stadion-oosterpark |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031120852/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/de-magische-krachten-van-stadion-oosterpark |archive-date=31 October 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 |website=Voetbal International |language=nl}}</ref> 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.<ref name=Donker12>Donker et al. (2011), p. 12</ref> Each party contributed 300,000 [[Dutch guilder]]s, becoming equal shareholders in the foundation.<ref name=Donker12 /> 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.<ref name=Donker15>Donker et al. (2011), p. 15</ref> The side remained in the Eredivisie until they were [[Promotion and relegation|relegated]] to the [[Eerste Divisie]] in [[1969–70 Eredivisie|1969–70]].<ref name=Donker2223>Donker et al. (2011), pp. 22–23</ref>

In February 1970, Harm Brink, the chairman of [[Amateur sports#Association football|amateur]] club {{ill|GRC Groningen|nl}}, 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.<ref name=Donker2223 /> In September 1970, a majority of GVAV's members voted in favour of Brink's proposal. GVAV [[1970–71 Eerste Divisie|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 football.<ref name=Donker2426>Donker et al. (2011), pp. 24–26</ref>

During the 1970–71 season, GVAV [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] [[Tonny van Leeuwen]] had conceded only seven goals—the fewest of any goalkeeper in Dutch football—and was honoured by the [[Royal Dutch Football Association]] in [[Rotterdam]]. Van Leeuwen died in a car accident on his way home, just one day before Groningen's foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 June 2011|title=Veertigste sterfdag Tonny van Leeuwen|trans-title=Fortieth anniversary of Tonny van Leeuwen's death|url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/101417/veertigste-sterfdag-tonny-van-leeuwen|access-date=4 September 2021|publisher=RTV Noord|language=nl|archive-date=4 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904071949/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/101417/veertigste-sterfdag-tonny-van-leeuwen}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tonny van Leeuwen|date=22 April 2021 |url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/club/historie/spelers/tonny-van-leeuwen|access-date=4 September 2021|publisher=FC Groningen|language=nl|archive-date=4 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904071936/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/club/historie/spelers/tonny-van-leeuwen}}</ref> The side played their first match on 17 July 1971, defeating German [[Regionalliga]] side [[TSR Olympia Wilhelmshaven]] 6–0.<ref name=Donker12 /> Groningen wore a green and white [[Kit (association football)|kit]], the colours of the city's coat of arms.<ref name=Donker2426 />

===Financial difficulties and European matches (1971–1991)===
[[File:Renze de Vries (1984).jpg|thumb|upright=.7|{{ill|Renze de Vries|nl}} ''(pictured in 1984)'', Groningen's chairman from 1980 to 1989|alt=A black and white picture of De Vries]]
Groningen lost their first league game 1–0 at home against [[FC Utrecht]] in front of 13,000 spectators.<ref name=RTVN7181>{{Cite web|last=Minnema|first=Egbert|date=10 June 2021|title=FC-historie in cijfers: 1971–1981, een begin met veel records|trans-title=FC's history in numbers: 1971–1981, a start with many records|url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/824713/fc-historie-in-cijfers-1971-1981-een-begin-met-veel-records|access-date=4 September 2021|publisher=RTV Noord|language=nl|archive-date=4 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904124900/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/824713/fc-historie-in-cijfers-1971-1981-een-begin-met-veel-records}}</ref> The team recorded their first league victory on the 10th matchday—a 2–1 win at [[SBV Vitesse|Vitesse]]—and finished the [[1971–72 Eredivisie]] season 12th out of 18 sides.<ref>Poker (1996), p. 9</ref> The club was still mired in financial difficulties; to cut transfer expenses, Groningen established a [[Scout (association football)|scouting system]].<ref>Poker (1996), p. 11</ref> In [[1973–74 Eredivisie|1973–74]], they suffered a club record 9–0 defeat to [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]], ranked bottom of the league table and were relegated to the Eerste Divisie.<ref name=RTVN7181 /> The club came close to bankruptcy but was saved by the Groningen City Council.<ref>Poker (1996), p. 20</ref> In [[1974–75 Eerste Divisie|1974–75]], Groningen finished runners-up to [[NEC Nijmegen]], missing out on the title due to an inferior [[goal difference]]. Although the side qualified for the [[Playoffs|play-offs]] which determined the second and final team to gain [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] to the Eredivisie, they finished second behind [[FC Eindhoven]] and remained in the second tier.<ref>Poker (1996), p. 23</ref> In 1975, Groningen established a youth [[boarding school]] as the club tried to rebuild the squad with homegrown players.<ref>Poker (1996), pp. 32–33</ref> The side finished eighth in the [[1976–77 Eerste Divisie]]—their lowest-ever league finish—before missing promotion to the Eredivisie in the promotion play-offs in [[1977–78 Eerste Divisie|1977–78]], despite [[Peter Houtman]] scoring a club record 31 goals during the season.<ref name=RTVN7181 /><ref>Poker (1996), p. 42</ref> Groningen finished runners-up to [[SBV Excelsior|Excelsior]] in [[1978–79 Eerste Divisie|1978–79]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schoenmakers|first=Jan|date=20 February 2005|title=Netherlands 1978/79|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned79.html|access-date=4 September 2021|archive-date=3 March 2016|publisher=RSSSF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224946/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/ned79.html}}</ref> but returned to the Eredivisie as champions during [[1979–80 Eerste Divisie|the following season]] under [[Coach (sport)#Association football|coach]] {{ill|Theo Verlangen|nl}}, losing only 4 of 36 matches.<ref name=Poker5455>Poker (1996), pp. 54–55</ref> Most of the squad that won promotion had progressed through Groningen's youth academy.<ref name=FCGHist />

In the [[1982–83 Eredivisie|1982–83 season]], Groningen qualified for [[UEFA competitions|European competition]] for the first time following a 5th-place finish, meaning that they would enter the [[1983–84 UEFA Cup]].<ref>Poker (1996), pp. 74–77</ref> Key player [[Ronald Koeman]] left the club during the [[Season (sports)#Off-season|off-season]] in 1983 and joined Ajax, while his brother [[Erwin Koeman|Erwin]] remained at the club; both players had made their debut at Groningen.<ref name=SportES>{{Cite web|last=Giraldo|first=Javier|date=17 June 2021|title=El día más emotivo de Koeman en su vuelta a Groningen|trans-title=Koeman's most emotional day on his return to Groningen|url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/dia-emotivo-koeman-koeman-erwin-familia-homenaje-groningen-padre-martin-koeman-11831130|access-date=4 September 2021|website=Sport|language=es|archive-date=4 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904124900/https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/dia-emotivo-koeman-koeman-erwin-familia-homenaje-groningen-padre-martin-koeman-11831130}}</ref><ref>Poker (1996), p. 78</ref> The team's [[FC Groningen in European football#Results|first European game]] was an [[Road (sports)|away]] match against [[Atlético Madrid]], losing 2–1 after being 1–0 ahead. Groningen recorded a surprising 3–0 victory in the return game, winning 4–2 on [[Two-legged tie|aggregate]]. They faced [[Inter Milan]] in the second round; Groningen won 2–0 at home ground [[Stadion Oosterpark|Oosterparkstadion]], but lost 5–1 away and were eliminated from the competition.<ref>Poker (1996), p. 82</ref> Groningen competed in European competition again on five occasions from 1986 to 1992,<ref name=FCGHist /> reaching the third round in the [[1986–87 UEFA Cup]] and in the [[1988–89 UEFA Cup]].<ref>Poker (1996), pp. 111, 124</ref>

As a result of their successful spell, Groningen became almost a fully professional side by the mid-1980s—only [[Jan van Dijk (footballer)|Jan van Dijk]] and [[Adri van Tiggelen]] remained semi-professional players. The club also recorded the fourth highest average home attendances in Dutch football—behind Ajax, [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]] and [[Feyenoord]]—as it attracted more than 10,000 fans for each match.<ref>Poker (1996), p. 72</ref><ref>Poker (1996), p. 109</ref> In 1989, Groningen reached their [[1988–89 KNVB Cup|first KNVB Cup final]], losing 4–1 against PSV.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 February 2018|title=1989: PSV snel klaar met FC Groningen|trans-title=1989: PSV quickly finished with FC Groningen|url=https://www.totoknvbbeker.nl/100-finales/1989-psv-snel-klaar-met-fc-groningen|access-date=4 September 2021|website=TOTO KNVB Beker|publisher=Royal Dutch Football Association|language=nl|archive-date=4 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904193901/https://www.totoknvbbeker.nl/100-finales/1989-psv-snel-klaar-met-fc-groningen}}</ref> During the same year, Groningen chairman {{ill|Renze de Vries|nl}} was found guilty by the [[Fiscal Information and Investigation Service]] (FIOD) of [[embezzlement]] and the use of [[Money laundering|dirty money]] to sign several players between 1984 and 1989.<ref name=Poker127128>Poker (1996), pp. 127–128</ref><ref name=KAalbers>{{Cite web|title=Nieuwe rechtszaak Karel Aalbers|trans-title=New lawsuit Karel Aalbers|url=http://www.vitesse.org/media_2004_2005/rechtszaakaalbers.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927202340/http://www.vitesse.org/media_2004_2005/rechtszaakaalbers.html|archive-date=27 September 2007|access-date=4 September 2021|publisher=SBV Vitesse|language=nl}}</ref> De Vries, the club's chairman since 1980, stepped down and spent several days in prison.<ref name=KAalbers /><ref>{{Cite web|date=8 May 2012|title=Renze de Vries (81) overleden|trans-title=Renze de Vries (81) passed away|url=https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/renze-de-vries-81-overleden~ab00480e/|access-date=4 September 2021|website=Algemeen Dagblad|language=nl|archive-date=4 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904202021/https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/renze-de-vries-81-overleden~ab00480e/}}</ref> Multiple other Eredivisie clubs were also investigated and punished by the FIOD during this period,<ref name=KAalbers /> with Groningen receiving an additional assessment of 700,000 Dutch guilders from the [[Tax and Customs Administration]].<ref name=Poker127128 /> The club was saddled with debt and again came close to bankruptcy.<ref>Poker (1996), p. 138</ref> Despite the financial situation, the team recorded their highest-ever league finish in [[1990–91 Eredivisie|1990–91]]: third place. Managed by [[Hans Westerhof]], Groningen competed for the league title with Ajax and PSV until the latter part of the season, when suspensions and injuries to first-team players saw them drop points. Groningen's [[Henny Meijer]] was named [[Dutch Footballer of the Year]] after the season ended.<ref name=Poker140144>Poker (1996), pp. 140–144</ref>

===New stadium and the first major honour (1991–2021)===
[[File:Ron-Jans.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ron Jans]] ''(pictured in 2007)'', Groningen's coach from 2002 to 2010|alt=A coloured picture of Jans]]
[[File:Muurschilderingen in de Euroborg.jpg|thumb|Mural of [[Piet Fransen]] (left) and [[Arjen Robben]] (right) in [[Euroborg]]|alt=Mural in Euroborg]]
Although Groningen recorded a 5th-place finish in [[1991–92 Eredivisie|1991–92]] and qualified for the [[1992–93 UEFA Cup]],<ref>Poker (1996), pp. 151, 155</ref> the team began to slide down the league table; they were eventually relegated to the Eerste Divisie in [[1997–98 Eredivisie|1997–98]].<ref name=RNoord9101>{{Cite web|last=Minnema|first=Egbert|date=14 June 2021|title=De FC-historie in cijfers: 1991–2001, degradatie en veel trainerswisselingen|trans-title=FC's history in numbers: 1991–2001, relegation and many head coach changes|url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/825259/de-fc-historie-in-cijfers-1991-2001-degradatie-en-veel-trainerswisselingen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904193838/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/825259/de-fc-historie-in-cijfers-1991-2001-degradatie-en-veel-trainerswisselingen|archive-date=4 September 2021|access-date=4 September 2021|publisher=RTV Noord|language=nl}}</ref> The club had little financial resources left, and made many managerial changes in a search for success.<ref name=RNoord9101 /><ref>Poker (1996), p. 163</ref> The side returned to the Eredivisie in [[1999–2000 Eerste Divisie|1999–2000]] following a first-place finish in the promotion play-offs group.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schoenmakers|first=Jan|date=20 February 2005|title=Netherlands 1999/2000|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned00.html|access-date=4 September 2021|archive-date=14 August 2020|publisher=RSSSF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814053731/http://rsssf.com/tablesn/ned00.html}}</ref> During the season, Groningen set several club records: they scored 81 goals, won 10 matches in a row and recorded their largest victory—10–1 against [[DVS '33]] in the [[1999–2000 KNVB Cup|KNVB Cup]].<ref name=RNoord9101 /> In December 2000, the 16-year-old [[Arjen Robben]] made his professional debut under coach Jan van Dijk. Robben, later regarded as one of the best players of his generation, was soon sold to PSV for a fee of 3.9 million [[euro]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Frandsen|first=Svend|date=15 April 2003|title=Robben on the rise|url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/news/0190-0f8fbce36e57-139811825489-1000--robben-on-the-rise/|access-date=4 September 2021|publisher=UEFA|archive-date=4 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904193837/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/news/0190-0f8fbce36e57-139811825489-1000--robben-on-the-rise/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ranked! The 101 greatest football players of the last 25 years: full list |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/101-greatest-football-players-last-25-years-full-list |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518002919/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/101-greatest-football-players-last-25-years-full-list |archive-date=18 May 2024 |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=FourFourTwo|date=26 July 2019 }}</ref> Groningen avoided relegation during their first seasons back in the Eredivisie, and under coach [[Ron Jans]], appointed in 2002, the team even began to return into the top half of the league.<ref name=RNoord0111>{{Cite web|last=Minnema|first=Egbert|date=15 June 2021|title=FC-historie in cijfers: 2001–2011, Jans-tijdperk en gang naar Euroborg|trans-title=FC's history in numbers: 2001–2011, Jans era and the move to Euroborg|url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/826453/fc-historie-in-cijfers-2001-2011-jans-tijdperk-en-gang-naar-euroborg|access-date=4 September 2021|publisher=RTV Noord|language=nl|archive-date=4 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904195601/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/826453/fc-historie-in-cijfers-2001-2011-jans-tijdperk-en-gang-naar-euroborg}}</ref>

In January 2006, Groningen moved from the outdated Oosterparkstadion—the club's first home ground—to the newly-built [[Euroborg]].<ref name=Donker432437>Donker et al. (2011), pp. 432–437</ref> The club's average home attendance increased from 12,000 in Oosterparkstadion to around 20,000 in its new stadium.<ref name=RNoord0111 /> Groningen went the first 15 league games unbeaten at Euroborg,<ref>Donker et al. (2011), pp. 584, 586</ref> and the stadium was soon nicknamed "De Groene Hel" ({{lit|The Green Hell}}).<ref name=RNoord0111 /> The side finished the [[2005–06 Eredivisie|2005–06 season]] in fifth place and qualified for the play-offs which determined a place in the preliminary round of the [[UEFA Champions League]]. Groningen reached the final but were narrowly beaten by Ajax on aggregate, after Ajax scored in the last minutes of the second leg, with the team instead qualifing for the [[2006–07 UEFA Cup]].<ref name=RNoord0111 /> Groningen again qualified for the UEFA Cup [[2007–08 UEFA Cup|the following season]], but were eliminated in the preliminary round by Italian side [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]] after a [[penalty shootout]].<ref name=RNoord0111 /><ref name=UEFAGroFio>{{Cite web|date=4 October 2007|title=Groningen made to pay the penalty|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01c6-0ea932b9c5b9-921a7c812ad7-1000/|access-date=5 September 2021|publisher=UEFA|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906204914/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01c6-0ea932b9c5b9-921a7c812ad7-1000/}}</ref> In 2010, Jans left the club and went to local rivals [[SC Heerenveen|Heerenveen]], and was succeeded by former Groningen player [[Pieter Huistra]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 October 2010|title=Jans verliest met Heerenveen in Groningen|trans-title=Jans loses with Heerenveen in Groningen|url=https://www.rtvdrenthe.nl/nieuws/49841/Jans-verliest-met-Heerenveen-in-Groningen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127182029/https://www.rtvdrenthe.nl/nieuws/49841/Jans-verliest-met-Heerenveen-in-Groningen|archive-date=27 January 2022|access-date=27 January 2022|publisher=RTV Drenthe|language=nl}}</ref>

The team finished 5th in [[2010–11 Eredivisie|2010–11]] under Huistra, reaching the European competition play-off final; they turned around a 5–1 deficit against [[ADO Den Haag]] but lost after a penalty shootout.<ref>Donker et al. (2011), pp. 594–595</ref> In [[2013–14 Eredivisie|2013–14]], coach [[Erwin van de Looi]] led Groningen to victory in the European competition play-off final and qualification for the [[2014–15 UEFA Europa League]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 May 2014|title=FC Groningen in voorronde Europa League|trans-title=FC Groningen in preliminary round Europa League|url=https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/sport/voetbal/artikel/1878726/fc-groningen-voorronde-europa-league|access-date=5 September 2021|publisher=RTL Nieuws|language=nl|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906204914/https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/sport/voetbal/artikel/1878726/fc-groningen-voorronde-europa-league}}</ref> where they were eliminated by [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] in the second qualifying round.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Freriks|first=Gijs|date=24 July 2014|title=Europees avontuur voor FC Groningen al ten einde|trans-title=European adventure for FC Groningen has already come to an end|url=https://www.voetbalzone.nl/doc.asp?uid=220271|access-date=5 September 2021|website=Voetbalzone|language=nl|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905115029/https://www.voetbalzone.nl/doc.asp?uid=220271}}</ref> Groningen claimed their first major honour during the season, however, defeating [[PEC Zwolle]] 2–0 in the [[2015 KNVB Cup final]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 May 2015|title=Bekerfinale 2015: De sfeer in beeld|trans-title=Cup final 2015: The atmosphere in pictures|url=https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/betaald-voetbal/knvb-beker/3714/bekerfinale-2015-de-sfeer-beeld|access-date=5 September 2021|publisher=Royal Dutch Football Association|language=nl|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905121159/https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/betaald-voetbal/knvb-beker/3714/bekerfinale-2015-de-sfeer-beeld}}</ref> They became the third Groningen-based team to win a major honour, after [[Be Quick 1887|Be Quick]] ([[1919–20 Netherlands Football League Championship|1919–20 Dutch League Championship]]) and [[Velocitas 1897|Velocitas]] ({{ill|1933–34 KNVB Cup|nl|KNVB Beker 1933/34}}).<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Kárpáti|first1=Tamás|last2=Stokkermans|first2=Karel|date=12 May 2021|title=Netherlands – Champions|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nedchamp.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607112140/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nedchamp.html|archive-date=7 June 2021|publisher=RSSSF|access-date=5 September 2021}}</ref><ref name=RSSSFCup>{{Cite web|last=Stokkermans|first=Karel|date=22 April 2021|title=Netherlands Cup Finals|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nedcuphist.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815152611/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nedcuphist.html|archive-date=15 August 2021|publisher=RSSSF|access-date=5 September 2021}}</ref> By winning the cup, they qualified for the [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League]] group stage.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 May 2015|title=FC Groningen naar groepsfase Europa League|trans-title=FC Groningen to Europa League group stage|url=https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/sport/voetbal/artikel/1201736/fc-groningen-naar-groepsfase-europa-league|access-date=5 September 2021|publisher=RTL Nieuws|language=nl|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905115030/https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/sport/voetbal/artikel/1201736/fc-groningen-naar-groepsfase-europa-league}}</ref> The side gained only two points from six matches and finished their group in bottom place.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stokkermans|first=Karel|date=23 March 2017|title=UEFA European Competitions 2015–16|url=https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec201516.html|access-date=5 September 2021|archive-date=20 October 2018|publisher=RSSSF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020023031/http://rsssf.com/ec/ec201516.html}}</ref> In 2019, {{ill|Hans Nijland|nl}}—the club's CEO since 1996 and the longest-serving director in Dutch professional football—stepped down and was replaced by Excelsior's [[Wouter Gudde]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 February 2019|title=Wouter Gudde volgt Hans Nijland op bij FC Groningen|trans-title=Wouter Gudde succeeds Hans Nijland at FC Groningen|url=https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/wouter-gudde-volgt-hans-nijland-op-bij-fc-groningen~acb11c78/|access-date=5 September 2021|website=Algemeen Dagblad|language=nl|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905115833/https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/wouter-gudde-volgt-hans-nijland-op-bij-fc-groningen~acb11c78/}}</ref>

=== Relegation and promotion (2021–present) ===
In [[2022–23 Eredivisie|2022–23]], Groningen finished in bottom place, winning only 4 of 34 matches, and were relegated to the Eerste Divisie for the third time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eredivisie Stand 2022/2023 |trans-title=Eredivisie Standings 2022/2023 |url=https://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalcompetities/nederland/eredivisie/stand/2022-2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602114814/https://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalcompetities/nederland/eredivisie/stand/2022-2023 |archive-date=2 June 2023 |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=FCUpdate.nl |language=nl}}</ref><ref name=worstseason>{{Cite web |last=Darwinkel |first=Geert Jan |date=8 May 2023 |title=Kroniek van het slechtste seizoen ooit voor FC Groningen |trans-title=Chronicle of the worst ever season for FC Groningen |url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/1018332/kroniek-van-het-slechtste-seizoen-ooit-voor-fc-groningen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527113203/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/1018332/kroniek-van-het-slechtste-seizoen-ooit-voor-fc-groningen |archive-date=27 May 2023 |access-date=2 June 2023 |publisher=RTV Noord |language=nl}}</ref> Before the start of the season, the German [[Frank Wormuth]] was appointed coach.<ref name=Wormuth /> He was sacked in November 2022, after which Wormuth labelled the working conditions as "mentally unsafe".<ref name=worstseason /> Under his successor, [[Dennis van der Ree]], Groningen won only once in 21 matches, and were eliminated from the KNVB Cup at home by amateur club [[SV Spakenburg|Spakenburg]].<ref name=worstseason /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Trainers |trans-title=Coaches |url=https://www.fcgstats.nl/coach.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602121550/https://www.fcgstats.nl/coach.php |archive-date=2 June 2023 |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=FCGStats.nl |language=nl}}</ref> Gudde concluded the squad was unfit, unbalanced, and lacked quality and "personality".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tomasowa |first=Jordi |date=31 May 2023 |title=Gudde perplex na pijnlijke ontdekking binnen selectie: 'Toen zakte de moed weg' |trans-title=Gudde perplexed after a painful discovery within the squad: 'Then it was very demoralising' |url=https://www.voetbalzone.nl/nieuws/gudde-perplex-na-pijnlijke-ontdekking-binnen-selectie-toen-zakte-de-moed-weg/419766 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601090841/https://www.voetbalzone.nl/nieuws/gudde-perplex-na-pijnlijke-ontdekking-binnen-selectie-toen-zakte-de-moed-weg/419766 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=Voetbalzone |language=nl}}</ref> Under coach [[Dick Lukkien]], Groningen finished runners-up in the Eerste Divisie in [[2023–24 FC Groningen season|2023–24]] and were promoted back to the Eredivisie with a squad largely composed of players who had progressed through the club's youth academy. They clinched second place by defeating direct rivals [[Roda JC Kerkrade|Roda JC]] 2–0 on the final matchday, overtaking them in the standings.<ref name=Gro2324>{{Cite web |date=10 May 2024 |title=Groningen terug in de eredivisie na zege op Roda JC, Willem II kampioen |trans-title=Groningen back in the Eredivisie after victory against Roda JC, Willem II champions |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2520010-groningen-terug-in-de-eredivisie-na-zege-op-roda-jc-willem-ii-kampioen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511065558/https://nos.nl/artikel/2520010-groningen-terug-in-de-eredivisie-na-zege-op-roda-jc-willem-ii-kampioen |archive-date=11 May 2024 |access-date=11 May 2024 |publisher=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting |language=nl}}</ref>

==Crest and colours==
[[File:Sjaalfcg.jpg|thumb|right|Groningen supporter scarfs with the club crest|alt=Scarfs of FC Groningen]]
Shortly after its founding in June 1971, ''[[Nieuwsblad van het Noorden]]'' organised a competition to design a [[Club crest|crest]] for the club. The winning design, submitted by the 21-year-old Reint Rozema, a designer at a local printing house, featured an abstract letter "G" representing Groningen.<ref name=Donker2426 /> In 1993, board member and commercial manager Jos Smulders added a [[Pegasus]] to the badge to give Groningen a more "dynamic and aggressive" image. However, following criticism from fans and the local press, the Pegasus was removed in 1996 and the original crest was restored.<ref>Poker (1996), pp. 160, 178</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wassing |first=Leo |date=24 October 2021 |title=Hoe het FC Groningen-logo van 250 gulden al 50 jaar (deels) overeind blijft |trans-title=How the FC Groningen logo of 250 guilders has remained (partly) intact for 50 years |url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/862510/hoe-het-fc-groningen-logo-van-250-gulden-al-50-jaar-deels-overeind-blijft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903105916/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/862510/hoe-het-fc-groningen-logo-van-250-gulden-al-50-jaar-deels-overeind-blijft |archive-date=3 September 2024 |access-date=3 September 2024 |publisher=RTV Noord |language=nl}}</ref>

Groningen's kit colours have been green and white since the club's foundation, derived from the city's coat of arms. During the first seasons, the team also played in a purple shirt.<ref name=Donker2426 /> Groningen's jerseys had no kit sponsor until 1975, when [[Adidas]] became the first to have its logo on the club's shirt.<ref>Donker et al. (2011), p. 237</ref><ref name=RTVNoord150623>{{Cite web |last=Wassing |first=Leo |date=15 June 2023 |title=FC Groningen presenteert nieuw uitshirt: 'Smaken verschillen' |trans-title=FC Groningen presents new away shirt: 'Tastes differ' |url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/1032997/fc-groningen-presenteert-nieuw-uitshirt-smaken-verschillen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615211001/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/1032997/fc-groningen-presenteert-nieuw-uitshirt-smaken-verschillen |archive-date=15 June 2023 |access-date=29 May 2025 |publisher=RTV Noord |language=nl}}</ref> The first sponsor's name to appear on Groningen shirts was that of insurance company [[Aegon|AGO]], which featured from 1982 to 1983.<ref name=RTVNoord210425>{{Cite web |last=Wassing |first=Leo |date=21 April 2025 |title=Van 3 ton in guldens tot 1,5 miljoen euro: de hoofdsponsors van FC Groningen door de jaren heen |trans-title=From 3 tons in guilders to 1.5 million euros: the main sponsors of FC Groningen through the years |url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/sport/1292807/van-3-ton-in-guldens-tot-1-5-miljoen-euro-de-hoofdsponsors-van-fc-groningen-door-de-jaren-heen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421094915/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/sport/1292807/van-3-ton-in-guldens-tot-1-5-miljoen-euro-de-hoofdsponsors-van-fc-groningen-door-de-jaren-heen |archive-date=21 April 2025 |access-date=29 May 2025 |publisher=RTV Noord |language=nl}}</ref> Since then, the club has had a variety of kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors.<ref name=RTVNoord150623 /><ref name=RTVNoord210425 /> Until 1991, the club used various permutations of green and white on its home kits, when it adopted a white shirt with two vertical green stripes.<ref>Donker et al. (2011), pp. 341–345</ref><ref>"Nieuw uitshirt van FC Groningen gekozen". ''Dagblad van het Noorden''. 16 December 2009. p. 15.</ref>

==Stadium==
[[File:Euroborg 2018.jpg|thumb|Euroborg during a match in 2018|alt=The interior of Euroborg]]
Since January 2006, Groningen have played their home matches at Euroborg, which replaced Oosterparkstadion, the home of GVAV and Groningen since the 1930s.<ref name=Donker432437 /><ref>Donker et al. (2011), p. 47</ref> The [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands national team]] played two international matches at Oosterparkstadion: against [[Cyprus national football team|Cyprus]] in 1981 and in 1983 against [[Iceland national football team|Iceland]].<ref>Poker (1996), pp. 63, 83</ref> In 1985, Groningen recorded their largest attendance at the stadium during a 1–1 [[Tie (draw)|draw]] against Feyenoord, when 21,500 spectators attended.<ref>Poker (1996), p. 90</ref> The club first expressed an interest in building a new stadium away from Oosterparkstadion in 1996 as it had become outdated and had only a capacity of around 12,500. In 2004, the club began construction of Euroborg, designed by architect [[Wiel Arets]]. The stadium was officially opened on 13 January 2006 with a match against Heerenveen, which Groningen won 2–0.<ref name=RNoord0111 /><ref name=Donker432437 />

Euroborg hosted the final of the [[2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship]], in which the [[Netherlands national under-21 football team|Netherlands]] defeated [[Serbia national under-21 football team|Serbia]] 4–1.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2007 Under-21 EURO: Dutch double for De Haan|url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/history/2007/|access-date=5 September 2021|publisher=UEFA|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906204915/https://www.uefa.com/under21/history/2007/}}</ref> In 2014, Groningen became the first Dutch club to install its own [[solar power]] plant,<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 February 2014|title=Primeur FC Groningen: eerste club met eigen zonnecentrale|trans-title=A first for FC Groningen: first club with its own solar power plant|url=https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/374827/primeur-fc-groningen-eerste-club-met-eigen-zonnecentrale.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127175759/https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/374827/primeur-fc-groningen-eerste-club-met-eigen-zonnecentrale.html|archive-date=27 January 2022|access-date=27 January 2022|website=Voetbalprimeur|language=nl}}</ref> with more than 1,000 [[solar panel]]s fitted to the stadium's roof to make the club "more eco-friendly".<ref>"Stadszonnepark: groter zijn ze niet". ''Dagblad van het Noorden''. 20 June 2017. p. 22.</ref> The ground hosted its first senior women's international match in 2017, when the [[Netherlands women's national football team|Netherlands]] played [[Norway women's national football team|Norway]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 August 2021|title=Oranje Leeuwinnen trappen WK-kwalificatie af in de Euroborg|trans-title=Orange Lionesses kick-off World Cup qualification in Euroborg|url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/840461/oranje-leeuwinnen-trappen-wk-kwalificatie-af-in-de-euroborg|access-date=4 June 2025|publisher=RTV Noord|language=nl|archive-date=7 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307155906/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/840461/oranje-leeuwinnen-trappen-wk-kwalificatie-af-in-de-euroborg}}</ref> It staged its first senior men's international game in June 2025, as the Netherlands defeated [[Malta national football team|Malta]] 8–0 in a [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G|2026 World Cup qualifier match]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2025 |title=Na 42 jaar speelt Oranje weer in Groningen |trans-title=After 42 years, the Dutch team plays in Groningen again |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2560927-na-42-jaar-speelt-oranje-weer-in-groningen |access-date=24 March 2025 |publisher=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 June 2025 |last=Wieten |first=Jesse |title=Oranje wint met grote cijfers van Malta (8–0), Depay evenaart topscorer Van Persie |trans-title=Netherlands wins comfortably against Malta (8–0), Depay equals top scorer Van Persie |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2570682-oranje-wint-met-grote-cijfers-van-malta-8-0-depay-evenaart-topscorer-van-persie |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250611074404/https://nos.nl/artikel/2570682-oranje-wint-met-grote-cijfers-van-malta-8-0-depay-evenaart-topscorer-van-persie |archive-date=11 June 2025 |access-date=11 June 2025 |publisher=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting |language=nl}}</ref>

Euroborg's current capacity is 22,525,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Club info|url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/club/info|access-date=5 September 2021|publisher=FC Groningen|language=nl|archive-date=9 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209234657/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/club/info}}</ref> and is nicknamed "De Groene Hel" ({{lit|The Green Hell}}) and "De Groene Kathedraal" ({{lit|The Green Cathedral}}).<ref name=RNoord0111 /><ref name=Donker432437 /> The stadium consists of four stands: the Tonny van Leeuwen Tribune, the [[Piet Fransen]] Tribune, the Koeman Familie Tribune and a stand containing [[Luxury box|skyboxes]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Familie tribune|trans-title=Family Stand|url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/families/familie-tribune|access-date=5 September 2021|publisher=FC Groningen|language=nl|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906204916/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/families/familie-tribune}}</ref>

==Supporters and rivalries==
[[File:Z-side.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Groningen fans before a game in 2015|alt=Groningen fans before a match]]
The club's supporters are mainly drawn from the provinces of [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]] and [[Drenthe]].<ref name=Vooren57>Van de Vooren (2017), p. 57</ref> During their early years, Groningen, and their predecessor GVAV, also had a decent following in [[Friesland]] as they were the only northern team competing in the Eredivisie at the time, which earned them the nickname "Trots van het Noorden" ({{lit|Pride of the North}}).<ref name=Donker15 /> During the late 1970s, an [[ultras]] group known as the Z-side emerged from within Groningen's fanbase.<ref>"De Z-side presenteert zich". ''Nieuwsblad van het Noorden''. 18 August 1980. p. 15.</ref> The Z-side and other Groningen ultras groups have had long-standing friendships with the ultras and [[Football hooliganism|hooligans]] of [[AS Roma|Roma]], [[K Beerschot VA|Beerschot]] and [[FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt|Rot-Weiß Erfurt]].<ref>"Sportieve confrontatie Z-side en hooligans Beerschot". ''Dagblad van het Noorden''. 17 June 2002. p. 14.</ref><ref>"Er gaat niets boven de beker". ''Friesch Dagblad''. 5 May 2020. p. 12.</ref> The club's fans also have had a long-standing friendship with supporters of Scottish team [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] since the 1990s.<ref>"De broederliefde tussen FC Groningen en Hibernian". ''Dagblad van het Noorden''. 12 February 2007. p. 9.</ref>

As Groningen are one of the few professional sides from the Northern Netherlands and the only team from the province of Groningen,<ref name=Vooren57 /> the team lack rivalries.<ref>"De vier trainers over de derby's". ''Dagblad van het Noorden''. 19 March 2004. p. 15.</ref> Until local side [[SC Veendam|Veendam]] was dissolved in 2013,<ref>"De herinnering blijft aan Langeleegte en Veendam". ''Friesch Dagblad''. 15 May 2018. p. 12.</ref> Groningen contested the {{ill|Groningse derby|nl}} with them.<ref>Poker (1996), p. 126</ref> The sides met only four times in the Eredivisie—in [[1986–87 Eredivisie|1986–87]] and [[1988–89 Eredivisie|1988–89]], with both teams winning once—as Veendam spent most of their existence in the lower tiers.<ref>Donker et al. (2011), pp. 546, 550</ref> During the 1990s, Groningen contested heated matches with [[FC Twente|Twente]] as hooligans of both clubs often clashed.<ref>"Wel degelijk voetballiefhebbers". ''Nieuwsblad van het Noorden''. 13 June 1996. p. 55.</ref> In the same period, a local rivalry between Groningen and Frisian club Heerenveen developed—known as the [[Derby of the North|Derby van het Noorden]] ({{lit|Derby of the North}})—following Heerenveen's first-ever promotion to the Eredivisie in [[1989–90 Eerste Divisie|1989–90]].<ref name=NOSDvhN>{{Cite web|date=13 September 2015|title=De teloorgang van de 'Derby van het Noorden'|trans-title=The demise of the 'Derby of the North'|url=https://nos.nl/collectie/4202/artikel/2057412-de-teloorgang-van-de-derby-van-het-noorden|access-date=6 September 2021|publisher=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|language=nl|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906204917/https://nos.nl/collectie/4202/artikel/2057412-de-teloorgang-van-de-derby-van-het-noorden}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Historie|trans-title=History|url=https://www.sc-heerenveen.nl/club/over-sc-heerenveen/historie|access-date=6 September 2021|publisher=sc Heerenveen|language=nl|archive-date=6 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506233139/https://www.sc-heerenveen.nl/club/over-sc-heerenveen/historie}}</ref> Groningen went down to the Eerste Divisie in 1998, and by 2000, had been overtaken in performance by Heerenveen. The rivalry intensified during the 2000s, and supporters of both clubs engaged in a series of pranks and provocations, such as Groningen fans painting the statue of Heerenveen's [[Abe Lenstra]] in green and white colours. The rivalry began to fade in the mid-2010s after another Frisian club, [[SC Cambuur|Cambuur]], won promotion to the Eredivisie; Heerenveen regard Cambuur as their main rivals.<ref name=NOSDvhN />

==Players==
===First-team squad===
{{updated|3 September 2025}}<ref name=FCGSelectie>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/selectie|publisher=FC Groningen|title=Selectie|trans-title=Squad|access-date=13 June 2024|language=nl}}</ref> 
{{fs start}}
{{fs player|no=1|nat=SUR|name=[[Etienne Vaessen]]|pos=GK}}
{{fs player|no=2|nat=NED|name=[[Wouter Prins]]|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=3|nat=NED|name=[[Thijmen Blokzijl]]|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=4|nat=NED|name=[[Dies Janse]]|pos=DF|other=on loan from [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]}}
{{fs player|no=5|nat=GER|name=[[Marco Rente]]|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=6|nat=NED|name=[[Stije Resink]]|pos=MF|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{fs player|no=7|nat=NOR|name=[[Travis Hernes]]|pos=MF|other=on loan from [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]}}
{{fs player|no=8|nat=NED|name=[[Tika de Jonge]]|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=9|nat=ISL|name=[[Brynjólfur Willumsson]]|pos=FW}}
{{fs player|no=10|nat=MAR|name=[[Younes Taha]]|pos=MF|other=on loan from [[FC Twente]]}}
{{fs player|no=11|nat=FRA|name=[[Noam Emeran]]|pos=FW}}
{{fs player|no=13|nat=SVN|name=Lovro Štubljar|pos=GK}}
{{fs player|no=14|nat=NED|name=[[Jorg Schreuders]]|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=15|nat=SWE|name=[[Elvis van der Laan]]|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=16|nat=CUR|name=[[Tyrique Mercera]]|pos=DF}}
{{fs mid}}
{{fs player|no=17|nat=NED|name=David van der Werff|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=18|nat=NED|name=[[Tygo Land]]|pos=MF|other=on loan from [[PSV Eindhoven]]}}
{{fs player|no=19|nat=POL|name=[[Oskar Zawada]]|pos=FW}}
{{fs player|no=20|nat=NED|name=[[Mats Seuntjens]]|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=21|nat=NED|name=[[Hidde Jurjus]]|pos=GK}}
{{fs player|no=22|nat=NED|name=Sven Bouland|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=24|nat=NED|name=Dirk Baron|pos=GK}}
{{fs player|no=26|nat=NED|name=[[Thom van Bergen]]|pos=FW}}
{{fs player|no=27|nat=POR|name=[[Rui Mendes]]|pos=FW}}
{{fs player|no=43|nat=BEL|name=[[Marvin Peersman]]|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=44|nat=NED|name=Jismerai Dillema|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=48|nat=NED|name=Robin Kelder|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=55|nat=NED|name=Yénio Holder|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=69|nat=NED|name=Mark Hoekstra|pos=FW}}
{{fs end}}

===Out on loan===
{{fs start}}
{{fs player|nat=NED|name=[[Thijs Oosting]]|pos=MF|other=at [[PEC Zwolle]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{fs player|nat=NOR|name=[[Kristian Lien (footballer)|Kristian Lien]]|pos=FW|other=at [[Hamarkameratene|HamKam]] until 31 December 2025}}
{{fs mid}}
{{fs player|nat=NED|name=[[Romano Postema]]|pos=FW|other=at [[FC Emmen]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{fs player|nat=NED|name=Fofin Turay|pos=FW|other=at [[TOP Oss]] until 30 June 2026}}
{{fs end}}

==Management==
===Football management===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position
! Name
|-
|Head coach
|[[Dick Lukkien]]
|-
|Assistant coaches
|Casper Goedkoop<br>Mischa Visser
|-
|Chairman
|Jakob Klompien
|-
|Chief executive officer
|[[Frank van Mosselveld]]
|-
|Chief operating officer
|Marc-Jan Oldenbandringh
|-
|Director of football
|[[Mohammed Allach]]
|}
Source:<ref name=FCGSelectie /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/club/organisatie|publisher=FC Groningen|title=Organisatie|trans-title=Organisation|access-date=13 June 2024|language=nl}}</ref>

===Coaches===
[[Ron Groenewoud]] was the club's first coach; he was relegated with Groningen to the Eerste Divisie in 1974 and remained in charge until 1975.<ref>Donker et al. (2011), pp. 206, 215, 220</ref> The team won the Eerste Divisie title in 1979–80 under coach {{ill|Theo Verlangen|nl}}, who also led them to qualification for their first European campaign in 1983.<ref name=Poker5455 /> Groningen recorded their best league finish under [[Hans Westerhof]]: third in the 1990–91 Eredivisie.<ref name=Poker140144 /> After relegation in 1998, the side won promotion back to the top flight in 1999–2000 with [[Jan van Dijk (footballer)|Jan van Dijk]] in charge.<ref name=RNoord9101 /> [[Erwin van de Looi]] led Groningen to their first major honour: the [[2014–15 KNVB Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 January 2016|title=Laatste seizoen Van de Looi bij FC Groningen|trans-title=Last season Van de Looi at FC Groningen|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2083149-laatste-seizoen-van-de-looi-bij-fc-groningen|access-date=6 September 2021|publisher=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|language=nl|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906211622/https://nos.nl/artikel/2083149-laatste-seizoen-van-de-looi-bij-fc-groningen}}</ref> The German [[Frank Wormuth]] became the club's first foreign coach when he took the post in 2022.<ref name=Wormuth>{{Cite web|last=Wassing|first=Leo|date=26 January 2022|title=Dit is Frank Wormuth, de nieuwe trainer van FC Groningen|trans-title=This is Frank Wormuth, the new FC Groningen coach|url=https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/890822/dit-is-frank-wormuth-de-nieuwe-trainer-van-fc-groningen|access-date=16 May 2022|publisher=RTV Noord|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516184854/https://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/890822/dit-is-frank-wormuth-de-nieuwe-trainer-van-fc-groningen|archive-date=16 May 2022}}</ref> Under [[Dick Lukkien]], the side won promotion back to the top flight in 2023–24.<ref name=Gro2324 />

==Honours==
[[File:Fcgroningenfanskuip.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Groningen fans during the [[2015 KNVB Cup Final]]|alt=Groningen fans during the 2015 Cup final]]
*[[Eerste Divisie]] (Tier 2)<ref name=Gro2324 /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stokkermans |first=Karel |date=29 April 2021 |title=Netherlands – List of Second and Third Division Champions |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned2champ.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607112347/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/ned2champ.html |archive-date=7 June 2021 |access-date=3 September 2021 |publisher=RSSSF}}</ref>
** '''Winners''': [[1979–80 Eerste Divisie|1979–80]]
** Promoted: [[2023–24 Eerste Divisie|2023–24]]
** Promotion play-off winners: [[1999–2000 Eerste Divisie|1999–2000]]
*[[KNVB Cup]]<ref name=RSSSFCup />
** '''Winners''': [[2015 KNVB Cup Final|2014–15]]
** Runners-up: [[1988–89 KNVB Cup|1988–89]]
*[[Johan Cruyff Shield]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stokkermans|first=Karel|date=12 May 2021|title=Netherlands – List of Super Cup Finals|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nedsupcuphist.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625163936/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesn/nedsupcuphist.html|archive-date=25 June 2021|publisher=RSSSF|access-date=6 September 2021}}</ref>
** Runners-up: [[2015 Johan Cruyff Shield|2015]]

==Records and statistics==
[[File:Groningen League Performance.png|thumb|upright=1.5|Historical chart of Groningen's league performance (including GVAV)]]
The record for the most first team appearances in all competitions for Groningen is held by Jan van Dijk, who played 537 games between 1975 and 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 July 2021|title=Special: Op het lijf geschreven|trans-title=Special: Tailor-made|url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/special-op-het-lijf-geschreven/2|access-date=6 September 2021|publisher=FC Groningen|language=nl|archive-date=14 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714180351/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/special-op-het-lijf-geschreven/2}}</ref> The club's top goal scorer is Peter Houtman, who scored 128 goals in three spells for Groningen.<ref>Poker (1996), p. 183</ref> He also holds the club record for the most goals scored in a season, when he netted 31 times in 1977–78.<ref name=RTVN7181 /> In 1991, Henny Meijer won the Dutch Footballer of the Year award, the first and to date only time a Groningen player achieved this.<ref name=Poker140144 />

The youngest player to make an appearance for the club is [[Richairo Živković]], who was aged 16 years and 88 days on his debut against [[Heracles Almelo]] in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 December 2012|title=Zivkovic jongste debutant in clubgeschiedenis|trans-title=Zivkovic youngest debutant in club history|url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/zivkovic-jongste-debutant-in-clubgeschiedenis/2|access-date=6 September 2021|publisher=FC Groningen|language=nl|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906211404/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/nieuws/zivkovic-jongste-debutant-in-clubgeschiedenis/2}}</ref> The oldest player to make an appearance for Groningen is goalkeeper [[Peter van der Vlag]], who played his last match aged 37 years and 163 days against [[NAC Breda]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 May 2015|title=Veel keeperswisselingen in eredivisie|trans-title=Many goalkeeper changes in Eredivisie|url=https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/sport/voetbal/artikel/1189581/veel-keeperswisselingen-eredivisie|access-date=6 September 2021|publisher=RTL Nieuws|language=nl|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906211507/https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/sport/voetbal/artikel/1189581/veel-keeperswisselingen-eredivisie}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Peter van der Vlag|url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/speler/spelerid/130/peter-van-der-vlag|access-date=6 September 2021|publisher=FC Groningen|language=nl|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122200934/https://www.fcgroningen.nl/speler/spelerid/130/peter-van-der-vlag}}</ref>

Groningen's largest victory has been a 10–1 win against DVS '33 in the [[1999–2000 KNVB Cup]]. The club's largest win in league football has been a 7–1 home victory against [[Willem II (football club)|Willem II]] in the 2010–11 Eredivisie.<ref name=RNoord9101 /> The club's largest defeat is a 9–0 loss to Ajax in the 1973–74 Eredivisie.<ref name=RTVN7181 /> The highest transfer fee received by Groningen is the €11 million from [[RC Celta de Vigo|Celta de Vigo]] for Norwegian striker [[Jørgen Strand Larsen]] in 2022,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kapteijns|first=Jeroen|date=31 August 2022|title=Groningen toch akkoord: Strand Larsen krijgt gewenste transfer, club huurt direct opvolger|trans-title=Groningen agrees: Strand Larsen gets his transfer, club brings in successor on loan|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/626763170/groningen-toch-akkoord-strand-larsen-krijgt-gewenste-transfer-club-huurt-direct-opvolger|access-date=31 August 2022|website=De Telegraaf|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903042043/https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/626763170/groningen-toch-akkoord-strand-larsen-krijgt-gewenste-transfer-club-huurt-direct-opvolger|archive-date=3 September 2022}}</ref> while the highest transfer fee paid by the club was for Nigerian midfielder [[Oluwafemi Ajilore]] from [[FC Midtjylland|Midtjylland]] in 2008; he was bought for a fee of €3.3 million.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 May 2008|title=Femi duurste aankoop ooit FC Groningen|trans-title=Femi FC Groningen's most expensive purchase ever|url=https://www.rtvdrenthe.nl/nieuws/25824/Femi-duurste-aankoop-ooit-FC-Groningen|access-date=6 September 2021|publisher=RTV Drenthe|language=nl|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906211221/https://www.rtvdrenthe.nl/nieuws/25824/Femi-duurste-aankoop-ooit-FC-Groningen}}</ref>

==References==
'''Specific'''
{{Reflist}}

'''General'''
* {{cite book |last1=Donker |first1=Martin |last2=Heuvelman |first2=Dick |last3=Mennega |first3=Jan |last4=Mulder |first4=Henk |last5=Nederlof |first5=Bert |last6=Penning |first6=Wessel |last7=Swart |first7=Nico |last8=Verkamman |first8=Matty |last9=Visser |first9=Jaap |last10=Zweverink |first10=Paul |title=40 jaar FC Groningen en de historie van GVAV |year=2011 |publisher=Uitgeverij de Buitenspelers |language=nl  |isbn=9789071359439 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Poker |first1=Henk |title=25 jaar FC Groningen |year=1996 |publisher={{ill|Uitgeverij Profiel|nl}} |language=nl  |isbn=9789052941394 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Van de Vooren |first1=Jurryt |title=De Bosatlas van het Nederlandse voetbal |year=2017 |publisher=[[Noordhoff Uitgevers]] |language=nl  |isbn=9789001123048 }}

==External links==
{{commons category|FC Groningen}}
*{{Official website}}
*FC Groningen on [[RTV Noord]]: [https://www.rtvnoord.nl/sport/fc-groningen Club news]
*FC Groningen news on [https://www.boerenmacht.nl/ Boerenmacht.nl]
*FC Groningen stats on [https://www.fcgstats.nl/index.php FCG Stats]

{{FC Groningen}}
{{Eredivisie}}
{{KNVB Cup Winners 1961-present}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Groningen}}
[[Category:FC Groningen| ]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Groningen (city)]]
[[Category:Football clubs in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1971]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in the Netherlands]]