5 Most Successful Clubs In Holland
This guide ranks the most successful football clubs In Holland, and It is based on the number of Eredivisie titles each team has won:
| Rank | Club | Eredivisie Titles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ajax Amsterdam | 36 |
| 2 | PSV Eindhoven | 25 |
| 3 | Feyenoord Rotterdam | 16 |
| 4 | HVV Den Haag | 10 |
| 5 | Sparta Rotterdam | 6 |
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1. Ajax Amsterdam (36)
Ajax Amsterdam, officially known as Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax, is a famous football club based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It was founded on March 18, 1900. Ajax is the most successful football club in the Netherlands.
They have won an impressive 36 Eredivisie titles and 20 KNVB Cups as of the latest records. Ajax started its journey in Dutch football when it was promoted to the top league in 1911. They won their first major trophy in 1917 by claiming the KNVB Cup.
Their first national championship came in the 1918-19 season, and they made history by winning the league without losing a single match. The 1930s were a golden era for Ajax, as they won five national titles, proving themselves as a leading team in Dutch football.
When the Eredivisie league was established in 1956, Ajax was one of the first teams to join. They adjusted to the new league, becoming the first champions of the Eredivisie. Ajax made its European debut soon after and started a new era of success in the 1960s.
This was a special time for Ajax under the guidance of coach Rinus Michels and the talented player Johan Cruyff, who started playing for Ajax in 1964. Together, they introduced a new style of play known as “Total Football,” which changed the way football was played.
During this period, Ajax won seven Eredivisie titles, four KNVB Cups, and three European Cups. Ajax’s most recent Eredivisie title was in the 2021-2022 season. They won their 36th championship with a strong performance, collecting 82 points throughout the season.
Plus, they secured the title with a 5-0 victory against SC Heerenveen. Ajax is more than just a football club; the club has produced many world-class players over the years, with the likes of Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, and more recent stars like Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt.
2. PSV Eindhoven (25)
PSV Eindhoven, also known as Philips Sport Vereniging, is one of the top football clubs in the Netherlands. The club was started in 1913 by the Philips electronics company as a team for its workers.
Since then, PSV has grown into a football powerhouse, particularly in the Eredivisie, the top division of Dutch football. PSV has won 25 league titles, making them the second most successful team in Eredivisie history, just behind Ajax.
However, the club’s success can be divided into two major periods. The first notable era was in the 1970s when PSV won the UEFA Cup in 1978. This was huge because it was their first European trophy.
The team was led by famous players like Jan van Beveren, Willy van der Kuijlen, and the van de Kerkhof brothers. Their victory is still celebrated by PSV fans today.
The second golden period for PSV came in the late 1980s.
In the 1987–88 season, PSV won the European Cup, now called the UEFA Champions League. This was a remarkable achievement, as it was part of a treble-winning season. Under coach Guus Hiddink, PSV defeated teams such as Galatasaray, Rapid Wien, and Bordeaux to reach the final.
They played against Benfica from Portugal, and after the match ended with no goals in regular and extra time, the game went to penalties. PSV’s goalkeeper, Hans van Breukelen, made a crucial save to help PSV win the trophy. PSV is also known for developing future football stars.
Many famous players began their careers at PSV, including Ruud Gullit, Ronald Koeman, Romário, Ronaldo, and Arjen Robben. These players went on to have great careers and also boosted PSV’s reputation as a club that nurtures talent. Besides domestic success, PSV has had a strong presence in European competitions.
They have played in 55 European tournaments, winning the UEFA Cup and the European Cup. Although they haven’t won these titles recently, PSV is still a respected team in Europe.
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3. Feyenoord Rotterdam (16)
Feyenoord Rotterdam, established in 1908, is one of the most popular football clubs in the Netherlands. The club has a long history and a dedicated fan base. Originally named Wilhelmina, the club changed its name several times before becoming Feyenoord in 1974.
This name reflects the club’s origins in the Feijenoord district of Rotterdam. However, the team’s home ground is the Stadion Feijenoord, also known as De Kuip. This stadium is iconic and can hold over 51,000 fans. It is well-known for its exciting and lively atmosphere during games.
Feyenoord has a great record in Dutch football, with 16 Eredivisie titles. Their first win was in 1924. The club was successful in the 1960s and 1970s, winning six league titles and achieving major victories in European tournaments.
In 1970, Feyenoord became the first Dutch team to win the European Cup, followed by wins in the UEFA Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. These achievements helped Feyenoord gain recognition on the international stage.
One of the most exciting aspects of Feyenoord is its rivalry with Ajax. This rivalry is known as “De Klassieker.” It is not just a football match but also a cultural and regional contest between Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
The games are known for their high tension and passionate supporters. Feyenoord is often called “the people’s club” because of its working-class roots. The club’s anthem, “Hand in Hand,” shows the strong connection between the team and its fans.
Recently, Feyenoord ended an 18-year title drought by winning the Eredivisie again in 2017. They continue to perform well in both domestic and European matches. Besides football, Feyenoord is involved in other sports, such as basketball and futsal.
4. HVV Den Haag (10)
HVV Den Haag is one of the most successful football clubs in Holland’s history. Officially named Koninklijke Haagse Cricket & Voetbal Vereniging, HVV Den Haag is based in The Hague, Netherlands. The club was founded in 1883, originally as part of the Hague Cricket Club (HCC).
It is known for its rich history in Dutch football, especially before World War I. In the early years, HVV Den Haag was a top team in Dutch football. The club won ten Dutch championships between 1890 and 1914.
This impressive record made HVV a major force in Dutch football during those years. However, the club’s success was not just limited to the Netherlands. Two of its players represented the Netherlands in the 1912 Olympic football tournament and won bronze medals.
After World War I, HVV Den Haag faced challenges. Other clubs in The Hague, like HBS and ADO, started to become more successful. The club’s last season in the top division of Dutch football was in 1932.
When professional football was introduced in the Netherlands by the KNVB in 1954, HVV, like many lower-division clubs, continued to play as an amateur team. Today, HVV Den Haag competes in the lower levels of Dutch football.
The main team, HVV 1, has been moving up through the ranks and now plays in the Sunday Tweede Klasse C, which is the seventh tier of Dutch football. Even though the club remains amateur, it is still active and supports local talent and community involvement.
In recognition of its historical success, HVV Den Haag is allowed to wear a gold star on its shirts. This star represents the ten national championships the club won, which was given by the KNVB in 2007, placing HVV among other famous Dutch clubs like Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV, which have also achieved great things in Dutch football.
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5. Sparta Rotterdam (6)
Sparta Rotterdam is one of the oldest and most historic football clubs in the Netherlands. The club was founded on April 1, 1888, and is based in the city of Rotterdam. It is the oldest professional football club in the country.
Sparta Rotterdam plays its home matches at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel, which can hold 11,026 fans. Originally, Sparta started as a cricket club named Rotterdamsche Cricket & Football Club Sparta. However, as football became more popular, the club switched its focus to the sport.
One of Sparta’s early contributions to Dutch football was the introduction of the goal with a crossbar and nets, an idea that came from the United Kingdom. Sparta Rotterdam’s first “golden age” was in the early 20th century.
The club won its first national championship in 1909, followed by more titles in 1911, 1912, 1913, and 1915. During this time, Sparta became known as a very strong team, often finishing in second place. This led to the nickname “the eternal number 2.” Despite this, they still managed to win a total of six Eredivisie titles.
The years in which Sparta won the Eredivisie titles were 1909, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1915, and finally in 1959. The 1959 title was the club’s return to the top after a long period of less successful seasons. Besides the league titles, Sparta also won other trophies like the Zilveren Bal and the NBLO Cup.
In more recent years, Sparta Rotterdam has moved between the Eredivisie and the Eerste Divisie, which is the second level of Dutch football. However, in the 2018-19 season, they performed well and were promoted back to the Eredivisie. Today, Sparta continues to compete against the top teams in the Netherlands.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.
