Ajax Amsterdam

History

Beginnings (of 1893 to 1965)

The history of Ajax begins initially in 1893 on the idea from an small group from friends formed around Han Dade, Carel Reeser and Floris Stempel. The club is then called Union but, into 1894, it changed name to become Football Club Ajax . Vis-a-vis the lack of grounds available for the practice of football (due to the enlarging of the city) and with under-manpower, the core of friends had to reconsider the project and to convince the players little motivated or left to play elsewhere than Ajax was a club with a future. They thus set out again on new bases forgetting their first “failure”.

The March 18th 1900 takes place the historical meeting which poses the bases of the club which bears from now on the name of Football Club Ajax . The club joined the Amsterdamse Voetbal Bond or AVB (association of football of Amsterdam), which enables him finally to obtain a ground.

The April 8th 1901, the club gained a friendly match against national team 4-1 with Haarlem. In 1902, Ajax adheres to the Nederlandse Voetbal Bond or NVB (association of Dutch football) and reaches the second division one year after (Ajax being then in D3).

In October 1902, the AVB invites Ajax to play for the Gouden Kruis (the gold cross). This trophy was then always disputed between clubs amateurs and was only one modest gilded metal plate, but this first trophy represents much more than it does not appear to with it: it proves that which carries it belongs to the best clubs of the country.

Following the advertisement of the plans of constructions of the city, the club was constrained to leave the ground which it occupied and to seek another of them. At the time of the summer 1907, Ajax found finally a space and this in the town of Watergraafsmeer. There was nothing: no the platform, not of cloakrooms and no access to running water, but it was well served by the tram. Coffee of the other with dimensions of the road acting as cloakrooms.

The new ground pushed Ajax towards new successes. In 1907, Ajax gains Gouden Kruis. But the club had other ambitions: he wanted to gain the championship of D2. At that time, no club could be promoted without passing by a match of stopping. A club was the victim this law three years of sharp: Holland, club of D3. In 1908, Holland amalgamates with Ajax, the leaders decide to keep the name, the colors and the principle of operation of Ajax.

In 1910, Ajax is fixed for objective to reach the First division. After having recovered money near the members of the club, the leaders put themselves in the search of an English trainer, because English football is developed more and of better quality (there exists since 1871). The first paid trainer of the history of the club is the Irishman Jack Kirwan. He had a long career before coming in Ajax, in particular with the Tottenham Hotspur. The experiment of Kirwan is advantageous with the club, since in 1911 Ajax gains the championship of D2. Thus, the May 21st 1911, Ajax reaches the First division, by making tie vis-a-vis Zesde, the club of the regiment of infantry of Breda, 0-0, at the time of the match of stopping. The March 19th 1911 is the day of the first selection of a player of Ajax: Ge Fortgens, this one is left medium and takes part in the victory of the national team vis-a-vis the Belgium, over the score of 4-1.

This accession in the First division brought its batch of change: construction of a platform out of wooden around the ground, modification of the shirt (one changes the stripes white and red by broad band red central, who will remain the shirt of the club), not to confuse it with that of the Sparta Rotterdam. One adds also Amsterdam in the name of the club, because exists also Ajax with Leyde.

At the time of the season 1913 - 1914, Ajax goes down again in D2, which causes the departure of many players and the arrival of a new trainer, Jack Reynolds, which will remain thirty-three years with the club in several times). A little later Ajax is promised and, in 1918, the club gains the championship without losing a match, performance which it will make a success of one second time in 1996.

After good performances, the club passes by one period of poor results. The high-speed motorboats of the team leave, followed by Reynolds in 1925. In these years, Ajax diversifies, thus, in addition to the section athletics in 1924, “Ajax Yazband” ( jazz band ) is created in 1924, then comes to be added a team of baseball in 1928 then a team of cricket 2 years afterwards.

Many times, Ajax lose its chances to gain the championship at the last time. It is then made ridicule 16-2 by the Rapid of Vienna, and this in spite of the return of Reynolds (1928).

At that time, a new stage of the name of “De Meer” is built. It replaces the old wood stage, which was destroyed because of the expansion of the city and its small size.

During this period, Go Ahead Eagles and Feyenoord were the principal rivals of the club in championship. At the time of the season 1930 - 1931, Ajax gains the championship while being essential vis-a-vis PSV 5-2. The title escaped to him since 1919. The January 11th 1931, Ajax carries out the broadest victory of its history vis-a-vis VUC: 17-0.

At the time of the Second world war, football continues, but the level strongly drops. In 1942, two mediums as Reynolds are forced to go to work in Germany. This last organized in a prison camp the “international plays” between Irishman, Écossais, Belgian and French. In spite of the forced labor and the laws anti-semites, no member of Ajax is killed. But in 1944, football was completely abandoned.

Ajax will rejouera only three weeks after the release. In October, Reynolds returns from Germany. During the season 1946 - 1947, an important player made his beginnings in the club: the July 5th, at 18 years, Rinus Michels argument its first match; one year later, he becomes national champion.

Football in the Netherlands takes a final turn with the introduction of professional football in 1954. Up to that point, all the players had a work but, as they gained little money, the majority were seen constrained to stop. Thus, Dutch football worsens quickly and the calls to the professionalisation multiplied. The federation of the Netherlands of football ( Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbal Jump , KNVB) refuses this idea during several years. In parallel, the Association of Professional football of Netherlands (NBVB) is founded and creates its own championship, which causes an important confusion. Finally, the two federations decide to collaborate.

In 1957, Ajax gains the Eredivisie (the new First division), which gives him the right to take part in the Coupe of Europe. After having beaten Wismut Karl-Marx-Stadt, champion of East Germany, Ajax loses against the Vasas Budapest.

During this time, two important players begin within the club. The May 21st 1956, at 18 years, Sjaak Swart argument its first match. It will become “Mister Ajax”, because it will carry in all the shirt to 603 recoveries, record unequalled. The April 25th 1957, another player joined the club: Johan Cruyff, which, the day of its 10 years, receives a letter saying to him that it was accepted with the club. Seven years later, he plays its first match and mark the only goal of his club, which loses against GVAV 3-1.

An significant event occurs at the time of the season 1958 - 1959: the match of the April 5th 1959, Feyenoord - Ajax, is diffused on television. Ajax gains 5-0, but finishes only in the sixth place. The following season, while gaining against Feyenoord, Ajax becomes again champion and will again dispute the Coupe of Europe.

During the years 1960, the club does not gain major titles because of a raised competition, and this in spite of very good performances. The team is then carried out by English Vic Buckingham: during the season 1960-61, it finishes second of the championship (behind Feyenoord), gains a Coupe of the Netherlands (triplet of Henk Groot), loses with the first tower of the Coupe of Europe against the club Norwegian amateur of Fredrikstad 4-2 then 0-0. The following season, Ajax passes the first tower of the Coupe of the Cuts 1962, then loses vis-a-vis the Hungarian club Ujpesti Dosza (2-1, 1-3).

Feyenoord continues to be the main adversary of the club. During the season 1960-61, Ajax loses against him 9-5 and must be satisfied with a second place. On the other hand, it gains the Coupe of the Netherlands for the first time since the war. The three goals of the victory are marked by Henk Groot in the last fifteen minutes of the finale.

The season 1964 - 1965 is most catastrophic since the war: the club escaped from accuracy from relegation and this in spite of a beautiful manpower: Cruyff, Swart, Keizer… Buckingham leaves, Jaap van Praag becomes president and names Rinus Michels as trainer.

The first professional successes (of 1965 to 1970)

As of its arrival, Rinus Michels introduces professionalism within the club. It also decides that the tactics from now on will be exclusively dedicated to the attack and make come from the players of experiment (Groot, Prins) thus of new “sizes”, like Gert Bals of PSV Eindhoven, at the station of goalkeeper.

During the season 1966 - 1967, Ajax gains its first doubled Coupe - Championnat. Piet Keizer and Johan Cruyff marks 122 goals alone, establishing a new national record. During this period, Ajax gains four times the championship and twice the cut of the Netherlands. The club at that time acquires not only experiment, but also a solid reputation.

The December 7th 1966 takes place what the supporteurs will call the fog range : to the second tower of the Cut of Europe of the clubs champions against Liverpool, the club will be binding 5-1 in its stage and a fog of most impenetrable. The return match will see Ajax being qualified with Liverpool (2-2). The team will be demolished in quarterfinal by the Dukla Prague, but the players will know from now on that they can beat largest.

In 1969, Ajax is the first Dutch club to dispute a final of Cut of Europe, but inclines 4-1 vis-a-vis the Milan AC.

The first golden age (of 1971 to 1974)

Out of cut of Europe, Ajax torpedoes all its adversaries (FC Basle, Celtic Glasgow, Atletico Madrid and Nentori Tirana) and arrives finally at Wembley vis-a-vis the Panathinaïkos involved then by large the Ferenc Puskas. The team is tired, the championship was lost vis-a-vis Feyenoord, but mark on a head of Dick van Dijk at the fifth minute of play. The continuation of the part will see Ajax wasting its occasions and the Panathinaïkos to take again courage. But miraculeusement, Kapsis, with the 87e minute, will deviate in its camp a shooting of Arie Haan crowning Ajax which gains 2-0. Even if this final did not show the best of the team, the style of play says “total football” of Rinus Michels is then a revolution at the European level.

In 1971, the guard Heinz Stuy establishes in its turn a record: there remains invincible during 1080 minutes (either 12 matches).

Rinus Michels left for FC Barcelona, it is Stefan Kovacs which will be designated as new trainer of the team. Nothing changes then, and the championship 1972 is only matter of form. It is thus a new final of cut of Europe which prepares and is this time triumphantly gained 2-0 against the Inter Milan thanks to one sailed round of the star of the team Johan Cruyff.

The club gains the intercontinental Coupe then against the Argentinian ones of Independiente (so rough team that Ajax had refused the invitation of 1971): 1-1 then 3-0 with Amsterdam.

In 1973, Ajax gains its third Coupe of Europe of the clubs champions, by beating without glares inexperienced the Juventus Turin. At the fifth minute of play, Johnny Reference mark, been useful by Horst Blankenburg, horn of a head Dino Zoff. Juve will not arrive at any moment to be dangerous, so much it is sensitive to the cold. To note that the team crushes the Bayern Munich (victorious the following year) in quarter-of-finale: 4-0 then 1-2 in Munich. The club will beat in the tread the Glasgow Rangers and will gain blow the first Supercoupe d' Europe (3-1 with the outward journey, then 3-2 with the return for Ajax).

In three European seasons, Ajax will have gained its fourteen home matches with 34 goals marked for only 3 boxed. In 1972 and 1973, Ajax gains the championship with a difference in goals from + 100.

However, after Rinus Michels, it is Johan Cruyff which will be attracted by the sirens of the “Barça”.

Decline (of 1974 to 1980)

Following the departures of Cruyff and Swart (which puts an end to its career in 1973, after 603 matches and 228 goals for the club), Ajax loses much of its quality of play and sees its reduced ambitions. Piet Keizer and Arie Haan leaves also the club after a disagreement with the new trainer, Hans Kraay. In 1974, Johan Neeskens joined Cruyff with Barcelona. The club will gain this year a news Supercoupe d' Europe by beating the Milan AC (1-0 with the match outward journey for Milan, 6-0 with the return for Ajax!).

The February 23rd 1975, Ajax loses its first home match since 1969 against the FC Amsterdam by 4 goals with 2. At that time, Ruud Krol was the last player remaining of the eleven champion of Europe.

With new players like Tscheu Ling, Ruud Geels, Simon Tahamata, Soren Lerby and Frank Arnesen, Ajax arises from the shade and successes reappear, but are less glorious than before. The Danish die (with players like Jan Mølby, Henning Jensen and Jesper Olsen which joins the club) brings to Ajax new lines to its prize list: in 1976 and 1980, the club gains the Eredivisie , as well as the doubled second of the history of the club in 1979. Remain that the European epopees became old story; so much so that Jan Mulder, former left winger having joined the team in 1973, will say later that it belonged to the generation which learned in Ajax how to lose…

Ajax will finish third at the time of the championships of 1974, 1975 and 1976.

The October 24th 1976 occurs a violent brawl in the enclosure of the stage De Meer between supporters of FC Utrecht and Ajax, clarifying the problem incipient from the hooliganism in Europe and to the Netherlands.

Rebirth (of 1981 to 1991)

The years 1980 coincided with the beginning of the “plundering” of players, whose Ajax will be then constantly victim. The team is thus mainly made up of elements formed with the club, but which from go away quickly monnayer their talents abroad. In spite of that, Cruyff returns to the club in 1981 for the greatest satisfaction of the supporteurs. It will involve in its wake the young talents which hatch: let us quote Wim Kieft, John van 'T Schip, Marco van Basten, Gerald Vanenburg, Jesper Olsen and Frank Rijkaard.

Johan Cruyff leaves again the club in 1983, share to involve Feyenoord during one season, then returns in 1985 as managing. The offensive tactics of the trainer Cruyff are illustrated by impressive figures: 120 marked goals, including 37 by the new high-speed motorboat, Marco van Basten. That however was not enough to gain the championship, left during two years with PSV Eindhoven.

The players could however parade on the Leidseplein, when they brought back the Coupe of the cuts 1987, asserting themselves on Athens vis-a-vis the Lokomotive Leipzig (1-0, goal of van Basten. They missed of one anything raising it the following year, but furtent beaten by FC Malignant in a final of a a long time played final with ten (0-1).

At this time, Cruyff had already left. Illustrating the decline of the Championship of the Netherlands, the fight for the title was summarized the following years with a duel between PSV and Ajax. The majority of the high-speed motorboats of years 1980 were they also to seek fortune elsewhere.

The period between 1988 and 1991, already little reluisante, is still more blackened by stories of frauds on the transfers of players in 1989 and by the European suspension which Ajax undergoes, following the aggression of the guard of the Austria Vienna by a hooligan in a match of UEFA Cup the same year.

The second golden age (of 1992 to 1998)

At the beginning of the season 1992, the trainer Leo Beenhakker is recalled by its old club, the Real Madrid. Its successor is then his former assistant, Louis van Gaal. Following the example Cruyff, van Gaal imposes its tactical mark quickly. Just like Cruyff also, the efforts of van Gaal are quickly rewarded for a victory in UEFA Cup 1992, following a final haletante against the Torino FC (0-0, 2-2; victory for the benefit of the goals marked outside). Moreover, although it did not take share with the finale return, Ajax reveals its new pearl, Dennis Bergkamp, which marks six goals during the competition.

In the Dutch Championship, Bergkamp had already conquered two consecutive titles of better (1991, 1992), but once again, PSV seized the title. In 1993, Ajax must be satisfied with a third place (what had arrived to him more since 1984!), which it will compensate for by a victory in national Coupe.

This trophy proved to be the last that Bergkamp will gain with Ajax, since him and its accomplice Wim Jonk was transferred to the Inter Milan. Its departure is quickly forgotten thanks to the remarkable services of Jari Litmanen, under its shirt number 10. At the sides of Litmanen, Ajax will attract the Nigerian Finidi George and makes return Frank Rijkaard to the club, which makes it possible van Gaal to build its team.

They then gain the national title in 1994 and gain especially the final of the Ligue of the Champions 1994-1995 with Vienna against the Milan AC, of a goal of Patrick Kluivert, 18 years old and entered concerned to the 69e minute. Preceded by a series of unequalled invincibility to date to gain the national title 1995, this final is the point of one season old memorable organ. Rijkaard finishes its career of player magistralement, while Kluivert attacks some makes noticed beginnings. The club conquers in December 1996 the intercontinental Coupe with Tokyo vis-a-vis the Grêmio Porto Alegre with the shootings with the goals.

The following season almost also is successful. Ajax, in addition to a new national title, carries out a remarkable course in Ligue of the Champions 1996. Having preserved the framework of the winner team the former season, van Gaal manages to finally hoist its team, after a noticed course (with in particular two victories vis-a-vis the Real Madrid out of hens, echoing those against the Milan AC the former season). This time, Ajax stumbles on the Juventus, at the time of a final disputed with the Olympic stadium of Rome and lost with the shootings with the goals. Fabrizio Ravanelli had opened the score in an angle closed for the Italians at the beginning of match. Jari Litmanen will equalize following a confused corner little before the half-time.

The season 1996 - 1997 is the last that van Gaal will pass on the bench of Ajax. In spite of a new semi-final of League of the Champions, still lost vis-a-vis the Juventus (1-2 with Amsterdam, 1-4 with Turin), the Dutch trainer is disputed and from will go away to FC Barcelona at the end of the exercise.

The Danish trainer Morten Olsen is established for the season 1998. He makes come the captain from the Danish selection, Michael Laudrup. Together, they carry out doubled the Coupe - Championnat. However, as of its second season with the club, the tension goes up between Olsen and certain pillars of the club. The trainer is thanked at the end of the season.

Soon, all the young stars of the team, which made it possible Ajax to find hours of glory, left in the largest European clubs (Jari Litmanen, Patrick Kluivert, Marc Overmars, Edgar Davids, Winston Bogarde, Michael Reiziger, Clarence Seedorf, Edwin van der Sar, Nwankwo Kanu, Ronald de Boer, Frank de Boer). That marks the one time end for the club.

Tops and bottoms (of 1999 to 2007)

The end of the years 1990 is delicate for Ajax. Since successes of the era van Gaal, the club does not manage to join again with the tops. Except perhaps at the time of the season 2003. The team, pulled by Ronald Koeman, is then taken along by her Rumanian captain Cristian Chivu and counts in her rows Rafael van der Vaart, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Mido. Jari Litmanen, which had left the club in 1999, is even of return. It was necessary some of one nothing so that this young team qualifies for the semi-finals of the Ligue of the Champions 2003, while leaving second of a hen comprising FC Valence, Arsenal and the ACE Rome. After having torn off and having held a score of 2-2 vis-a-vis the Milan AC, which qualified it during a few minutes, at the time of the quarter-of-finale return to San Siro (0-0 with the outward journey), Ajax is eliminated by a last goal of the head of Jon Dahl Tomasson in the stops of play.

Successes of Koeman were of short duration. He resigns in 2005 following one humiliating elimination in UEFA Cup vis-a-vis AJ Auxerre. With the Netherlands, it was already disputed following the fifth place of the club in Championnat with the beginning of the year 2005, whereas Louis van Gaal did not hesitate to doubt its capacities publicly.

The former defender Danny Blind, who had taken share with the European epopees of 1995 and 1996, is called with the head of the team, while he was assistant of Koeman. He then does not have any experience of the high level at this station.

This one gives up the style of traditional play of Ajax, its trademark (cf section below), for one 4-4-2. At the end of this season 2005, certain key players like Rafael van der Vaart or Nigel de Jong leave the club, while six others (Hatem Trabelsi, Tomáš Galásek, Hans Vonk, Nourdin Boukhari, Steven Pienaar and Maxwell) announce that they will leave at the end of the season 2006. It is at this time that Blind is thanked.

Henk ten Cate is named at the post of trainer, haloed his victory in Ligue of the Champions and his title of Champion of Spain with Barcelona, as an assistant of the trainer Rijkaard. As of its establishment, he announces that he counts on the young people Jan Vertonghen, Rydell Poepon or Robbert Schilder, and that the Greek center-forward Angelos Charisteas will be placed on the list of the transfers (he will join Feyenoord). It wishes to conquer the national title as of 2007. It will leave the Amstellodamois club in the month of October 2007 to join the London club of Chelsea. It will consequently be replaced until the end of the season 2007-2008 by the former trainer of RKC Waalwijk, Adrie Koster.

However, Ajax misses its confrontation vis-a-vis FC Copenhagen at the time of the third preliminary round by the Ligue of the Champions. After a victory 2-1 with the Denmark, the young team of Ajax, feverish, 0-2 is inclined on its lawn, depriving it of most prestigious of the Cuts of Europe. Transferred in UEFA Cup, the team, at the end of a good hen course, will fall on the favorite from the test in sixteenth-of-finale, the Werder Bremen. With the match outward journey in Germany, Ajax loses 3-0, but will be essential for prestige on the return (3-1).

In Championship, the club is also some successes of importance. It gains the Supercoupe of the Netherlands by beating PSV Eindhoven as of August and is essential at the end of the season on the shootings on the goals vis-a-vis AZ Alkmaar finally of the Coupe of the Netherlands. The club misses benefitting from the collapse of PSV at the end of the season, filling however a ditch of ten points, but private of the title for a goal of variation to the total difference in goals over the season.

At the summer 2007, the leader of play Wesley Sneijder (23 years), formed with the club, is courted by some of the largest European clubs, but initially decides to remain in Ajax. In front of the insistence of the Real Madrid, Ajax finally decides to yield to him its pearl for approximately 27 million euros, a record for the club of Amsterdam. On its side, Liverpool succeeds in attracting with him the attacker Ryan Babel, old of only 20 years and he also formed in Ajax. With the departure of Tom de Mul for FC Seville, that made three holders of the former season who leave Ajax for other adventures.

Adoption of total football, a single style

Importance of the formation

The club is particularly famous for its training center considered, which revealed many footballers of exception, Cruyff while having been one of the first examples. At the time of the victory in League of the Champions of 1995, the national team was almost entirely made up players of Ajax: the guard Edwin van der Sar; the defenders Michael Reiziger, Frank de Boer and Danny Blind; the medium grounds Ronald de Boer, Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf; the attackers Patrick Kluivert and Marc Overmars.

In spite of the relative total decline of the club on the European level for this time, the training center has continued to produce recognized players, like Wesley Sneijder, John Heitinga, Hedwiges Maduro, Urby Emanuelson, Maarten Stekelenburg, Rafael van der Vaart, Ryan Babel. Sneijder, Heitinga, Babel, Maduro and Stekelenburg even belonged to the team of the Netherlands for the World cup 2006.

Ajax also extended its research program of talents to the South Africa and the the United States, in satellite clubs which are the Ajax Cape Town (based with the Cape) and Ajax America (based with Orlando). Certain players like Steven Pienaar or Aaron Mokoena arrived at Ajax via these “subsidiary companies”.

Rival teams

Even if PSV Eindhoven remains the sporting principal rival of Ajax in football Dutch, its traditional adversary remains Feyenoord, the club of the town of Rotterdam. Each year, this confrontation gives place to the “ Klassieker ”, kind of equivalent of the “ Clásico ” between the Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

This match opposes the two most populated cities Netherlands, whose respective reputations have a broad contrast: if Amsterdam is regarded as the city of the artists and the society life, Rotterdam is the hard city, leant with the largest port of the world. Violent brawls between the supporteurs of the two clubs take place every year, obliging the deployment of impressive means of safety.

Supporteurs: Ajax, a Jewish club?

Among the supporteurs of Ajax, some use symbols openly referring to the Judaism and Israel. One does not know too much to which time this “Jewish tradition goes back”. This proximity with the Jewish community of Amsterdam is at the beginning before very geographical: both were installed in the East of the city.

These supporteurs raise broad stars of David to encourage their team. Most radical of them are even made call the “Joden” (“Jewish” in Dutch). This phenomenon goes back to before Second world war, when the Jewish community of Amsterdam represented 140 000 people and that the stage itself was located in the Jewish district. The majority of the Dutch Jews having been exterminated during the occupation Nazi, remain today with Amsterdam only one very small Jewish district. However, the tradition survived. Ajax does not have any more a player of this confession in his manpower (Daniël de Ridder is the last to date).

Since the beginning of the years 1980, the provocations anti-semites undergone in displacement by the supporteurs of Ajax increased. It is not rare that their adversaries imitate the noise of a gas which escapes or stress “Hamas! Hamas! Jews in the gas chambers” . In reaction, the phenomenon of claim of the Judaism also developed, even for some of them which are not Jewish confession, and without these demonstrations having a true political or religious direction.

In the eternal competition which opposes Ajax to the Feyenoord Rotterdam, the supporteurs of Amsterdam do not hesitate in return to refer to the bombardment of Rotterdam by the Luftwaffe in 1940, having destroyed a broad part of the city and making capitulate the Netherlands.

In January 2005, the president of Ajax, John Jaakke, wanted to put a term at this “Jewish label” affixed with the club. He declared in an official statement: “Our situation is paradoxical. We are an alleged Jewish club but, in the majority of the cases, our Jewish supporteurs hesitate to attend the matches in residence - outside let us not speak about those - because of the wounding reactions of the fans of our adversaries. It is necessary to put an end to this paradox. ” .

The image of the Greek hero homoynme Ajax appears as of 1925. In September 1928, the new logo of the club is officially presented. The red shield and white illustrate the colors of the club.

In 1991, it is simplified and constituted of eleven features, that is to say as much as players of a football team. The police force of selected writing is Gill

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