FC Utrecht Vrouwen is the women's football section of Dutch club FC Utrecht based in Utrecht. Established in 2007, as one of the founding members of the professional Dutch women's Eredivisie. The team competed in the Eredivisie from its inaugural season of 2007–08 until 2011–12 and then in the BeNe League, made of up Belgian and Dutch teams, from 2012–13 until the team's dissolution in January 2014. Before its dissolution, the club won the Dutch Cup once and the Dutch Women's Super Cup [nl] once.[1][2]
The club rejoined the Eredivisie beginning in the 2023–24 season.[3]

FC Utrecht
FC Utrecht logo
Full nameFootball Club Utrecht
Founded2007
GroundSportcomplex Zoudenbalch
Stadion Galgenwaard
Capacity1,000 (of which 450 seats)
23,750
ChairmanSteef Klop
Head coachLinda Helbling
LeagueEredivisie Vrouwen (2007–2012, 2023–present)
BeNe League (2012–2014)
2023–247th
Websitehttp://fcutrecht.nl/teams/fcutrechtvrouwen

History

edit

On 20 March 2007, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) announced the professional Dutch women's football league (Eredivisie Vrouwen) for three seasons starting in 2007–08, and FC Utrecht was one of the original six participating clubs.[4][5]

The club played its first official match on 30 August 2007, a 0–2 home defeat to AZ at the Sportcomplex Zoudenbalch.[6][7] The team had a good season, finishing third in the league and runners-up in the KNVB Women's Cup (Dutch Cup), losing the final 3–0 to FC Twente.[8]

A fourth place finish in the league's 2008–09 season was followed by a fifth place in the next season (2009–10). In that same season the club won the Dutch Cup, on 15 May 2010 by beating Ter Leede 3–0 in the final,[9] and won the KNVB Women's Super Cup [nl] on 27 August 2010, defeating Eredivisie champion AZ 3–1, after extra time.[10][11]

On 22 February 2011, the League, the KNVB and the clubs met to discuss improving to the league. The KNVB announced that the following season, matchdays would move from Thursdays to Fridays, relationship changes between clubs and their affiliated amateur clubs, guideline principles amongst other topics discussed and the financial conditions were to be discussed on a further meeting, as the KNVB was trying to keep the league with eight teams.[12] On 8 March 2011, FC Utrecht became the third team (after AZ and Willem II)[13] to announce its withdrawal from the league for the next season due to financial reasons.[14][15] To keep going without the club financial support, the Stichting Vrouwenvoetbal Utrecht (SVVU) (English: Utrecht Women's Football Foundation) was created on 6 April 2011, to provide the necessary finances and use FC Utrecht women's football license to register a team in the league.[16] At the end of the 2010–11 season, the club finished fifth in the league. On 3 May 2011, the SEV and KNVB confirmed FC Utrecht as one of the six participants of the Eredivisie 2011–12 season,[17] where the team finished fourth.

In 2012, the professional women's leagues of Belgium and the Netherlands merged, creating the 16-team BeNe League. FC Utrecht was one of the eight Dutch teams who participated of its inaugural 2012–13 season.[18][19] The team finished in 12th place.

In June 2013, despite financial concerns, the team applied for a license to play the 2013–14 BeNe League season. [20][21] By the end of October, the Utrecht Women's Football Foundation (SVVU) which ran the club, could no longer meet its financial obligations and started to analyse the possibilities of continuing, even on an amateur basis.[22]

On 10 January 2014, the SVVU filed for bankruptcy at the district court of Utrecht.[23][24] On 21 January, the court ruled SVVU as bankrupt, providing an eight day period to appeal the court's decision. During this period, the team had to meet its competition obligations, including an away match against Club Brugge on 24 January.[25] FC Utrecht won the match 2–1, in what was the team's last official match for almost a decade.[26] After the appeal period expired, the SVVU was legally dissolved on 30 January, having played 16 matches and in 11th place in the standings. The team was removed from the BeNe League and had all its 2013–14 season (BeNe League and Dutch Cup) results revoked and fixtures cancelled.[27][28][29][30]

In July 2021, FC Utrecht was reportedly looking into restarting a women's team in the Eredivisie Vrouwen beginning in the 2023–24 season.[31] The club played its first match after rejoining the Eredivisie on 10 September 2023.[3] The team Feyenoord 4–2 in front of 14,631 spectators, the second-highest attendance in the league that season.[32] The team's other home match at Stadion Galgenwaard, a 2–0 loss to AFC Ajax, had the fourth-best attendance.[33] It finished the season in seventh place.

Affiliated clubs

edit

Professional women's football clubs in the Netherlands are required by the Royal Dutch Football Association to affiliate an amateur club who would use players coming back from injury or reserve players or young talented players from the professional club.[34][35] FC Utrecht chose SV Saestum as its associated club.[36]

Competitive record

edit
3
4
5
5
4
12
WDR
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
Women's eredivisie
BeNe League
Season Division Position W – D – L = Pts GF – GA Top scorer KNVB Beker
2007–08 Eredivisie 03 / 06 10 – 02 – 08 = 32 35 – 29 Smith (8) Finalist
2008–09 04 / 07 11 – 04 – 09 = 37 34 – 31 Vermeulen (9)
2009–10 05 / 06 05 – 03 – 12 = 18 17 – 25 van den Boogaard (4) Champions
2010–11 05 / 08 07 – 09 – 05 = 30 30 – 29 Vugts (10) Quarterfinals
2011–12 04 / 07 06 – 03 – 09 = 21 25 – 30 van den Boogaard (6) Semifinals
2012–13 BeNe League 012 / 16 09 – 04 – 15 = 31 48 – 55 Oudejans (14) Quarterfinals
2013–14* BeNe League 011 / 15 05 – 03 – 08 = 18 24 – 30 Becx (5) Round of 16
2023–24 Eredivisie 07 / 120 08 – 06 – 08 = 22 34 – 45 Bakker (10) Quarterfinals

* Note: Withdrew due to bankruptcy before the conclusion of the season in January 2014, all results and fixtures were cancelled.[28]

Honours

edit

Players

edit

Current squad

edit
As of 7 October 2024[37]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   BEL Femke Bastiaen
2 DF   NED Liza van der Most
5 DF   NED Amber Visscher
6 MF   NED Marthe Munsterman
7 FW   NED Sophie Cobussen
8 MF   NED Judith Roosjen
9 FW   NED Nikita Tromp
10 MF   NED Maxime Snellenberg
11 FW   NED Sam de Jong
12 DF   SUR Naomi Piqué
15 DF   NED Lena Mahieu
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 GK   NED Puck Louwes
17 FW   NED Elisha Kruize
18 FW   NED Tami Groenendijk
20 FW   NED Lotje de Keijzer
21 DF   NED Joni Paliama
22 DF   NED IIse van der Zanden
23 MF   NED Dieke van Straten
27 MF   NED Nurija van Schoonhoven
28 DF   NED Gera op den Kelder
31 GK   NED Febe Copier
32 GK   NED Loïs de Heus

Former players

edit
Internationals

Head coaches

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "FC Utrecht Women". soccerway.com. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Official Club site". FC Utrecht. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  3. ^ a b van der Gaag, Steven (2023-09-08). "Speelronde 1: Welkom terug AZ en FC Utrecht!". Azerion Vrouwen Eredivisie. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  4. ^ "Zes profclubs in eredivisie vrouwen". NU.nl (in Dutch). ANP. 20 March 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Vrouwen beginnen met zes clubs". NOS (in Dutch). 20 March 2007. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
  6. ^ "Oefenprogramma FC Utrecht-vrouwen". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 7 August 2007. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Complimenten maar geen punten vrouwenteam". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 30 August 2007. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Vrouwen FC Utrecht verliezen bekerfinale". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 24 May 2008. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Vrouwen winnen KNVB Beker". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 15 May 2010. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  10. ^ "FC Utrecht-vrouwen winnen Supercup". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 27 August 2010. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  11. ^ "FC Utrecht wins the 2010 Super Cup". Vrouwen Voetbal Nederland (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2012-09-19. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  12. ^ "Clubs enthousiast over toekomst Eredivisie Vrouwen". KNVB (in Dutch). 22 February 2011. Archived from the original on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  13. ^ "AZ en Willem II uit vrouwenvoetbal". NOS (in Dutch). 23 February 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  14. ^ "FC Utrecht stopt met vrouwenvoetbal". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 8 March 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  15. ^ "FC Utrecht stopt met vrouwenvoetbal". Eredivisie Vrouwen (in Dutch). 9 March 2011. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  16. ^ "Doorstart vrouwenvoetbal". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 6 April 2011. Archived from the original on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  17. ^ "FC Utrecht blijft in Eredivisie Vrouwen". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 3 May 2011. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  18. ^ "Grote namen van start in Women's BeNe League". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 19 July 2012. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  19. ^ "Vrouwen openen tegen FC Twente". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 19 July 2012. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  20. ^ de Jong, Maarten (1 June 2013). "Groen licht: Vrouwen Utrecht dienen 'gewoon' licentie in". Voetbalcentraal.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  21. ^ de Jong, Maarten (2 June 2013). "SVVU dient licentie in voor BeNeLeague seizoen 2013/14!". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). Voetbalcentraal.nl. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  22. ^ "SVVU vraagt faillissement aan". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 31 October 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  23. ^ "SVVU vraagt definitief faillissement aan". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 10 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  24. ^ Darmanin, Michael (11 January 2014). "Bankruptcy brings end to women's football at FC Utrecht". UtrechtCentral.com. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  25. ^ "Doek valt officieel voor FC Utrecht Vrouwen". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 22 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  26. ^ "FC Utrecht sluit winnend af". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 26 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  27. ^ "Faillissement SVVU onherroepelijk". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 31 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  28. ^ a b "Vrouwenteam FC Utrecht definitief failliet". NU.nl (in Dutch). ANP. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  29. ^ "Vrouwenvoetbal Utrecht failliet" (in Dutch). KNVB. 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 February 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  30. ^ "Vrouwenvoetbal FC Utrecht failliet". vrouwenvoetbalnederland.nl (in Dutch). 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  31. ^ van Dam, Jan (2021-07-30). "FC Utrecht onderzoekt herstart vrouwenvoetbal: 'Als we het doen, dan op serieuze en professionele manier'". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  32. ^ "FC Utrecht vs. Feyenoord Vrouwen Match Report – Sunday September 10, 2023". FBref.com. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  33. ^ "2023-2024 Eredivisie Vrouwen Scores & Fixtures". FBref.com. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  34. ^ "Businessplan Vrouwen Eredivisie" (PDF). sportknowhowxl.nl (in Dutch). KNVB. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  35. ^ Hopstaken, Peter (28 January 2008). "5 vragen aan Clémence Ross, o.m. voorzitter van de Stichting Eredivisie Vrouwen". sportknowhowxl.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  36. ^ a b c "Laatste terugblik op 5 jaar Eredivisie - Toeschouwers". vrouwenvoetbalnederland.nl (in Dutch). 13 August 2012. Archived from the original on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  37. ^ FC Utrecht Players
  38. ^ "Vier Utrechtse vrouwen in selectie nationaal team". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 21 August 2007. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  39. ^ "Jürgen Schefczyk nieuwe trainer FC Utrecht Vrouwen". FC Utrecht (in Dutch). 10 May 2012. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  40. ^ "Linda Helbling gelukkig bij FC Utrecht: "Ik heb de leukste job ever"". Vrouwenvoetbalnieuws (in Dutch). 2024-09-14. Retrieved 2024-09-15.

52°7′13.5″N 5°3′59.9″E / 52.120417°N 5.066639°E / 52.120417; 5.066639