De Graafschap

{{Short description|Dutch football club}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox football club

| clubname = De Graafschap

| image = VBV De Graafschap Doetinchem.svg

| upright = 0.7

| fullname = Vereniging Betaald Voetbal
De Graafschap

| nickname = Superboeren (Super Farmers)

| founded = {{Start date and age|1954|2|1|df=y}}

| ground = De Vijverberg
Doetinchem

| capacity = 12,600

| chairman = Theo Hek

| manager = Jan Vreman

| mgrtitle = Head coach

| league = {{Dutch football updater|DeGraafsc}}

| season = {{Dutch football updater|DeGraafsc2}}

| position = {{Dutch football updater|DeGraafsc3}}

| website = https://www.degraafschap.nl

| current = 2024–25 De Graafschap season

| pattern_la1 = _blue_hoops

| pattern_b1 = _bluehoops

| pattern_ra1 = _blue_hoops

| pattern_sh1 = _bluesides

| pattern_so1 = _bluehoops

| leftarm1 = FFFFFF

| body1 = FFFFFF

| rightarm1 = FFFFFF

| shorts1 = FFFFFF

| socks1 = FFFFFF

| pattern_la2 = _green_shoulders

| pattern_b2 =

| pattern_ra2 = _green_shoulders

| pattern_sh2 = _greensides

| pattern_so2 =

| leftarm2 = 162359

| body2 = 162359

| rightarm2 = 162359

| shorts2 = 162359

| socks2 = 162359

}}

Vereniging Betaald Voetbal De Graafschap, simply known as De Graafschap ({{IPA|nl|də ˈɣraːfsxɑp}}) is a professional association football club based in Doetinchem, Netherlands. The team competes in the {{Dutch football updater|DeGraafsc}}, the second level of the Dutch football league system.

Founded on 1 February 1954, the club has played its home games at De Vijverberg since their foundation. Translated from Dutch, the club name means "The County", while its fans are affectionately referred to as Superboeren ("Super Farmers"). The club dons blue and white hooped shirts paired with white shorts and blue socks.

Though modest in stature compared to some European counterparts, De Graafschap has maintained a consistent presence in the top-tier Eredivisie, albeit without clinching any major trophies. Despite this, the club boasts a substantial stadium and a dedicated fan base, particularly notable within the second-tier Eerste Divisie. Over time, the club has cultivated heated rivalries, notably with Vitesse.{{cite web |title=Rivalen van De Graafschap |url=https://www.degraafschap.net/rivalen/ |website=De Graafschap |access-date=10 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729074730/https://www.degraafschap.net/rivalen/ |archive-date=29 July 2021 |language=nl-NL |url-status=live}} However, circumstances have also fueled a burgeoning rivalry with Go Ahead Eagles.{{cite news |last1=Bolink |first1=Judah |title=GA Eagles - De Graafschap een risicowedstrijd, maar rivaliteit? |url=https://www.destentor.nl/deventer/ga-eagles-de-graafschap-een-risicowedstrijd-maar-rivaliteit~a5483821/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=De Stentor |date=1 March 2018 |language=nl}}{{cite news |last1=Steenbergen |first1=Mark van |title=Fans Go Ahead Eagles niet blij met feestende Superboeren: Blummel geraakt door aansteker |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/de-graafschap/fans-go-ahead-eagles-niet-blij-met-feestende-superboeren-blummel-geraakt-door-aansteker~a9aef09b/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=De Gelderlander |date=8 March 2020 |language=nl}}

History

=Foundation=

File:De Graafschap gepromoveerd naar eredivisie door met 4-2 te winnen van PEC Zwolle, Bestanddeelnr 926-4889.jpg, the club was promoted to the Eredivisie for the first time in 1973.]]

File:Ajax tegen Volendam 5-0 Volendamtrainer Simon Kistemaker (r), Bestanddeelnr 932-8569.jpg, the club, under the management of Simon Kistemaker (right), became undefeated champions of the Eerste Divisie.]]

File:20110731 CS55035 (5996163882).jpg

File:20110731 CS54948 (5995523185).jpg, affectionately known as "Mister De Graafschap," assumed the role as the club's manager.]]

Following the Watersnoodwedstrijd (Flood Disaster Match), a benefit game featuring Dutch foreign professionals, held at the Parc des Princes in front of 40,000 spectators against France one month after the devastating North Sea flood of 1953, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB)'s rejection of professional football prompted the establishment of the wilde bond (wild federation) Nederlandse Beroeps Voetbal Bond (NBVB) to advocate for its introduction.{{cite news |title=Watersnoodwedstrijd leidt profvoetbal in |url=https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/oranje/nederlands-elftal/17384/watersnoodwedstrijd-leidt-profvoetbal |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) |date=22 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012003353/https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/oranje/nederlands-elftal/17384/watersnoodwedstrijd-leidt-profvoetbal |archive-date=12 October 2023 |language=nl}}{{cite web |last1=Vooren |first1=Jurryt van de |title=De Watersnoodwedstrijd van Cor van der Hart |url=http://www.sportgeschiedenis.nl/2006/12/13/de-watersnoodwedstrijd-van-cor-van-der-hart.aspx |website=Sportgeschiedenis.nl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021030600/http://www.sportgeschiedenis.nl/2006/12/13/de-watersnoodwedstrijd-van-cor-van-der-hart.aspx |archive-date=21 October 2007 |language=nl |date=13 December 2006 |url-status=dead}} New clubs were founded to support this initiative. Under the guidance of Amsterdam native Johan Roodbergen, the professional football club De Graafschap was established in Doetinchem on 1 February 1954.{{cite news |title=Oprichter zag De Graafschap nooit spelen |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/de-graafschap/oprichter-zag-de-graafschap-nooit-spelen~aaea8fb5/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=De Gelderlander |date=10 October 2007 |language=nl}} The name was chosen to represent the Oost-Gelderland region known as De Graafschap, which encompasses Doetinchem, formerly known as Graafschap Zutphen (County of Zutphen; until 1795 known as the Quarter of Zutphen), and now recognised as the Achterhoek.{{cite book |last1=Kuile |first1=E.H. ter |title=Zutfen, Het kwartier van Zutfen |date=1958 |publisher=Staatsdrukkerij- en Uitgeverijbedrijf |location=The Hague |url=https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/kuil005kwar01_01/kuil005kwar01_01_0034.php#660T |language=nl}} The club adopted a uniform featuring horizontally striped blue and white shirts, white shorts, and horizontally striped blue and white socks.

Prior to this initiative, professional football had never been played in Doetinchem. Following the merger of the NBVB and KNVB, De Graafschap joined the professional league. To facilitate this transition, the club merged with VV Oosseld (founded in 1922, abbreviated as VVO) to establish the professional association De Graafschap after initial discussions about merging all clubs around Doetinchem fell through. The clubs completed the 1954–55 season independently, after which the merger was formalised, with Oosseld becoming the amateur department of De Graafschap. Despite attempts to involve VV Doetinchem in the merger, the Doetinchem members rejected the proposal. De Graafschap played their first competitive match on 4 September 1954, drawing 1–1 with Fortuna '54 featuring players such as Frans de Munck, Cor van der Hart en Jan Notermans.{{cite web |title=Historie |url=https://www.degraafschap.nl/club/historie |website=De Graafschap |access-date=10 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930164403/https://www.degraafschap.nl/club/historie |archive-date=30 September 2023 |language=nl}}

De Graafschap stands as the only team from the NBVB that persists as an independent professional club. Founder Roodbergen, after whom a grandstand was named, never witnessed 'his' De Graafschap play due to his severe visual impairment. The team's home matches were held at the newly constructed stadium De Vijverberg.

=First promotion (1972–89)=

Under the leadership of head coach Piet de Visser and with Guus Hiddink as a key player, De Graafschap clinched the first promotion playoff win in Dutch football during the 1972–73 season.{{cite news |last1=Vooren |first1=Jurryt van de |title=Vijftig jaar geleden was De Graafschap de eerste club die promoveerde via de nacompetitie |url=https://sportgeschiedenis.nl/sporten/voetbal/precies-vijftig-jaar-geleden-won-fc-wageningen-de-eerste-periodetitel-ooit-2/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Sportgeschiedenis |date=17 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227043608/https://sportgeschiedenis.nl/sporten/voetbal/precies-vijftig-jaar-geleden-won-fc-wageningen-de-eerste-periodetitel-ooit-2/ |archive-date=27 December 2023 |language=nl-NL}} Their debut season in the Eredivisie proved successful, securing a fourteenth-place finish highlighted by a notable 1–0 home victory over Ajax.{{cite news |title=De Graafschap won pas twee keer van Ajax |url=https://www.tubantia.nl/sport/de-graafschap-won-pas-twee-keer-van-ajax~acaf9c4b/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Tubantia |date=6 May 2016 |language=nl}} The following two seasons saw the team maintain its position in the top flight. However, in the 1976–77 season, De Graafschap finished bottom, marking the first of nine relegations throughout the club's history, with equally as many promotions.{{cite news |title=Bijna recordaantal promoties De Graafschap |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2038727-bijna-recordaantal-promoties-de-graafschap |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=NOS |date=31 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210150143/https://nos.nl/artikel/2038727-bijna-recordaantal-promoties-de-graafschap |archive-date=10 February 2024 |language=nl}}

In the 1980–81 Eerste Divisie season, De Graafschap found themselves out of contention for top spots in the league. Their striker, Boudewijn de Geer, was unpopular among supporters that season, and faced jeers from the crowd during a crucial promotion playoff match against Den Bosch. However, sentiments shifted dramatically when De Geer scored twice, propelling De Graafschap back into the Eredivisie.{{cite news |last1=Kokke |first1=Michiel |title='Wij vormden een Achterhoekse familie' |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/de-graafschap/wij-vormden-een-achterhoekse-familie~a7d4466b/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=De Gelderlander |date=28 March 2007 |language=nl}} Despite this triumph, the club finished bottom in the subsequent season, resulting in their second ever relegation.{{cite web |last1=Schoenmakers |first1=Jan |title=Netherlands 1981/82 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned82.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=10 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116081103/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned82.html |archive-date=16 November 2023 |date=2005}}

A motto in the Achterhooks dialect, embraced by the club and its supporters, encapsulates De Graafschap's sporting history: "Wi-j komt altied weer terug" ("We always come back").{{cite news |last1=Jungmann |first1=Bart |title='Wi-j komt altied weer terug' |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/sport/wi-j-komt-altied-weer-terug~b7c26b5b/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=de Volkskrant |date=28 September 2015 |language=nl}} This phrase reflects the club's recurrent pattern of fluctuating between divisions, highlighting its resilience over the years.{{cite web |title=WI-J KOMT ALTIED WEER TERUG ! |url=https://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/wi-j-komt-altied-weer-terug |website=De Graafschap |access-date=10 February 2024 |language=nl |date=20 May 2018}}

=Invincibles and eight years Eredivisie (1990–2003)=

In the 1990–91 season, under the management of Simon Kistemaker, De Graafschap achieved an undefeated championship title in the Eerste Divisie.{{cite news |last1=Sommerdijk |first1=Jan |title=Boek over culttrainer Kistemaker: 'Legende voor De Graafschap' |url=https://www.gld.nl/sport/8059693/boek-over-culttrainer-kistemaker-legende-voor-de-graafschap |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Omroep Gelderland |date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217075419/https://www.gld.nl/sport/8059693/boek-over-culttrainer-kistemaker-legende-voor-de-graafschap |archive-date=17 December 2023 |language=nl}} However, their Eredivisie stay lasted only one season as they were immediately relegated the following year.{{cite news |title=Kistemaker: 'Omkoping bij degradatie' |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/de-graafschap/kistemaker-omkoping-bij-degradatie~a86c6c32/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=De Gelderlander |date=6 November 2009 |language=nl}}

Between 1995 and 2003, De Graafschap enjoyed its lengthiest unbroken tenure in the Eredivisie. Under Fritz Korbach's management in 1997, the club achieved its highest-ever league finish, securing eighth place.{{cite web |title=Met Fritz Korbach naar de top 3 (video docu) |url=https://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/met-fritz-korbach-naar-de-top-3-video-docu |website=De Graafschap |access-date=10 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930153916/https://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/met-fritz-korbach-naar-de-top-3-video-docu |archive-date=30 September 2023 |language=nl |date=11 November 2016 |url-status=live}} Subsequently, the club's performance began to decline, and in 2003, under the guidance of Peter Bosz, De Graafschap suffered relegation back to the Eerste Divisie after an eight-year spell in the top flight.{{cite news |title=Peter Bosz weg bij De Graafschap |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/peter-bosz-weg-bij-de-graafschap |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Voetbal International |date=30 May 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210191813/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/peter-bosz-weg-bij-de-graafschap |archive-date=10 February 2024 |language=nl}}

=Up and downs (2004–present)=

De Graafschap's rollercoaster ride between divisions culminated in a thrilling promotion to the Eredivisie, despite finishing sixth in the 2003–04 season of the Eerste Divisie. This achievement was made possible by a dramatic late goal from Michael van der Kruis during an away match against Excelsior at Woudestein. This crucial goal propelled them past Heracles Almelo in the standings, securing a last-minute promotion.{{cite news |title=Promotie De Graafschap na doldwaas slot |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/promotie-de-graafschap-na-doldwaas-slot |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Voetbal International |date=3 June 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210192942/https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/promotie-de-graafschap-na-doldwaas-slot |archive-date=10 February 2024 |language=nl}} However, a year later, they faced relegation back to the Eerste Divisie after a seventeenth-place finish in the Eredivisie.{{cite news |last1=Vandenberghe |first1=Dirk |title=De Graafschap bijna zeker van degradatie |url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2005/06/04/de-graafschap-bijna-zeker-van-degradatie-10527632-a1267981 |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=NRC |date=4 June 2005 |language=nl-NL}}

In 2007, they dominated the Eerste Divisie under head coach Jan de Jonge with players such as Berry Powel, Jhon van Beukering, and Lasse Schöne, clinching the title, and briefly surprised in the Eredivisie the following season, albeit barely staying up through relegation playoffs after a poor second half to the season.{{cite news |title=De Graafschap en VVV zijn de slechtste eredivisieteams van 2008 |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/de-graafschap/de-graafschap-en-vvv-zijn-de-slechtste-eredivisieteams-van-2008~ad2b3196/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=De Gelderlander |date=18 April 2008 |language=nl}}{{cite web |title=De Graafschap 3–1 PEC Zwolle (11 mei, 2008) Commentaar |url=https://www.espn.nl/voetbal/minuutperminuut/_/wedstrijdId/241273 |website=ESPN |access-date=10 February 2024 }} However, in the 2008–09 season, they were relegated after a loss to RKC Waalwijk in the relegation play-offs.{{cite news |last1=Liethof |first1=Alexander |title=Degradatie De Graafschap een feit |url=https://www.gld.nl/nieuws/283461/degradatie-de-graafschap-een-feit |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Omroep Gelderland |date=3 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531042336/https://www.gld.nl/nieuws/283461/degradatie-de-graafschap-een-feit |archive-date=31 May 2023 |language=nl}} Again, they won the second-tier title in the 2009–10 season in convincing fashion under head coach and former player Darije Kalezić.{{cite news |title=Kalezic langer bij De Graafschap |url=https://www.parool.nl/sport/kalezic-langer-bij-de-graafschap~bcac261e/ |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Het Parool |date=26 April 2010 |language=nl}} He would subsequently lead them to one of their best Eredivisie performances in years, placing fourteenth in 2011, only losing three out of 17 home games. In 2012, however, they suffered relegation once again through the playoffs.

In the 2015–16 Eredivisie season, De Graafschap were once again relegated through playoffs after finishing seventeenth but not before drawing 1–1 against Ajax on the final day of the season, denying Ajax the championship. In 2018, the club gained promotion again by winning the promotion playoffs, beating Almere City FC in the playoffs finals.[https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/816432/de-graafschap-knokt-zich-voorbij-almere-city-en-keert-terug-in-eredivisie.html De Graafschap knokt zich voorbij Almere City en keert terug in Eredivisie] – Voetbalprimeur {{in lang|nl}} They were relegated in 2019, and the next season ended in further heartbreak on 24 April 2020 as they were denied a possible promotion back to the top flight due to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the Eredivisie to declare their season void with no promotion or relegation.{{cite web |url=https://eredivisie.nl/nl-nl/uitgelicht/afwikkeling-voetbalseizoen-201920-een-feit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424231654/https://eredivisie.nl/nl-nl/uitgelicht/afwikkeling-voetbalseizoen-201920-een-feit |archive-date=24 April 2020 |title=Afwikkeling voetbalseizoen 2019/'20 een feit {{!}} Eredivisie}}

Late in the 2020–21 season, De Graafschap were in control of their promotion hopes, only needing one win in their final two games to secure promotion. However, they were held to a 1–1 draw, followed by a goalless draw versus Helmond Sport, denying them an automatic promotion spot and forcing them to go through the promotion playoffs.{{Cite web|title=De Graafschap grijpt naast directe promotie door gelijkspel tegen Helmond Sport|url=https://www.degraafschap.nl/nieuws/de-graafschap-grijpt-naast-directe-promotie-door-gelijkspel-tegen-helmond-sport|access-date=13 May 2021|website=De Graafschap|date=12 May 2021 |language=nl}}{{Cite web|date=12 May 2021|title=Anti-climax voor De Graafschap na bizar slotstuk tegen Helmond Sport: Superboeren grijpen naast directe promotie in waterballet, Roda JC eerste tegenstander in play-offs|url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/de-graafschap/anti-climax-voor-de-graafschap-na-bizar-slotstuk-tegen-helmond-sport-superboeren-grijpen-naast-directe-promotie-in-waterballet-roda-jc-eerste-tegenstander-in-play-offs~aa34e9a8/|url-status=live|access-date=4 September 2021|website=de Gelderlander|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513080645/https://www.gelderlander.nl/de-graafschap/anti-climax-voor-de-graafschap-na-bizar-slotstuk-tegen-helmond-sport-superboeren-grijpen-naast-directe-promotie-in-waterballet-roda-jc-eerste-tegenstander-in-play-offs~aa34e9a8/ |archive-date=13 May 2021 }} De Graafschap crashed out of the playoffs in the first round after a 3–2 home loss to Roda JC, thus meaning that they would remain in the Eerste Divisie.{{Cite web|title=De Graafschap vs Roda JC Kerkrade – Eredivisie Qualification – Quarter-Final stats, H2H, lineups|url=https://www.fotmob.com/livescores/3587137/matchfacts/de-graafschap-vs-roda-jc-kerkrade|access-date=15 May 2021|website=FotMob|language=en}}

Despite experiencing multiple relegations, including seventeenth-place finishes and relegation playoffs in 2005, 2009, 2012, 2016, and 2019, De Graafschap has managed to avoid finishing at the bottom of the Eredivisie since 2003.{{cite news |title=De Graafschap gedegradeerd |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/372611-de-graafschap-gedegradeerd |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=NOS |date=13 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208003403/https://nos.nl/artikel/372611-de-graafschap-gedegradeerd |archive-date=8 December 2021 |language=nl}}

Honours

Results

File:De Graafschap League Performance.png

Below is a table with De Graafschap's domestic results since the introduction of the Eredivisie in 1956.

class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"

! colspan=5 | Domestic Results since 1956

width="20%"|Domestic league

! width="20%"|League result

! width="20%"|Qualification to

! width="20%"|KNVB Cup season

! width="20%"|Cup result

2023–24 Eerste Divisie

|6th

| –

|2023–24

|Second Round

2022–23 Eerste Divisie

|10th

| –

|2022–23

|Quarter Finals

2021–22 Eerste Divisie9th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2021–22

|First Round

2020–21 Eerste Divisie

|bgcolor="#CD7F32"|3rd

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2020–21

|Second Round

2019–20 Eerste Divisie

|bgcolor="silver"|2nd

|Season abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic

|2019–20

|First Round

2018–19 Eredivisie

|bgcolor="pink"|17th

|Eerste Divisie (losing promo./releg. play-offs)

|2018–19

|Second Round

2017–18 Eerste Divisie

|4th

|Eredivisie (winning promo./releg. play-offs)

|2017–18

|First Round

2016–17 Eerste Divisie

|12th

| –

|2016–17

|First Round

2015–16 Eredivisie

|bgcolor="pink"|17th

|Eerste Divisie (losing promo./releg. play-offs)

|2015–16

|Second Round

2014–15 Eerste Divisie

|6th

|Eredivisie (winning promo./releg. play-offs)

|2014–15

|Second Round

2013–14 Eerste Divisie

|7th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2013–14

|Round of 16

2012–13 Eerste Divisie

|8th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2012–13

|Third Round

2011–12 Eredivisie

|bgcolor="pink"|17th

|Eerste Divisie (losing promo./releg. play-offs)

|2011–12

|Quarter Finals

2010–11 Eredivisie

|14th

| –

|2010–11

|Third Round

2009–10 Eerste Divisie

|bgcolor="gold"|1st

|Eredivisie (promotion)

|2009–10

|Second Round

2008–09 Eredivisie

|bgcolor="pink"|17th

|Eerste Divisie (losing promo./releg. play-offs)

|2008–09

|Quarter Finals

2007–08 Eredivisie

|16th

| – (surviving promotion/relegation play-offs)

|2007–08

|Third Round

2006–07 Eerste Divisie

|bgcolor="gold"|1st

|Eredivisie (promotion)

|2006–07

|Round of 16

2005–06 Eerste Divisie

|5th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2005–06

|Disqualified

2004–05 Eredivisie

|bgcolor="pink"|17th

|Eerste Divisie (losing promo./releg. play-offs)

|2004–05

|Second Round

2003–04 Eerste Divisie

|6th

|Eredivisie (winning promotion/releg. play-offs)

|2003–04

|Second Round

2002–03 Eredivisie

|bgcolor="pink"|18th

|Eerste Divisie (relegation)

|2002–03

|Round of 16

2001–02 Eredivisie

|14th

| –

|2001–02

|Third Round

2000–01 Eredivisie

|15th

| –

|2000–01

|Second Round

1999–2000 Eredivisie

|14th

| –

|1999–2000

|Second Round

1998–99 Eredivisie

|13th

| –

|1998–99

|Second Round

1997–98 Eredivisie

|11th

| –

|1997–98

|Second Round

1996–97 Eredivisie

|8th

| –

|1996–97

|Round of 16

1995–96 Eredivisie

|14th

| –

|1995–96

|Round of 16

1994–95 Eerste Divisie

|bgcolor="silver"|2nd

|Eredivisie (winning promotion/releg. play-offs)

|1994–95

|Second Round

1993–94 Eerste Divisie

|6th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|1993–94

|Round of 16

1992–93 Eerste Divisie

|5th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|1992–93

|Third Round

1991–92 Eredivisie

|bgcolor="pink"|17th

|Eerste Divisie (relegation)

|1991–92

|Second Round

1990–91 Eerste Divisie

|bgcolor="gold"|1st

|Eredivisie (promotion)

|1990–91

|Round of 16

1989–90 Eerste Divisie

|7th

| –

|1989–90

|First Round

1988–89 Eerste Divisie

|9th

| –

|1988–89

|First Round

1987–88 Eerste Divisie

|4th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|1987–88

|Second Round

1986–87 Eerste Divisie

|10th

| –

|1986–87

|Round of 16

1985–86 Eerste Divisie

|9th

| –

|1985–86

|First Round

1984–85 Eerste Divisie

|bgcolor="#CD7F32"|3rd

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|1984–85

|Second Round

1983–84 Eerste Divisie

|6th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|1983–84

|Round of 16

1982–83 Eerste Divisie

|14th

| –

|1982–83

|Round of 16

1981–82 Eredivisie

|bgcolor="pink"|18th

|Eerste Divisie (relegation)

|1981–82

|Second Round

1980–81 Eerste Divisie

|7th

|Eredivisie (winning promotion/releg. play-offs)

|1980–81

|First Round

1979–80 Eerste Divisie

|6th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|1979–80

|Second Round

1978–79 Eerste Divisie

|8th

| –

|1978–79

|Round of 16

1977–78 Eerste Divisie

|14th

| –

|1977–78

|First Round

1976–77 Eredivisie

|bgcolor="pink"|18th

|Eerste Divisie (relegation)

|1976–77

|Round of 16

1975–76 Eredivisie

|12th

| –

|1975–76

|Quarter Finals

1974–75 Eredivisie

|13th

| –

|1974–75

|Second Round

1973–74 Eredivisie

|14th

| –

|1973–74

|Second Round

1972–73 Eerste Divisie

|4th

|Eredivisie (winning promotion/releg. play-offs)

|1972–73

|First Round

1971–72 Eerste Divisie

|11th

| –

|1971–72

|Did Not Participate

1970–71 Eerste Divisie

|16th

| –

|1970–71

|First Round

1969–70 Eerste Divisie

|9th

| –

|1969–70

|Round of 16

1968–69 Tweede Divisie

|bgcolor="gold"|1st

|Eerste Divisie (promotion)

|1968–69

|First Round

1967–68 Tweede Divisie

|6th

| –

|1967–68

|Group Stages

1966–67 Eerste Divisie

|bgcolor="pink"|18th

|Tweede Divisie (relegation)

|1966–67

|Did not Participate

1965–66 Tweede Divisie

|bgcolor="silver"|2nd (group A)

|Eerste Divisie (promotion)

|1965–66

|Round of 16

1964–65 Tweede Divisie

|11th (group A)

| –

|1964–65

|First Round

1963–64 Tweede Divisie

|5th (group B)

| –

|1963–64

|First Round

1962–63 Tweede Divisie

|15th (group A)

| –

|1962–63

|Third Round

1961–62 Tweede Divisie

|10th

| –

|1961–62

|First Round

1960–61 Tweede Divisie

|11th

| –

|1960–61

|Group Stages

1959–60 Eerste Divisie

|bgcolor="pink"|17th (group B)

|Tweede Divisie (relegation)

|not held

|not held

1958–59 Eerste Divisie

|14th (group A)

| –

|1958–59

|Did Not Participate

1957–58 Eerste Divisie

|4th (group A)

| –

|1957–58

|Second Round

1956–57 Eerste Divisie

|10th (group A)

| –

|1956–57

|Second Round

Players

=Current squad=

{{updated|4 February 2025}}{{cite web |title=Eerste Elftal - De Graafschap |url=https://www.degraafschap.nl/selectie/eerste-elftal/}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=1|nat=NED|pos=GK|name=Ties Wieggers}}

{{Fs player|no=2|nat=FIN|pos=DF|name=Seth Saarinen}}

{{Fs player|no=3|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=Rowan Besselink}}

{{Fs player|no=4|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=Maas Willemsen}}

{{Fs player|no=5|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=Levi Schoppema}}

{{Fs player|no=6|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=Lion Kaak}}

{{Fs player|no=7|nat=NED|pos=FW|name=Tristan van Gilst}}

{{Fs player|no=8|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=Donny Warmerdam}}

{{Fs player|no=9|nat=SWE|pos=FW|name=Jack Cooper-Love|other={{small|on loan from Burton Albion}}}}

{{Fs player|no=10|nat=MAR|pos=FW|name=Mimoun Mahi}}

{{Fs player|no=11|nat=CAN|pos=FW|name=Simon Colyn}}

{{Fs player|no=12|nat=NED|pos=GK|name=Sten Kremers}}

{{Fs player|no=14|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=Joran Hardeman}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=15|nat=NED|pos=FW|name=Jesse van de Haar|other={{small|on loan from Jong Utrecht}}}}

{{Fs player|no=16|nat=NED|pos=GK|name=Joshua Smits}}

{{Fs player|no=20|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=Rio Hillen}}

{{Fs player|no=22|nat=CPV|pos=MF|name=Jeffry Fortes}}

{{Fs player|no=23|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=Philip Brittijn}}

{{Fs player|no=26|nat=NED|pos=FW|name=Ralf Seuntjens}}

{{Fs player|no=27|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=Anass Najah}}

{{Fs player|no=28|nat=NED|pos=FW|name=Arjen van der Heide}}

{{Fs player|no=30|nat=MAR|pos=FW|name=Ibrahim El Kadiri}}

{{Fs player|no=33|nat=NED|pos=FW|name=Reuven Niemeijer}}

{{Fs player|no=34|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=Anis Yadir}}

{{Fs player|no=37|nat=POR|pos=FW|name=Wanya Marçal|other={{small|on loan from Leicester City}}}}

{{Fs player|no=42|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=Stan Wevers}}

{{Fs end}}

=Notable former players=

The players below had senior international cap(s) for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed represented their countries while playing for De Graafschap.

{{div col|colwidth=35em|small=yes}}

{{div col end}}

Coaching staff

class="wikitable"
Position

! Name

Head coach

| {{flagicon|NED}} Jan Vreman

rowspan="2" | Assistant coaches

| {{flagicon|NED}} Mees Siers

{{flagicon|NED}} Mathijs de Waard
Goalkeeping coach

| {{flagicon|NED}} Jordy Rondeel

{{clear}}

Managerial history

{{div col|colwidth=35em|small=yes}}

{{div col end}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}