Pre-season: A Brief History of Feyenoord

Southampton travel to Holland to take on the storied outfit of Feyenoord in the latest pre-season fixture.

With Premier League opening day less than two weeks away Saints are set to face their toughest pre-season opponents yet. Rotterdam Football Club Feijenoord may have only finished third in the Eredivisie last term, but they have a long history of leading the way in Dutch football.

The side based at De Kuip have won the country’s top-flight a whopping  15 times. Our red and white counterparts have also had their share of European glory along the way.

What’s more notable names like, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Robin van Persie, and of course Ronald Koeman have all plied their trade in the red and white strip.

SFC fans will doubtless remember the last time these two sides clashed. Saints ran out 3-0 winners. Graziano Pellè, Maya Yoshida, and Juanmi all found the net back in 2015. The match was also notable as a packed stadium witnessed the return of the then Southampton boss and Feyenoord favourite Ronald Koeman.

While that fixture was seen  by what was believed to be up to a 50,000 strong crowd (Daily echo), Rotterdam began their journey in altogether more humble surroundings.

Feyenoord’s official website details a long and proud history.

Originally formed as Wilhelmina, in 1908 the club calls the De Vereeniging café its birthplace.

While the side would quickly grow from its four founder members, the name  wouldn’t last.

After some initial toing and froing, by the summer of 1912 the powers that be opted for the name Rotterdamsche Voetbal Vereeniging Feijenoord.

As a new name adorned the organization success followed quickly. Within 16 years of their formation Feyenoord had not only gained promotion to the Dutch top-flight, but also secured the 1924 title.

Since that day the so-called De Trots van Zuid (The Pride of South, according to Fandom.com ) has continued to dominate the title picture with the last triumph coming as recently as 2017.

Curiously, despite having three handfuls of league silverware the team has only achieved back to back campaign victories just  once, those occurring in 1961 and 1962 respectively.

1961 also proved to be the start of something special abroad as well. After making their debut in that year’s European cup competition, Feyenoord were quick to establish themselves reaching the semi-finals the very next year.

After they’re all conquering exploits on the domestic scene, you won’t be surprised to learn that Rotterdam soon tasted European glory as they bested Celtic by two goals to one. The 1969/70 trophy may currently be the only success at Europe’s top level, but you will also find two UEFA Cup triumphs on the honour roll.

Southampton are set to be welcomed back to the ground officially known as Stadion Feijenoord, but perhaps better regarded by the name De Kuip, according to the club website. Since opening its doors in 1937 the Rotterdam based Stadium has been no stranger to a famous European night or two.

The ground not only saw the hosts beat Tottenham for the UEFA Cup in 1974, but also staged the final of Euro 2000. De Kuip is also the regular host of the final for the KNVB Cup competition.

Ralph Hasenhüttl will be greeted by opposite number, Jaap Stam. The former Netherlands international marks the start of his inaugural campaign with Feyenoord, having only started work last month, according to Feyenoord’s official site.

Stam will hope his side are shipshape and Bristol fashion against Southampton given that league duties begin the following week, against Sparta Rotterdam.

Whatever result Sunday’s exhibition provides, Feyenoord’s place as one of Holland’s most famous and successful clubs is secure.