Roda JC Kerkrade

Merge (1955–1962)

Roda JC Kerkrade came into being as the result of a merger of several football clubs from Kerkrade. In 1954, SV Kerkrade (established 1926) and SV Bleijerheide (1914) merged to form Roda Sport. That same year, Rapid '54 (1954) and amateur club Juliana (1910) merged to form Rapid JC. Rapid JC was one of the most successful clubs of that time, winning the Championship play-off in 1956. In later years they would only finish in the top 10 once, when they finished second in the 1958–59 season. Roda Sport, however, were relegated to the Tweede Divisie and stayed there until the latest merger with Rapid JC, to form Roda JC.

Struggling and staying at the top division (1963–94)

After the merger they began in the Eerste Divisie in the 1962–63 season, but were relegated the same season after finishing 16th. The following season they almost achieved promotion again, but they lost in the play-off and remained in the Tweede Divisie for 8 years. After their return to the Eerste Divisie, it only took a further two seasons before they were promoted to the Eredivisie, when they finished first.

The club are finally in the premier division, but did not manage to qualify for a European competition even though they finished near the top several times. They only qualified for Europe once when they lost in the finals of the KNVB Cup in 1975, but they lost in the first round, 5–3 on aggregate, to Anderlecht. In the 1986–87 season they finally finished high enough for the European Cup play-offs in the Netherlands, but lost their place to FC Utrecht. One year later they finished 15th and struggled to avoid relegation to the Eerste Divisie. They did, however, reach the finals of the KNVB Cup. Since PSV already had a place in Europe by winning the Eredivisie, Roda JC also earned a place in the European Cup. This was the club's most memorable European campaign, when Roda made it through the winter in the European Cup Winners Cup before succumbing to the superb strikers of Bulgarian PFC CSKA Sofia, Hristo Stoichkov and Emil Kostadinov, who became superstars in Europe's major football leagues. Two years later they finished fifth twice, but only once gained a place in a European competition. They did well in the KNVB Cup in 1990–91, reaching the semi-finals, and a year later got to the finals.

Dutch and European success (1994–2000)

Since 1994, the club has managed to achieve several successes both in Europe and the Netherlands. Most notable was their 2nd place in the Eredivisie in 1994–95. They also won the KNVB Cup twice: in the 1996–1997 season and 1999–2000 season. As a result of these successes, they qualified for several European competitions. In the 1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Roda was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Vicenza Calcio by an aggregate of 1 – 9. Roda's most memorable European game was played on 28 February 2002. After a 0–1 defeat at the hands of A.C. Milan in Kerkrade, Roda caused panic at San Siro by winning the return leg by the same score. Roda even took the lead in the penalty shoot-out, but ended up losing the series, only being one penalty away from eliminating A.C. Milan.

Since then they have only qualified twice for the Intertoto Cup in the 2003–04 and 2004–05 season. In later years they did manage to qualify for the play-offs but never won it.

Roda's position in Dutch football is best illustrated by their history in the KNVB Cup. Roda were good enough to make it to six finals, but the first three times and the last time the opponent in the final was one of the 'Big Three' – and Roda went home with the silver medal: PSV won in 1976 and 1988, Feyenoord in 1992 and 2008. In two of the club's cup finals, however, a 'non-Big Three' side was the opponent. Both times the cup went to Kerkrade: Heerenveen were beaten in 1997, NEC in 2000.

Decline (2000–2013)

Since 1992, Roda have been in discussions with neighbours Fortuna Sittard, as well as MVV and VVV-Venlo, with a view to merging to form a new club, named F.C. Limburg. A statement of intent was published by Roda and Fortuna in November 2008 and in early 2009 financial backing was found for the scheme. All these attempts, however, foundered.

In 2008 the club gained its final notable success by reaching the KNVB Cup final. In the final, opponent and home team Feyenoord Rotterdam proved to be too strong (2–0). A year later, the two teams met again in De Kuip for the final round of the 2008–2009 season. Roda JC needed a win to avoid direct relegation. Against all odds, Roda JC beat Feyenoord and qualified for the promotion/relegation play offs. Roda eventually won the play offs, beating Cambuur Leeuwarden in a penalty shoot-out.

In 2010, the club added "Kerkrade" to its name, so the new full name of the sports club is now Roda JC Kerkrade. This was one of the conditions set by the municipality of Kerkrade, in return for their sponsorship.

Roda JC finished 16th in the 2012–2013 season and was again forced to participate in the play offs. The Coal Miners came out victorious again after a late free kick winner by Mark-Jan Fledderus against Sparta Rotterdam, extending the club's stay at the highest level for another season.

Relegation and Eerste Divisie (2014–2015)

Roda JC finished 18th in 2013–2014 and were relegated in May 2014, ending a 41-year period of football at the highest national level in Kerkrade. They bounced back from the Eerste Divisie however on the first attempt after beating NAC after extra time in a promotion/relegation play-off final.

In January 2017, Dubai-based Swiss-Russian business man Aleksei Korotaev took a minority interest in the club.

Stadium

After the establishment of the club, Roda JC Kerkrade played in Sportpark Kaalheide with a capacity of 21,500 people. Its current stadium is the Parkstad Limburg Stadion, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 19,979. It was opened on 15 August 2000 with a match against the Spanish side Real Zaragoza, which ended in a 2–2 draw.

Club honours

Before the merge, Rapid JC had won the top league title once, in the 1955 season.

Achievements

Domestic results

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

Current squad

For recent transfers, see List of Dutch football transfers summer 2016

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

On loan

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

Supporters

Although not the most vocal, the supporters of Roda JC are generally considered to be among the most loyal and well behaved in the Netherlands. In the early days of the club Kaalheide was the club's home ground. Initially, supporters could roam free over the terasses. However, in the 70s fences were placed between the various sections, preventing supporters to move from one stand to the other. The fanatical supporters decided to unite at the covered north side stand, creating an old fashioned, atmospheric stand. Kaalheide became an infamous stadium for visiting teams.

Since moving to the Parkstad Limburg Stadium in the summer of 2000, the more fanatical supporters can be found behind the goal on the West side. The West Stand was renamed 'Koempel Tribune' (Miner Stand) in September 2014 to honour the fans who remained loyal to the club after the relegation four months earlier.

Since 1989, there is a close friendship between the supporters of Alemannia Aachen and Roda JC Kerkrade. Fans of both clubs regularly visit each other's games.

Rivalries

Roda JC has three provincial rivals, namely Fortuna Sittard, MVV and VVV-Venlo. The arch rival is MVV, the team from the provincial capital of Maastricht. The Roda JC-MVV rivalry is considered to be the number one rivalry in the Province of Limburg by both sets of supporters.

During the 1990s, the rivalry between Roda JC and Fortuna Sittard intensified, as both clubs were relatively successful during that period. Fanatical supporters of both clubs clash regularly ever since. The increased rivalry also created animosity between hooligans of Roda JC and the Belgian Limburg side Racing Genk.

Due to the distance between Kerkrade and Venlo, the rivalry with VVV-Venlo is considered to be a minor one by the majority of the Roda JC supporters.