Roda JC Kerkrade play in the Eredivisie, the top flight of Dutch football. Formed in 1962, the De Koempels (The Miners) came into existence after a merge of several football clubs from Kerkrade.
Condescendingly known as the ‘coal-miners club` by their arch rivals MVV Maastricht, Roda fans do not deny their roots, often referring to the former Dutch coal-mines with pride and respect.
Roda`s highest ever league finish in the Eredivisie is second back in 1994-95. Back then, they were competing in the UEFA Cup and challenging season after season for the European places. Now managed by Greek Yannis Anastasiou, they achieved a mediocre 14th (fourth bottom) placed finish last season. Midfielder Tom Van Hyfte was their top scorer with eight.
Formerly known as Rapid JC, they won the Dutch league in 1956. But their first honours as their current identity Roda JC Kerkrade, was the KNVB Cup (Dutch version of the FA Cup) in 1997 and then again in 2000.
Former managers include ex-Newcastle United winger Jon Dahl Tomasson, who was at the helm between December 2013 and May 2014. Current manager Anastasiou has been in charge just over a month and is their seventh manager in four years.
Roda`s stadium, Parkstad Limburg Stadion, holds 19,979 but their average attendance last season was 13,301.
Playing in their home kit of yellow shirt, black shorts and yellow socks, Roda will prove to be an unpredictable test for Blues.
Share this article
Related Articles
