Achilles ’29 go back to the Topklasse
Today the Achilles board have released a statement, together with the KNVB:
Achilles were in the Jupiler League for only one season, after being promoted from the Topklasse. Normally, teams don’t relegate and promote between the Jupiler League and the Topklasse, as these two leagues mark the border between professional and amateur football. But because AGOVV and Veendam have gone bankrupt last year, there was restructuring needed: there were 20 teams instead of 18, and AGOVV and Veendam were replaced by Young FC Twente, Young PSV, Young Ajax, and Achilles.
Although the club got promoted, it still is semi-professional, as only some players have a full-time contract. The set-up at the club isn’t great, and players only have to go to training three times per week. This is one of the reasons that Achilles have handed in the request, that has been accepted by the KNVB.
Achilles were very successful in their old league, and they finished 1st in their last two seasons in the Topklasse. In the Jupiler League, they finished last, 6 points away from FC Oss, who finished second to last.
It is not yet known who will replace the team from Groesbeek, with the KNVB keeping silent over a successor. Speculations have already been made though, and most people think that Young Feyenoord will take over the free spot from Achilles, if this goes through, they’ll be the 4th “Young” time in the Jupiler League. These teams are the 2nd teams of their parent clubs in the Eredivisie, and they can transfer players between the two clubs very easily. A similar system is in use in Spain and Portugal, while the English FA is also contemplating using this system.
Others say that there will be a completely new team introduced to the Jupiler League, funded by businessmen. At the moment, this is looking most likely, with Ruud Gullit reportedly wanting to start a team in the Jupiler League. But for now, nothing is finalised yet, and Dutch football fans will have to wait on what happens.
The Achilles ’29 board have decided to hand in a request to be out back to the Topklasse, the competition the team played for before entering the Jupiler League. This decision was very hard for the board to make, as they wanted to give our fans good football, and professional opposition. But the finances are not good enough to hold up this position, as the club has to pay wages to almost every player, and they have to fulfil certain expectations set by the KNVB, regarding finances, the stadium, facilities and more.
The club is very sad to announce this, and want to thank the staff and the players for achieving the respectable amount of points of 25. A return to professional football isn’t ruled out, so the fans needn’t be worried. The board has also made this decision for the fans, as they feel the fans will have a lot more to cheer in the Topklasse.
- The Achilles ’29 board
Achilles were in the Jupiler League for only one season, after being promoted from the Topklasse. Normally, teams don’t relegate and promote between the Jupiler League and the Topklasse, as these two leagues mark the border between professional and amateur football. But because AGOVV and Veendam have gone bankrupt last year, there was restructuring needed: there were 20 teams instead of 18, and AGOVV and Veendam were replaced by Young FC Twente, Young PSV, Young Ajax, and Achilles.
Although the club got promoted, it still is semi-professional, as only some players have a full-time contract. The set-up at the club isn’t great, and players only have to go to training three times per week. This is one of the reasons that Achilles have handed in the request, that has been accepted by the KNVB.
Achilles were very successful in their old league, and they finished 1st in their last two seasons in the Topklasse. In the Jupiler League, they finished last, 6 points away from FC Oss, who finished second to last.
It is not yet known who will replace the team from Groesbeek, with the KNVB keeping silent over a successor. Speculations have already been made though, and most people think that Young Feyenoord will take over the free spot from Achilles, if this goes through, they’ll be the 4th “Young” time in the Jupiler League. These teams are the 2nd teams of their parent clubs in the Eredivisie, and they can transfer players between the two clubs very easily. A similar system is in use in Spain and Portugal, while the English FA is also contemplating using this system.
Others say that there will be a completely new team introduced to the Jupiler League, funded by businessmen. At the moment, this is looking most likely, with Ruud Gullit reportedly wanting to start a team in the Jupiler League. But for now, nothing is finalised yet, and Dutch football fans will have to wait on what happens.
Notes
We’re using pr0’s database, so the transfers and squads are up to date.
And, all credit goes to Tallery for the idea on starting a new club
Goals
- Qualify for continental football
- Develop good youth players
- Sign lots of Dutch players
Haarlem, home of Holland's newest football club
The temporary home of the new club
Chelsea FC, Haarlem Lion's first ever Parent Club
