De Graafschap

De Graafschap is a professional football club from Doetinchem, Netherlands. It was formed on 1 February 1954 and they play their home games at the "De Vijverberg" stadium. Their current home ground stands on where the old pitch used to be located and was opened on 12 August 2000. The name of the club means The County in Dutch although they are nicknamed the 'Superboeren' ('Super Farmers'). While not a large club by European club football standards, this club has remained a semi-regular fixture in the Dutch Eredivisie (top league); although to date, it has never won any silverware of importance. De Graafschap is a club with a lot of tradition, however, with players such as the former PSV coach Guus Hiddink ensuring exciting football being played. It also has a large stadium and a large fanbase when compared to many other Dutch teams, particularly those in the Eerste Divisie. They have a fierce rivalry with Vitesse Arnhem. In 2005, its first season back in the top flight, De Graafschap lost out in the Dutch play-offs and were relegated from the Eredivisie. In 2006, it was defeated again in the playoffs, this time as a promotion candidate. They were crowned champions of the Eerste Divisie on 2007-03-30 and have been playing in the Eredivisie since the 2007–08 season, On 2009-06-03 they were relegated to the Eerste Divisie division. Their colors are blue and white hooped shirts with white shorts and blue socks.