Full name | Heracles Almelo |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Heraclieden |
Founded | 1903 |
Ground | Polman Stadion, Almelo |
Capacity | 13,500 |
Chairman | Jan Smit |
Manager | John Stegeman |
League | Eredivisie |
2015–16 | Eredivisie, 6th |
Website | Club home page |
Heracles Almelo is a Dutch professional football club based in Almelo, founded in 1903. The club has won the Dutch national title twice, in 1927 and 1941.
In the 2004–05 season, Heracles won the title in the Eerste Divisie, so that during the 2005–06 season, Heracles played in the Eredivisie, where they finished 13th. The average attendance in 2004–05 was 5,700 people. In the recent top flight seasons, this has risen to just over 8,300 (close to the maximum capacity of 8,500).
In 2012 Heracles competed in its first Dutch cup final, which it lost to PSV in the Rotterdam Stadium De Kuip.
Heracles Almelo currently play at the Polman Stadion in Almelo. The Polman Stadion was built in 1999 with a capacity 6,900, this was expanded in 2005 to hold 8,500. The pitch at the Polman Stadion is artificial turf. After renovation of the stadium at the beginning of season 2015–16 it holds 13.500 supporters.
The club was founded on 3 May 1903 as Heracles, after the demigod son of Zeus. They changed their name on 1 July 1974 to SC Heracles '74 and finally settled on the current name in 1998.
In the 2015/16 season, Heracles finished sixth in the Eredevisie, so the club could participate in the playoffs for European football. The club first defeated FC Groningen and then FC Utrecht. Heracles thus qualified for the first time in club history for European football, in the third qualifying round of the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League.
Below is a table with Heracles Almelo's domestic results since the introduction of the Eredivisie in 1956.
For recent transfers, see List of Dutch football transfers summer 2016