FC Midtjylland (Danish: [ˈmid̥jylanˀ], "Central Jutland") is a professional Danish football team from Herning and Ikast in the Mid-Western part of Jutland. The team was a result of a merger between Ikast FS (which also includes tennis, badminton and handball clubs) and Herning Fremad. FC Midtjylland plays in the Danish Superliga, and won the national league for the first time in 2015.
Club history
FC Midtjylland was founded by Johnny Rune, a carpenter and owner of a private business in the wood-supply industry, and Steen Hessel, an authorized Mercedes Benz dealer.
The two men wanted to unite the football clubs Ikast FS (founded 1935) and Herning Fremad (founded 1918) – clubs that for decades had been strong rivals, but had never played any significant role in Danish football. Ikast FS had some success in the late 70s and 80s, but that was about it. At least 10 years had passed with the two clubs being unable to agree on a merger, but on 6 April 1999, a deal was finalized and announced at a press conference the next day.
In 2000 FC Midtjylland were promoted to the Danish Superliga, after a season in which the team had gathered more points than any other team in the history of the 1st division.
In July 2014, Matthew Benham (owner of English Championship side Brentford) became the majority shareholder of FC Midtjylland's parent company FCM Holding.[1] In the season 2014–15 they won the Championship in the Danish Superliga.
Scouting and developing
FC Midtjylland have generally built a reputation of finding and developing promising talents.
In July 2004, FC Midtjylland was the first Danish club to have its own football academy, similar to that of French side FC Nantes Atlantique. The academy attracts players from throughout Denmark, as well as players from a partnering club in Nigeria – F.C. Ebedei. The club has developed a network of over 100 clubs located in the western part of Jutland.
In 2008 Simon Kjær, a talent of the academy, was sold to U.S. Città di Palermo in Italy. The transfer fee was approximately DKK 30 million, equal to 4 million €.[2] In 2010 Sune Kiilerich, another talent of the academy, was sold to U.C. Sampdoria and Winston Reid, an academy product and New Zealand international, was sold to West Ham United F.C. for DKK 32 million, equal to 4.26 million €.[3][4] Vice-Captain Erik Sviatchenko was also sold for 1.5 million to Celtic
Stadium
In 2004 the team moved to a new stadium in Herning with a capacity of approximately 12,000 spectators. FC Midtjylland was the first Danish club to sell the stadium name to a sponsor, resulting in the name MCH Arena.
The opening match on 27 March proved to be a success with FC Midtjylland beating AB 6–0. Five of the goals were scored by Egyptian striker, former AB player Mohamed Zidan and the stadium has been nicknamed the Zidan arena.
Supporters
Black Wolves is the official fanclub of FC Midtjylland.[5] It was founded in the beginning in August 1999, as the official fanclub of Ikast FS 1993 "Yellow Flames" changed their name at an extraordinary general meeting.
Ultra Boys Midtjylland is the first ultra firm in Midtjylland. It was established in 2007 and later renamed to Ultras Midtjylland.
Recent history
| Season |
|
Pos. |
Pl. |
W |
D |
L |
GS |
GA |
P |
Cup |
Notes |
| 2008–09 |
SL |
4 |
33 | 16 | 7 | 10 |
55 | 46 | 55 |
3rd Round |
|
| 2009–10 |
SL |
6 |
33 | 14 | 5 | 14 |
41 | 41 | 47 |
Finalist |
|
| 2010–11 |
SL |
4 |
33 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
50 | 42 | 49 |
Finalist |
|
| 2011–12 |
SL |
3 |
33 | 17 | 7 | 9 |
50 | 40 | 58 |
1/16 Finals |
|
| 2012–13 |
SL |
6 |
33 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
51 | 47 | 47 |
quarter-final |
|
| 2013–14 |
SL |
3 |
33 | 16 | 7 | 10 |
61 | 38 | 55 |
Fourth round |
|
| 2014–15 |
SL |
1 |
33 | 22 | 5 | 6 |
64 | 34 | 71 |
Fourth round |
|
Honours
Players
Current squad
- As of 1 January 2016[6][7]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Youth team
- See: FC Midtjylland Academy
Managers
European competition history
References
External links
FC Midtjylland |
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Ove Pedersen (1 July 1999 – 30 June 2002)
Glentoran
Sporting Lisbon
FK Pobeda
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Anderlecht
B36 Tórshavn
CSKA Moscow
Keflavík ÍF
FC Haka
Bangor City
Manchester City
Young Boys Bern
Panathinaikos
Lincoln Red Imps
APOEL
Napoli
Legia Warsaw