Eerste Klasse

The Eerste Klasse was from 1897 to 1955, the highest Dutch football league. Following the introduction of professional football in the Netherlands from 1954, it was replaced in 1955 as the first league of the Hoofdklasse. In the course of this professionalization was replaced by the three professional leagues Eredivisie Eerste Divisie Tweede Divisie and in the following year, after which the Eerste Klasse as the highest amateur league was now on only viertklassig. Also known as 1971, the Tweede Divisie was disbanded due to lack of profitability, was the appreciation of the Eerste Klasse short-lived, as in 1974 the Hoofdklasse was refounded as the first amateur league. Since 2010, the top class has included as a link between professional and amateur game operation, it is now fünftklassig or the third amateur league. The last Dutch masters of still played on the Eerste Klasse and also the first professional champion, is Willem II Tilburg ( season 1954/55 ).

Season schedule

As a result of the historically grown confessional particularism ( Verzuiling ) of the Netherlands, the Eerste Klasse is divided into two departments, the Saturday and Sunday Amateurs ( zaterdagamateurs / zondagamateurs ). In the Saturday group traditionally Protestant and play in the Sunday group Catholic or proletarian embossed teams. The departments in turn are geographically divided into four regions, some of which are further subdivided. Overall, the Eerste Klasse is currently being held in 11 seasons.

• Football Competition in the Netherlands