As the 2013/2014 regular season drew to a close, FC Groningen found themselves riding a wave of momentum that threatened to rewrite the club’s history books. Page 21 of the May 3 matchday programme against Heracles Almelo highlights the magnitude of their recent form under the headline “VIJF KEER VIJF OP EEN RIJ” (Five times five in a row).
The text explains that following their recent victory over Roda JC Kerkrade, the team had equaled a club record of five consecutive Eredivisie victories. The programme meticulously lists the only four other times in history the club had achieved this feat: the 2007/2008 season, 1991/1992, 1990/1991, and 1981/1982. For manager Erwin van de Looi, who had faced intense criticism and a disciplinary crisis earlier in the winter, matching a record set by legendary past Groningen squads was a massive vindication of his tactical methods.
The stakes for the afternoon were crystal clear: a win against Heracles would not just secure points for the European playoffs; it would establish a brand new, outright club record of six consecutive Eredivisie victories. The fans walking into the Euroborg knew they were potentially 90 minutes away from witnessing something that had never been done in the history of the Pride of the North.
A Look into the Future
The team did not succumb to the pressure of history. Later that afternoon, FC Groningen defeated Heracles Almelo 3-1, officially setting the new club record of six consecutive top-flight wins. This spectacular late-season surge completely transformed the narrative of the 2013/2014 campaign, turning a turbulent year into a resounding success and giving the squad the ultimate psychological boost heading into the European playoffs.