FC Omniworld
Encyclopedia
Almere City Football Club is a Dutch
football club. The club was founded in 2001, and is an expression of the ambitions of the city council of Almere
to play an active role in top sports. To that end, a sports club (Omniworld) was formed, which now comprises a volleyball
branch, a basketball
branch and a football branch. Before the 2010–2011 season the club was called FC Omniworld.
, Volewijckers
and Blauw-Wit into FC Amsterdam
. Disgruntled DWS supporters founded their own club, called De Zwarte Schapen, named after their nickname, which translates as Black Sheep. The club quickly rose through the ranks of Dutch amateur football, eventually reaching the Hoofdklasse
. After several violent incidents on the pitch and a six month suspension by the Royal Dutch Football Association
, the club moved from Amsterdam
to nearby Almere
and changed its name to Sporting Flevoland.
That name was changed to FC Omniworld in 2001, as a result of the efforts of a consortium (in which the city of Almere
was a participant) to bring professional sports to Almere. These plans included a basketball club (BC Omniworld, now defunct), a volleyball club (VC Omniworld, now defunct) and a football club (FC Omniworld). However, when the Leefbaar Almere party became the largest party in the city council in 2002, the community withdrew from the project. This caused the club to fail the criteria for admission to the professional league in 2004.
Private investors were found, and the club managed to meet the first two criteria for admission (among which is a balanced budget) in late 2004 and early 2005. After FC Omniworld's stadium (the 3,000 seater Mitsubishi Forklift Stadion
) and pitch were approved by the Royal Dutch Football Association
as well, the club met all criteria for admission, and joined the 19 clubs already in the Eerste Divisie
. The club's first official match would have been held on August 12, 2005, against BV Veendam
. However, the referee postponed the match shortly before the kick-off was due. Heavy rain had made the artificial turf
pitch unplayable. The club's professional debut came a week later, in an away match against FC Eindhoven
(2–0 defeat). FC Omniworld registered its first official goal a few days later, in a 2–3 home defeat against FC Den Bosch, as Juan Viedma Schenkhuizen
scored the 1–2 in the 37th minute. FC Omniworld's first league point was achieved a week later, on August 29, 2005, against Go Ahead Eagles
(2–2). The club's first victory came on September 16, when Fortuna Sittard
was beaten 3–2. In its first season, FC Omniworld finished in 19th place, with 29 points from 38 matches. Forward Sjoerd Ars
ended in fifth place of the top scorer ranking, with 17 goals.
Ars was transferred to Go Ahead Eagles
for the 2006–07 season
, but the results for Omniworld improved. The club achieved 41 points from 38 matches, finishing the season in 16th place. The home match against FC Zwolle
on 2007-03-16 resulted in the then worst defeat in club history though: 2–7.
In March 2010 the club was renamed AFC Almere City before being changed again a few weeks later to Almere City F.C., as the AFC prefix was deemed to be too reminiscent of the club's partners AFC Ajax. In their second game of the 2010–011 season they were defeated 12-1 by Sparta Rotterdam
, who equalled Ajax
's Dutch league record win, with Johan Voskamp
scoring an Eerste Divisie
record 8 goals on his debut.
For recent transfers, see List of Dutch football transfers summer 2011
(on loan from FC Volendam
)
(on loan from FC Volendam
)
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
football club. The club was founded in 2001, and is an expression of the ambitions of the city council of Almere
Almere
Almere is a planned city and municipality in the province of Flevoland, the Netherlands, bordering Lelystad and Zeewolde. The municipality of Almere comprises the districts Almere Stad, Almere Haven, Almere Buiten, Almere Hout, Almere Poort and Almere Pampus .Almere is the youngest city in the...
to play an active role in top sports. To that end, a sports club (Omniworld) was formed, which now comprises a volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
branch, a basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
branch and a football branch. Before the 2010–2011 season the club was called FC Omniworld.
History
Almere City can trace its history back to 1972, with the merger of DWSDoor Wilskracht Sterk
AFC Door Wilskracht Sterk is a Dutch football club from Amsterdam.-History:AFC Door Wilskracht Sterk was founded on 11 October 1907, by the trio of Robert Beijerbacht, Theo Beijerbacht and Jansen van Galen under the name of Fortuna which was soon changed to Hercules. The team played in a blue and...
, Volewijckers
Volewijckers
De Volewijckers is a football club from Amsterdam, Netherlands. They are one of a number of Dutch clubs that were successful in post-war leagues before being forced to merge to cope with the popularity of the big teams such as Ajax and Feyenoord.-History:...
and Blauw-Wit into FC Amsterdam
FC Amsterdam
FC Amsterdam was a Dutch football club which was founded on June 20, 1972, from the merger of the Amsterdam football clubs Blauw Wit and DWS. The club Volewijckers joined the side for the 1973-1974 season...
. Disgruntled DWS supporters founded their own club, called De Zwarte Schapen, named after their nickname, which translates as Black Sheep. The club quickly rose through the ranks of Dutch amateur football, eventually reaching the Hoofdklasse
Hoofdklasse
The Hoofdklasse is the 2nd highest league of amateur football in the Netherlands, and the fourth tier in general.-Background:The league is divided into two sections: Saturday and Sunday. This is a result of the traditional pillarisation , the segregation of Dutch society. The Saturday-clubs are by...
. After several violent incidents on the pitch and a six month suspension by the Royal Dutch Football Association
Royal Dutch Football Association
The Royal Dutch Football Association is the governing body of football in the Netherlands. It organises the main Dutch football leagues , the amateur leagues, the KNVB Cup, and the Dutch national football team. It is based in the municipality of Zeist.The KNVB came into being on 8 December 1889...
, the club moved from Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
to nearby Almere
Almere
Almere is a planned city and municipality in the province of Flevoland, the Netherlands, bordering Lelystad and Zeewolde. The municipality of Almere comprises the districts Almere Stad, Almere Haven, Almere Buiten, Almere Hout, Almere Poort and Almere Pampus .Almere is the youngest city in the...
and changed its name to Sporting Flevoland.
That name was changed to FC Omniworld in 2001, as a result of the efforts of a consortium (in which the city of Almere
Almere
Almere is a planned city and municipality in the province of Flevoland, the Netherlands, bordering Lelystad and Zeewolde. The municipality of Almere comprises the districts Almere Stad, Almere Haven, Almere Buiten, Almere Hout, Almere Poort and Almere Pampus .Almere is the youngest city in the...
was a participant) to bring professional sports to Almere. These plans included a basketball club (BC Omniworld, now defunct), a volleyball club (VC Omniworld, now defunct) and a football club (FC Omniworld). However, when the Leefbaar Almere party became the largest party in the city council in 2002, the community withdrew from the project. This caused the club to fail the criteria for admission to the professional league in 2004.
Private investors were found, and the club managed to meet the first two criteria for admission (among which is a balanced budget) in late 2004 and early 2005. After FC Omniworld's stadium (the 3,000 seater Mitsubishi Forklift Stadion
Mitsubishi Forklift Stadion
Mitsubishi Forklift Stadion is a multi-use stadium in Almere, Netherlands. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Almere City F.C.. The stadium is able to hold 3,000 people and was built in 2005....
) and pitch were approved by the Royal Dutch Football Association
Royal Dutch Football Association
The Royal Dutch Football Association is the governing body of football in the Netherlands. It organises the main Dutch football leagues , the amateur leagues, the KNVB Cup, and the Dutch national football team. It is based in the municipality of Zeist.The KNVB came into being on 8 December 1889...
as well, the club met all criteria for admission, and joined the 19 clubs already in the Eerste Divisie
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
. The club's first official match would have been held on August 12, 2005, against BV Veendam
BV Veendam
SC Veendam is a Dutch football club based in Veendam, Groningen province, playing in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of football in the Netherlands. The club's official colours are black and yellow.- History :...
. However, the referee postponed the match shortly before the kick-off was due. Heavy rain had made the artificial turf
Artificial turf
Artificial turf is a surface manufactured from synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial applications as well...
pitch unplayable. The club's professional debut came a week later, in an away match against FC Eindhoven
FC Eindhoven
FC Eindhoven is a Dutch football club based in Eindhoven, North Brabant. They current play in the Eerste Divisie , and are one of two professional clubs which are based in the city of Eindhoven, the other one being PSV Eindhoven....
(2–0 defeat). FC Omniworld registered its first official goal a few days later, in a 2–3 home defeat against FC Den Bosch, as Juan Viedma Schenkhuizen
Juan Viedma Schenkhuizen
Juan José Viedma Schenkhuizen , known as Viedma, is a retired Spanish-Dutch footballer who played mainly as a defensive midfielder....
scored the 1–2 in the 37th minute. FC Omniworld's first league point was achieved a week later, on August 29, 2005, against Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles
The Go Ahead Eagles are a football club from Deventer, Netherlands, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie. The club's home stadium is De Adelaarshorst. To date, the club has won the national championship four times...
(2–2). The club's first victory came on September 16, when Fortuna Sittard
Fortuna Sittard
Fortuna Sittard is a football club in Sittard, Netherlands. The club currently plays its football in the 12,500 capacity Trendwork Arena and features in the Dutch Eerste Divisie. The club was a merger of former clubs 'Fortuna 54' and 'Sittardia' to merge as the Fortuna Sittard Combinatie on July 1,...
was beaten 3–2. In its first season, FC Omniworld finished in 19th place, with 29 points from 38 matches. Forward Sjoerd Ars
Sjoerd Ars
Sjoerd Ars is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as a striker for Bulgarian A PFG club Levski Sofia. Ars has played previously in the Dutch second division, and he is known as a striker with pace.-Youth career:...
ended in fifth place of the top scorer ranking, with 17 goals.
Ars was transferred to Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles
The Go Ahead Eagles are a football club from Deventer, Netherlands, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie. The club's home stadium is De Adelaarshorst. To date, the club has won the national championship four times...
for the 2006–07 season
Eerste Divisie 2006-07
The 2006/2007 season of the Eerste Divisie began on August 11, 2006 and ended in May 2007.-Relegated teams:This team was relegated from the Eredivisie at the start of the season:*RBC Roosendaal -Promoted teams:...
, but the results for Omniworld improved. The club achieved 41 points from 38 matches, finishing the season in 16th place. The home match against FC Zwolle
FC Zwolle
FC Zwolle is a Dutch football club based in Zwolle, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie, the country's second level of professional club football. The club was founded in 1990 after the bankruptcy of PEC. They have played in the Eredivisie, the highest tier of Dutch football, for a total of...
on 2007-03-16 resulted in the then worst defeat in club history though: 2–7.
In March 2010 the club was renamed AFC Almere City before being changed again a few weeks later to Almere City F.C., as the AFC prefix was deemed to be too reminiscent of the club's partners AFC Ajax. In their second game of the 2010–011 season they were defeated 12-1 by Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam is the oldest professional football team in the Netherlands, established on April 1, 1888. Sparta is one of three professional football clubs from Rotterdam, the others being Excelsior and Feyenoord , the latter playing in the Eredivisie.-History:Sparta was first founded in 1887....
, who equalled Ajax
Ajax Amsterdam
Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax , also referred to as AFC Ajax, Ajax Amsterdam or simply Ajax , is a professional football club from Amsterdam, Netherlands...
's Dutch league record win, with Johan Voskamp
Johan Voskamp
Johan Voskamp is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Śląsk Wrocław in the Ekstraklasa.-Club career:Voskamp has previously played for Helmond Sport, Excelsior Rotterdam and RKC Waalwijk...
scoring an Eerste Divisie
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
record 8 goals on his debut.
Current squad
As of 1 August 2011For recent transfers, see List of Dutch football transfers summer 2011
(on loan from FC Volendam
FC Volendam
Football Club Volendam is a Dutch football club based in Volendam, North Holland, Edam-Volendam. Founded on June 1, 1977, as a result of a split up with RKSV . It currently plays in the Eerste Divisie, holding home games at Kras Stadion, with a 6,260-seat capacity.-History:Football Club Volendam...
)
(on loan from FC Volendam
FC Volendam
Football Club Volendam is a Dutch football club based in Volendam, North Holland, Edam-Volendam. Founded on June 1, 1977, as a result of a split up with RKSV . It currently plays in the Eerste Divisie, holding home games at Kras Stadion, with a 6,260-seat capacity.-History:Football Club Volendam...
)
Former players
- Dwight Eind Jatto CeesayJatto CeesayJatto Ceesay is a Gambian football striker who currently plays for Cypriot club Othellos Athienou.Ceesay has also played for Wallidan Sens , Willem II Tilburg , Al-Hilal , AEK Larnaca , FC Omniworld and AEP Paphos .-Career:Ceesay started to play football as a small boy with the Gambian...
(2007–08) Nordin AmrabatNordin AmrabatNordin Amrabat is a Moroccan football player, who is currently playing for Kayserispor in the Turkish Süper Lig. He has played for Dutch national youth teams and has been called up for the senior national side one time. However, on October 1, 2009, Amrabat announced his decision to play for...
(2006–07) Juan Viedma SchenkhuizenJuan Viedma SchenkhuizenJuan José Viedma Schenkhuizen , known as Viedma, is a retired Spanish-Dutch footballer who played mainly as a defensive midfielder....
(2005–08) - Tomi Nyman Biko BrazilBiko BrazilNombeko "Biko" Brazil is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a striker for Be Quick'28.-Career:Born in Utrecht, Brazil played youth football with PSV, FC Utrecht, USV Elinkwijk and FC Den Bosch....
(2005–06) Kofi MensahKofi MensahKofi Mensah is a Dutch-Ghanaian footballer. He currently plays as a defender for Tema Youth.-Career:Mensah began his career in 1996 at AFC Ajax. After three years with the club, he moved to NAC Breda. In June 2003, he moved again to ADO Den Haag...
(2005–06) - Raymond Beerens Yannis AnastasiouYannis AnastasiouYannis Anastasiou is a Greek football coach and former player who is currently Manager at Dutch club Ajax 2.As a player, Anastasiou played as a striker, and was active professionally in Greece, Belgium and the Netherlands; he also represented the Greek national side at senior international...
(2007–08) Diangi MatusiwaDiangi MatusiwaDiangi Matusiwa is an Angolan footballer last playing for APOP Kinyras. He was also called up to represent Angola at the 2008 African Cup of Nations. He is also a citizen of the Netherlands.-External links:* playerhistory.com*...
(2007–08) Zenon CaravellaZenon CaravellaZenon Caravella is an Australian football midfielder who plays for .-Club career:After the demise of the NSL in Caravella played for Sydney Olympic in the NSW Premier League becoming one of their best players...
(2006–08) Paul MuldersPaul MuldersPaul Mulders is a Dutch–Filipino professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag and the Philippines national team...
(2007-09)