The question “who was the first Eredivisie champion?” is loaded with meaning: it marks the dawn of professional Dutch football under a new structure. In this article, DeutKick will guide you through the origins, the drama, and the legacy of that inaugural season—along the way uncovering key figures, records, and how that first champion still resonates in Dutch and European football today.
The Birth of the Eredivisie: Why It Was Necessary
Before 1956, the Dutch national champion was determined. Professionalism was creeping into Dutch football: many talented players left for foreign leagues to earn money. The Dutch football association (KNVB) resisted paying players, and in doing so risked losing its top talents.
Amid growing pressure, a breakaway professional federation (NBVB) formed in 1954. After a brief dual competition, the KNVB relented and embraced semi-professionalism. By 1956, the decision was made to abandon fragmented regional leagues and inaugurate a national top tier: the Eredivisie. The 1956–57 season would be the first time 18 clubs played each other home and away in one national division.
That structural change was more than administrative. It created a consistent, high-quality national league where the Dutch could retain their stars, raise standards, and compete on the European stage.
Ajax: First Ever Eredivisie Champion (1956–57)
In the 1956–57 season, Ajax earned the distinction of being the first Eredivisie champion. In that inaugural campaign, Ajax navigated 34 matches and ultimately emerged at the top of the table, clinching the title under the guidance of Austrian coach Karl Humenberger.
Interestingly, this title was not their first national championship: Ajax had already won several titles under the old system. But in the new format of a national, unified league, Ajax was the trailblazer.
Season Highlights and Records
- Ajax secured the league by outpacing their rivals in consistency across the double round-robin system.
- Meanwhile, Coen Dillen of PSV scored 43 goals that season—a record tally in that league which still stands to this day.
- The league featured several big wins and high-scoring matches: for instance, BVV beat NAC 8–0, and PSV won 7–4 in another match.
- Ajax’s success in that season set the tone for their future dominance.
Through that victory, Ajax laid the foundation for what would become one of Europe’s storiest clubs and one of the Eredivisie’s most decorated powers.
How the First Champions Influenced Dutch Football
The crowning of Ajax as the first Eredivisie champion sent shockwaves beyond Amsterdam. It validated the new league model, convinced other clubs and fans that the national system was viable, and solidified Ajax’s position as a leading force.
Over the decades, a few clubs would come to dominate Dutch football. Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, and Feyenoord became known as the “Big Three” or “traditional top three.” Their rivalry shaped the narrative of the Eredivisie for generations.
Ajax’s early success in 1956–57 gave them psychological and prestige advantages: fans, sponsorship, and talent gravitated toward a club that was already associated with winning. And every time new challengers emerged, they did so against the shadow of that initial triumph.
Comparison: First Champion vs Modern Champions
It’s instructive to compare that first championship season with recent ones to see both continuity and change.
|
Feature |
1956–57 Inaugural Season |
Recent Eredivisie Seasons |
|
Number of clubs |
18 |
18 |
|
Matches per team |
34 |
34 |
|
Title winner |
Ajax |
Varies (e.g., PSV, Ajax, Feyenoord) |
|
Top goalscorer |
Coen Dillen – 43 goals |
Usually 20–35 goals |
|
Goal average per match |
~3.7 goals per game |
Often around 2.8–3.2 |
|
Dominant clubs |
Ajax began dominance |
Big Three continue to dominate |
In modern times, the title often hinges on narrow margins, deep squads, and tactical nuance. The 1956–57 season was rawer, more volatile, and full of surprises.
But the throughline is clear: the clubs that built early successes have often sustained them through infrastructure, youth development, and institutional strength.
Myths, Debates, and Common Misconceptions
There are a few pitfalls and debates among fans and historians around the question of the first Eredivisie champion:
- Some confuse the first Dutch national champion ever (which dates back to the late 19th century) with the first in the Eredivisie era. But the Dutch championship in earlier decades was decided via regional winners and playoffs—not a unified league.
- Others claim Willem II was the first “professional” champion in the early semi-professional leagues. In fact, Willem II did win a league in the transitional semi-professional phase, but in the context of the formal Eredivisie (from 1956 onward), Ajax holds the title.
- Occasionally, supporters of other clubs claim near-misses or disputed matches as evidence, but historical records affirm Ajax’s position unequivocally.
So the distinction matters: first national champion ever vs first champion in the Eredivisie era. In the context of modern Dutch football, the latter is the relevant reference, and Ajax is undisputed in that category.
Legacy of Ajax’s 1956–57 Triumph
Ajax’s victory in the inaugural Eredivisie season is more than a footnote—it is woven into the club’s identity and the mythology of Dutch football itself. That win:
- Reinforced the shift to professional structure
- Gave future generations the benchmark of what it means to lead
- Laid the groundwork for Ajax’s dominance in domestic and European competition
- Became a point of pride: the original standard-bearer
Each time Ajax lifts the title, they evoke that first triumph. And for rivals, beating Ajax is not just winning a match—it’s toppling the successor to that very first champion.
First Eredivisie Champion: Why It Still Matters
Why should modern fans care about who won the first Eredivisie title? Because history is alive in every pitch, every match, every trophy. The first Eredivisie champion is not just a name—it’s a symbol. It reminds us of the leap.
If you ever visit Amsterdam’s football museums or delve into Ajax’s history, you’ll see that 1956–57 holds a hallowed spot. The jerseys, the memories, the stories—they all circle back to that first crowning moment.
Final Thoughts
The first Eredivisie champion was Ajax in the 1956–57 season—a milestone that bridged Dutch football, and a new trajectory for the Netherlands’ footballing future.
Thank you for journeying with DeutKick through that pivotal chapter. If you’re eager to explore more—like how Ajax built its legacy after 1957, or detailed season-by-season champions and records—keep following us. Dive into our other articles on Eredivisie legends, club histories, and season analyses. Your next stop: discovering every Dutch champion since 1957.
