Stadion de Goffert
Encyclopedia
The Goffertstadion (ˈɣɔ.fərt.staː.di.ˌjɔn) or Stadion de Goffert (ˈstaː.di.ˌjɔn də ˈɣɔ.fərt), formerly known as McDOS Goffertstadion (mɑk.ˈdɔs ˈɣɔ.fərt.staː.di.ˌjɔn) for sponsorship reasons, is a football stadium in Nijmegen, Netherlands
, located in the Goffertpark
. It is home to football club NEC. The stadium was opened on July 8, 1939 by Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands.
Since 1951, the opening of the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen
, the so-called Vlaggenparade, a parade
with the national flags
of all participants is held in the stadium.
In 1983 NEC played a UEFA Cup
match against FC Barcelona
, still seen as the most important match ever played in the Goffertstadion.
It was rebuilt into a modern stadium with all seats covered and heated and updated catering facilities. The first home-match in the new stadium took place in September 1999. The grand re-opening was on 25 January 2000.
One of the many advantages the renovated stadium offers is the improved atmosphere because the spectators are now situated much closer to the playing ground. Because of this the players have a better interaction with the crowd.
The playing ground and the rest of the stadium are separated from each other by a promenade which is situated under the spectators’ seats. This promenade has a double function: It prevents supporters from entering the playing ground while at the same time containing food and beverage outlets as well as toilets.
A specially constructed space under the playing ground can store heat to warm up the playing ground, so that matches can still take place during winter.
In November 2007 the board of NEC and the city of Nijmegen presented new plans for De Goffert. The capacity is intended to be increased to 20,000 and the stadium will be placed largely underground inside a large hill. This hill will also serve as a home for basketball
(Matrixx Magixx), judo and other sports, creating a 'House of Topsports'. The strange, but innovative, design is needed because the city will not allow the stadium to grow in height because of the Goffert Park, which is a protected nature-site. The new stadium should be completed in time for the 2012-2013 season.
The Nijmegen venue hosted three international matches of the Dutch national football team
in the 1970s, with the last being a qualifying match for Euro 1980 on September 20, 1978 against Iceland
: 3–0. The goals were scored by Ruud Krol
, Ernie Brandts
and Rob Rensenbrink (penalty).
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...
, located in the Goffertpark
Goffertpark
The Goffertpark is an outdoor concert venue, located in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. In the park, there's also the stadium of NEC Nijmegen.Artists, including AC/DC, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Bon Jovi, Coldplay, Deftones, Guns N' Roses, Kings of Leon, KISS, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Metallica,...
. It is home to football club NEC. The stadium was opened on July 8, 1939 by Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands.
Since 1951, the opening of the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen
International Four Days Marches Nijmegen
The International Four Day Marches Nijmegen is the largest marching event in the world. It is organised every year in Nijmegen in mid-July as a means of promoting sport and exercise. Participants walk 30, 40 or 50 kilometers daily, and, on completion, receive a royally approved medal...
, the so-called Vlaggenparade, a parade
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
with the national flags
Flags of the World
Flags of the World is an Internet-based vexillological association and resource. Its principal project is the Internet's largest website devoted to vexillology, containing comprehensive information about all kinds of flags, and an associated mailing list...
of all participants is held in the stadium.
In 1983 NEC played a UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
match against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, still seen as the most important match ever played in the Goffertstadion.
It was rebuilt into a modern stadium with all seats covered and heated and updated catering facilities. The first home-match in the new stadium took place in September 1999. The grand re-opening was on 25 January 2000.
One of the many advantages the renovated stadium offers is the improved atmosphere because the spectators are now situated much closer to the playing ground. Because of this the players have a better interaction with the crowd.
The playing ground and the rest of the stadium are separated from each other by a promenade which is situated under the spectators’ seats. This promenade has a double function: It prevents supporters from entering the playing ground while at the same time containing food and beverage outlets as well as toilets.
A specially constructed space under the playing ground can store heat to warm up the playing ground, so that matches can still take place during winter.
In November 2007 the board of NEC and the city of Nijmegen presented new plans for De Goffert. The capacity is intended to be increased to 20,000 and the stadium will be placed largely underground inside a large hill. This hill will also serve as a home for 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...
(Matrixx Magixx), judo and other sports, creating a 'House of Topsports'. The strange, but innovative, design is needed because the city will not allow the stadium to grow in height because of the Goffert Park, which is a protected nature-site. The new stadium should be completed in time for the 2012-2013 season.
The Nijmegen venue hosted three international matches of the Dutch national football team
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
in the 1970s, with the last being a qualifying match for Euro 1980 on September 20, 1978 against Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
: 3–0. The goals were scored by Ruud Krol
Ruud Krol
Rudolf Jozef Krol is a retired Dutch footballer who was capped 83 times for his native country. Playing the vast majority of his career with his home town club of Ajax before traveling the world as both a player and a coach...
, Ernie Brandts
Ernie Brandts
Ernstus "Ernie" Wilhelmus Johannes Brandts is a former Dutch football defender, who played for PSV Eindhoven, Roda JC Kerkrade, MVV Maastricht and De Graafschap....
and Rob Rensenbrink (penalty).