Brøndby IF history (short)

Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening was formed on December 3, 1964 through the union of two football clubs, Brøndbyøster Idrætsforening (founded on October 10, 1928) and Brøndbyvester Idrætsforening (founded February 1, 1909).

The background for this union was that the parish council wanted to merge the county's two sports clubs. At that time, the united club encompassed a number of sports, including football, handball, gymnastics, badminton, etc.

Brøndbyernes IF Fodbold A/S, which is the company behind the Super League (Superligaen) and elite squads, was founded on 15 May 1978 in connection with the induction of professional football in Denmark. The company was introduced on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange in 1987. In doing so, Brøndby became the second publicly traded football concern in the world.

From the beginning, the club's football division focused on youths. Youth programmes have always been throughout the years and will continue to be highly prioritised by the club. The men's teams, however, were also strengthened by the merger, and already in 1967 the club succeeded in winning the regional Serie 1 title and be promoted to Zealand Serie. Four years later, the club won the Zealand Serie title.

In the same period, the club split into individual sports organisations. The football division was the only one that maintained the Brøndby IF name, and Brøndby mayor, Kjeld Rasmussen, became the club's first chairman. In January 1973, he was replaced by Per Bjerregård.

In 1973, former Danish international player, Finn Laudrup, took on the role as player-manager. In 1974 he concentrated mostly on playing and was the general on the pitch that led the team in realizing the club's first long-term goal - to be a Division team. That was later followed by promotions in both 1977 and 1981. After that there was only one major goal to reach: First Division.

The next three seasons ended in honourable, though frustrating fourth places - just below winning silverware.

Brøndby in National Colours

Michael Laudrup on his 18th birthday, June 15, 1982, became Brøndby's first player to be appointed on Denmark's international squad. Since then over 50 Brøndby players have played on their countries' international teams.

The first Danish Championship was won by the club in 1985. It was  followed by titles in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002 and latest in 2005. The Danish FA Cup was  won by Brøndby IF in 1989, 1994, 1998, 2003 and 2005.

European Greatness

Brøndby IF has also made a name for itself outside Denmark. From its first European Cup match in Autumn 1986, the club has earned the reputation as Denmark's strongest football team. Since then, there have been more than 100 European Cup matches and three European tournaments including both UEFA Cup and Champions Leagues matches. The best results are the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1991 and quarter-finals in 1997, as well as reaching quarter-finals in the European Champions Clubs' Cup in 1987.

The greatest single achievements within European football, are the victories over Liverpool FC in 1995 and Karlsruher SC in 1996. And in 1998, Brøndby IF finally succeeded in qualifying to Champions League.

40 Years Young

Over the years, Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening has gone through an unusual and noteworthy development - the results speak for themselves.

Within just 40 years, Brøndby has succeeded in bringing home the Danish Championship 10 times and the Danish FA Cup five times.

If you add these to the distinguished results achieved through a nearly endless number of Zealand Serie, Danish Cup and Danish Championship titles and silverware won by the club's other teams, Brøndby IF definitely stands out as Denmark's most successful football club from the 1970's on through to the 21st century.