Holstebro Boldklub

Holstebro Boldklub

Full name	Holstebro Boldklub
Short name	HB
Founded	21 March 1921; 103 years ago (1921-03-21)[1]
Ground	Holstebro Idrætspark
Capacity	15,000[2]
Chairman	Kåre Madsen[3]
Manager	Kim Kristensen
League	Danish 3rd Division
2023–24	Danish 3rd Division, 7th of 12
Website	https://www.holstebroboldklub.dk/
Home colours Away colours

Holstebro Boldklub (Danish pronunciation: [hʌlˌstəˈpʁoˀ ˈpʌlˀtkʰlup]; also simply called Holstebro or HB) is an association football club based in the town of Holstebro, West Jutland, Denmark, that competes in the 3rd Division, the fourth tier of the Danish football league system.^[4] Founded in 1921, it is affiliated to the DBU Jutland, the regional body of football in Jutland. The team plays its home matches at Holstebro Idrætspark, where it has been based since 1989.

History

Formation and early development (1921–1940s)

Holstebro Boldklub was established on 21 March 1921.^[1] Previously, cricket was the main sport in Holstebro, with association football introduced in the region around the turn of the century. The town's first recorded football match was held on the market square between Holstebro Idrætsforening, a precursor to Holstebro Boldklub, and the main club from nearby Lemvig.^[1] Interest in football grew rapidly, especially after the Holstebro–Lemvig teams became among Jutland's strongest in the 1910s, attracting a record 5,000 spectators in a 1919 match against Skive.^[1]

Johannes Nielsen organised a meeting on 21 March 1921 at Holstebro's temperance hotel, resulting in the formation of Holstebro Boldklub. Nielsen served as the first chairman, with a board that included local tradespeople and craftsmen.^[1] Despite achieving several early victories, including promotion to Mesterrækken (now the Jutland Series),^[5] the club faced challenges as top players often transferred to stronger regional clubs like Herning Fremad, which led to a quick relegation.^[1]

Holstebro Boldklub achieved an early milestone by winning the Jutland junior division championship, featuring future national team players Oluf Skjelmose and Kaj Nielsen.^[6][7] Under chairman Martin Schmidt, Holstebro developed a cohesive internal culture, referred to as the "HB spirit."^[1] The club advanced by winning its Mellemrække group and earning promotion to JBU's Mesterskabsrække with a win over Brønderslev, remaining undefeated for 29 consecutive matches during this period.^[1]

Holstebro then won the northern division of the Mesterskabsrække and took fourth place in the DBU's promotion series, the second-tier of the Danish football league system, competing with clubs such as HIK and B 1913.^[8] The club also won the Jutland Championship with a 3–2 victory over Vejle, attended by 3,000 spectators. Holstebro was recognised among the top clubs in Jutland after winning the "Jutland Cup Tournament," but the outbreak of World War II soon interrupted the season. Despite challenges during the war, the club continued to focus on youth development.^[1]

Post-War growth and competitive success (1950s–1990s)

Holstebro appointed its first professional coach, Axel Larsen, who led them to another northern Mesterskabsrække title, though promotion was not secured. With new coach Carl I. Christensen, Holstebro improved in fitness and performance, achieving promotion to the Danish 4th Division in 1958 after a successful playoff against Herning Fremad. Though they faced subsequent relegations, Holstebro returned briefly to the 4th Division under coach Robert Andreasen.^[1]

In 1989, the club opened a new clubhouse, and its team in the Denmark Series (which had replaced the 4th Division in 1966)^[9][10] earned promotion once again.^[1] Holstebro reached its highest historical ranking in 1995, placing 5th in the second-tier Danish 1st Division.^[11] In 1999, Holstebro Boldklub won the Danish indoor football championship.^[12]

Modern era and recent achievements (2000s–present)

At the turn of the century, Holstebro competed in the third-tier Danish 2nd Division, finishing in the bottom half of the league table during to 1999–2000 season.^[13] Results steadily improved the following seasons, with the club finishing fourth in the 2001–02 season.^[14][15] In April 2003, Holstebro became part of the FS MidtVest talent development partnership with FC Midtjylland, which included over 57 clubs. This collaboration aimed to enhance player and coach development, while providing Holstebro members with free access to Midtjylland's home games. Additionally, fringe players from Midtjylland would have opportunities to play for Holstebro in the 2nd Division.^[16][17] In the following years, Holstebro narrowly avoided relegation, and managed to stay in the 2nd Division.^[18][19]

In September 2005, Holstebro faced accusations of match fixing after a 3–2 loss to Næsby in the 2nd Division, marking the first instance of such allegations in Danish football.^[20] Significant betting activity raised suspicions, as around 95% of bets were placed on a Næsby victory, leading experts to warn that Danish football is vulnerable to manipulation by Asian betting syndicates.^[21] Holstebro denied any wrongdoing, stating that an internal investigation found no evidence of misconduct among players or staff.^[20]

On 8 June 2008, Holstebro was relegated from the 2nd Division to the fourth-tier Denmark Series after a 1–0 home loss to Midtjylland's reserves, ending a 19-year tenure in the Danish divisions.^[22][23] The following season, Holstebro earned immediate promotion back to the 2nd Division.^[24] In the 2008–09 Danish Cup fourth round, they faced Danish Superliga club Brøndby, narrowly losing 2–1. The match marked the return of former player Bo Hansen, who had played for both clubs, as well as Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League. Retired since 2004 due to injuries, Hansen returned to the pitch for the final 20 minutes of the game.^[25][26]

After ten years away, the club returned to the third-tier Danish 2nd Division in 2020, continuing its presence in the divisions of Danish football.^[27][28]

Players

First-team squad

As of 27 October 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  DEN Mathias Grysbæk Balle 2 DF  DEN Rasmus Kristiansen 3 DF  COD John Ndjate 4 MF  DEN Andreas Ellemann Broe 5 DF  DEN Magnus Kildsgaard Hansen 6 MF  DEN Tobias Damtoft 7 FW  PUR Anders Iversen 10 MF  DEN Rasmus Aagaard 11 MF  DEN Malthe Wallin 13 MF  DEN Magnus Nicolaisen

No. Pos. Nation Player 14 DF  DEN Jacob Hjorth Søndergaard 15 MF  DEN Emirhan Unal 17 DF  DEN Mikkel G. Kristensen 18 MF  LUX Magnus Clemmensen 19 DF  DEN Niklas Øvreås Poulsen 20 GK  DEN Nicolaj Rohde 21 FW  DEN Nikolai Klausen 23 FW  DEN Mikkel Tønnesen 31 GK  DEN Mikkel Jahn 77 FW  NGA Obule Moses (on loan from Midtjylland U19)

Former players

Morten Skoubo (pictured in 2009) played youth football for Holstebro.

Goalkeeper Peer Lauritsen played over 400 matches for the club. Holstebro Boldklub has developed players who later reached top-level Danish and international football, including Jakob Kjeldbjerg (Chelsea),^[29] Jens Risager (Brøndby),^[30] Bo Hansen (Brøndby, Bolton Wanderers),^[26] Kim Kristensen (Midtjylland, Herfølge, Vejle),^[31] Claus Bech Jørgensen,^[32] Morten Skoubo (Midtjylland, Brøndby, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Real Sociedad),^[33] and Søren Krogh (Brøndby).^[34]

Club officials

Management

Position	Name
Chairman	Kåre Madsen
Vice-chairman	Anja Lund
Youth-chairman	Glenn Wiik
Board of directors	Kristian Hedegaard, Ronnie Elbæk, Michael Pedersen
Sports Director	Henrik Christensen

Technical staff

As of 27 October 2024

Position	Name
Head coach	Kim Kristensen
Assistant manager	Kenneth Birkedal
First-team coach	Arne Linnet
Goalkeeping coach	Morten Jänichen
First-team leader	Jimmi Pedersen
First-team leaders	Frank Lauritsen, Peter 'Futte' Fejerskov Anders Bojer Jørgensen
Second team coach	Morten Tandrup

References

1. "Om Klubben". holstebroboldklub.dk. Holstebro Boldklub. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
2. "Stadionkapacitet". stadions.dk. Danmarks Stadions. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
3. "Bestyrelsen". Holstebro Boldklub (in Danish). Retrieved 27 October 2024.
4. "Jysk talentfabrik fanget I DS". bold.dk. 9 December 2012.
5. "DBU Jyllands historie". dbujylland.dk. DBU Jutland. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
6. "A-landsholdspillere – Oluf Skjelmose (121)". www.haslund.info (in Danish). Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
7. Strægaard, Morten Munk (20 March 2021). "11 historiske nedslag i HBs 100-årige historie". Dagbladet Holstebro-Struer (in Danish). Retrieved 27 October 2024.
8. "Holstebro vinder Nordkredsen". Århus Stiftstidende (in Danish). 6 May 1940. p. 6.
9. Birch, Claus (29 January – 1 April 2006). "7. kapitel: 1960 – 1969: Tressernes triste fodboldblues" [7. Chapter: 1960 – 1969: The Sad Football Blues of the Sixties]. The North Zealand Football Chronicle, originally published in Frederiksborg Amts Avis. Archived from the original on 23 January 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
10. "Kastrup beder om direkte oprykning (article; includes 1967 Denmark Series Group Division), Storklubberne dominerer (article), AB-flytning til Bagsværd succes (article)". Dagbladet Politiken. 22 November 1966. p. 16, Section 1, Politiken's Sport. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
11. Jeppesen, Niklas (20 March 2021). "HB's bedste hold i 100 år blev skabt af en fænomenal afslutter, den rette blanding og lidt af en talentfabrik: Det gik op i en højere enhed". Dagbladet Holstebro-Struer (in Danish). Retrieved 27 October 2024.
12. "På en vinterdag for 20 år siden løb HB med overskrifterne: Jeg ser stadig kampen på VHS". folkebladetlemvig.dk. Folkebladet Lemvig. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
13. "Danmarksturneringen 1999/00, slutstillingen". danskfodbold.com. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
14. "Danmarksturneringen 2001/02, slutstillingen". danskfodbold.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
15. "Holstebro nærmer sig toppen". Bold (in Danish). 3 November 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
16. "FCM og Holstebro i samarbejde". Bold (in Danish). 7 April 2003. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
17. "Historien bag FCM Klubsamarbejdet". FCM Klubsamarbejdet (in Danish). Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
18. "Danmarksturneringen, DM-profil for klubber: Holstebro Boldklub". danskfodbold.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
19. "Sammenhold i Holstebro". Bold (in Danish). 16 August 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
20. "Holstebro mistænkt for aftalt spil". Bold (in Danish). 22 September 2005. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
21. Eigaard, Henrik (11 April 2008). "Mistanke om aftalt spil". Tipsbladet (in Danish). Retrieved 27 October 2024.
22. "Ikke mere divisionsbold i Holstebro". Bold (in Danish). 8 June 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
23. "HB rykker ned". Dagbladet Holstebro-Struer (in Danish). 8 June 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
24. "Holstebro og Allerød i 2. division". Bold (in Danish). 13 June 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
25. "Jallow afværgede pokalmestrenes exit". Bold (in Danish). 30 October 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
26. Olsen, Morten (17 October 2008). "Bomber Bo gør comeback". DR (in Danish). Retrieved 26 October 2024.
27. Andersen, Sarah Mølsted (27 June 2020). "Efter ti års divisions-tørke er Holstebro Boldklub tilbage". TV MIDTVEST (in Danish). Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
28. Strægaard, Morten Munk; Jeppesen, Niklas (27 June 2020). "HB rykker op i 2. division: Vildt drama endte i vild jubel". Dagbladet Holstebro-Struer (in Danish). Retrieved 27 October 2024.
29. Buur, Ida Tophøj; Sørensen, Mette G. (19 October 2019). "Landsholdsspilleren, der blev Robinsonvært". Dagbladet Holstebro-Struer (in Danish). Retrieved 26 October 2024.
30. Rømert, Mads (21 May 2000). "Fra landsholdet til lærlingeplads". Jyllands-Posten (in Danish). Retrieved 26 October 2024.
31. Strægaard, Morten Munk (28 April 2022). "Cheftræner tager to år mere i spidsen for HB: - Uagtet om vi rykker op eller ej, så er Kim den helt rigtige mand til jobbet". Dagbladet Holstebro-Struer (in Danish). Retrieved 26 October 2024.
32. Marquardtsen, Kasper Eland (9 August 2024). "Tidligere professionel fodboldspiller har fået nyt job". Dagbladet Holstebro-Struer (in Danish). Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
33. "Morten Skoubo indstiller karrieren". TV MIDTVEST (in Danish). 17 January 2015. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
34. "Krogh bliver fodboldchef i superligaklub". Dagbladet Holstebro-Struer (in Danish). 10 December 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2024.

External links

• (in Danish) Holstebro Boldklub official website