Brondby IF

Brondbyernes Idratsforening (Danish pronunciation: [ˈpʁɶnˌpyˀɐnəs ˈitʁatsfɒˌe̝ˀne̝ŋ], usually abbreviated to Brondby IF Danish pronunciation: [ˈpʁɶnˌpyˀ ˌiˀˈef]), is a professional association football club based in Brondbyvester, Capital Region of Denmark. The club was founded in 1964 as a merger between two local clubs and was promoted to the Danish top-flight football league in 1981.

Brondby IF has won 11 Danish championships and 7 Danish Cups. Brondby's most successful period was from 1985 to 2005 when, in twenty years, they won ten league titles. In 1991, Brondby reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and became the first and only Danish club to ever reach a European semi-final.

History

Formation (1964–1977)

Brondbyernes Idratsforening was formed on 3 December 1964 following a merger between two local rivals – Brondbyoster IF and Brondbyvester IF. The merger was to be completed as a prerequisite for the construction of a new stadium by Brondby Municipality. Brondby IF spent its inaugural season as an amateur club in the 6th tier of the 11 Danish leagues, the Serie 1, where they finished their two first seasons in fourth place. Among the players of the early years was team captain Per Bjerregaard, a doctor who had moved to Copenhagen from Randers in Jutland, and Hans Gregersen, who was the mascot of the team until his death by syphilis in 1967. In 1967, the club hired coach Leif Andersen who instantly secured promotion to Sjallandsserien (the Zealand series). After a few mediocre years, a new coach, John Sinding, was brought in, and the club won promotion to Danmarksserien (the Denmark series).

In 1973, Per Bjerregaard stopped his active career at 27 years of age and became chairman of Brondby; his first action was to sack head coach Sinding. In his place, Brondby hired former professional and Denmark national team player Finn Laudrup, who took over as head coach while he still took actively part in the matches as a

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