AaB Fodbold

Danish football club From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

AaB,[2] (full name: Aalborg Boldspilklub, pronounced [ˈʌlˌpɒˀ ˈpʌlˀtspe̝lˌkʰlup]) internationally referred to commonly as Aalborg BK,[3] and occasionally referred to as AaB Aalborg, is a professional football club based in Aalborg, Denmark. The club currently competes in the Danish 1st Division, the second tier of Danish football. AaB is one of the oldest and most historically significant clubs in Danish football, having been founded on 13 May 1885. Initially formed as a cricket club by English railway engineers, the club adopted football in 1902 and has competed under the name Aalborg Boldspilklub af 1885 since 1906.

Full nameAalborg Boldspilklub af 1885
NicknamesDe røde (The reds), De bolchestribede (The candy-cane striped)
Short nameAaB
Founded13 May 1885;
140 years ago
 (1885-05-13)
Quick facts Full name, Nicknames ...
AaB
Full nameAalborg Boldspilklub af 1885
NicknamesDe røde (The reds), De bolchestribede (The candy-cane striped)
Short nameAaB
Founded13 May 1885;
140 years ago
 (1885-05-13)
GroundAalborg Portland Park
Capacity13,800[1] (7,700 seated)
OwnerAaB A/S
Sports directorJohn Møller
Head coachSteffen Højer
LeagueDanish 1st Division
2024–25Danish Superliga, 12th of 12 (relegated)
Websiteaabsport.dk
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AaB has traditionally been a mainstay in the Danish top flight, and has won the Danish Superliga four times, in 1994–95, 1998–99, 2007–08, and 2013–14. The latter season remains the club's most successful, as AaB won the domestic double by securing both the league title and the Danish Cup. In total, the club has lifted the national cup three times. After a period of decline in the early 2020s, AaB was relegated from the top tier at the end of the 2022–23 season for the first time in 36 years. The club secured immediate promotion in 2023–24 but was relegated again the following season, returning to the Danish 1st Division for the 2025–26 campaign.

On the European stage, AaB holds the distinction of being the first Danish club to reach the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, doing so in 1995–96 after replacing Dynamo Kyiv, who were expelled for disciplinary reasons. The club later qualified directly for the group stage in 2008–09, and remains one of Denmark's most frequent participants in the competition, second only to F.C. Copenhagen in appearances.

History

AaB was founded on 13 May 1885 by English engineers who were building Jutland's railway system, and the first years was concentrated on the game of cricket. It was initially named Aalborg Cricketklub (Aalborg Cricket club) but the name of the club was changed to Aalborg Boldklub (Aalborg ballclub) in 1899. Football was adopted on an amateur basis in 1902, and has since been the main sport, as the name was changed to the current Aalborg Boldspilklub af 1885 (Aalborg ballgameclub of 1885) in 1906.

Aalborg BK was part of the top-flight Danish leagues from the 1928–29 season, until the relegation of the club in 1947. The club returned to the best league in 1963, and except from the years of 1972, 1978 and 1981–1986, Aalborg BK has since been a part of the various editions of the Danish football championship. Despite its many years in the Danish championship, the club never won a championship title, but Aalborg BK won the Danish Cup competition in 1966 and 1970. Paid football was introduced in Denmark by the Danish Football Association in 1978. As Aalborg BK returned to the best Danish league, the club founded the professional branch of AaB A/S in 1987 to run a professional football team.[4]

During the 1990s, AaB emerged as one of Denmark's leading clubs, winning its first two national championships. In the 1994–95 season, under head coach Poul Erik Andreasen, the team secured the league title with forward Erik Bo Andersen finishing as the division's top scorer with 24 goals. Although the club was initially eliminated by Dynamo Kyiv in the qualifying rounds of the 1995–96 UEFA Champions League, Dynamo were later expelled from the tournament due to a match-fixing scandal. As a result, AaB were reinstated and became the first Danish club to participate in the group stage of the Champions League.[5] Competing in Group A, AaB earned a 2–1 home victory over Panathinaikos and drew 2–2 with Porto, but were eliminated after finishing third in the group. Following the campaign, Andersen transferred to Rangers in Scotland. His departure was offset by the emergence of Søren Frederiksen, who scored 17 goals in the 1998–99 season as AaB claimed their second league title, this time under Swedish manager Hans Backe. That season also saw AaB return to Champions League qualification, where they were again drawn against Dynamo Kyiv. The Danish side lost the home leg 2–1 and drew 2–2 in Ukraine, with a late AaB goal controversially ruled not to have crossed the line, resulting in another early exit from the competition.

Following their domestic title in 1998–99, AaB established themselves as a stable presence in the upper half of the Danish Superliga. The club secured a third-place finish in the 2006–07 season, earning qualification for the 2007 UEFA Intertoto Cup. In the Intertoto Cup, AaB progressed past Finnish side FC Honka, advancing on the away goals rule after a 2–2 draw in the away leg and a 1–1 draw in Aalborg. In the third and final round, they faced Belgian club Gent, drawing 1–1 away and winning 2–1 at home to secure a place in the second qualifying round of the 2007–08 UEFA Cup. In the UEFA Cup qualifiers, AaB were drawn against Finnish champions HJK Helsinki. After a 2–1 defeat in the first leg in Helsinki, AaB responded with a 3–0 victory in the return leg at home, advancing to the first round proper. There, they were paired with Italian side Sampdoria, who featured high-profile players such as Antonio Cassano and Vincenzo Montella. Despite the challenge, AaB advanced on away goals, drawing 2–2 in Genoa and holding Sampdoria to a 0–0 draw in Aalborg—becoming the first Danish club to eliminate an Italian team from European competition.[6] In the group stage, AaB were seeded in the lowest pot and drawn into a challenging group alongside Anderlecht, Tottenham Hotspur, Getafe, and Hapoel Tel Aviv. They opened with a home draw against Anderlecht, followed by a narrow 3–2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in London after having led 2–0 at half-time. A subsequent 2–1 home loss to Getafe left AaB unable to progress to the knockout stage.

In the 2007–08 season, Aalborg won their third Danish Championship and qualified for the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds. in the second qualifying round, Aalborg easily eliminated FK Modriča 7–1 on aggregate. In the third round, before the group stage, they defeated FBK Kaunas 2–0 both at home and away and reached the group stage of the Champions League for the second time, the first time a Danish team achieved this. In the group stage, they were drawn in Group E along with defending champions Manchester United, Villarreal and Celtic. Aalborg finished third in the group, ahead of Celtic, with 6 points and progressed to the 2008–09 UEFA Cup knockout stage.

Their first match in their UEFA Cup run was against Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruña. Aalborg BK won the first leg at home 3–0 and the second leg at the Estadio Riazor 1–3, securing a 6–1 aggregate. Aalborg BK thereby earned a place among the last 16 teams. where they faced Manchester City. After a 2–0 loss in Manchester in the first leg Aalborg BK fought back to tie the score with a 2–0 win at home. The tie ended in agony however, as Aalborg were defeated by 4–3 on penalties.

On 11 May 2014, the club won their 4th Danish Championship, and four days later the double was secured, as the club defeated F.C. Copenhagen 4–2 in the Cup final.

On 3 June 2023, AaB suffered relegation to Danish 1st Division for the first time since 1986 and the first after the establishment of the Danish Superliga in 1991, due to finishing in last place.

Stadium

The northern facade of Nordjyske Arena, 2008

Since 1920, Aalborg BK has played its games at Aalborg Stadion. The stadium was opened on 18 July 1920 with a north–south aligned playing field. The first spectator seats were built in 1927, and in 1937 a wooden terrace for 3,000 standing spectators was built. In 1960, the stadium burned down and a new east-western aligned concrete stadium was opened in 1962. In recent years the stadium has been enlarged and rebuilt so that it now has modern facilities and roof over all spectator stands.[7] The stadium currently has a capacity of 13,997 people (8,997 seats) or 10,500 people (all seats).

Supporters and rivalries

Aalborg BK's official fanclub is AaB Support Club. Formed in 1990, it is one of the oldest fanclubs in Denmark. Aalborg BK's fan-culture is thriving, with both official and unofficial groups like Auxilia Ultras, AaB Tifo Kaos and Generationen offering fanatical support at all games home and away. All fan groups for Aalborg BK, both official and unofficial also work together under the name "Vesttribunen" (The Western-Stand), in reference to the tribune where the active fans stand. Some Ultras of Aalborg BK have a friendship with those of Hammarby IF and SK Brann.

AaB's traditional rivals are AGF with whom they contest "Den Jyske Klassiker" (The Jutland Classic), a match between the two largest cities and most popular clubs in Jylland. The rivalry was most prominent in the 70's, 80's and 90's and has since declined in tension due to both clubs starting to see FC Copenhagen and Brøndby IF as greater rivals. The creation of Randers FC also saw a new local-rivalry for AGF which eased the tension with AaB as AGF developed a new and very intense rivalry with Randers FC. The Jutland Classic is however still considered one of the biggest games in Danish football, and the history and rivalry between the two clubs shows on matchday with massive crowds, bold chanting and fanatical support between both sets of fans. The fans of both clubs still considers it one of the biggest and most important games of the season.

Players

Current squad

As of 2 February 2026[8]

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

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Youth players in use 2025-26

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

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Out on loan

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

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Retired numbers

12 Denmark Torben Boye, defender (1984–2001)

Notable former players

Current management

More information Position, Staff ...
Position Staff
Sports directorDenmark John Møller (2025–)
Head coachDenmark Steffen Højer (2025–)
Assistant coach Denmark Bo Zinck (2025–)
Goalkeeping coachDenmark Poul Buus (2007–)
Head of PerformanceGermany Pierre Gillo (2024–)
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AaB Fodbold is owned by AaB A/S.

[9]

Head coaches

The following managers have coached AaB since it re-entered the Danish top-flight in 1986:

Honours

Domestic

Leagues

Cups

European

Seasons

Performance graph of Aalborg Boldspilklub

Some matches is regular seasons were played as knockout matches, as a result these are shown in the regular league columns instead of the cup column and with position replaced with win/loss.

More information Season, Competition ...
Season Competition Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Cup
Spring 1895 Jutland A-Series Final W 1N/A 31N/A N/A
Spring 1903 Jutland A-Series Final W 1N/A 31N/A N/A
1906–1907 Jutland A-Series Final W Unknown N/A
1907–08 Jutland Circuit W Unknown N/A
Jutland A-Series North Circuit Semi-final L 1N/A 02N/A
1908–09 Unknown N/A
1909–10 Jutland A-Series North Circuit Final W 1N/A 30N/A N/A
Jutland A-Series Final W 1N/A 41N/A
1910–11 Jutland A-Series North Circuit Final W 1N/A 21N/A N/A
Jutland A-Series Final D 1N/A 11N/A
Jutland A-Series Final Replay W 1N/A 10N/A
1911–12 Jutland A-Series North Circuit Final W 1N/A 31N/A N/A
Jutland A-Series Final L 1N/A 15N/A
1912–13 Jutland A-Series North Circuit Final W 1N/A 40N/A DNQ
Jutland A-Series Final L 1N/A 24N/A
1913–14 Jutland A-Series North Circuit Final W 1N/A 90N/A DNQ
Jutland A-Series Final L 1N/A 24N/A
1914–15 Jutland A-Series North Circuit 1 2 3201 434 DNQ
Jutland A-Series North Circuit 1 1st place rematch W 1N/A 41N/A
Jutland A-Series North Circuit Final W 1N/A 51N/A
Jutland A-Series Final L 1N/A 12N/A
1915–16 Jutland A-Series North Circuit 3 2 6321 unk.unk.8 DNQ
1916–17 Jutland A-Series North Circuit 1 3 6114 6123 DNQ
1917–18 Jutland A-Series North Circuit 2 2 6402 unk.unk.8 DNQ
1918–19 Jutland A-Series North Circuit 1 1 6420 23810 DNQ
Jutland A-Series Circuit Final L 1N/A 02N/A
1919–20 Jutland A-Series North Circuit 2 1 6501 27910 DNQ
Jutland A-Series Circuit Semi-final W 1N/A 74N/A
Jutland A-Series Circuit Final W 1N/A 51N/A
Jutland A-Series Final L 1N/A 35N/A
1920–21 Jutland A-Series North Circuit 1 1 8521 341912 DNQ
Jutland A-Series Circuit Final L 1N/A 35N/A
1921–22 Jutland A-Series North Circuit 1 2 6213 15125 DNQ
1922–23 Jutland A-Series 1st Circuit 2 8unk.12 DNQ
1923–24 Jutland A-Series 2nd Circuit 2 7unk.9 DNQ
1924–25 Jutland A-Series 1st Circuit 1 6510 22411 DNQ
Jutland A-Series Circuit Semi-finals W 1N/A 32N/A
Jutland A-Series Circuit Finals W 1N/A 110N/A
Jutland A-Series Final W 1N/A 81N/A
Jutland Qualification to Championship Series W 1N/A 21N/A
1925–26 Jutland Championship Series 2 10433 272211 DNQ
1926–27 Jutland Championship North Circuit 2 10604 412412 DNQ
1927–28 Jutland Championship North Circuit 1 10631 292015 N/A
Jutland Championship Finals W 2200 604
1928–29 Danish Championship Tournament 3rd Circuit 3 4202 10144 N/A
Jutland Championship North Circuit 1 10901 361318
Jutland Championship Finals W 2200 743
1929–30 Championship Series 7 9225 19346 N/A
Jutland Championship North Circuit 1 10802 381916
Jutland Championship Finals W 2200 724
1930–31 Championship Series 7 9306 26466 N/A
Jutland Championship North Circuit 2 10604 372512
1931–32 Championship Series 6 9324 28348 N/A
Jutland Championship North Circuit 1 10613 312113
Jutland Championship Finals W 3201 1074
1932–33 Championship Series 5 9423 281510 N/A
Jutland Championship North Circuit 1 141202 502524
Jutland Championship Finals W 3201 644
1933–34 Championship Series 8 9306 24396 N/A
Jutland Championship North Circuit 2 14824 492818
1934–35 Championship Series 9 9216 17215 N/A
Jutland Championship North Circuit 2 14734 382917
1935–36 Championship Series 3 9423 251610 N/A
Jutland Championship North Circuit 2 14914 392319
1936–37 Championship Series 6 18729 284516 N/A
Jutland Championship Series Semi-finals L 1N/A 23N/A
1937–38 Championship Series 7 18558 444115 N/A
1938–39 Championship Series 4 18747 312818 N/A
Jutland Championship Series Semi-finals L 1N/A 13N/A
1939–40 Championship Series 7 18738 303217 N/A
1940–41 Danish Tournament 1st Circuit 3 12642 211216 N/A
Danish Tournament Quarter-final L 1N/A 25N/A
Jutland Championship Series Semi-finals W 1N/A 10N/A
Jutland Championship Series Finals W 1N/A 31N/A
1941–42 Danish Tournament 1st Circuit 2 181044 362224 N/A
Danish Tournament Quarter-final L 1N/A 01N/A
Jutland Championship Series Semi-finals W 1N/A 43N/A
Jutland Championship Series Finals W 1N/A 31N/A
1942–43 Danish Tournament 1st Circuit 5 18918 283119 N/A
1943–44 Danish Tournament 1st Circuit 5 18738 353617 N/A
1944–45 Danish Tournament 1st Circuit 3 6123 8144 N/A
1945–46 Danish 1st Division 9 186210 193814 N/A
1946–47 Danish 1st Division 10 184113 22519 N/A
1947–48 Danish 2nd Division 3 18936 363221 N/A
1948–49 Danish 2nd Division 4 18756 301919 N/A
1949–50 Danish 2nd Division 6 18738 293517 N/A
Jutland Championship Series Semi-final W 1N/A 21N/A
Jutland Championship Series Final L 1N/A 01N/A
1950–51 Danish 2nd Division 3 18945 372622 N/A
1951–52 Danish 2nd Division 9 183510 294211 N/A
1952–53 Danish 2nd Division 8 186111 283713 N/A
1953–54 Danish 2nd Division 5 18747 414218 N/A
1954–55 Danish 2nd Division 10 183510 234511 4th round
1955–56 Danish 3rd Division 5 22958 474523 4th round
1956–57 Danish 3rd Division 5 3318510 845041 3rd round
1958 Danish 2nd Division 8 226610 334618 3rd round
1959 Danish 2nd Division 7 228410 465320 2nd round
1960 Danish 2nd Division 6 22778 333821 2nd round
1961 Danish 2nd Division 3 221264 533030 2nd round
1962 Danish 2nd Division 1 221255 434029 4th round
1963 Danish 1st Division 11 227411 304618 3rd round
1964 Danish 2nd Division 2 221435 563231 3rd round
1965 Danish 1st Division 7 22778 322721 2nd round
1966 Danish 1st Division 9 229211 323220 Winner
1967 Danish 1st Division 5 22796 383623 final
1968 Danish 1st Division 7 22778 373521 quarter-final
1969 Danish 1st Division 3 221255 522629 semi-final
1970 Danish 1st Division 8 229310 342921 Winner
1971 Danish 1st Division 11 227411 374718 3rd round
1972 Danish 2nd Division 2 221246 604028 3rd round
1973 Danish 1st Division 6 22697 323021 3rd round
1974 Danish 1st Division 10 22679 354119 semi-final
1975 Danish 1st Division 7 3014511 634933 semi-final
1976 Danish 1st Division 4 301578 554137 4th round
1977 Danish 1st Division 14 3061014 334322 semi-final
1978 Danish 2nd Division 1 301785 643642 semi-final
1979 Danish 1st Division 12 3010614 424526 2nd round
1980 Danish 1st Division 16 302226 27856 2nd round
1981 Danish 2nd Division 14 308517 265521 3rd round
1982 Danish 3rd Division 10 3011613 454028 3rd round
1983 Danish 3rd Division 10 3012612 454330 1st round
1984 Danish 3rd Division 1 302163 773748 4th round
1985 Danish 2nd Division 5 301488 604836 semi-final
1986 Danish 2nd Division 2 3013125 563638 2nd round
1987 Danish 1st Division 10 267613 273820 final
1988 Danish 1st Division 11 268612 335022 4th round
1989 Danish 1st Division 11 265912 303919 quarter-final
1990 Danish 1st Division 10 268108 323426 4th round
1991 Danish Superliga 6 18657 293317 final
1991–92 Danish Superliga 4 18675 292519 quarter-final
Danish Superliga Playoffs 5 14455 161913+10
1992–93 Danish Superliga 3 18774 251721 final
Danish Superliga Playoffs 4 14554 232315+11
1993–94 Danish Superliga 6 18495 282517 quarter-final
Danish Superliga Playoffs 5 14464 181914+9
1994–95 Danish Superliga 2 181224 442526 semi-final
Danish Superliga Playoffs 1 14743 301318+13
1995–96 Danish Superliga 5 3315612 573851 quarter-final
1996–97 Danish Superliga 5 33121110 464047 quarter-final
1997–98 Danish Superliga 7 3312813 544844 quarter-final
1998–99 Danish Superliga 1 3317133 653764 final
1999–00 Danish Superliga 5 3312138 574049 final
2000–01 Danish Superliga 5 33131010 514949 5th round
2001–02 Danish Superliga 4 3316611 524554 quarter-final
2002–03 Danish Superliga 6 3314415 424546 semi-final
2003–04 Danish Superliga 5 331698 554157 final
2004–05 Danish Superliga 4 3315810 594553 5th round
2005–06 Danish Superliga 5 33111210 484445 semi-final
2006–07 Danish Superliga 3 331878 553461 2nd round
2007–08 Danish Superliga 1 332256 603871 4th round
2008–09 Danish Superliga 7 3391212 404939 final
2009–10 Danish Superliga 5 3313911 363048 4th round
2010–11 Danish Superliga 10 3381114 384835 quarter-final
2011–12 Danish Superliga 7 3312813 424844 2nd round
2012–13 Danish Superliga 5 3313812 514647 4th round
2013–14 Danish Superliga 1 331887 603862 Winner
2014–15 Danish Superliga 5 3313911 393148 quarter-final
2015–16 Danish Superliga 5 3315513 564450 semi-final
2016–17 Danish Superliga 10 3410816 314938 quarter-final
2017–18 Danish Superliga 5 36101511 384445 quarter-final
2018–19 Danish Superliga 9 34101212 444442 semi-final
2019–20 Danish Superliga 5 3616614 544454 final
2020–21 Danish Superliga 7 32121010 444146 4th round
2021–22 Danish Superliga 5 3213613 474545 4th round
2022–23 Danish Superliga 12 326917 344527 final
2023–24 Danish 1st Division 2 321985 663865 3rd round
2024–25 Danish Superliga 12 325918 346724 quarter final
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References

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