Ajax Amsterdam*

AJAX AMSTERDAM

Dutch Name:Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax

Ajax were formed in 1900, They are based in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam. Ajax's stadium is named the Amsterdam Arena has a capacity of 51,628. The club has a rich and illustrious history in European football such legends as Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp and present manager Marco Van Baten have all plied their trade at Ajax.

Ajax play in a red and white strip. The club was created by four football fans . Floris Stempel, Carel Rees and the Dade brothers from Holland formed the team. Ajax are nicknamed Joden which translates in English as the jews, they are also known as the sons of the gods.
 
The Ajax side were responsible for creating the term 'Total Football'' in the 1970's when they helped to make the national side a great success as well. They were renowned for playing an attacking and skillfull brand of football which became very fashionable. Ajax were promoted to the top division of Dutch football in 1911 and have stayed there ever since. The side from the Dutch capital finished 3rd in the 2009 Eredivise table gaining them a Europa League poistion.

European Performance:

They lifted the European cup three years in a row between 1971 and 1973, they also won the cup in 1995 under the new name of the Champions League with a late winner from another legend Patrick Kluivert. The club has won a staggering 29 eredivise titles, the Eredivise being the top division in Holland.

They won their last Eredivise in 2004, and the club's standards have slipped in recent years as they have had to sell many a top name like Liverpool's Ryan Babel to richer European clubs. They are currently playing in this season's Uefa cup as they have disappointingly failed to make it to this year's Champions League.

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