 | |||
| Full name | Vejle Boldklub | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | De Røde (The Reds) Jyllands Rubin (Ruby of Jutland) | ||
| Short name | VB | ||
| Founded | 3 May 1891; 134 years ago (1891-05-03)[1] | ||
| Ground | Vejle Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 11,060 (7,567 seated) | ||
| Chairman | Tage Pedersen[2] | ||
| Head coach | Morten Bisgaard &Steffen Kielstrup (caretakers) | ||
| League | Superliga | ||
| 2024–25 | Superliga, 10th of 12 | ||
| Website | vejle-boldklub | ||
 Current season | |||
Vejle Boldklub is a Danish professionalfootball club based inVejle inJutland. Formed in 1891, the club is one of the most successful clubs in Danish football history, having won theDanish championship five times and theDanish cup title six times.
Vejle Boldklub is famous for being the only Danish club to develop aEuropean Footballer of the Year winner inAllan Simonsen who won it in 1977. The club is also famous for developing several international players such asThomas Gravesen,Tommy Troelsen,Ulrik le Fevre, andJohn Sivebæk. On the European stage, Vejle Boldklub has played in theUEFA Champions League in1972–73,1973–74,1979–80, and1985–86. VB has also participated in theUEFA Cup Winners Cup and theUEFA Cup three times each. VB's most memorable moments in Europe so far has been reaching theUEFA Cup Winners Cup Quarter-finals in1977–78, facingHNK Hajduk Split in theUEFA Champions League Round of 16 in1979–80, and beatingReal Betis 1–0 in the first leg of the 1st round of the1998–99UEFA Cup tournament.
The club is based in the northern part of the city with the club's homeground beingVejle Stadium built in 2008. The stadium is located in Nørreskoven (the northern forest) which VB has called home since 1922. The club has played in red shirts and white shorts since 1911. The main rivals of Vejle Boldklub areAGF andAC Horsens.
In 2016, Andrew Zolotko acquired majority ownership of Vejle Boldklub, with Klaus Eskildsen retaining a minority stake. Zolotko became chairman the following year, joined on the board byGert Eg, the club's record appearance holder. In 2025, Zolotko sold his shares to a local group led by Eskildsen.
Vejle Boldklub was established on 3 May 1891 by 23 local residents as a cricket club.[3] Football was introduced as part of the club's activities in 1902.[4]
The period from 1910 to 1920 is commonly regarded as the club's first golden era.[5] During this decade, Vejle reached the Jutland championship final seven times, securing the title in 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915.[6]
On 22 May 1952, Vejle Boldklub secured promotion to Denmark's second tier in front of 15,000 spectators atVejle Stadium, defeating Odense KFUM. A key figure in the squad wasBent Sørensen, who later became the club's first player to represent thenational team.[7]
Promotion to the top division was achieved on 10 May 1956, when Vejle defeatedB.93 in a play-off held atKøbenhavns Idrætspark inCopenhagen, witnessed by 25,000 spectators. Sørensen once again scored the decisive goal. Vejle went on to remain in Denmark's top flight for 36 consecutive seasons—a national record.[8]
In 1958, the club won its first Danish championship and also captured theDanish Cup, becoming the first club in Danish football history to complete the domestic double. The squad included standout players such asTommy Troelsen—then only 17 years old—andHenning Enoksen.[9]
Home matches during this era regularly drew crowds of 15,000 to 20,000. Notable victories included an 8–3 win overKB and a 7–2 result againstOB. Under manager Frits Gotfredsen, the team adopted an attacking style of play that helped establish Vejle as one of the most popular clubs in Denmark during the decade.[10][11]
The success continued in 1959 with a dramatic Danish Cup final victory overAGF in front of 33,000 spectators at the national stadium. Vejle won 1–0 in a match where the goal scorer was never conclusively identified—Henning Enoksen, the ball, and several AGF defenders ended up in the net.[12]
At the1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, four Vejle players—Enoksen, Troelsen,Poul Mejer, andPoul Jensen (captain)—were selected for the Denmark national team, which won the silver medal.[13]
In1971, Vejle Boldklub celebrated its 80 years jubilee and the players gave the club the best birthday present possible: the Danish championship trophy and the club's first ticket to theEuropean Champions Cup. The trophy was won through great attacking football, and there was never any doubt that VB would win it.
Danish football followers were impressed with the new top side in Danish football and thousands of people came toVejle to enjoy the charming football of Vejle Boldklub. Among the many stars in the team wereAllan Simonsen andFlemming Serritslev. The manager was once againFrits Gotfredsen. He ended his amazing career in Vejle Boldklub after this big triumph.
In the 1972 season, VB went on to prove that the team was now on top of Danish football. The Danish championship in 1971 was followed up by another cup triumph and once again theDanish championship ended up inVejle – The Double.
The title was won even more convincingly than the year before after ten straight victories in the spring half of the season. It was simply VB and the others. After the 1972 season, VB's biggest star,Allan Simonsen, joined German giantsBorussia Mönchengladbach, where he was namedEuropean Footballer of the Year in 1977 – so far the only Danish player in history.
In the 1975 season, VB did not live up to the huge expectations in the league. However, the club delivered some great attacking football in thecup tournament and went on to win the final for the fourth time with a 1–0 victory overHolbæk. Club record holder,Gert Eg, scored with a great first timer, which qualified VB for theEuropean Cup Winners Cup.
On 19 May 1977, Vejle Boldklub won its third cup final in only six years. The fifth cup triumph was won with a 2–1 victory againstB1909. The goal scorers for Vejle wasIb Jacquet andKnud Nørregård. VB could now call itself the best cup team in Denmark – a status that was taken away fromAGF.
Vejle reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup-Winners' Cup in the 1977–78 campaign.
In the 1978 season, Vejle Boldklub underlined its top position in Danish football by winning theDanish title for the fourth time in the club's history. ManagerPoul Erik Bech and his players could celebrate the victory inVejle before the last game asAGF andEsbjerg fB could no longer catch the reds. Among the stars in the team wereAlex Nielsen,Tommy Hansen andUlrik le Fevre, who later became the first player to scoreTor des Jahres in the German Bundesliga.
In1978, Vejle Boldklub became the first team to win the Danish title after the involvement of money in Danish football. But as it turned out VB would find it difficult to adapt to the new times.
However, at the start of the decade VB continued in the footsteps of the successful 1970s teams. On 28 May 1981Boldklubben Frem was beaten 2–1 in the cup final. This meant that the beautiful trophy – which Danish clubs had been fighting for since 1955 – was brought toVejle permanently and placed in the club house in Nørreskoven.
In 1983,Allan Simonsen – named third best player in Europe the same year – returned to Vejle Boldklub. Simonsen had a big impact on the team and was a major influence as the club went on to win its fifth Danish title in1984. With this victory the greatest trophy in Danish football found a permanent spot in the club house in Vejle next to the cup winners trophy. Among the biggest stars in the squad wereJohn Sivebæk,Allan Simonsen andSteen Thychosen, who became the league top scorer with 24 goals.
After some indifferent seasons, in 1988, VB was taken over by four local businessmen. Once again the club started dreaming about titles and the fans were excited by the signings of star players such asPreben Elkjær,John Larsen andKeld Bordinggaard. However, the new managerEbbe Skovdahl could not get the team to work together even though he had several star players in his side.
Vejle Boldklub's centenary was celebrated in the worst possible manner with relegation to the second tier for the first time since 1956. Many star players went to play for other clubs and a sad atmosphere of crisis descended uponVejle. The four businessmen left the club, but ensured on their way out that it was not in dire straits. To turn things around VB hired their old star playerAllan Simonsen as new manager. However, it was a thankless task for Simonsen, who started his managerial career with a defeat.
In 1994 the successful manager from 1981,Ole Fritsen, was named as the new manager of Vejle Boldklub. As a former youth coach in the club, Ole knew all about the many talented young players in VB, amongst which wereKaspar Dalgas andPeter Graulund. Ole started to build up a new team around these young players.
Vejle Boldklub was back in the top Danish league in 1995. Ole Fritsen's young team played impressive, charming and attacking football, which earned them runners-up medals in 1997 and qualification for theUEFA Cup on two occasions. For his fine work,Ole Fritsen was named Danish Manager of the Year in 1997.
At the beginning of the new millennium, VB was relegated from theDanish Superliga for the second time in the club's history. They were back after only one season in theDanish 1st Division, but it turned out to be a short respite as the club was relegated the same season. This proved to be the beginning of a serious crisis. In 2004, VB was almost relegated to theDanish 2nd Division and the club was threatened with bankruptcy. This resulted in desperate attempts to save the club through amalgamations with clubs in the north, south, east and west.
But, in late 2004, another turning point was reached when a group of businessmen reconstructed the club's finances and launched the so-called four point plan: A new stadium, promotion to the Danish super league, income through business other than football and a new sponsor strategy. In 2006, VB was back in theDanish Superliga. However, the club made a dreadful start to the season with nine defeats in a row. But a successful second half of the season pointed it in the right direction and optimism returned.
Today, VB draws together the most successful businesses in south-eastJutland, which makes the club potentially one of the wealthiest in Danish football. And where the club earlier had to look in vain for local support, today it is seen as an attractive investment.
In spring 2008, Vejle Boldklub opened the gates to its new modern stadium. It retains the name ofVejle Stadium and is still located in Nørreskoven.
On 5 June 2008, VB achieved a record in scoring the highest number of points to win the Danish 1st Division. Vejle secured promotion to theSuperliga with 78 points from 30 matches.
By the 32nd round of the 2008–09 season, it was clear VB would be relegated to play in theDanish 1st Division during the 2009–10 season.
On 8 December 2010, Vejle Boldklub announced that the club known as Vejle Blodklub would merge with Kolding FC and from July 2011 would be known asVejle Boldklub Kolding. This would mark an end for Vejle Boldklub and the beginning of yet another Danish fusion club.[14]
In November 2012,Kolding IF withdrew from the agreement with Vejle Boldklub.[15] This resulted in the dissolution ofVejle Boldklub Kolding, and Vejle Boldklub inherited the merger club's licence in theDanish 1st Division for the upcoming2013–14 season.[16]
From the start of the season in the summer of 2013, Vejle Boldklub once again played under the name VB in the Danish tournament. After four seasons in the 1st division the club was still chasing a promotion to theDanish Superliga, but neither the seasons 2013–14 and 2014–15 were any great success. In the first season, VB built a new team under head coach Tonny Hermansen, but was only able to secure a middle position. A couple of players from outside the club came in the following season, but the results did not improve and VB changed coach in the autumn of 2014. SwedishKlebér Saarenpää got better results and what for a long time looked like a bad position in the lower half, was saved with a good spring. Especially the FaroeseJóan Símun Edmundsson became a great player for VB and he secured the club many points in the spring.
In the 2015–16 season, it was again the ambition was yet again to fight for promotion. Despite the strengthening of the team with several new players up to the season, the Vejlensers chased afterAC Horsens,Silkeborg andLyngby who eventually secured promotion for most of the season. Profile Jóan Símun Edmundsson only played in the autumn before he was sold toOdense Boldklub. In the spring, the VB head coach changed six games before the end of the season. Sports director Steen Thychosen took over the responsibility in a last attempt to catch up with the top teams, but it turned out not to be enough. VB defeated AC Horsens in all three matches of the season – especially the match at Vejle Stadium in March is one of the most memorable matches in Nørreskoven in the decade. After 0–0 at the break, VB won 4–3 on Anders Kaagh's match winning goal in the match's overtime.
On 28 June 2016, Vejle Boldklub underwent a change in ownership when Moldovan investor Andrew Zolotko acquired a majority stake in the club, while former player Klaus Eskildsen retained the remaining shares. Swedish coachAndreas Alm, formerly ofAIK, was appointed head coach later that summer. He inherited a nearly rebuilt squad, with only six players returning from the previous season. Within just three weeks of pre-season, a new team comprising players from Europe, South America, and Africa was assembled. Results in the autumn were mixed, though individual performances stood out—most notably from Brazilian forwardDominic Vinicius, goalkeeperPavol Bajza, Ivorian wingerAdriel Ba Loua, and local talentsAgon Muçolli and Christian Kudsk. Despite early struggles, Vejle secured safety from relegation in the 31st round.
In 2017, Italian managerAdolfo Sormani took charge, bringing greater tactical structure and experience to the club. Technical director Jacob Krüger was also appointed and helped assemble a more competitive squad. Defensive stalwartsMads Greve andRasmus Lauritsen were added, along with Albanian midfielderYlber Ramadani. AttackersImed Louati andAllan Sousa, both signed earlier in 2017, found form alongside Dominic Vinicius. Vejle began the 2017–18 season strongly, maintaining a top-table position throughout the autumn.
During the winter break, the club sanctioned its first major player sales under Zolotko's leadership, transferring four players—including Vinicius toBeijing BSU andVictor Wernersson toIFK Göteborg. Despite these departures and a slow spring start, Vejle secured direct promotion to the Danish Superliga, clinching the title with a 2–0 away win overThisted FC.
Returning to the top flight for the 2018–19 season after a nine-year absence, Vejle started brightly with five points from three matches but soon faltered. New arrivals includedGustaf Nilsson,Melker Hallberg,Sean Murray,Adam Jakobsen, and mid-season signingsVladlen Yurchenko andNathan Oduwa. Despite promising performances, the team secured just four wins by the winter break. Reinforcements arrived in January—among themKjartan Finnbogason,Malte Amundsen,Branko Ilić, andMathias Hebo—but results remained inconsistent. In March, following a defeat toFC Copenhagen, Sormani resigned and was replaced by Romanian managerConstantin Gâlcă. Although results improved in the relegation group, Vejle finished last in their pool and were relegated from the Superliga following a 2–1 aggregate defeat toHobro IK.
In February 2020, the club reported a record profit of DKK 11.5 million for the 2019 financial year. Key player sales—includingRasmus Lauritsen, Gustaf Nilsson,Bubacarr Trawally, and youth productAndreas Jungdal—contributed to the surplus, alongside growth in sponsorship and matchday revenues.
Following relegation, Vejle focused on building a promotion-ready squad. Key players such asJacob Schoop, Finnbogason,Tobias Mølgaard, andSerhiy Hryn signed extensions, while new signings includedDiego Montiel,Indy Groothuizen, andLucas Jensen. Finnish defenderJuhani Ojala joined later in the summer. After an inconsistent start, Vejle emerged as the most consistent side in the1st Division. A memorable comeback win overViborg FF—recovering from 0–2 down to win 4–3—capped off 2019. The strong form continued after theCOVID-19 break in 2020, as Vejle secured promotion back to the Superliga.
In the2020–21 season, under Gâlcă, Vejle finished 10th, avoiding relegation.[17] The following campaign was marked by instability, with three different head coaches—Carit Falch,Peter Sørensen, andIvan Prelec—and culminated in an 11th-place finish and relegation.[18][19] Under Prelec, the club bounced back in2022–23, winning the 1st Division and earning promotion for the third time in five seasons.[20] Vejle remained in the Superliga in 2023–24, finishing ninth.[21]
In February 2025, Zolotko sold his stake in Vejle Boldklub to a consortium of local investors led by former Vejle player Klaus Eskildsen.[2][22] In March, Eskildsen was named vice-chairman of the newly formed board, while Tage Pedersen, chairman ofKopenhagen Fur, was appointed chairman.[23][24]
The2024–25 Superliga season began poorly for Vejle, with ten consecutive defeats.[25] On 23 September 2024, head coachIvan Prelec resigned from his position following a 5–0 home defeat toViborg, citing the team's performance as a factor in his decision.[26] The following day, Romanian managerMihai Teja was appointed as his successor.[27] Under Teja's leadership, Vejle secured one win and three draws in eight matches. However, with the team remaining at the bottom of the table, Teja was dismissed on 9 February 2025.[28] Subsequently, former playerSteffen Kielstrup andJohnny Mølby were appointed as interim head coaches.[29] StrikerGerman Onugkha played a pivotal role in the team's resurgence, scoring 13 league goals after returning on loan fromFC Copenhagen, including seven in his first five appearances.[30][31] His performances earned him the Superliga Player of the Month award for March. Vejle ultimately secured their top-flight status with one match remaining, finishing 10th out of 12 teams.[32]
Vejle Boldklub made its debut in the 1973European Champion Clubs' Cup.Vejle was put up against one of the biggest clubs in Europe at the time:Anderlecht fromBelgium.Vejle gave the Belgians a good match, but the reds could not keepAnderlecht from progressing in the tournament.
The highlight of Vejle Boldklub's European history came in 1978, when the club went all the way to the quarter-finals in theUEFA Cup Winners Cup, where VB lost out to Dutch sideFC Twente.
In the1985–86 season, Vejle lost to eventual Champions' Cup winnersFC Steaua București, after a first-leg tie: 1–1, 1–4.
The last time Vejle Boldklub played in Europe was in1998–99, when the reds were drawn withReal Betis in the first round of theUEFA Cup. Betis came toDenmark with a great team including the star playerDenílson. But against all odds VB won the first match against the Spanish stars asPeter Graulund scored the winner in the dying minutes of the game. However, inSevilla VB could not follow up on the good result and lost 5–0.
| Champions | Cup Winners | UEFA Cup | Intertoto Cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972–73,1973–74,1979–80,1985–86 | 1975–76,1977–78,1981–82 | 1990–91,1997–98,1998–99 | 1967, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990 |
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
| Season | Pos. | Pl. | W | D | L | GS | GA | P | Cup | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | SL | 2 | 33 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 57 | 38 | 54 | ||
| 1997–98 | SL | 4 | 33 | 16 | 4 | 13 | 53 | 51 | 52 | ||
| 1998–99 | SL | 6 | 33 | 14 | 5 | 14 | 54 | 48 | 47 | ||
| 1999–00 | SL | 11 | 33 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 38 | 68 | 32 | 5th round | Relegated |
| 2000–01 | 1D | 2 | 30 | 17 | 8 | 5 | 73 | 37 | 59 | 5th round | Promoted |
| 2001–02 | SL | 11 | 33 | 6 | 10 | 17 | 38 | 72 | 28 | 4th round | Relegated |
| 2002–03 | 1D | 5 | 30 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 65 | 58 | 49 | 5th round | |
| 2003–04 | 1D | 12 | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 44 | 59 | 30 | 3rd round | |
| 2004–05 | 1D | 5 | 30 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 59 | 51 | 49 | 3rd round | |
| 2005–06 | 1D | 1 | 30 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 62 | 32 | 63 | 3rd round | Promoted |
| 2006–07 | SL | 11 | 33 | 6 | 7 | 20 | 35 | 64 | 25 | 3rd round | Relegated |
| 2007–08 | 1D | 1 | 30 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 80 | 24 | 78 | Quarter-finals | Promoted |
| 2008–09 | SL | 11 | 33 | 4 | 13 | 16 | 30 | 59 | 25 | 3rd round | Relegated |
| 2009–10 | 1D | 10 | 30 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 33 | 34 | 33 | Semi-finals | |
| 2010–11 | 1D | 3 | 30 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 49 | 32 | 52 | 2nd round | |
| 2011–12 | 1D | 3 | 26 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 58 | 32 | 44 | Quarter-finals | |
| 2012–13 | 1D | 3 | 33 | 16 | 10 | 7 | 46 | 29 | 58 | 4rd round | |
| 2013–14 | 1D | 7 | 33 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 49 | 38 | 47 | Quarter-finals | |
| 2014–15 | 1D | 5 | 33 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 41 | 46 | 45 | 3rd round | |
| 2015–16 | 1D | 5 | 33 | 16 | 5 | 12 | 56 | 46 | 53 | 2nd round | |
| 2016–17 | 1D | 9 | 33 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 49 | 46 | 41 | 2nd round | |
| 2017–18 | 1D | 1 | 33 | 18 | 11 | 4 | 47 | 24 | 65 | 2nd round | Promoted |
| 2018–19 | SL | 13 | 32 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 34 | 53 | 28 | 4rd round | Relegated |
| 2019–20 | 1D | 1 | 33 | 20 | 8 | 5 | 63 | 31 | 68 | 2nd round | Promoted |
| 2020–21 | SL | 10 | 32 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 42 | 50 | 38 | Quarter-finals | |
| 2021–22 | SL | 11 | 32 | 7 | 8 | 17 | 31 | 60 | 29 | Semi-finals | Relegated |
| 2022–23 | 1D | 1 | 32 | 20 | 7 | 5 | 61 | 30 | 67 | Quarter-finals | Promoted |
| 2023–24 | SL | 9 | 32 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 4th Round | |
| 2024–25 | SL | 10 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 18 | 37 | 64 | 28 | 2nd Round |
Note: SL =Danish Superliga, 1D =Danish 1st Division
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Ivan Prelec |
| Assistant coach | Marijo Jovic Morten BisgaardSteffen Kielstrup |
| Goalkeeper coach |  Marcin Kowalczyk |
| Fitness coach | Mario Škrablin Patrick Christiansen |
| Analyst |  Joachim Kvejborg |
| Chief Medical Officer | Asger Pedersen |
| Physiotherapist | Alexander Karlborg Jakob Bro |
| Team manager/kit Manager |  Vlad Ioniță |
| Assistant team leader | Søren Thrane |
Ebbe Skovdahl (1990–1991)Allan Simonsen (1991–1994)Ole Fritsen (1994–1999)Poul Erik Andreasen (2000)Keld Bordinggaard (2001–2002)Frank Petersen (2002–2003)Henrik Brandenborg (2003)Steen Thychosen (2003)Jens Tang Olesen (2004)Hans Lauge andMogens Nielsen (2004)Frank Andersen (2004–2005)Lasse Christensen andJesper Søgaard (2005)Kim Poulsen (2006–2007)Ove Christensen (2007–2009)Lasse Christensen andOle Schwennesen (2009)Mats Gren (2009–2011)Viggo Jensen (2011)Nicolai Wael (2011–2013)Kim Brink (2013)Tonny Hermansen (2013–2014)Klebér Saarenpää (2014–2016)Steen Thychosen (2016)Andreas Alm (2016–2017)
Adolfo Sormani (2017–2019)Constantin Gâlcă (2019–2021)Carit Falch (2021)Peter Sørensen (2021–2022)Ivan Prelec (2022–2024)Mihai Teja (2024–2025)Steffen Kielstrup andJohnny Mølby (2025)Ivan Prelec (2025)Morten Bisgaard andSteffen Kielstrup (2025–)Klaus Eskildsen (2003)Peter Degn (2003)Carsten Hemmingsen (2004)Steffen Kielstrup (2005)Jakob Bresemann (2005–2006)Bora Zivkovic (2006)Klebér Saarenpää (2007)Bora Zivkovic (2007–2008)Jimmy Nielsen (2008–09)Steffen Kielstrup (2010–2012)Jens Berthel Askou (2012–2013)Henrik Bødker (2013–2015)Niels Bisp Rasmussen (2015–2016)Steffen Kielstrup (2016–2017)Jacob Schoop (2017–2022)Denis Kolinger (2022)
Raúl Albentosa (2022–2024)Oliver Provstgaard (2024–2025)Thomas Gundelund (2025–)
