Consistently ranked amongst European football’s top clubs PSV Eindhoven (Philips Sports Vereniging Eindhoven) celebrated 103 years of sporting existence in 2016.
Originally called Philips Elftal they officially became Philips Sport Vereniging or PSV on 31 August 1913.
Essentially they were founded as a sports club for the employees of the electrical company Philips (which was established in 1891); then a maker of carbon-filament lamps.
The original sporting field of the team was the Philips Sportpark located in exactly the same Philips district on which the current Philips Stadium stands. Being a stadium named after a multinational company, the current ground is a multi-functional, technology enabled stadium.
It contains premier facilities both for players and coaches as well as exceptional viewing potential for paying supporters.
But it wasn’t always this way; the original ground was very basic with wooden seating at least until the 1970’s. When the ground started to be redeveloped it become a commercial hub for Philips with the organization using its expertise to install powerful pitch side lighting.
Philips also built its advanced technology innovations into the stadium infrastructure; multimedia high-tech facilities that were way ahead of what many other stadiums. By the mid-1980’s it was one of the most modern grounds in Holland.
Only its small capacity prevented more matches of the Dutch national team being played in Eindhoven.
Today the stadium of PSV dominates the center of a modern town bursting with energy and a strong work ethic.
While Ajax and a host of other clubs have caught up the ground in Eindhoven is still regarded as one of the most modern in Holland. Eindhoven itself is like the football stadium that sits at its center; it represents creativity, innovation and design. The Philips Stadium serves as a focal point on match-days with the playing surface a fitting exhibition space for the team.
Winners of the UEFA Cup in 1978 and then the European Cup in 1988, PSV are regular campaigners in European football.
They have dominated the landscape of Dutch football through the decades thanks to attracting numerous foreign stars to a league not known for its superstars. The success enjoyed domestically is all the more praiseworthy given the extent to which football in Holland is dominated by Ajax and Feyenoord.
A host of famous names from Bobby Robson, to Ronaldo and through to Dutch greats like Koeman and Van Nistelrooy have been associated with the club. Although no longer a simple sports association the club’s elaborate connection with Philips continues.
