VSK Aarhus

Vejlby Skovbakken Aarhus (Danish pronunciation: [ˈvɑjlpyˌskɒwpɑkŋ̍ ˈɒːˌhuˀs]; commonly known as VSK Aarhus) is a Danish football club based in Risskov, a neighbourhood in Aarhus. The club was founded in 2016 when the football departments of Vejlby IK Fodbold and Idrætsklubben Skovbakken decided to merge. Skovbakken is a major multi-sport club who besides football also compete in basketball, handball, badminton, tennis, and volleyball, with many honours won in these departments.

VSK Aarhus
Full nameVejlby Skovbakken Aarhus
Founded1 July 2016 (2016-07-01)[1]
GroundVejlby Stadium
Capacity5,000
ChairmanLeif Gjørtz Christensen
ManagerJens Gjesing
League2nd Division Group 2
2019–202nd Division, Relegation Group, 3rd
WebsiteClub website

The men's team of VSK competes in the Danish 2nd Division, the third tier of the Danish football league system, while the women's team play in the Elitedivisionen, the highest division. Both teams' home ground is Vejlby Stadium which has a capacity of 5,000.

History
See also: da:Idrætsklubben Skovbakken and da:Vejlby IK Fodbold

Separate clubs, common ground

VSK Aarhus was formed through a merger of Vejlby IK Fodbold (VIK) and the men's football department of IK Skovbakken on 1 July 2016. Both clubs shared their home grounds at Vejlby Stadium and had each their own clubhouse part of Vejlby-Risskov Idrætscenter.[2]

The neighbourhood of Trøjborg, where IK Skovbakken - parent club of VSK Aarhus - was founded in 1927.

Vejlby IK was founded in 1949 as a football club in the Aarhus suburb of Vejlby, while Skovbakken was established in the neighbourhood of Trøjborg in 1927. Skovbakken was named after section 1 of the Arbejdernes Andels Boligforening (AAB), a housing area by Marienlund. AAB, founded in 1919, is the oldest organisation for subsidised housing in Aarhus, and the club therefore has strong working class roots. Skovbakken's first ground was at Ferdinands Plads in Riis Skov. In 1939, the club moved to Riisvangen, where facilities were largely built through volunteering. In 1969, the club moved to the newly established Vejlby-Risskov Idrætscenter on the initiative of a number of visionary leaders in IK Skovbakken, and had their home ground at the stadium facility, Vejlby Stadium.[2] Here, the football department of Skovbakken would soon find success, and they spent the 1978 season and 1979 season at the highest level.[3][4] Symbolically, the subsequent decline of Skovbakken occurred with the advent of professionalism in Danish football, which was introduced on 25 February 1978 by the Danish Football Union.[5][6]

Skovbakken and Vejlby IK shared the ground at Vejlby Stadium and throughout the following decades, the two clubs formed a rivalry, but also had multiple attempts of merging. The first initiative was taken by chairman of Vejlby IK Gymnastik, Erik Brandtoft in the 1987,[7] but these plans did initially not come to fruition.[8] A new initiative surfaced in the 1990s, when Ove Poulsen who was associated with both clubs, took control of negotiations for a merger. However, the proposal failed to gain approval at the general assembly of Vejlby IK.[2]

The first merger (1999–2000)

In 1999, IK Skovbakken entered into an agreement to merge with Aarhus Fremad, whose first team competed in the Danish Superliga, the highest level of Danish football.[2] This superstructure, named FC Aarhus, was formed with the goal of becoming one of the top clubs of Denmark. However, the merger only survived for six months, as the new club had already built up a deficit of DKK 2.5 million.[9] Skovbakken dropped out of the merger while the Aarhus Fremad board decided to continue their professional department under the name of FC Aarhus for the next four years with the continued ambition of reaching the Superliga, after suffering relegation from the highest level in 1999.[10] After Skovbakken withdrew from the merger, the first team was placed in the lower divisions of Danish football, and only stopped the decline at Series 1, the sixth highest level.[2]

Forming VSK Aarhus (2008–2016)
Skovbakken & Vejlby IK
Aarhus Fremad
The location of the two founding parent clubs for the superstructure club VSK Aarhus in Aarhus (in red). The overview also shows the location of Aarhus Fremad (amateur section) which participated in the inaugural meetings in 2015 (in cyan).

In 2008, the Danish Football Union introduced a licensing system in the youth departments of Danish clubs. Initially developed by the UEFA in 2004,[11] club licensing sets a standard of good practice both on the field and in administration.[12] Skovbakken did not receive a license for its youth teams, which meant that its best youth talents left the club for other clubs in the region.[2] As a consequence of this, the under-16 team, who had just promoted to the highest division for that age group after reaching first place in the second highest division, was suddenly disbanded. The club had the reshuffle its youth teams in the following years, and sought to implement a new structure for the youth department.[2] However, there were not enough youth players available to form a competitive academy due to an exodus of youth players. This was not only the case for Skovbakken, but also for local rivals Vejlby IK Fodbold and Aarhus Fremad, where youth players frequently began moving between the three clubs' youth departments. Therefore, in the summer of 2010, Skovbakken, Vejlby IK and Aarhus Fremad entered into a cooperation agreement to provide both superstructure teams and joint teams at U13, U14, U15 and U16-levels under the name of the former superstructure, FC Aarhus.[13][2]

At an internal evaluation seminar between the three clubs in January 2015, it was agreed that youth football in the area would thrive the best in the case of a merger in footballing departments. The three clubs' boards set up a collaboration committee for the merger in March 2015. Martin Østergaard, Ane Mathilde Pedersen and John Duus Andresen (Vejlby IK), Jesper Simonsen and Poul Mortensen (Skovbakken women's football) and Thomas Pallesen and Leif Gjørtz Christensen (Skovbakken men's football) all participated in the merger working group.[1][2] The amateur department of Aarhus Fremad would initially participate in the meetings, but withdrew from the project on 30 May 2015 as they became part of Aarhus Fremad Fodbold ApS, who ran their first team and reserve teams.

The merger was agreed upon after two successive general assemblies in Vejlby IK and Skovbakken, respectively, in February 2016.[1] Subsequently, the new club was formed at the next founding general assembly, with the official date of inception being 1 July 2016.[1] The first chairman was Leif Gjørtz Christensen from Skovbakken.[8] Initially, it was decided by large majority of votes from both clubs that the new football superstructure should be named FC Vejlby,[14] but after some months later an extraordinary general meeting was requested by a large number of members, who, in June 2016, decided to change the name to Vejlby Skovbakken Aarhus – or VSK Aarhus.[2][15]

Finding foothold in the third tier (2016–present)

Building upon the license of IK Skovbakken, VSK Aarhus would in their debut season compete in the 2016–17 Danish 2nd Divisions (third highest division).[15] They were placed in Group 3, which counted eight teams from Jutland, of which three, including VSK, were from the greater Aarhus area.[16] Poul Lyse and Michele Demontis, who had worked as assistants under former head coaches Jakob Michelsen and Ole Brandenborg, had taken over as head coaching team in 2011, and would continue in this position for VSK in the new season.[17] Lyse and Demontis had formerly been awarded 2014 Coaches of the Year in the Danish 2nd Division, and had achieved good results for Skovbakken during their tenure in view of the club's non-professional status.[17] During the summer of 2016, the first team had lost eight players to other clubs, and would rely heavily on promoted youth team players for the season.[18][19] The first official game in competition for VSK was a Danish 2nd Division away match against Brabrand IF on 5 August 2016 at Brabrand Stadion in front of 248 spectatators; a match which ended in a 3–0 loss to VSK.[20][21] Four days later, on 9 August, the club faced local rivals Aarhus Fremad in the Danish Cup away at Riisvangen Stadion, where VSK parent club IK Skovbakken had its home ground between 1939 and 1969.[2] In front of 321 spectators, midfielder Oscar Scott Carl scored VSK's first goal in competition in the 61st minute to tie the game 1–1 after Mathias Valentin had scored the opening goal for Aarhus Fremad. The teams stayed level at 1–1 and the match went to a penalty shoot-out, which VSK won 5–4 to advance to the second round.[22][23] On the following matchday in the league, on 13 August at home at Vejlby Stadium against Jammerbugt FC, Anders Kjeldgaard scored the first league goal for VSK to secure a 1–1 draw.[24] At the halfway mark of the season, VSK had finished sixth out of the eight teams with 11 points after 14 matches, and would thus compete the spring season in the relegation group.[16] The club managed to haul in 33 points in 22 matches during the spring, finishing in fifth place of the table, eight points clear of the relegation zone.[25] In the cup, VSK had beat Kolding IF 4–3 at home on 30 August 2016 after knocking out Aarhus Fremad.[26] In the third round, the club faced Danish Superliga club AaB home at Vejlby Stadium on 26 October.[27] Despite a strong showing by the home team, the match ended in a 0–1 loss which ended VSK's first cup run.[28]

Entrance to the Vejlby-Risskov sports complex, which holds Vejlby Stadium, the home ground of VSK Aarhus.

Prior to the 2017–18 season, head coaches Lyse and Demontis signed two-year contract extensions.[29] The latter stated that he saw a realistic chance of the team playing for promotion during its second season.[30] The first team squad had almost been kept intact throughout the summer transfer window, and had been strengthened by the acquisition of forward Shawn Rathcke Memory who had been signed from lower tier club FC Skanderborg.[31] Once again placed in Group 3, their season kicked off on 5 August 2017 with a 1–1 away draw against FC Sydvest 05.[32] Results worsened during the fall season and as a result of the disappointing start to the season, Lyse and Demontis were sacked as head coaches on 8 November 2017.[33] Demontis would instead continue in the role as director of football as well as assistant coach for the first team.[33] The head coaching change occurred after VSK had finished sixth in the table – seven points from the promotion group – and would therefore once again compete in the relegation group in the spring. In the cup, VSK had knocked out Linde Boldklub in the first round away at Langhøjskolen with a 12–0 win. In the second round, they faced local Danish Superliga team AGF on 29 August, a game that was televised, which VSK lost 1–4.[34] During the winter transfer window, the club lost several of their key players: team captain Henrik Brodersen left for Kolding IF,[35] while forward Frederik Høgh and left back Jacob Torp moved to local rivals Aarhus Fremad.[36][37] Demontis later criticised Torp and Høgh for their move, calling it "incomprehensible", as Fremad played at the same level, also competing in the relegation group.[38] On 25 January 2018, the club signed Jesper Højlund as their new head coach, who had coached the Aarhus Fremad reserves until then.[39][40] A tumultuous spring season, which included big home losses to Næsby Boldklub (2–5) and B.93 (0–3) and only six wins to 12 losses in total, saw VSK Aarhus suffer relegation.[41] This was effectuated on 2 June 2018, when Brønshøj Boldklub beat Aarhus Fremad 3–2, which meant that VSK could no longer avoid relegation to the Denmark Series, the fourth tier of Danish football.[42]

After the end of the season, director of football and former head coach, Michele Demontis, stated that VSK had to promote directly back to the Danish 2nd Division (third tier).[43]

Stadium
Main article: Vejlby Stadium
Vejlby Stadium in 2020.

VSK Aarhus have only had one home ground, Vejlby Stadium, where they have played since the team's foundation in 2016. The stadium is part of a larger sports complex, Vejlby-Risskov Idrætscenter, which was inaugurated in 1969, and is situated in the district of Risskov in Aarhus. Besides the stadium itself, which can hold a total of 5,000 spectators of which 300 are seated, the complex features 10 grass pitches, an artificial turf pitch, a folk high school of sports (Idrætshøjskolen Århus), four indoor sports halls, including the sports and events arena of Vejlby-Risskov Hallen, a swimming hall and administrative offices.[44][45]

Record attendance at Vejlby Stadium occurred on 7 September 1978, when IK Skovbakken faced local rivals AGF in the Danish Superliga, then called 1st Division. 11,763 spectators saw the home team lose 2–4.[3]

Players

First-team squad
As of 20 April 2020[46]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  DEN Mathias Rask Thomsen
2 DF  DEN Adam Nielsen
3 DF  DEN Rasmus Borup
4 DF  DEN Jakob Hansen Niklassen
5 DF  DEN Jacob Green-Pedersen
6 MF  DEN Sebastian Spornberger (captain)
7 MF  DEN Mark Mikkelsen
8 DF  DEN Anders Schultz
9 MF  DEN Jonas Spornberger
10 FW  DEN Jakob Rittig
12 DF  DEN Jeppe Idskou
13 MF  DEN Jacob Barklin
14 MF  DEN Niclas Simonsen
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 GK  DEN Magnus Wang Schaldemose
16 MF  LUX Magnus Clemmensen
17 MF  DEN Malthe Karsberg
17 FW  DEN Mikkel Nygaard
18 FW  DEN Jacob Kromann
19 MF  DEN Christopher Denius
20 MF  DEN Marcus Sloth
21 FW  DEN Thomas Rohde
22 FW  BIH Emir Cilas
23 MF  DEN Jacob Rasmussen
24 MF  DEN Kristian Justesen
25 DF  DEN Anders Kjeldgaard
— FW  DEN Thomas Dalgaard

Backroom staff

Club officials
Position Staff
Chairman Leif Gjørtz Christensen
Vice-chairman Marie Greve
Board of Directors Thomas Ottosen
Birgitte Hamborg Faarbæk
Laurence McGregor Vedelsdal

Source: VSK Aarhus | Bestyrelsen

PositionName
Head coachJens Gjesing
Assistant managerMads Post
Team leaderGert Schytz

Source: VSK Aarhus | Herresenior | Holdstab

Head coaches

The person responsible for direction of the first senior team has traditionally been given the title of head coach/trainer. Since 2019, Jens Gjesing was given the title of manager/sports director, taking control of the football operations besides his position as head coach.[47]

NameNationalityFromToRefs
Poul Lyse and Michele Demontis Denmark1 July 20168 November 2017[33]
Jesper Højlund Denmark25 January 201819 November 2018[40][48]
Jens Gjesing Denmark19 November 2018Present[48][49][50]

Honours

Domestic

Achievements

League summary

Statistical breakdown season-by-season
Season League Cup Europe / Other Avg. Home
Attendance1		 Top goalscorer(s)1 Refs
Level Division P W D L GF GA Pts Position Competition Result Name Goals
2016–17 3 Danish 2nd Division 36 10 14 12 54 57 44 17th of 24 R3 — 167 Kasper Kempel 8 [52]
2017–18 3 Danish 2nd Division 36 10 6 20 58 72 36 23rd of 24 R2 — 151 Magnus Clemmensen 7 [53]
2018–19 4 Denmark Series, Group 4 27 18 5 4 68 25 59 1st of 10 R1 — N/A Oscar Scott Carl 13 [54]
2019–20 3 Danish 2nd Division 23 9 2 12 27 35 29 15th of 24 R3 — 206 Jakob Rittig 6 [55]
gollark: Generally.
gollark: Yes?
gollark: ++remind 2🐝 initiate
gollark: Fix your typing.
gollark: Unless it was the median. Oops.

See also

References

Citations
  1. "Fusion af VIK Fodbold og Skovbakken herrefodbold" (PDF). vskaarhus.dk. VSK Aarhus. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  2. "Klubbens historie". vskaarhus.dk. VSK Aarhus. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  3. OH (29 August 2017). "Målet alle husker". agf.dk. Aarhus Gymnastikforening. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  4. Bagge, Henrik (26 October 2013). "Stadig liv på Vejlby Stadion". stiften.dk. Århus Stiftstidende. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  5. "Fokus: 30 år med betalt fodbold". tipsbladet.dk. Tipsbladet. 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  6. "En verden uden for SAS Ligaen: Skovbakken". tipsbladet.dk. Tipsbladet. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  7. Rafn, Jeppe (17 October 2009). "Tre nye æresmedlemmer i VIK". aarhus.lokalavisen.dk. Lokalavisen. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  8. Kristensen, Mick (25 February 2016). "FC Vejlby skal være den nye fodboldstormagt i Aarhus N". jyllands-posten.dk. Jyllands-Posten. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  9. Ritzau (14 December 1999). "FC Århus mangler to millioner". berlingske.dk. Berlingske Tidende. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  10. Balle, Ricky; Rehn, Niklas; Wittendorf, Nicolaj; Anthonsen, Kenneth. "Aarhus Fremad - Historien". aarhus-fremad.dk. Aarhus Fremad. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  11. "Club Licensing - 10 Years On..." (PDF). uefa.com. UEFA. 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  12. "Klublicens - Ungdom, drenge". dbu.dk. Danish Football Union. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  13. Rafn, Jeppe (4 October 2010). "FC Aarhus er genopstået på ungdomssiden". aarhus.lokalavisen.dk. Lokalavisen. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  14. Hove, Frank (24 February 2016). "Ny fusionsklub i Aarhus: FC Vejlby". tv2ostjylland.dk. TV 2/Østjylland. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  15. Margren, Sara (26 June 2016). "Skovbakken bliver til VSK Aarhus". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  16. "2. division, Pulje 3 (2017) //". dbu.dk. Danish Football Union. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  17. Kjær, Niels; Thaysen Kjær, Silas (2015). 1001 dags eventyr : IK Skovbakken Herrefodbolds første 1000 divisionskampe--og den næste... Books on Demand. p. 36. ISBN 9788771707298.
  18. Lykke, Rasmus (4 August 2016). "VSK-Aarhus chef: Vi får et svært efterår". vimeo.com. LokalUpdate. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
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  20. Boldt Bendtsen, Tobias (5 August 2016). "Brabrand satte VSK Aarhus til vægs". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  21. Buschmann, Lars (5 August 2016). "Dagens Spilforslag: Brabrand tryner lokalfusionen VSK Århus". tipsbladet.dk. Tipsbladet. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  22. "Aarhus Fremad - VSK Aarhus, Sydbank Pokalen 2016/2016". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  23. "Pokalbrag: VSK Aarhus - AaB". vskaarhus.dk. VSK Aarhus. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  24. "VSK Aarhus – Jammerbugt FC, 2. Division Gruppe 3 2016/2017". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  25. "2. division Forår 2017, Kvalifikationsspil (2017) //". dbu.dk. Danish Football Union. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  26. "VSK Aarhus – Kolding IF (30. august 2016)". bold.dk. bold.dk. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  27. Skovsgaard Tøfting, Nicolai (9 September 2016). "VSK-stopper glæder sig til AaB-møde". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  28. "VSK Århus - AaB //". dbu.dk. Danish Football Union. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  29. Møller Karlsen, Nanna (9 July 2017). "VSK Aarhus forlænger med trænerduo". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  30. Blond, Mikael (11 July 2017). "VSK Aarhus øjner oprykningsspillet". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  31. Blond, Mikael (1 August 2017). "Intakt trup glæder VSK Aarhus-træner". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  32. "2. division, Pulje 3 (2018) // Kampprogram". dbu.dk. Danish Football Union. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  33. Blond, Mikael (8 November 2017). "VSK Aarhus fyrer og forfremmer Demontis". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  34. "VSK Århus - AGF //". dbu.dk. Danish Football Union. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  35. Blond, Mikael (15 January 2018). "Kolding kaprer VSK Aarhus-anfører". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  36. Margren, Sara (4 January 2018). "Aarhus Fremad på angriber-rov i VSK". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  37. Margren, Sara (13 January 2018). "Aarhus Fremad snupper endnu en VSK-spiller". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  38. Blond, Mikael (4 February 2018). "VSK Aarhus-chef: Forstår ikke Høgh og Torp". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  39. Blond, Mikael (25 January 2018). "VSK Aarhus henter ny cheftræner i Aarhus F." bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  40. Føns Foldager, Emil (16 March 2018). "Ny VSK-træner inden nedrykningsspillet: Vi skal spille 16 finaler". stiften.dk. Århus Stiftstidende. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  41. "2. division Forår 2018, Kvalifikationsspil (2018) //". dbu.dk. Danish Football Union. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  42. Dalsten, Casper (2 June 2018). "Brønshøj-sejr sender VSK ned i DS". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  43. Græsdal Maajen, Anton (4 June 2018). "VSK-chef: Vi skal rykke op med det samme". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  44. "Anlæg". vskaarhus.dk. VSK Aarhus. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  45. "Vejlby Stadion". stadions.dk. Danmarks Stadions. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  46. "Herresenior - 2. division - Spillertrup". vskaarhus.dk. VSK Aarhus. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  47. Nøhr, Mikkel (29 July 2019). "Jens Gjesing bliver manager i VSK Aarhus". bold.dk. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  48. Goeg, Klaus (19 November 2018). "Jens Gjesing – ny cheftræner i VSK". vskaarhus.dk. VSK Aarhus. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  49. Nøhr, Mikkel (29 July 2019). "Jens Gjesing bliver manager i VSK Aarhus". bold.dk. VSK Aarhus. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  50. "Jens Gjesing bliver manager i VSK Aarhus". vskaarhus.dk. VSK Aarhus. 28 July 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  51. "Herre-DS, Pulje 4 (2019) //". dbu.dk. Danish Football Union. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  52. "2. division 16/17 - Topscorere". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  53. "2. division 17/18 - Topscorere". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  54. "Herre-DS, Pulje 4 (2019) // Topscorerliste". dbu.dk. Danish Football Union. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  55. "2. division 19/20 - Topscorere". bold.dk. bold.dk. Retrieved 20 April 2020.

Sources
  • Kjær, Niels; Thaysen Kjær, Silas (2015). 1001 dags eventyr : IK Skovbakken Herrefodbolds første 1000 divisionskampe - og den næste... Books on Demand. ISBN 9788771707298.
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