Djurgårdens Idrottsförening - last updated on 10 March 2008
(Courtesy of Johnny Beaufays)
Club name: Djurgårdens Idrottsförening
Foundation: March 12th 1891
City: Stockholm
Colours: Dark blue, sky blue and white
Website: www.dif.se
Honours:
Allsvenskan - 11 (1912, 1915, 1917, 1920, 1954-55, 1959, 1964, 1966, 2002, 2003, 2005)
Svenska Mästerskapet - 4 (1912, 1915, 1917, 1920)
Svenska Cupen - 4 (1989-90, 2002, 2004, 2005)
Corinthian Bowl - 1 (1910)
Wicanderska Välgörenhetsskölden - 4 (1907, 1910, 1913, 1915)
A bit of history:
Djurgårdens IF was founded 12 March 1891 at a café in Alberget 4A on Djurgården. The first real football field in Stockholm was created in 1896 and Djurgårdens IF's football department was formed in 1899, with the help of former GAIS-player Teodor Andersson. The first real achievement was made in 1902 when the team finished second in the tournament Rosenska Pokalen. Just two years later, in 1904, the first Swedish Championship final of the club was played, ending in a defeat against Örgryte IS. The team finished second in three more finals before the first Championship victory came in 1912 after two draws in the final matches against Örgryte, and a replay which Djurgården won. The club won three more Swedish Championships in the early years, in 1915 against Örgryte, 1917 against AIK and 1920 against IK Sleipner. However, DIF never managed to win Svenska Serien, the top Swedish league of the period, before the club's first great era ended.
Between 1911 and 1935, Tranebergs Idrottsplats was the homeground for Djurgården. For the 1912 Summer Olympics, Stockholms Stadion was built. It became Djurgården's home arena in 1936.
The club did not qualify for the first season of Allsvenskan, and only reached that league twice between 1924 and 1944, being direclty relegated back down to Division 2 both times. The club did also play three seasons in the then third highest league, Division 3, between 1929 and 1932. From 1944 on, the club became a stable Allsvenskan club. In 1951, the team became runner-ups in Svenska Cupen after Malmö FF, this was the team's first Cup final. The second great era took place in the 1950s and 1960s, winning Allsvenskan four times during the period. In 1959, both the football team and Djurgårdens IF's hockey team won their respective Swedish Championships of Sweden's two most popular sports, a remarkable happening.
The 1970s saw no greater successes, with three third-places as the best results. The 1980s was not a good decade for the club, being relegated from Allsvenskan in 1981, and losing two promotion play-offs, before making a one year visit in the highest league in 1986, although DIF returned two years later, and stayed in Allsvenskan for five consecutive seasons, but had no greater success except losing the Championship final in 1988. The 1990s saw Djurgården being relegated from Allsvenskan no less than three times, and being promoted back two times. During this decade, the club suffered from great economical problems and was close to bankruptcy. The 2000s have seen a reborn Djurgårdens IF, starting what seems to be their third great era, with three championships (2002, 2003 and 2005) and three cup wins (2002, 2004 and 2005) in the last seven seasons.
Former England striker Teddy Sheringham had a brief spell at Djurgården early in his career, as a 19-year-old loanee in 1985.
Club crests: (roll on the crest to get more informations)
Djurgårdens Idrottsförening
