A research into the role newspapers play in introducing football into the Dutch identity during the golden age of Dutch football, the 1970’s, in which Ajax won the Europa Cup I in ’71, ’72 and ’73...Show moreA research into the role newspapers play in introducing football into the Dutch identity during the golden age of Dutch football, the 1970’s, in which Ajax won the Europa Cup I in ’71, ’72 and ’73 and the Dutch national team came second in the World Cup 1974. Specifically the change in reporting on Ajax between 1965 and 1974 and the Dutch national team between 1970 and 1974, where the football these teams played became branded as typically Dutch: the Dutch School (Hollandse School) an total football (totaalvoetbal). This type of football symbolised the Dutch identity, as several typical Dutch qualities where ‘recognised’ within this football, and after the success, varying non-football related products were promoted with references to these playing styles, implicating they had become part of the Dutch national identity. Another point of view, among several others, was the togetherness Dutch footballing success brought the nation. Newspapers wrote extensively about all provinces being united by Dutch football as well as all kinds of people and professions, ranging from anarchists to the prime minister, being united by the ‘Brilliant Orange’.Show less
