About Heracles Almelo

Heracles Almelo is a professional football club from Almelo in the Netherlands, founded in 1903. The club originally started under the name Hercules, but soon changed it to Heracles due to naming conflicts with another team. It is named after the Greek mythological hero Heracles, and has become one of the traditional clubs in Dutch football. The team plays its home matches at the Asito Stadion and is known for its black-and-white colours and strong regional identity.

Throughout its history, Heracles experienced early success in the amateur era, winning Dutch national championships in 1927 and 1941. However, after the introduction of professional football in the Netherlands, the club spent many years outside the top division. Over time, Heracles became a well-known “yo-yo club,” moving between the Eredivisie and the Eerste Divisie, but gradually building stability in modern times.

In the 21st century, Heracles established itself more firmly in the Eredivisie, especially after promotion in 2005. The club achieved its first-ever qualification for European competition in 2016 after finishing sixth in the league and winning the playoff round. Despite occasional relegations, Heracles remains an important mid-level Dutch club, known for solid organisation, community support, and developing competitive squads that can challenge stronger teams in the league.