They played before that in the Topklasse, until the restructuring of the Dutch football league system in the summer of 2016.
[1] The goal was all the more noteworthy because it occurred on the last weekend possible before rules changes came into effect from 1 June to stop this kind of activity on the part of the referee.
Contrary to previous seasons, the play-offs for Saturday and Sunday teams are not fully separated any more.
The 4 Derde Divisie teams and the 4 highest ranked (substitute) period winners (HPWs) from the Hoofdklassen are released from playing the first round.
Teams are paired in such a way that the 2 middle ranked (substitute) period winners (MPWs) from the Saturday Hoofdklassen play against the lowest ranked (substitute) period winners (LPWs) from the other Saturday Hoofdklasse.