Groningen were a regular in the first-tier Eredivisie, qualified several times for European football, and had the largest attendances in the Netherlands besides Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV.

Only SC Veendam joined FC Groningen in the Eredivisie in two discontinuous seasons the 1980s but went straight back down on both occasions.

As Groningen was the only Northern representative in the top flight, the Dutch media referred to the club as the "Pride of the North".

[citation needed] During the same era, Groningen's supporters clashed several times with fans of other clubs.

[citation needed] In early 2006, Groningen left their outdated Oosterparkstadion for the Euroborg, and the club's crowd troubles became a thing of the past.

[citation needed] Heerenveen have won the derby 32 times and Groningen have been victorious on 19 occasions.