Maastricht

MVV was founded in 1902 following a meeting held on Maastricht's Vrijthof square. Initially named Maastrichtsche Voetbal Club (MVC), the club changed its name several times before adopting the title Maastrichtse Voetbal Vereniging (MVV) in 1908.

From its formation until the mid-1970s, MVV competed in the top tiers of Dutch football. The club enjoyed several strong campaigns in the interwar period, finishing as national runners-up in 1927 and 1932, and recording further high finishes in 1936, 1939 and 1946. In 1946 the team won its regional league and progressed to the national championship play-offs, but finished bottom of the group.

During this period several MVV players gained international recognition. Bèr Felix, Sjo Soons and Jeu van Bun were all selected for the Netherlands national football team, a notable distinction at a time when the KNVB largely drew its players from clubs in the Randstad.

In 1952 MVV marked its 50th anniversary amid growing calls for the introduction of professional football in the Netherlands. Two years later the KNVB and the breakaway Nederlandse Beroeps Voetbalbond (NBVB) reached an agreement to merge their competitions, creating a national semi-professional league structure. MVV placed third in the final NBVB–KNVB qualification round and were admitted to the new Eredivisie.

The club enjoyed a sustained period in the top division during the 1950s and 1960s. Players such as Fons van Wissen, Giel Haenen and Gerard Bergholtz earned Dutch caps while at MVV, and in 1957 the Boschpoort ground was expanded to a capacity of 18,000 to meet rising demand. In 1961 the club relocated to the purpose-built De Geusselt stadium, and by 1969 total attendances for the season had reached 100,000.

To mark fifty years in the top flight in 1963, a supporters' committee presented MVV with 14 symbolic golden stars, which were occasionally incorporated into the club's shirts in place of the traditional white star from the Maastricht city crest. Results during the decade alternated between mid-table stability and relegation battles, with the club ultimately remaining in the Eredivisie throughout the period.

The signing of forward Willy Brokamp from nearby Chevremont in the late 1960s heralded one of the most successful eras in MVV's history. Making his Eredivisie debut at the age of 18, Brokamp established himself as one of the league's leading forwards. He was the Eredivisie's top scorer in 1973 and was named Dutch Footballer of the Year the same season. In total, Brokamp scored 141 goals in 11 seasons with MVV and won six international caps for the Netherlands while at the club.

Brokamp's departure to Ajax in 1974 was followed by MVV's first relegation in 1976. The club immediately challenged for promotion, narrowly missing out in their first season in the Eerste Divisie before returning to the top flight in 1978 via the promotion play-offs.

MVV remained a yo-yo club over the following decades. They achieved a famous 6–3 victory over Ajax at the De Meer Stadion in 1980, still the Amsterdam side's heaviest home defeat in league competition. Relegations in 1982 and 1986 were offset by championship wins in the second tier in 1984 and 1988, while the club achieved a seven-year stint in the Eredivisie between 1988 and 1995.

The mid-1980s were marked by severe financial pressures. By 1983, MVV carried debts of around 4.5 million guilders, leading chairman Max Tripels, a VVD member of parliament, to enlist businessman Léon Melchior to oversee a restructuring. With support from the municipality, ownership of the Geusselt ground was transferred to the club in 1986 and a subsidy of 3.7 million guilders was provided for redevelopment. Melchior subsequently proposed further investment, but resistance from entrenched figures in the club hierarchy curtailed his plans. The stadium was renovated rather than rebuilt, and his influence at MVV diminished.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s MVV established themselves in the Eredivisie, with players such as Erik Meijer and Erik Gerets gaining international recognition. Under coach Sef Vergoossen the team achieved back-to-back seventh-place finishes in 1992 and 1993 and were named KNVB "Team of the Year" for their attacking style.

In 2010, MVV officially changed its name to MVV Maastricht (Maatschappelijke Voetbal Vereniging Maastricht), introducing a new crest and board structure. That season the club began its Eerste Divisie campaign with an eight-point deduction due to financial irregularities, but nonetheless finished in mid-table.

Under coach René Trost, MVV challenged for promotion in the 2012–13 season, finishing fifth despite the annulment of results against bankrupt clubs AGOVV and Veendam. In 2016–17 the club reached the promotion play-off final, but were defeated by local rivals Roda JC Kerkrade.

By the early 2020s MVV remained an established second-tier club. In financial assessments by the KNVB the club was rated as "sufficient" in 2018, a marked improvement on its earlier struggles.