position and their future as a professional side was uncertain. The team remained in the Eredivisie throughout the 1960s, however, but were relegated to the Eerste Divisie in 1969–70. Foundation of FC Groningen In February 1970, Harm Brink, the chairman of amateur club , suggested that all Groningen amateur sides should put their best players to the disposal of the local professional team. However, he recognised that the name "GVAV" might be an obstacle in such a cooperation and proposed the foundation of a new club. The amateur clubs supported Brink's idea, and the local businesses and the Groningen municipality government were willing to remit the debt of Stichting Betaald Voetbal GVAV. In September 1970, the GVAV members accepted the plans. The team won promotion to the Eredivisie after a one-year absence, and "Football Club Groningen" were founded on 16 June 1971 as the successor of GVAV, who returned to amateur football. During the 1970–71 season, GVAV goalkeeper and Dutch international Tonny van Leeuwen conceded only seven goals; no goalkeeper conceded fewer during the year and Van Leeuwen was honoured by the Royal Dutch Football Association in Rotterdam. On his way home, he died in a car accident, one day before the club's foundation. Groningen played their first match on 17 July and defeated German Regionalliga side TSR Olympia Wilhelmshaven 6–0. The team played in a green and white kit, the colours of Groningen's coat of arms. Financial difficulties and relegation from the Eredivisie (1971–1980) Groningen lost their first league game 1–0 at home against Utrecht in front of an attendance of 13,000 spectators. The team recorded their first league victory on the 10th matchday—a 2–1 win at Vitesse—and finished the 1971–72 Eredivisie season 12th out of 18 sides. The club was still mired in financial difficulties; to cut transfer expenses, Groningen established a scouting system. In 1973, Piet Fransen retired after playing 484 matches for GVAV and Groningen, and gaining 6 caps for the Dutch national team. The following year, Groningen ranked bottom and were relegated to the Eerste Divisie; during the season, the team lost 9–0 to Ajax, Groningen's record defeat. The club came very close to bankruptcy but was saved by the Groningen municipality government. In 1974–75, the side finished finished runners-up to NEC Nijmegen because of a worse goal difference. Groningen qualified for the play-offs which determined the second and final team to gain promotion to