The good times for NAC before the end of World War II
There were many ups and downs for NAC at the starting of their career, but the most important achievement for them was the title of 1921 Eredivise which is the echelon of professional football in the Netherlands. It was so important that every player of the club was awarded golden watches. However, most of the watches are lost, one of the watches was auctioned in 2017, and Marcel van Hooijdonk purchased it. Later he offered the watch to the NAC museum. For more details, please visit https://www.bsiderats.nl/ere-ere-toekomt-dank-aan-marcel-hooijdonk.
After winning the Dutch Championship competition, NAC continuously played on a high level and was considered as one of the greatest clubs in Dutch football. In 1940, NAC and the city of Breda decided to play a social function in Breda’s community to divert the people’s mind from war. They organized different types of sports events, fairs, and horsing games.
The change of events after World War II
NAC was playing at the highest level after the end of World War II, but in 1949, their chairman of honor C.J. Asselbergs died. Since the NAC was founded, Asselbergs was there. Then the era of professional football was started, and in 1954, running competitions were halted, and new competitions were created. NAC entered the 1A League and in 1955 became champions of this league.
The challenging times for NAC Breda
On 12 March 1960, Breda lost one of the most important persons Antoon ‘De Rat’ Verlegh. With the death of Verlegh, the whole Breda and Dutch football community was in shock. He died in a car accident. He was involved in the club from 1912 to different positions and played an important role with the Royal Dutch Football Association. After the death of Verlegh, a series of events took place, which was not good for NAC. In November 1961, another important member of the club Chairman Jacques Piederiet died, and after one year in August 1962, Chairman Le Fevre died. This series of events led to the relegation of the club for the first time. However, after so many struggles NAC was able to return to the highest level within one year.
