{{Short description|Danish football club}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Esbjerg fB | image = Esbjerg forenede Boldklubber logo.png | image_size = 180px | fullname = Esbjerg forenede Boldklubber | short name = EfB | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1924|07|23}}<ref name="ahlstrom-fodbold">{{cite book |last1=Ahlstrøm |first1=Frits |title=Fodbold i sjov og alvor |date=2013 |publisher=Politiken |isbn=9788740013207 |edition=1. E-bogsudgave}}</ref> | ground = Blue Water Arena, Esbjerg | capacity = 17,442 | owner = | chairman = Flemming Enevoldsen | manager = Sancheev Manoharan | mgrtitle = Head coach | league = 1st Division | season = 2025–26 | position = 1st Division, 4th of 12 | pattern_la1 = _hummelcoreXKtbw | pattern_b1 = _hummelcoreXKStrw | pattern_ra1 = _hummelcoreXKtbw | pattern_sh1 = _hummelcoreXKtbw | pattern_so1 = _hummel20wtb | leftarm1 = 0000FF | body1 = FFFFFF | rightarm1 = 0000FF | shorts1 = 0000FF | socks1 = FFFFFF | pattern_la2 = _hummelcoreXKbw | pattern_b2 = _hummelcoreXKbw | pattern_ra2 = _hummelcoreXKbw | pattern_sh2 = | pattern_so2 = | leftarm2 = FFFFFF | body2 = 000000 | rightarm2 = FFFFFF | shorts2 = 000000 | socks2 = 000000 | leftarm3 = | shorts3 = | socks3 = | rightarm3 = | pattern_la3 = | pattern_sh3 = | pattern_so3 = | pattern_ra3 = | pattern_b3 = | body3 = | website = {{URL|https://www.efb.dk/}} }} '''Esbjerg forenede Boldklubber''' ({{IPA|da|ˈesˌpjɛɐ̯ˀ fʌˈe̝ˀnð̩ ˈpʌltkʰlupɐ}}; commonly known as '''Esbjerg fB''' or '''EfB''' in short) is a Danish professional football club based in Esbjerg, West Jylland, that plays in the 1st division, the second tier of the Danish football league system. Founded in 1924 as a merger between Esbjerg Boldklub af 1898 and Esbjerg Amatørklub af 1911, the first team play their home games at Blue Water Arena which has been the club's home ground since its opening in 1955.
==History== ===Early years=== thumb|left|100px|Original logo Esbjerg forenede Boldklubber was officially established in 1924 as a merger between Esbjerg Boldklub af 1898 (E.B. 98) and Esbjerg Amatørklub af 1911 (EAK) after 12 years of competition between the two clubs.<ref name="ahlstrom-fodbold" /> The new club was driven by ambition for something bigger, which already produced results the day after when the club's best start-up team defeated Kolding IF with 7–0.<ref name="superliga">{{cite web |title=Esbjerg fB - 3F Superliga |url=http://www.superliga.dk/klub/esbjerg-fb |website=superliga.dk |publisher=Superliga |access-date=11 June 2020}}</ref>
===Golden years (1960–1980)=== The club's golden years were in the first half of the 1960s with the Austrian coach Rudi Strittich throughout most of the decade.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kjærbøl |first1=Michael |title=Diametrale trænermodsætninger – DBUs slingrekurs |url=https://www.pressreader.com/denmark/ekstra-bladet-tipsbladet/20180824/281711205504917 |website=ekstrabladet.dk |publisher=Ekstra Bladet |access-date=11 June 2020 |date=24 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Trænerlegenden Rudi Strittich er død |url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/landsholdsfodbold/article4155181.ece |website=ekstrabladet.dk |publisher=Ekstra Bladet |access-date=11 June 2020 |date=12 July 2010}}</ref> The club won the Danish Championship in 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1965 and won the DBU Cup in 1964.<ref>{{cite web |title=Det gyldne efterår 1961 - et tronskifte i dansk fodbold |url=https://jv.dk/artikel/det-gyldne-efter%C3%A5r-1961-et-tronskifte-i-dansk-fodbold |website=jv.dk |publisher=JydskeVestkysten |access-date=11 June 2020 |date=26 November 2011}}</ref> This success has been largely attributed to Austrian coach Rudi Strittich, as well as strikers Jens Peter Hansen and Carl Emil Christiansen.<ref>{{cite web |title=EfB historie fra 1. kamp i 1924 til 1970 |url=http://www.efb-retro.dk/430298910 |website=EfB-retro |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214014715/http://www.efb-retro.dk/430298910 |archive-date=14 February 2018 |language=da}}</ref> In the championship season of 1961, Esbjerg set a stadium record with 20,000 spectators, as Esbjerg won the clash against KB 3–1 at home.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Silkjær |first1=Søren Lintrup |title=Stadionrekord bliver aldrig slået |url=https://www.jv.dk/esbjerg/Stadionrekord-bliver-aldrig-slaaet/artikel/715242 |website=JydskeVestkysten |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073452/https://www.jv.dk/esbjerg/Stadionrekord-bliver-aldrig-slaaet/artikel/715242 |archive-date=14 February 2018 |language=da |date=12 August 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1968, Esbjerg almost won another championship, when the team had the same amount of points as two other clubs before the last round, but despite winning the last match, KB won the title on goal difference. The following year, however, Esbjerg suffered relegation from the top tier, where they had played twenty consecutive seasons.
In 1974, Esbjerg fB won promotion to the top division again, marking the beginning of the club's second golden era. Esbjerg won the DBU Cup again in 1976. In 1977, Strittich returned as coach, and with goalkeeper Ole Kjær and midfielder Jens Jørn Bertelsen as the driving forces in the following years, Esbjerg were back at the top.<ref>{{cite book |title=Danish Dynamite |date=2015 |publisher=Gyldendal |isbn=9788702164916 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7aogBgAAQBAJ&dq=jens+j%C3%B8rn+bertelsen+1977&pg=PT60 |language=da}}</ref> The club won bronze medals in 1977, and in 1978 Esbjerg fB lost the cup final to Frem after a penalty shootout and a total of three finals, all of which ended 1–1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pokalfinaler – Sydbank Pokalen – SuperStats |url=https://www.superstats.dk/pokal/finaler |website=Superstats |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214014511/https://www.superstats.dk/pokal/finaler |archive-date=14 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, they achieved a second-place finish in the top tier, while the team reached the third round of the UEFA Cup, where they beat Hertha BSC 2–1 in the first leg, but lost in the return match in Berlin by 4–0.<ref>{{cite web |title=efbhistorik.dk – tal og historie om Esbjerg fB |url=http://www.efbhistorik.dk/?cat=h2h&cat_id=675 |website=EfB Historik |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073324/http://www.efbhistorik.dk/?cat=h2h&cat_id=675 |archive-date=14 February 2018 |language=da |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1979, Esbjerg fB won the club's fifth and most recent Danish championship. The following year, the team eliminated Halmstads BK in the European Champion Clubs' Cup. In the subsequent round, Esbjerg lost on the road with 3–0 to Spartak Moscow, but was in the return match, close to a sensation, Esbjerg won 2–0.<ref>{{cite web |title=EUROPACUP 1980/1981 MESTERHOLD, 2. RUNDE |url=http://www.haslund.info/20_ecup/198081/mhr2.asp |website=Haslund |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214014605/http://www.haslund.info/20_ecup/198081/mhr2.asp |archive-date=14 February 2018 |language=da |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Ups and downs (1985–2012)=== In 1985, Esbjerg was close to winning the cup tournament, but lost in the final 3–2 to Lyngby on a goal shortly before the final whistle. Esbjerg relegated from the top tier in 1986 and in the early 1990s were down in the third division. In 1999, Esbjerg returned to the Danish Superliga. This time, their tenure in the top division was more permanent, achieving a third-place finish in the 2003–04 season as their best performance, after being in first place with four rounds left.<ref>{{cite news |title=Esbjerg glemmer aldrig de uheldige helte fra 2004 |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/artikel/esbjerg-glemmer-aldrig-de-uheldige-helte-fra-2004 |access-date=19 March 2022 |work=Tipsbladet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814230606/https://www.tipsbladet.dk/artikel/esbjerg-glemmer-aldrig-de-uheldige-helte-fra-2004 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |language=da}}</ref> During that season, they broke records, causing Brøndby IF's largest home defeat ever, beating them 6–1 at Brøndby Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brøndby IF, sejre-nederlag, statistik fra superligaen - SuperStats |url=https://www.superstats.dk/hold/alltime?id=2&vis=sejre-nederlag |website=Superstats |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073324/https://www.superstats.dk/hold/alltime?id=2&vis=sejre-nederlag |archive-date=14 February 2018 |language=da |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006 and 2008, the club reached the cup final. In the 2010–11 Danish Superliga season EfB finished 12th and were relegated to the Danish 1st Division for the first time since the 1999–2000 season.<ref>{{cite book |title=Fodbold, danske kampe 2011 |date=2011 |publisher=Carlsens Årbøger |page=16 |edition=1st}}</ref>
Esbjerg returned to the Superliga in the 2012–13 season with success under head coach Jess Thorup, a former player for the club, as the team managed to win the Danish Cup for the third time in the club's history with a 1–0 victory against Randers FC, thus qualifying for European football. At the same time, they achieved a fourth place in the Superliga.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jacobsen |first1=Mathias |title=Esbjerg fB - tilbage i toppen |url=https://indkast.dk/nyhed/106424/esbjerg-tilbage-i-toppen |website=Indkast |language=da |date=15 July 2013}}</ref>
===Frederiksen and European success (2013–19)=== On 2 May 2013, the club announced that Niels Frederiksen would succeed Thorup as the club's head coach from the start of the 2013–14 Danish Superliga season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Helmin |first1=Jesper |title=Officielt: Lyngby-manager til Esbjerg |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/Officielt-Lyngby-manager-til-Esbjerg/ |website=bold.dk |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=2 May 2013}}</ref> In the first season under Frederiksen, Esbjerg reached to the round of 32 in the Europa League, where they lost 4–2 over two legs to Italian side Fiorentina, despite winning 1–0 away at Stadio Artemio Franchi.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Primdahl |first1=Nikolaj |title=Se billederne: Fiorentina var for stor en mundfuld for Esbjerg |url=https://jv.dk/artikel/se-billederne-fiorentina-var-for-stor-en-mundfuld-for-esbjerg |website=jv.dk |publisher=JydskeVestkysten |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=20 February 2014}}</ref> This came after advancing from the group stage in second place by beating Standard Liège (2–1; 2–1) and Elfsborg (2–1; 1–0), and losing two matches to group winners, Red Bull Salzburg (2–1; 3–0).<ref name="efbhistorik1314">{{cite web |title=Europa League 2013/2014 |url=http://www.efbhistorik.dk/?cat=resBors&cat_id=282 |website=efbhistorik.dk |publisher=EfB Historik |access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref> Esbjerg had qualified to the group stage after winning 5–3 on aggregate over French club Saint-Étienne.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ritzau |title=Esbjerg er klar til gruppespillet i Europa League |url=https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/esbjerg-er-klar-til-gruppespillet-i-europa-league/af127a67-4750-49e2-ae67-546bc624dc8a |website=nordjyske.dk |publisher=NORDJYSKE Medier |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=29 August 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Schack Nørgaard |first1=Niels |title=Formidabelt comeback: Esbjerg slår Saint-Etienne i vild kamp |url=https://www.bt.dk/fodbold/formidabelt-comeback-esbjerg-slaar-saint-etienne-i-vild-kamp |website=B.T. |publisher=B.T. |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=22 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="efbhistorik1314" /> When the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) published their list of best clubs in the world, Esbjerg were in 79th place.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dehn |first1=Anders |title=Esbjerg er nummer 79 i verden |url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/dansk_fodbold/superligaen/esbjerg/article4627767.ece?ilc=c |work=Ekstra Bladet |date=9 January 2014 |language=da}}</ref> Hans Henrik Andreasen was part of the autumn team in the Europa League among the best players in the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hans Henrik Andreasen er blandt Europas bedste - TV 2 |url=https://sporten.tv2.dk/2013-12-13-hans-henrik-andreasen-er-blandt-europas-bedste |work=TV2 Sporten |date=13 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116185856/https://sporten.tv2.dk/2013-12-13-hans-henrik-andreasen-er-blandt-europas-bedste |archive-date=16 January 2014 |language=da-DK}}</ref> In the domestic league, they also had a successful season, ending in fifth place which qualified the club for contention in the 2014–15 Europa League second round.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Helmin |first1=Jesper |title=EfB: Ikke tæt på nye spillere |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/EfB-Ikke-taet-paa-nye-spillere/ |website=bold.dk |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=10 June 2014}}</ref>
In the following season, Esbjerg knocked out Kazakh side Kairat Almaty 2–1 on aggregate in the second qualifying round, before facing Polish club Ruch Chorzów in the third round. In the first leg, Esbjerg drew 0–0 away.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ritzau |title=Esbjerg-træner tilfreds med 0-0 |url=https://www.dr.dk/sporten/fodbold/europaleague/esbjerg-traener-tilfreds-med-0-0 |website=dr.dk |publisher=Danmarks Radio |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=31 July 2014}}</ref> However, in the second leg, a last-minute goal by Łukasz Surma for Ruch Chorzów to make it 2–2 to win on away goals, ended Esbjerg's hopes of advancing in the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jensen |first1=Michael |title=Se alle billederne: Esbjerg sendt ud af Europa i allersidste sekund |url=https://jv.dk/artikel/se-alle-billederne-esbjerg-sendt-ud-af-europa-i-allersidste-sekund |website=jv.dk |publisher=JydskeVestkysten |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=7 August 2014}}</ref> In the domestic league, Esbjerg had sold key players such as Jakob Ankersen, Eddi Gomes and Martin Pušić during the winter transfer window,<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ritzau |title=Esbjerg sælger Ankersen til IFK Göteborg |url=https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/esbjerg-saelger-ankersen-til-ifk-g-teborg/ff92c9cc-ece9-4116-acc8-b22b872d51cc |website=nordjyske.dk |publisher=NORDJYSKE Medier |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=2 February 2015 |archive-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319182109/https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/esbjerg-saelger-ankersen-til-ifk-g-teborg/ff92c9cc-ece9-4116-acc8-b22b872d51cc |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Nyhedsbureauet Newspaq |title=Esbjerg sælger forsvarsspiller til udlandet |url=https://www.avisen.dk/esbjerg-saelger-forsvarsspiller-til-udlandet_303603.aspx |website=avisen.dk |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=16 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Vøge |first1=Lasse |last2=Abolhosseini |first2=Farzam |title=Esbjerg bekræfter: Sælger profil til Superliga-rivaler |url=https://www.bt.dk/fodbold/esbjerg-bekraefter-saelger-profil-til-superliga-rivaler |website=bt.dk |publisher=B.T. |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=30 January 2015}}</ref> and partly due to this the club struggled against relegation. In the last fixture of the season, Esbjerg avoided relegation after a 2–1 win over relegation rivals, FC Vestsjælland.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tornby |first1=Gustav |title=Esbjerg redder sig - FC Vestsjælland rykker ned |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/esbjerg-redder-sig-fc-vestsjaelland-rykker-ned |website=tipsbladet.dk |publisher=Tipsbladet |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=31 May 2015}}</ref>
On 10 August 2015, Frederiksen was dismissed by Esbjerg with the side placed last in the Danish Superliga table after four matches into the 2015–16 season, with chairman Søren Poulsen citing "lacking" domestic results as the reason behind the dismissal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Helmin |first1=Jesper |title=Esbjerg fyrer Niels Frederiksen |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/esbjerg-fyrer-niels-frederiksen/ |website=bold.dk |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=10 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Helweg Christiansen |first1=Casper |title=Esbjerg fyrer Niels Frederiksen |url=https://www.dr.dk/sporten/fodbold/superliga/esbjerg-fyrer-niels-frederiksen |website=dr.dk |publisher=Danmarks Radio |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=10 August 2015}}</ref> Frederiksen was succeeded by Jonas Dal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brøndum Nielsen |first1=Lars |title=Officielt: Jonas Dal er ny træner i Esbjerg |url=https://www.dr.dk/sporten/fodbold/superliga/officielt-jonas-dal-er-ny-traener-i-esbjerg |website=dr.dk |publisher=Danmarks Radio |access-date=5 April 2020 |date=16 October 2015}}</ref>
In 2017, Esbjerg moved out of the Superligaen after losing the decisive relegation final over two matches against AC Horsens by an aggregate score of 4–3. However, the club returned to the Superliga after just one season in the second tier. In the 2019–20 season, the club suffered another relegation after a tumultuous season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Elgaard |first1=Peter |title=Esbjerg rykker ud af Superligaen |url=https://www.tvsyd.dk/esbjerg/esbjerg-rykker-ud-af-superligaen |work=TV SYD |date=28 June 2020 |language=da}}</ref>
===American ownership, relegations, and controversies (2020–24)=== From July 2020 to May 2021, Ólafur Kristjánsson was the head coach of the club. Earlier that season, in March 2021, Chien Lee of NewCity Capital, Randy Frankel of Partners Path Capital, Paul Conway of Pacific Media Group and Krishen Sud invested in Esbjerg fB and became the majority shareholder.<ref>{{cite web |title=EfB præsenterer ny hovedaktionær - efb.dk |url=https://efb.dk/efb-praesenterer-ny-hovedaktionaer/ |website=Esbjerg fB |access-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205095924/https://efb.dk/efb-praesenterer-ny-hovedaktionaer/ |archive-date=5 February 2021 |language=da |date=5 February 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Thereby, the club became part of the same ownership group as Barnsley, Oostende and Nancy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Denmark's Esbjerg fB becomes latest Pacific Media-led acquisition |url=https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2021/02/05/denmarks-esbjerg-fb-becomes-latest-pacific-media-led-acquisition/ |website=Inside World Football |date=5 February 2021}}</ref> The club failed promotion to the Superliga in the 2020–21 season, finishing in third place, 14 points from promotion spots.<ref>{{cite web |title=1. DIVISION OPRYKNINGSSPIL 2020/21 (2021) // |url=https://dbu.dk/resultater/pulje/354447 |website=DBU |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=DA}}</ref>
In May 2021, Peter Hyballa was hired as head coach of the club.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 May 2021|title=Peter Hyballa ny cheftræner i EfB – efb.dk|url=https://efb.dk/peter-hyballa-ny-cheftraener-i-efb/|access-date=27 May 2021|language=da-DK}}</ref> Less than two months into his tenure, Danish newspaper ''B.T.'' reported that multiple Esbjerg players demanded his dismissal after "mental and physical punishments".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Abolhosseini |first1=Farzam |last2=Davidsen |first2=Michel Wikkelsø |title=B.T. afslører: Kaos i Esbjerg – spillere kræver træneren fyret |url=https://www.bt.dk/fodbold/bt-afsloerer-kaos-i-esbjerg-spillere-kraever-traeneren-fyret |work=B.T. |date=8 July 2021 |language=da}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Margren |first1=Sara |title=Avis: Esbjerg-spillere kræver træner fyret |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/avis-esbjerg-spillere-kraever-traener-fyret/ |work=bold.dk |date=8 July 2021 |language=da}}</ref> The following day, Spillerforeningen, the Danish Player's Association, reprimanded the Esbjerg board after the American chairman Michael Kalt had toned down the conflict and informed ''JydskeVestkysten'' that only a few players were involved in the demand.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amerikansk formand freder cheftræneren trods oprør i truppen, men anerkender at noget må ændres: – Nogle ser visionen, andre ser at de ikke passer ind |url=https://jv.dk/artikel/amerikansk-formand-freder-cheftr%C3%A6neren-trods-opr%C3%B8r-i-truppen-men-anerkender-at-noget-m%C3%A5-%C3%A6ndres-nogle-ser-visionen-andre-ser-at-de-ikke-passer-ind |work=jv.dk |date=8 July 2021 |language=da}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Martin |title=SPF advarer Esbjerg midt i kaos: Skal stoppes |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/spf-advarer-esbjerg-midt-i-kaos-skal-stoppes/ |work=bold.dk |date=9 July 2021 |language=da}}</ref> One day later, Hyballa demoted four key players to the U19 team: Yuriy Yakovenko, Jakob Ankersen, Kevin Conboy and Zean Dalügge.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lindhardt |first1=Jan Maass |title=EfB degraderer profiler til u19-holdet på Hyballas opfordring |url=https://ugeavisen.dk/esbjerg/artikel/efb-degraderer-profiler-til-u19-holdet-p%C3%A5-hyballas-opfordring |work=ugeavisen.dk |date=9 July 2021 |language=da}}</ref> On 15 July, Esbjerg fB were reported to the Danish Labour Inspection Authority ("Arbejdstilsynet") by Spillerforeningen after reports came out that Hyballa had allegedly hit and "mentally terrorised" players.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brandt |first1=Theis Fischer |title=Træner-kaos: EfB anmeldt til Arbejdstilsynet |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/traener-kaos-efb-anmeldt-til-arbejdstilsynet/ |work=bold.dk |date=15 July 2021 |language=da}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Egelund |first1=Af Klaus |title=Anmelder Esbjerg efter træner-vanvid |url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/dansk_fodbold/anmelder-esbjerg-efter-traener-vanvid/8700754 |work=Ekstra Bladet |date=15 July 2021 |language=da}}</ref> The following week, Hyballa stated that he had never hit anyone, and that he had only tried to motivate his players.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Martin |title=Hyballa nedtoner afstraffelse: Hvad er et slag? |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/hyballa-nedtoner-afstraffelse-hvad-er-et-slag/ |work=bold.dk |date=21 July 2021 |language=da}}</ref>
On 24 July, Hyballa appointed the 19-year-old Mads Larsen as the new team captain.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mads Larsen ny anfører |url=https://efb.dk/mads-larsen-ny-anfoerer/ |website=efb.dk |language=da-DK |date=24 July 2021}}</ref> Three days later, on 27 July, new accusations arose against Hyballa – this time from Kasper Pedersen – who had terminated his contract by mutual consent the day before. He stated that Hyballa had created a "horrible mood" and that he had left the club due to the manager.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andersen |first1=Thomas N. |title=Tidligere Esbjerg-spiller står frem: – Hyballa har skabt en rædselsfuld stemning |url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/dansk_fodbold/1division/tidligere-esbjerg-spiller-staar-frem-hyballa-har-skabt-en-raedselsfuld-stemning/8716880?account=ebreaking&ext_source=twitter |work=Ekstra Bladet |date=27 July 2021 |language=da}}</ref>
On 28 July 2021 of Esbjerg's first-team players sent an open letter to club management, expressing "strong distrust" to Hyballa. The letter, which was also published in several media outlets, mentions several episodes where Hyballa had physically or mentally abused players.<ref>{{cite news |title=Esbjerg-spillere udtrykker mistillid til træner i åbent brev – TV 2 |url=https://sport.tv2.dk/fodbold/2021-07-29-esbjerg-spillere-udtrykker-mistillid-til-traener-i-aabent-brev |work=sport.tv2.dk |date=29 July 2021 |language=da-DK}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Margren |first1=Sara |title=Se hele Esbjerg-truppens brev til ledelsen her |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/se-hele-esbjerg-truppens-brev-til-ledelsen-her/ |work=bold.dk |date=29 July 2021 |language=da}}</ref> Responding to the letter, investor and spokesperson for the Esbjerg board, Paul Conway, stated to ''JydskeVestkysten'' that "[i]t's so unprofessional, I've never experienced anything like it. It can never be the players who get to decide who get to play and who is the coach."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bruun |first1=Ole |title=EfB-ejer efter åbent brev om mistillid til træneren: Spillerne kommer aldrig til at bestemme, hvem der skal være træner |url=https://jv.dk/artikel/efb-ejer-efter-%C3%A5bent-brev-om-mistillid-til-tr%C3%A6neren-peter-hyballa-har-vores-fulde-opbakning-spillerne-kommer-aldrig-til-at-bestemme-hvem-der-skal-v%C3%A6re-tr%C3%A6ner |work=jv.dk |date=29 July 2021 |language=da}}</ref>
On 11 August after weeks of stories in the press and a bad start to the season, Hyballa resigned as manager of Esbjerg and was replaced by Roland Vrabec.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Margren |first1=Sara |title=Officielt: Hyballa stopper - EfB hyrer ny tysker |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/officielt-hyballa-stopper--efb-hyrer-ny-tysker/ |work=bold.dk |date=11 August 2021 |language=da}}</ref> He was dismissed in March 2022 after seven months, as the club were mathematically out of reach of promotion.<ref name="vrabec">{{cite news |last1=Grundahl |first1=Søren Pors |title=Esbjerg fB fyrer cheftræner |url=https://www.tvsyd.dk/esbjerg/esbjerg-fb-fyrer-cheftraener |work=TV SYD |date=9 March 2022 |language=da}}</ref> Rafael van der Vaart was appointed caretaker coach.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Porse |first1=Kristian |title=Esbjerg fyrer Vrabec efter syv måneder |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/esbjerg-fyrer-vrabec-efter-syv-maaneder/ |work=bold.dk |date=9 March 2022 |language=da}}</ref> On 18 March, in a 3–0 home loss to Lyngby, Esbjerg hooligans threw firecrackers onto the pitch and rioted after the game which resulted in multiple arrests, as the team were in a relegation battle.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Christopher |title=Flere anholdte efter absurde scener - TV 2 |url=https://sport.tv2.dk/fodbold/2022-03-19-flere-anholdte-efter-absurde-scener |work=TV2 Sporten |date=19 March 2022 |language=da-DK}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EfB tager afstand fra fanopførsel |url=https://efb.dk/efb-tager-afstand-fra-fanopfoersel/ |website=Esbjerg fB |language=da-DK |date=18 March 2022}}</ref> On 18 May 2022, Esbjerg suffered a devastating 3–2 defeat to Fremad Amager, relinquishing a 2–0 lead. This loss marked the first time in 28 years that Esbjerg was relegated to the Danish 2nd Division, the country's third tier.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grundahl |first1=Søren Pors |title=Nedrykning og seks trænere på halvandet år: Tidslinje over EfB's kaotiske sæson 21/22 |url=https://www.tvsyd.dk/efb-love-it-or-leave-it/nedrykning-og-seks-traenere-paa-halvandet-aar-tidslinje-over-efbs-kaotiske-saeson-2122 |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=TV SYD |date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211050504/https://www.tvsyd.dk/efb-love-it-or-leave-it/nedrykning-og-seks-traenere-paa-halvandet-aar-tidslinje-over-efbs-kaotiske-saeson-2122 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |language=da}}</ref>
In March 2024 Esbjerg was deducted three points in the 2nd Division by the Danish Football Union after a reorganisation of the club, which resulted in new local ownership.<ref>{{cite web |last=Porse|first=Kristian|date=14 March 2024 |title=Bekræftet: EfB fratrækkes tre point |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/klubber/esbjerg-fb/nyheder/bekraeftet-efb-fratraekkes-tre-point |access-date=31 May 2024 |website=Bold|language=da}}</ref>
===Promotion and back in local hands (2024–present)=== In May 2024, Esbjerg fB underwent a significant ownership and management transition. The Esbjerg Bankruptcy Court confirmed a reconstruction plan proposed by a local steering group, which was approved by all attending creditors. This decision ended the club's association with its former American owners, Esbjerg Investment Limited (EIL), spearheaded by Paul Conway, and returned Esbjerg fB to local control. Following the court's ruling, the club implemented immediate changes, including appointing a new board and a potential three-point deduction from the standings. The new board, led by local businessman Flemming Enevoldsen as chairman, also includes Søren Andersen, Kenneth Hagelskjær, and Søren Copsø.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mathiesen |first1=Ken |title=Erhvervslivets stærke jernmand skal være ny formand for EfB |url=https://jv.dk/esbjerg/erhvervslivets-staerke-jernmand-skal-vaere-ny-formand-for-efb |access-date=24 August 2024 |work=JydskeVestkysten |date=8 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219213504/https://jv.dk/esbjerg/erhvervslivets-staerke-jernmand-skal-vaere-ny-formand-for-efb |archive-date=19 February 2024 |language=da}}</ref> The steering group emphasised their primary goal was to preserve the club and prevent bankruptcy, rather than focusing solely on removing the previous American owners.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Porse |first1=Kristian |title=Farvel, Conway: EfB er tilbage på lokale hænder |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/farvel-conway-efb-er-tilbage-pa-lokale-haender |access-date=24 August 2024 |work=bold.dk |date=3 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531203321/https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/farvel-conway-efb-er-tilbage-pa-lokale-haender |archive-date=31 May 2024 |language=da}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Porse |first1=Kristian |title=EfB får nye ejere i løbet af nogle timer |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/klubber/esbjerg-fb/nyheder/efb-far-nye-ejere-i-lobet-af-nogle-timer |access-date=24 August 2024 |work=bold.dk |date=3 May 2024 |language=da}}</ref>
Despite the three-point deduction the club secured promotion back to the 1st Division with three matchdays left after a 2–0 away victory over Middelfart Boldklub on 24 May 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nelausen |first=Raymund |date=24 May 2024 |title=Esbjerg sikrer sig oprykning |url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/dansk_fodbold/anden-division/esbjerg-sikrer-sig-oprykning/10244881 |access-date=31 May 2024 |website=Ekstra Bladet|language=da}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Noes |first1=Malthe Lindholm |title=Esbjerg FB får minimal pointstraf |url=https://www.tvsyd.dk/esbjerg/esbjerg-fb-faar-minimal-pointstraf |access-date=24 August 2024 |work=TV SYD |date=5 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308045048/https://www.tvsyd.dk/esbjerg/esbjerg-fb-faar-minimal-pointstraf |archive-date=8 March 2024 |language=da}}</ref> On 31 May, Esbjerg secured the league title after a decisive 6–0 home victory over Akademisk Boldklub.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stilling |url=https://2-division.dk/stilling|access-date=31 May 2024 |website=2-division.dk|language=da}}</ref>
==Stadium== {{Main|Blue Water Arena}}
Esbjerg fB plays at Blue Water Arena, which is the name of Esbjerg Stadion at Gl. Vardevej and part of Esbjerg Sports Park.
==Honours== thumb|300px|right|Esbjerg fB by season.
*'''Danish Superliga''' ** '''Champions''' (5): 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1979 ** Silver (3): 1955–56, 1968, 1978 ** Bronze (3): 1977, 2003–04, 2018–19 *'''Danish Cup''' ** '''Winners''' (3): 1963–64, 1975–76, 2012–13 ** Runners-up (6): 1956–57, 1961–62, 1977–78, 1984–85, 2005–06, 2007–08 *'''Danish 1st Division''' ** '''Champions''': 2011–12 *'''Danish 2nd Division''' ** '''Champions''': 2023–24
{{Clear}}
==Achievements== *'''45''' ''seasons'' in the ''Highest Danish League'' *'''24''' ''seasons'' in the ''Second Highest Danish League'' *'''5''' ''seasons'' in the ''Third Highest Danish League''
==Players==
===Current squad=== {{updated|28 February 2026}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://efb.dk/holdet/ |title=Holdet - Esbjerg fB |language=da|website=efb.dk |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no= 1|nat=DEN|name=Daniel Gadegaard|pos=GK}} {{Fs player|no= 3|nat=DEN|name=Anton Skipper|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no= 4|nat=DEN|name=Patrick Tjørnelund|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no= 5|nat=DEN|name=Jonathan Foss|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no= 6|nat=DEN|name=Lasse Vigen Christensen|pos=MF|other=captain}} {{Fs player|no= 7|nat=DEN|name=Lucas From|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no= 8|nat=NOR|name=Mikail Maden|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=10|nat=GHA|name=Richmond Gyamfi|pos=FW|other=<small>on loan from AGF</small>}} {{Fs player|no=11|nat=DEN|name=Peter Bjur|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=12|nat=DEN|name=Andreas Lausen|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=14|nat=NGA|name=John Kolawole|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=15|nat=DEN|name=Anders Sønderskov|pos=DF}} {{fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=16|nat=DEN|name=Kasper Kristensen|pos=GK}} {{Fs player|no=17|nat=DEN|name=Julius Lucena|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=18|nat=DEN|name=Marcus Hansen|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=19|nat=NOR|name=Sander Eng Strand|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=21|nat=SCO|name=Robby McCrorie|pos=GK|other=<small>on loan from Kilmarnock</small>}} {{Fs player|no=22|nat=DEN|name=Benjamin Hvidt|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=25|nat=RSA|name=Waylon Renecke|pos=DF|other=<small>on loan from Copenhagen</small>}} {{Fs player|no=27|nat=ISL|name=Breki Baldursson|pos=MF}} {{Fs player|no=32|nat=DEN|name=Nicolai Blicher|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=39|nat=DEN|name=Noah Strandby|pos=FW}} {{Fs player|no=40|nat=DEN|name=Emil Larsen|pos=DF}} {{Fs player|no=80|nat=DEN|name=Muamer Brajanac|pos=FW}} {{fs end}}
===Out on loan=== {{fs start}} {{Fs player|no=34|nat=DEN|name=Emil Jørgensen|pos=GK|other=<small>at Skeid until 31 December 2026</small>}} {{fs end}}
==Staff== * ''Head Coach:'' Sancheev Manoharan * ''Assistant Coach:'' Søren Pallesen * ''A + Coach:'' * ''Goalkeeper Coach:'' Frode Birkeland * ''Transition Coach:'' Patrick Harboe * ''Forward Coach:'' Jesper Lange * ''Physical Coach:'' Morten Bastholm * ''Assistant Physical Coach:'' Mattias Fredeløkke * ''Kit Manager:'' René Christiansen
===Former coaches=== {{div col|colwidth=35em|small=yes}} *{{flagicon|Austria}} Rudi Strittich (1961–62) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Arne Sørensen (1963–64) *{{flagicon|Austria}} Rudi Strittich (1965–67) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Richard Møller Nielsen (1968–69) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Ernst Netuka (1969–70) *{{flagicon|Germany}} Ludwig Weg (1970–71) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Peter Stubbe (1972) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} JJ Hansen and {{flagicon|Denmark}} CE Christiansen (1972) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Egon Jensen (1973–76) *{{flagicon|Austria}} Rudi Strittich (1976–79) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Carl Emil Christiansen (1979–80) *{{flagicon|Germany}} Jürgen Wähling (1981–83) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Henrik Brandenborg (1984–86) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Allan Michaelsen (1987–88) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Allan Hebo Larsen (1989–90) *{{flagicon|Norway}} Jan Hansen (1990–93) *{{flagicon|England}} Ian Salter (1993) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Jørn Bach (1993–97) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Viggo Jensen (1997–02) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Ove Pedersen (1 July 2002 – 31 December 2005) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Troels Bech (1 July 2005 – 16 November 2008) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Jess Thorup (17 November 2008 – 31 December 2008) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Ove Pedersen (1 January 2009 – 14 March 2011) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Jess Thorup (14 March 2011 – 30 May 2013) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Niels Frederiksen (1 July 2013 – 10 August 2015) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Michael Mex Pedersen (11 August 2015 – 20 October 2015) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Jonas Dal (20 October 2015 – 30 June 2016) *{{flagicon|England}} Colin Todd (8 July 2016 – 5 December 2016) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Lars Lungi Sørensen (5 December 2016 – 19 June 2017) *{{flagicon|Netherlands}} John Lammers (23 June 2017 – 16 September 2019) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Claus Nørgaard (17 September 2019 – 27 October 2019) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Lars Olsen (28 October 2019 – 9 June 2020) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Troels Bech (10 June 2020 – 15 July 2020) *{{flagicon|Iceland}} Ólafur Kristjánsson (1 August 2020 – 10 May 2021) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Lars Vind (10 May 2021 – 30 May 2021) *{{flagicon|Germany}} Peter Hyballa (1 June 2021 – 11 August 2021) *{{flagicon|Germany}} Roland Vrabec (11 August 2021 – 9 March 2022) *{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Rafael van der Vaart (10 March 2022 – 30 March 2022) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Michael Kryger (30 March 2022 – 20 April 2022) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Steffen Ernemann (20 April 2022 – 30 June 2022) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Lars Vind (1 July 2022 – 22 March 2023) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Lars Lungi Sørensen (22 March 2023 –15 June 2025) *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Sancheev Manoharan (16 June 2025 – Present)
{{div col end}}
==Denmark national football team players== The following 32 Esbjerg football players has been picked and had their debut on the Denmark national football team (debut/matches/goals):
{{div col|colwidth=28em}} * Peter Ankersen (2013/1/0) * Martin Braithwaite (2013/2/1) * Peter Nymann (2010/1/0) * Søren Rieks (2009/3/1) * Martin Vingaard (2008/5/1) * Niki Zimling (2008/1/0) * Jesper Bech (2006/1/0) * Jan Kristiansen (2003/9/0) * John Lauridsen (1981/27/3) * Ole Madsen (1980/18/0) * Ole Kjær (1977/26/0) * Jens Jørn Bertelsen (1976/69/2) * Hans Jørgen Christiansen (1968/5/0) * Vagn Hedeager (1967/1/0) * Børge Enemark (1965/11/0) * Knud Petersen (1965/4/0) * Preben Jensen (1962/2/0) * Carl Emil Christiansen (1962/2/1) * Jens Petersen (1962/22/1) * Jens Jørgen Hansen (1962/40/0) * Carl Bertelsen (1962/21/9) * Erik Gaardhøje (1961/14/0) * John Madsen (1961/20/0) * Egon Jensen (1957/12/4) * Ove Hansen (1956/9/0) * Johannes Schmidt (1955/1/0) * Søren Andersen (1951/5/0) * Erik Terkelsen (1950/17/0) * Jens Peder Hansen (1949/38/18) * Curt Christensen (1949/1/0) * Viggo Jensen (1945/15/1) * Jørgen Iversen (1937/5/1) * Olaf Brockhoff (1935/2/0) * Arthur Nielsen (1935/1/0) * Emil Møller (1932/3/0) {{div col end}}
==Former notable foreign players== Esbjerg has a list of former notable foreign players of which some have represented their national team. Some of the most memorable are listed here:
{{colbegin|colwidth=18em}} *{{flagicon|FIN}} Lukáš Hrádecký *{{flagicon|FRA}} Michaël Murcy *{{flagicon|GAM}} Njogu Demba-Nyrén *{{flagicon|GER}} Kolja Afriyie *{{flagicon|GRE}} Kostas Tsimikas *{{flagicon|ISL}} Kári Árnason *{{flagicon|ISL}} Arnór Smárason *{{flagicon|LVA}} Igors Stepanovs *{{flagicon|NED}} Fernando Derveld *{{flagicon|NED}} Tim Janssen *{{flagicon|NED}} Rafael van der Vaart *{{flagicon|SVK}} Martin Dúbravka *{{flagicon|ROU}} Adrian Petre *{{flagicon|SWE}} Fredrik Berglund *{{flagicon|SWE}} Christian Karlsson *{{flagicon|SWE}} Andreas Klarström *{{flagicon|SWE}} Alexander Östlund *{{flagicon|SWE}} Joakim Persson *{{flagicon|SWE}} Erik Wahlstedt {{colend}}
==Player of the Year==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Berglund-EfB.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Fredrik Berglund]] -->
'''Player of the year Esbjerg fB''' * 1999–00: Henrik Ibsen * 2000–01: Joakim Persson * 2001–02: Christian Karlsson * 2002–03: Jan Kristiansen * 2003–04: Tommy Bechmann * 2004–05: Fredrik Berglund * 2005–06: Jerry Lucena * 2006–07: Niki Zimling * 2007–08: Martin Vingaard * 2008–09: Søren Rieks * 2009–10: Nicolai Høgh * 2010–11: Jesper Lange * 2011–12: Søren Rieks * 2012–13: Lukáš Hrádecký * 2013–14: Kian Hansen<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.efb.dk/kian_aarets_spiller_ankersen_scorede_saesonens_maal |title=Esbjerg fB's officielle hjemmeside | Regionens Hold |language=da |publisher=EfB.dk |access-date=26 November 2019}}</ref> * 2014–15: Jonas Knudsen<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.efb.dk/jonas_knudsen_repraesenterer_efb_ved_em_i_tjekkiet |title=Esbjerg fB's officielle hjemmeside | Regionens Hold |language=da |publisher=EfB.dk |access-date=26 November 2019}}</ref> * 2015–16: Jeppe Højbjerg * 2016–17: Victor Pálsson * 2017–18: Anders Dreyer<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/anders-dreyer-aarets-spiller-i-esbjerg/ |title=Anders Dreyer årets spiller i Esbjerg | bold.dk |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808145245/https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/anders-dreyer-aarets-spiller-i-esbjerg/ |archive-date=8 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * 2018–19: Joni Kauko<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.efb.dk/saesonens-spiller-2018-2019-joni-kauko/ |title=Sæsonens Spiller 2018/2019: Joni Kauko - EfB |date=20 May 2019 |language=da |publisher=Efb.dk |access-date=26 November 2019}}</ref> * 2019–20: Rodolph Austin<ref>{{cite web |title=Sæsonens Spiller 2019/2020: Austin - efb.dk |url=https://efb.dk/saesonens-spiller-2019-2020-rodolph-austin/ |website=Esbjerg fB |access-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810221138/https://efb.dk/saesonens-spiller-2019-2020-rodolph-austin/ |archive-date=10 August 2020 |language=da-DK |date=10 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> * 2020–21: Mads Kikkenborg<ref>{{cite web |title=Kikkenborg er Sæsonens Spiller - efb.dk |url=https://efb.dk/kikkenborg-er-saesonens-spiller/ |website=Esbjerg fB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525124107/https://efb.dk/kikkenborg-er-saesonens-spiller/ |archive-date=25 May 2021 |language=da-DK |date=25 May 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> * 2021–22: Lasha Parunashvili<ref name="EfBss">{{cite news |title=Sæsonens Spiller |url=https://efb.dk/om-efb/saesonens-spiller/ |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=Esbjerg fB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309185726/https://efb.dk/om-efb/saesonens-spiller/ |archive-date=9 March 2024 |language=da-DK}}</ref> * 2022–23: Emil Holten<ref name="EfBss" />
'''Player of the Year Denmark''' * 1963: Jens Petersen * 1978: Ole Kjær * 1979: Jens Jørn Bertelsen
==Recent history== {|class="wikitable" |- style="background:#efefef;" ! Season ! ! Pos. ! Pl. ! W ! D ! L ! GS ! GA ! P ! Cup ! Notes |- |1999–2000 |SL | style="background:red; text-align:right;"|'''12''' |align=right|33||align=right|8||align=right|4||align=right|21 |align=right|40||align=right|70||align=right|'''28''' |Quarter-final |relegated |- |2000–01 |1D | style="text-align:right; background:gold;"|'''1''' |align=right|30||align=right|19||align=right|8||align=right|3 |align=right|79||align=right|29||align=right|'''65''' |5th round |promoted |- |2001–02 |SL |align=right |'''7''' |align=right|33||align=right|13||align=right|6||align=right|14 |align=right|42||align=right|44||align=right|'''45''' |style="background:#c96;"|Semi-final | |- |2002–03 |SL |align=right |'''5''' |align=right|33||align=right|12||align=right|11||align=right|10 |align=right|65||align=right|57||align=right|'''47''' |Quarter-final | |- |2003–04 |SL | style="text-align:right; background:#c96;"|'''3''' |align=right|33||align=right|18||align=right|8||align=right|7 |align=right|71||align=right|44||align=right|'''62''' |5th round | |- |2004–05 |SL |align=right |'''5''' |align=right|33||align=right|13||align=right|10||align=right|10 |align=right|61||align=right|47||align=right|'''49''' ||5th round | |- |2005–06 |SL |align=right |'''6''' |align=right|33||align=right|12||align=right|6||align=right|15 |align=right|43||align=right|45||align=right|'''42''' |style="background:silver;"|Runner-up | |- |2006–07 |SL |align=right |'''7''' |align=right|33||align=right|10||align=right|10||align=right|13 |align=right|46||align=right|51||align=right|'''40''' ||4th round | |- |2007–08 |SL |align=right|'''7''' |align=right|33||align=right|13||align=right|6||align=right|14 |align=right|59||align=right|54||align=right|'''45''' | style="background:silver;"|Runner-up | |- |2008–09 |SL |align=right|'''9''' |align=right|33||align=right|7||align=right|11||align=right|15 |align=right|32||align=right|41||align=right|'''32''' ||3rd round | |- |2009–10 |SL |align=right|'''4''' |align=right|33||align=right|13||align=right|11||align=right|9 |align=right|48||align=right|43||align=right|'''50''' ||4th round | |- |2010–11 |SL | style="background:red; text-align:right;"|'''12''' |align=right|33||align=right|7||align=right|12||align=right|14 |align=right|36||align=right|49||align=right|'''33''' | style="background:#c96;"|Semi-final |relegated |- |2011–12 |1D | style="background:gold; text-align:right;"|'''1''' |align=right|26||align=right|21||align=right|3||align=right|2 |align=right|60||align=right|19||align=right|'''66''' ||3rd round |promoted |- |2012–13 |SL |align=right|'''4''' |align=right|33||align=right|13||align=right|8||align=right|12 |align=right|38||align=right|32||align=right|'''47''' |bgcolor=gold|Winner | |- |2013–14 |SL |align=right|'''5''' |align=right|33||align=right|13||align=right|9||align=right|11 |align=right|47||align=right|38||align=right|'''48''' ||4th round | |- |2014–15 |SL |align=right|'''8''' |align=right|33||align=right|10||align=right|10||align=right|13 |align=right|47||align=right|45||align=right|'''40''' |style="background:#c96;"|Semi-final | |- |2015–16 |SL |align=right|'''11''' |align=right|33||align=right|7||align=right|9||align=right|17 |align=right|38||align=right|64||align=right|'''30''' ||3rd round | |- |2016–17 |SL | style="background:red; text-align:right;"|'''14''' |align=right|32||align=right|6||align=right|12||align=right|14 |align=right|32||align=right|54||align=right|'''30''' ||3rd round |relegated |- |2017–18 |1D | style="background:silver; text-align:right;"|'''2''' |align=right|33||align=right|18||align=right|6||align=right|9 |align=right|61||align=right|36||align=right|'''60''' ||1st round |promoted |- |2018–19 |SL | style="text-align:right; background:#c96;"|'''3''' |align=right|36||align=right|16||align=right|8||align=right|12 |align=right|45||align=right|47||align=right|'''56''' |Quarter-final | |- |2019–20 |SL | style="background:red; text-align:right;"|'''14''' |align=right|32||align=right|5||align=right|7||align=right|20 |align=right|32||align=right|58||align=right|'''22''' |Quarter-final |relegated |- |2020–21 |1D |align=right|'''3''' |align=right|32||align=right|18||align=right|5||align=right|9 |align=right|43||align=right|38||align=right|'''59''' ||3rd round | |- |2021–22 |1D | style="background:red; text-align:right;"|'''11''' |align=right|32||align=right|6||align=right|10||align=right|16 |align=right|36||align=right|54||align=right|'''28''' ||2nd round |relegated |- |2022–23 |2D |align=right|'''4''' |align=right|32||align=right|19||align=right|5||align=right|8 |align=right|59||align=right|36||align=right|'''62''' ||1st round |<ref>{{Cite web |title=2. Division - Oprykningsspil 2022/2023 (2023) |url=https://www.dbu.dk/resultater/pulje/409688}}</ref> |- |2023-24 |2D | align="right" |1 | align="right" |32 | align="right" |24 | align="right" |3 | align="right" |5 | align="right" |92 | align="right" |37 | align="right" |72 |3rd round |promoted<ref>{{Cite web |title=2. Division - Oprykningsspil 2023/2024 (2024) |url=https://www.dbu.dk/resultater/pulje/437710}}</ref> |- |2024-25 |1D | align="right" |6 | align="right" |32 | align="right" |13 | align="right" |2 | align="right" |17 | align="right" |52 | align="right" |56 | align="right" |41 |4th round |<ref>{{Cite web |title=NordicBet Liga - Oprykningsspil 2024/25 (2025) |url=https://www.dbu.dk/resultater/pulje/467322}}</ref> |- |2025-26 |1D | align="right" | | align="right" | | align="right" | | align="right" | | align="right" | | align="right" | | align="right" | | align="right" | | | |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{official website|http://www.efb.dk}} {{in lang|da}}
{{Esbjerg}} {{Danish 1st Division}}
Category:Esbjerg fB Category:Football clubs in Denmark Category:Danish Superliga clubs Category:Association football clubs established in 1924 Category:1924 establishments in Denmark Category:Sport in Esbjerg