BK Häcken

Bollklubben Häcken, more commonly known as BK Häcken or simply Häcken (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈhɛ̌kːɛn]), is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg (Hisingen). It currently plays in Allsvenskan, the top tier of Swedish football. Formed on 2 August 1940, Häcken has played 23 seasons in Allsvenskan, debuting in the league in 1983.

The club is affiliated to Gothenburg Football Association and play their home games at Bravida Arena. The club colours, reflected in their crest and kit, are yellow and black.

History

The beginning

The club was started by a group of 14- to 15-year-old youngsters who wanted not just to play football for fun but also to create an organisation and participate in the national league system. Originally they played under the name BK Kick, but that name had already been taken by another club, and so when they applied to join the Gothenburg Football Association, their local FA, they renamed themselves Bollklubben Häcken, referencing the hedge (sv: häck) which grew around the field where they practised. Bollklubben Häcken was formally registered on 2 August 1940.

First decades

Following the first years the club only played sporadic matches, youth championships and a few other matches, but eventually they started to play at the senior level. As of 1943 the club started to take in the league system and success came in an instant. Between 1944 and 1947 the club won their league and climbed from west seniorclass 4 to seniorclass 1.