<P> After the Second World War, NAC played in the highest level . In 1949 Chairman of Honour C.J. Asselbergs died . Asselbergs was one of the people who were present at NAC since NAC got founded . In 1954 professional football was introduced in the Netherlands . The running competitions were postponed and new competitions were created . NAC entered the 1A League and became champions of this league in 1955 . In the championship competition NAC finished second place, behind their rivals Willem II Tilburg . </P> <P> On March 14, 1960 Breda was shocked to hear the death of Antoon' De Rat' Verlegh . Verlegh, considered to be one of the important persons in Dutch football, died in a car accident on March 12 . From NAC's foundation in 1912, Verlegh was involved in the club at numerous positions and played an important role with the Royal Dutch Football Association . In November 1961 NAC lost another important person; Chairman Jacques Piederiet died . A year later, in August 1962, chairman Le Fevre died . The beginning of the sixties were not bright for NAC . In 1964--1965 NAC even relegated for the first time in its existence . </P> <P> The relegation meant a total reconstruction of the club's management . The board resigned and NAC's intention was to return to the highest level within one year . NAC was successful in this and a season later NAC played in the highest level and a year later qualified for the KNVB Cup's final, where it lost to AFC Ajax . Although NAC lost, the club was allowed to play UEFA Cup . In the UEFA Cup NAC reached the second round, after defeating Floriana FC . In the second round NAC was knocked out by Cardiff City . Although NAC remained in the highest football level in the Netherlands, NAC were in a heavy struggle not to relegate . May 31, 1973 is another highlight in NAC's history . In the KNVB Cup's final, NAC had to play NEC Nijmegen . NAC won the Cup Final, in front of 25,000 people from Breda, with 0--2 . Because of this victory, NAC was allowed to play in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup . In the first round NAC was knocked out by later winners 1 . FC Magdeburg . </P> <P> In 1975 the NAC board decided to play the home matches on a Saturday evening . In this period a group of fanatic NAC fans merged and located themselves on a stand . Their fierce support lead to an attraction of youngsters, who also fanatically support NAC . This fierce support lasts till now and is known in the Netherlands as an Avondje NAC (English; An Evening NAC). An Avondje NAC is a flamboyant mix of Burgundian fun, beer, fanaticism and love for the club and ensures that during home matches the atmosphere in the stadium is intimidating . On October 6, 1979, a strange situation occurred . During the home match against NAC's rivals Feyenoord the linesman was hit by an ashtray . The referee postponed the match, riots broke out and the incident in the Netherlands is known as the' Ashtray Incident' . </P>

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