K.V. Kortrijk

Kortrijk
Full name Koninklijke Voetbalclub Kortrijk
Nickname(s) De Kerels
Founded 1901
Ground Guldensporenstadion,
Kortrijk
(Capacity: 9,399)
Chairman Joseph Allijns
Manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck
League Belgian Pro League
2010-11

Belgian Pro League, 10th

Group B Europa League Playoff, 4th
Home colours
Away colours

Koninklijke Voetbalclub Kortrijk (often simply called Kortrijk or KVK) is a Belgian professional football club based in Kortrijk, West Flanders. They have been playing in the Belgian Pro League since the 2008-09 season, and they achieved they best ranking ever during the 2009-10 season, finishing 4th after the play-offs. Kortrijk was founded in 1971, though their roots can be traced to 1901. They are registered to the Royal Belgian Football Association with matricule number 19. The club colours are red and white. They play their home matches at the Guldensporenstadion, named after the Battle of the Golden Spurs which took place in Kortrijk in 1302.

Kortrijk enjoyed a first spell in the first division in the early 20th century, between 1906-07 and 1910-11. They eventually had to wait 65 years to return at the highest level, when they enjoyed 15 seasons at the top flight, interrupted by a season in the second division (between 1976-77 and 1978-79 and between 1980-81 and 1991-92). Kortrijk also played the 1998-99 season in the first division before they returned in 2008-09.

Contents

History

In 1901 SC Courtraisien was founded. The club merged with FC Courtraisien in 1918. They received in 1951 the name Koninklijke Kortrijk Sport. They had the matricule n°19 like the oldest club SC Courtraisien. Stade Kortrijk was founded in 1923 with matricule n°161. Because Stade Kortrijk and Koninklijke Kortrijk Sport didn't play well anymore, they merged in 1971. They could play with matricule n°19 and the new name was KV Kortrijk.

Due to a bankruptcy, KV Kortrijk had to relegate in 2001 to the third division. From 2004 to 2008 KV Kortrijk played in the second division, however in the 2007-08 season they managed to get promoted to the first division. The club is also home to the majority of Swansea City A.F.C. fans from Belgium.

Honours

Colours & badge

KV Kortrijk's colours are generally red and white. The home kit is usually all red with a white trim, and red shorts. The away kit is similar, except in blue. The club's logo is a white shield, split into thirds by a red upside-down, V-like shape, and the letters "KVK" are split into each third, in a red font. On top of the shield is a crown.

Stadium

KV Kortrijk play their home matches at the Guldensporen Stadion. It is located in Kortrijk, Belgium, and the current capacity of the ground is 9,399. In the summer of 2008, the grounds capacity was increased from 6,896 to 9,399, after Kortrijk's elevation into the Belgian First Division. Guldensporenstadion literally means "Stadium of the Golden Spurs". The stadium is named after this in reference to the Battle of the Golden Spurs which, in 1302, was fought in Kortrijk. The stadium has a traditional local stadium look about it, and is single-tiered all around the ground.

Current squad

As of 25 July, 2011

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 GK Kristof van Hout
2 DF David Vandenbroek (on loan from Zulte-Waregem)
3 DF Baptiste Martin
4 MF Ismaïla N'Diaye
5 DF Rami Gershon (on loan from Standard Liège)
6 DF David Wijns
7 FW Steven Joseph-Monrose
8 MF Nebojša Pavlović
9 FW Dalibor Veselinović (on loan from Anderlecht)
10 FW Ernest Nfor
11 DF Mustapha Oussalah
No. Position Player
12 MF Geoffrey Ghesquire
14 DF Landry Mulemo
15 FW Dieter Meulenyzer
16 GK Darren Keet
17 MF Gertjan De Mets
18 FW Pablo Chavarría (on loan from Anderlecht)
19 MF Brecht Dejaegere
20 MF Mohamed Messoudi
21 MF Brecht Capon
23 DF Ervin Zukanović
77 MF Péter Czvitkovics

Players out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
12 FW Ebrahim Savaneh (at RAEC Mons)

Famous former players

External links