Rio Ave F.C.

Rio Ave Futebol Clube, commonly known as Rio Ave, is a Portuguese football club based in Vila do Conde, Northern Portugal. Founded in 1939, it currently plays in the first division, holding home games at the Estádio do Rio Ave FC - also known as Estádio dos Arcos - a multi-use stadium used mostly for football matches, seating approximately 12,815 people and built in 1985.

The club's colours are a striped green and white shirt with white shorts and socks, while the away one is a striped red and white shirt and white shorts with yellow socks. Portuguese internationals Alfredo, Paulinho Santos, Quim and Rui Jorge started highly successful careers at the club.

History

Rio Ave was founded in 1939, being soon nicknamed Rio Grande (Big River). In 1981–82, it achieved its best ever league finish in the first division, a fifth place, nearly missing out on European qualification. Two seasons later, it reached the Portuguese Cup final, losing to league powerhouse F.C. Porto.

After spending the first part of the 1990s in the second level, the club returned to the topflight, going on to conquer the 1999 and 2003 second division. They would be relegated again, returning in 2008–09, and managing home draws during that season against Porto and Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

Current squad

As of 2 September, 2011. Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Youth squad

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

League and cup history

Honours

• Liga de Honra: 1995–96, 2002–03
• Portuguese Second Division: 1980–81, 1985–86
• Portuguese Third Division: 1976–77
• Taça de Portugal: Runner-up 1983–84

Famous players

External links

• Official website (Portuguese)
• Detailed up-to-date club news