KFCO Beerschot Wilrijk

KFCO Beerschot Wilrijk
Full name Koninklijke Football Club Olympia Beerschot Wilrijk
Nickname(s) de Kielse Ratten
de Mannekes
Purple White Army
de Ploeg Van 't Stad
Founded 1922
2013 (renamed to KFCO Beerschot Wilrijk)
Ground Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp)
Ground Capacity 12.771
Chairman Eric Roef
Manager Marc Brys
League First Division B (Second Division)
Website Club website

KFCO Beerschot Wilrijk, is a Belgian professional football club, located in Wilrijk, Antwerp, that competes in the First Division B. The club is affiliated with the Royal Belgian Football Association since 1921 and has been allocated association number 155. In 2013, KFCO Wilrijk decided to integrate the identity of Beerschot AC when they were relegated in the 2012-13 season, not only through their league position but also due to losing their professional license through financial issues, being officially declared bankrupt on 21 May 2013. Being the proud owners of the colours: purple, white, yellow and blue they play their games on the club's home ground the Olympic Stadium often referred to as 't Kiel.

History

KFCO Wilrijk

The club was founded in 1922 as Football Club Wilrijk and joined The Belgian football association.

As a result of the introduction of a national third division in 1926, the club played national football for the first time in their then short existence. Unfortunately the club ended third last, leading to their relegation after just one season. In 1931 the number of participants in the divisions was increased, causing FC Wilrijk to be included on the national level for the second time. FC Wilrijk lasted two seasons before being relegated again.

In 1935 the club was promoted once more. Unlike their previous third division stays, FC Wilrijk showcased dominant football. This resulted in a 3rd position in the 1935-36 season and even becoming third division champions in the 1936-37 season. After winning their division the club was promoted to the second division lasting two seasons before being relegated in 1939. After a lengthy stay in the third division, FC Wilrijk was relegated to the Provincial division in 1949 which set a trend for the following decades.

In 1993 KFC Wilrijk merged with Olympia Wilrijk 72. This other Wilrijk-based club, was founded in 1972 and part of the Royal Belgian Football Association, being assigned the association number 7727. Both clubs shared forces as KFC Olympia Wilrijk and continued under KFC Wilrijks association number 155.

In 1994, the club reached the 4th division, playing national football for the first time in 45 years. In the 1995-96 season KFCO Olympia Wilrijk came in 3rd only two points short of standing victorious in their division. After eight years KFC Olympia Wilrijk ended third last, which led to being relegated. Their absence was short-lived however, as KFC Olympia Wilrijk was promoted the following year resulting in a three-year stay before being relegated. In 2008 the club was promoted again, only to be relegated in 2010.

FCO Beerschot Wilrijk

After Beerschot AC's bankruptcy in 2013, KFCO Wilrijk decided to harbour its fans. KFCO Wilrijk followed up by incorporating the name Beerschot and their respective colours in their own identity. The KBVB however decided that due to the name change, the club was no longer eligible to use the handle "royal" in their club name. Hence the club's name is FCO Beerschot Wilrijk rather than KFCO Beerschot Wilrijk. In order to retrieve their "royal" status, FCO Beerschot Wilrijk has to file an application.

FCO Beerschot Wilrijk, became an instant success. Their season opener against Ternesse VV was attended by 8500 fans, which was a record for the Belgian provincial division at the time. This record was broken on 15 February 2014 during their game against fierce title contender FC De Kempen which was attended by 8982 fans and topped again, during their title game against KFC Katelijne-Waver on 22 March. This game was attended by almost 12000 fans and won by 5-0, gaining the club mathematic certainty about crowning themselves 2013-14 division champions.

Due to the club's high attendance - weekly attendance that tops several first division teams - KFCO Beerschot Wilrijk is required to play their home games at the Olympisch Stadion (city of Antwerp) to guarantee the safety of their fans. This is the home ground of the fallen Beerschot VAC. The club reached an average of 7000 fans at home games during its first season in the 1st division of the province of Antwerp, which is quite a feat. This reputation is upheld during away games by bringing on average over 1500 fans, whom take pride in causing friendly banter in the most obscurely hidden cities and stadiums that the province of Antwerp holds. The club's success and vibe often leads to opponents renting bigger stadiums because the prospected attendance exceeds their own stadium capacity.

For the 2014-15 season, FCO Beerschot Wilrijk was promoted to the 4th division in Belgian national football. In mid-March 2015, they hold a 10-point lead over their closest rival.[1] They were promoted to third division as champions of their group.

Results

Season League Division Points Remarks Belgian Cup
  I II III IV P.I P.II P.III P.IV        
2013/14         1         First Provincial League 70   Promotion.  
2014/15       1           Fourth Division C 71   Promotion. 5th round
2015/16     1             Third Division B 71   Promotion. 3rd round
Reformation of the Belgian football league system*
  IA IB IAm IIAm IIIAm P.I P.II P.III P.IV        
2016/17     1             First Amateur Division 53   Promotion. After the regular season KFCO BW was ranked first with 80 points. 5th round
2017/18                 First Division B  

Squad 2017/18

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

No. Position Player
1 Venezuela GK Rafael Romo
2 Belgium DF Jan Van den Bergh
3 Ukraine DF Denis Prychynenko
4 Netherlands DF Arjan Swinkels
5 Belgium DF Joren Dom
7 Belgium MF Tom Van Hyfte
8 Brazil MF Octávio
9 Morocco FW Youssef Boulaouali
10 Belgium MF Alexander Maes
11 Togo FW Euloge Placca
16 Belgium MF Tom Pietermaat
No. Position Player
17 Argentina MF Hernán Losada
18 Democratic Republic of the Congo FW Kule Mbombo
19 Belgium MF Mohamed Messoudi
21 Belgium DF Guillaume François
25 Belgium GK Quintijn Steelant
28 Belgium DF Jimmy De Jonghe
30 Belgium GK Jordi Nolle
32 Belgium MF Jaric Schaessens
35 Morocco MF Karim Essikal
43 Belgium MF Charni Ekangamene
44 Ivory Coast DF Abdel Diarra


On loan

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

No. Position Player
Belgium GK Michael Clepkens (at Lommel SK until 30 June 2018)
No. Position Player
Belgium DF Yan De Maeyer (at KFC Oosterzonen Oosterwijk until 30 June 2018)

Managers

Season Manager
2013-2014Belgium Urbain Spaenhoven
2014-2015Belgium Urbain Spaenhoven
2015-2016Belgium Urbain Spaenhoven/Netherlands Dennis van Wijk
2016-2017Belgium Marc Brys
2017-2018Belgium Marc Brys

Club captains

Season Player
2013-2014Belgium Davy De Smedt
2014-2015Belgium Davy De Smedt
2015-2016Belgium Davy De Smedt/Hannes Meeus
2016-2017Belgium Jaric Schaessens

Top Scorers

Season Player Goals scored
2013-2014Belgium Peter Nijs28
2014-2015Belgium Dyron Daal18
2015-2016Argentina Hernán Losada10
2016-2017Argentina Hernán Losada15

References

  1. ↑ Hellemans, Koen. "Beerschot-Wilrijk wint voor 11.500 fans met 4-0 topper en is op weg naar derde". hln.be. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
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