FCO Beerschot Wilrijk
| Full name | Koninklijke Football Club Olympia Beerschot Wilrijk | |
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| Nickname(s) | De Mannekes, De Ratten, Purple White Army | |
| Founded | 1921 | |
| Ground | Olympisch Stadion (Antwerp) | |
| Capacity | 12.771 | |
| Chairman | Victor Baton | |
| Manager | Dennis van Wijk | |
| League | Belgian Third Division | |
| 2014–15 | Belgian Fourth Division C, 1st (promoted) | |
| Website | Club home page | |
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FCO Beerschot Wilrijk, is a Belgian non-professional football club, based in Wilrijk, Antwerp. The club is affiliated with the Royal Belgian Football Association since 1921 and has been appointed association number 155. They have been playing in the national divisions of the Belgian football league for the majority of their existence, including a brief stint in Belgian's second division. Being the proud owners of the colours: purple, white and yellow, blue they finish their games on the club's home ground the Olympic Stadium often referred to as t'Kiel.
In 2013, the club decided to integrate the heritage of their feeder team 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.
History
KFCO Wilrijk
The club was founded in 1921 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 upped, 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 clubs 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 the 15th of 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 clubs 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 clubs 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | II | III | IV | P.1 | P.2 | P.3 | P.4 | ||||
| 2013/14 | 1 | First Provincial Division | 70 | Promoted | |||||||
| 2014/15 | 1 | Belgian Fourth Division | 71 | Promoted | |||||||
| 2015-16 | 1 | Belgian Third Division | 71 | Promoted | |||||||
Current squad
As of 27 January, 2016. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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