48-461: The Belgian Fourth Division was the lowest nationwide division in Belgian football . The division was split into four separate leagues, A , B , C and D . The team with the most points in the four leagues together was declared the overall winner. If several league winners had the same number of points, the one with the most wins was declared champion, or if that was still tied, then the one with
96-869: A Brabant "provincial" league for Francophone clubs (including all Francophone clubs from Brussels, Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant). The majority of the clubs from the Brussels capital region are Francophone, de facto resulting in two provincial leagues roughly corresponding to Flemish Brabant on one hand; and Walloon Brabant and Brussels on the other hand. Reaching quarter-finals onwards: UEFA Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League Inter-Cities Fairs Cup UEFA Conference League UEFA Super Cup UEFA Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Super Cup UEFA Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League UEFA Conference League Daniel Amokachi Daniel Owefin Amokachi listen (born 30 December 1972)
144-717: A brief spells with Ranchers Bees , Colorado Rapids and Nasarawa United . He was capped 44 times by Nigeria , scoring 13 goals. His spell in international football saw him win the African Cup of Nations in 1994 and a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics . He was also present in his nations squads for 1994 FIFA World Cup and 1998 FIFA World Cup . Upon retiring, Amokachi moved into coaching and has spent time as manager of Nasarawa United, Enyimba , Ifeanyi Ubah and JS Hercules . He has also spent two spells as assistant coach of Nigeria, as well as managing his nation in an interim basis from 2014 to 2015. Amokachi, nicknamed "The Bull",
192-447: A club dissolves, the matricule number of this club is removed permanently and lost forever as numbers are never reused. In case of mergers, the new club must decide which matricule number to keep, it normally begins the championship at the level where the former club with the same matricule number should have begun the season. Typically, mergers result in the most famous club's matricule being kept alive. However, it has often occurred that
240-513: A club with a glorious past or even (multiple) championship titles had to merge with another less successful club in order to survive, often due to financial difficulties. In this case, the matricule number of the club, and the honours linked to it, were lost with the merger. As an examples, in the late 1990s, seven-time champion K. Beerschot VAC was struggling with financial difficulties in the third division and merged with then first division neighbour club KFC Germinal Ekeren to survive. The new club
288-556: A medical test. In turn he was rejected by Tranmere Rovers for the same reason. Amokachi trained with French second division side US Créteil , but the deal was hampered by injuries. American MLS team Colorado Rapids signed him in 2002, but seeing he was not fit enough they released him before a single match was played. He went to play in the United Arab Emirates , but was denied again due to his medical condition. He played many international matches for Nigeria , and
336-482: A new Brussels-based club ( Royale Union Saint-Gilloise ), which would become a dominant force in Belgian football during the following seasons, winning seven titles between 1903 and 1913. The club originally shared a rivalry with Racing Club and later Daring Club , which would go on and win the title in 1912. Later, Anderlecht became their biggest rival for citywide bragging rights. After World War I , Belgian football
384-482: A new rule in 2016, stating that after a takeover, a club cannot move more than 30 kilometres from its original location. From 2017, the Belgian FA enforced another rule, which allows clubs to buy back their old defunct matricule, which was first done by Lyra (matricule 7776) who acquired the matricule 52 of the old defunct Lyra . In 2018, Oud-Heverlee Leuven , which is the result of a merger of three clubs around
432-558: Is a Nigerian football manager and former professional player. As a player he was a forward who notably played in the Premier League for Everton and was part of their 1995 FA Cup winning team, he also played top flight football in both Belgium and Turkey with extended spells at Club Brugge and Beşiktaş . Whilst with Brugge in 1992 he scored the club's first goal in the UEFA Champions League . He also had
480-665: Is currently competing in the First Amateur Division . Currently, two clubs from the province are competing in First Division A, Standard Liège and KAS Eupen . The latter is the only club from the German-speaking Community of Belgium (based on an administrative area in east of Liège Province) ever to have competed in the top flight. They first played at the top level in 2010–11 but were relegated after that season, before returning after
528-531: Is not a province but rather an region akin to Flanders and Wallonia . Two currently active clubs from Brussels play in First Division A, Anderlecht , the country's most successful club to date, and Union Saint-Gilloise , 11 time champion of Belgium, which acquired place in Division A after a 49-year absence by winning the First Division B in 2020-21 season. The first-ever Belgian League Championship
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#1732794424645576-730: Is slowly starting to change, with Belgium producing such offensive talents as Romelu Lukaku , Eden Hazard , Mousa Dembélé , Christian Benteke , Kevin Mirallas , Marouane Fellaini , Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens , among others. With football's rapid growth in popularity in the late 19th century, several football clubs came into existence in Belgium. In 1926, the Royal Belgian Football Association decided to introduce matricule numbers to tell
624-562: The Belgian FA and the courts did not award them a licence to practice professional football. As a result, the club were relegated to the First Amateur Division and were ultimately wound up in October 2017. Only one club from the province of Flemish Brabant is currently active in the top two divisions of Belgian football, Oud-Heverlee Leuven , playing in the First Division A. After the 2018-19 season , AFC Tubize were relegation to
672-493: The Belgian Third Division . Each league was split into three periods (of 10 matchdays each) which determined the twelve qualifiers for the promotion playoff. If a team needed to be replaced, the best-placed team at the end of the regular season which had not yet qualified for the playoff took the free spot. A winner of a period could be replaced because: The bottom three teams in each league were relegated to
720-507: The First Amateur Division and as a result, no club from the province of Walloon Brabant plays in the top two divisions of Belgian football in 2019-20. Two teams from Hainaut Province are currently playing in First Division A: Excel Mouscron and Charleroi SC . Namur Province is, along with that of Luxembourg, the province with the least prestigious football history in Belgium. Currently, no clubs from
768-531: The Nigeria national team . On 10 April 2008, Amokachi was re-appointed to Nigeria's national team, the Super Eagles, as assistant coach to Shuaibu Amodu , and then as assistant to Stephen Keshi . In 2015, Amokachi managed Ifeanyi Ubah , resigning after five weeks in the post. In January 2016, he was named as manager of JS Hercules . 4 February 2020, Amokachi was named as Nigeria’s football ambassador by
816-561: The provincial leagues while the 13th-placed teams entered the interprovincial playoff. As a part of changes in the Belgian league system that were implemented in 2016, the Belgian Fourth Division was replaced by the Belgian Third Amateur Division . The Fourth Division playoff was played in three rounds. The first round consisted of six matches of one leg opposing the twelve qualifiers from
864-537: The 1994 World Cup, Everton became interested in Amokachi and their manager Mike Walker signed him for a fee of £3 million ($ 4.7 million). He went on to win the FA Cup with Everton in 1995, scoring two goals in the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur after 'substituting himself' into the match while Paul Rideout was receiving treatment (the manager Joe Royle had only instructed him to warm up in preparation for possibly coming on). He appeared in
912-448: The 2010s, matricules have been sold and traded, with clubs wanting to take over the position in a (higher) series of another club acquiring these matricules in order to quickly move up one or more divisions. Examples include BX Brussels , which acquired the matricule of Bleid-Gaume in 2013, with the intent to transform and move the club from Bleid to Brussels, over 200 kilometres away. The Royal Belgian Football Association therefore enforced
960-399: The 2016–17 season. No team from the province is currently in the First Division B. Historically, RFC Liège (five titles between 1895 and 1953) and Standard Liège (ten titles between 1958 and 2009) are the province's most successful, well-known and popular clubs. Only one club from Luxembourg Province plays near the top level of Belgian football: Excelsior Virton , who won promotion to
1008-401: The 2022–23 season, five clubs from the province of West Flanders play in the First Division A ( Club Brugge , Cercle Brugge , KV Kortrijk , KV Oostende and SV Zulte-Waregem ), and one club plays in the First Division B ( Club NXT ). As of the 2022–23 season, only one club from the province of East Flanders play in the First Division A ( KAA Gent ), but there are three clubs who plays in
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#17327944246451056-451: The First Division B ( KMSK Deinze , FCV Dender EH and SK Beveren ). Antwerp Province has a long tradition of football. The first Belgian clubs were established in the city of Antwerp (Antwerp Lyon's Club, A.S. Anvers-Borgerhout, and most notably Royal Antwerp , which is the country's oldest club and which is affectionately referred to as the "Great Old" by its supporters and the media). Three clubs from this province currently play in
1104-420: The First Division B after the 2018-19 season . No club from this province has ever played in the top flight. Former Belgian international Philippe Albert ( Bouillon ) and current international Thomas Meunier ( Sainte-Ode ) were born in the province. As of the 2016–17 season, the Belgian football league pyramid has nine levels. The FA dramatically overhauled the league system after the 2015–16 season, reducing
1152-493: The Fourth Division. Two teams from the third division (the two 14th-placed teams) entered the playoff in the second round that consisted of two groups of two matches. The third division teams were placed in different groups (with three teams from the first round in each group). The two winners of each group played the group final that qualified two teams for the third division. The groups were constructed to ensure that
1200-753: The basis for their names. For historical reasons, many Flemish clubs changed their names from French to Dutch between the beginning of the 20th century and the late 1960s. Additionally, many clubs have experienced frequent name changes. Reasons for these include a language change, a merger, an anniversary, etc. Because of the numerous mergers between Belgian clubs, team names sometimes combine several town names (such as K. Beringen-Heusden-Zolder or Sporting West Ingelmunster-Harelbeke ) which reflect mergers. In recent history, clubs representing immigrant communities have come into existence and sometimes use names that are in neither of Belgium's official languages (the now defunct clubs Türkgucun Ozburun and Türkiyemspor Zaventem, or
1248-432: The best goal average was declared champion. Finally, if two teams were still equal, a single match was played on a neutral ground to determine the team to be added to the palmares. For 2016–17 the Belgian Fourth Division was replaced by the Belgian Third Amateur Division . The competition consisted of the regular season of 30 matchdays and the promotion playoff of three matchdays. The four champions qualified directly for
1296-464: The capital region of Brussels (which is not a province by itself and also does not belong to a province), teams from Brussels, Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant are split into two similar leagues based on their language. As a result there are two "provincial" leagues corresponding to the former Province of Brabant : one Brabant "provincial" league for Flemish clubs (including all Flemish clubs from Brussels, Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant) and
1344-448: The city of Leuven , changed its matricule number 6142 back to number 18 to honour the glorious past of its eldest predecessor. The first few matricule numbers are: A Belgian club's name usually includes the name of the town where the club plays as well as a prefix and/or suffix. Since Belgians speak three languages, French and Dutch being the main ones and German being the third official language, Belgian teams may use either language as
1392-578: The clubs apart and assigned a matricule to each existing club by order of registration. In this manner, Antwerp was awarded matricule number 1 as the first to register. As such, the oldest clubs in Belgium typically have the lowest matricule numbers, although there are clubs which registered many years after their origination and as a result have a much higher matricule than would be expected. Many clubs, especially those with very low numbers, consider their matricule number part of their heritage and past and prominently feature it in their logo or even name. In case
1440-546: The competition is organized by the Provinces of Belgium , with the notable exception of the three entities that were created from the 1995 breakup of the former Province of Brabant – Flemish Brabant , Walloon Brabant and the Brussels Capital Region – whose clubs are split into two former Province of Brabant wide leagues, one Flemish-speaking and one French-speaking. As of
1488-420: The dominant team in Brussels. Its cross-city rivals at the time were, in succession, Union, Daring and Racing White, later renamed R.W.D.M. , still later named FC Brussels . The latter were liquidated in 2014 and revived a year later as RWDM47 . White Star Bruxelles , a club from the Brussels suburban region, technically won promotion to the top flight after the 2015-16 season but due to the club's debts, both
Belgian Fourth Division - Misplaced Pages Continue
1536-517: The end of the 19th century. The national association was founded in 1895 with the intention of bringing some order and organization to the sport. The first match of the Belgium national team was played on 1 May 1904, a 3–3 draw against France . Traditionally, the clubs Anderlecht , Club Brugge and Standard Liège are the three most dominant domestic teams, all of them also having played and/or won one or more UEFA competitions final(s). Both
1584-409: The final only briefly, late on, again as a substitute but is remembered fondly for his beret-wearing celebrations afterwards. He remained at Everton until the end of the 1995–96 season , when he was transferred to Beşiktaş of Turkey for a fee of £1.75 million. He had failed to make the impact at Goodison Park that many fans had been hoping for, and had been unable to win a regular place in
1632-476: The first team, as Rideout and Duncan Ferguson were firmly established as Everton's two strikers at that stage. He did, however, stand in for Ferguson while he spent six weeks in prison during the autumn of 1995 for an offence committed in Scotland 18 months earlier. After leaving Beşiktaş in 1999, his playing career more or less ended. He signed with 1860 Munich , but the contract was cancelled after he failed
1680-585: The national football team and the top Belgium division have a reputation for physical play. This came as a result of a lack of technically skilled foreign players allowed to play in Belgium due to legal restrictions. This changed after the Bosman ruling which forced the liberalization of the football player market in Europe. In response, Belgian clubs began to buy unknown players from Eastern Europe, South America and Africa. This had two contradictory consequences. On
1728-450: The number of professional teams to 24 and introducing a nationwide amateur league for the first time. Nationwide leagues: Regional leagues: Provincial leagues: Each provincial subdivision of the FA runs its own 4-division league. Only teams that are geographically located in a certain province are allowed to compete in the corresponding provincial league. To include as well teams from
1776-1320: The one hand, the national team was weakened by the reduced opportunity for native Belgium players to gain a spot on domestic teams. On the other hand, the Jupiler League reinforced its status as an entry league for players who then move on to some of the greatest European clubs. Indeed, some of the most talented players in Europe have played in Belgian clubs, including Yaya Touré , Jean-Pierre Papin , Daniel Amokachi , Antolín Alcaraz and David Rozehnal were discovered at Club Brugge ; Sunday Oliseh and Victor Ikpeba at RFC Liège ; Jan Koller , Nii Lamptey and Aruna Dindane at Anderlecht ; and Mido at Gent . Others who began or launched their professional careers in Belgium include William Carvalho , Emmanuel Eboué , Romaric , Gervinho , Didier Zokora , Arthur Boka , Ivica Dragutinović , Mario Stanić , Morten Olsen , Dorinel Munteanu , André Cruz , Seol Ki-hyeon , Kennet Andersson , Klas Ingesson , Aaron Mokoena , Michaël Ciani , Nicolás Pareja , Oguchi Onyewu , Rabiu Afolabi , Cheick Tioté , Peter Odemwingie , Joseph Yobo , Ouwo Moussa Maazou , Milan Jovanović , Ognjen Vukojević , Ivan Perišić , Nikica Jelavić , Demba Ba , Dante , Bryan Ruiz and Rob Rensenbrink . Because of
1824-494: The physical nature of Belgian football, it has tended to primarily produce talented defensive players. These include Jean-Marie Pfaff , Eric Gerets , Leo Clijsters , Michel Preud'homme , Georges Grün , Philippe Albert , Franky Van Der Elst , Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen . In comparison, only few attacking Belgian footballers have received international recognition: Enzo Scifo , Jan Ceulemans , Marc Degryse , Luc Nilis and Émile Mpenza . However, this latter trend
1872-410: The province of Namur are playing in the top two levels of Belgian football. Furthermore, no club from this province has ever played in the top flight. Liège Province also has a long history in Belgian football. RFC Liège won the first-ever Belgian title in 1896. The club struggled financially during the early years of the 21st century and was eventually dissolved in 2011. A new club was formed, which
1920-471: The still-existing Agrupación Oviedo-Asturiana, existing only in a league outside the Belgian FA now, from Brussels, being examples). Finally, a team which exists for at least 50 years may add the prefix "Royal" to its name (either in English or in the team's language). Before 1958, this right was given to any team that celebrated its 25th year of existence. Between 1958 and 1968, the rule was changed to grant
1968-415: The title to any team with at least 35 years of existence. Since 1968, the time limit has increased to 50 years. The following is a partial list of common football club name prefixes and suffixes in Belgium's three official languages. Anderlecht and KV Mechelen have won a European competition. Here is a list of the winners and runners-up by competition: Under the first four levels in the league system ,
Belgian Fourth Division - Misplaced Pages Continue
2016-638: The top flight: Royal Antwerp , KV Mechelen and K Beerschot VA while KVC Westerlo and Lierse Kempenzonen play in the First Division B. Two clubs from Limburg Province currently play in the First Division A: KRC Genk and Sint-Truiden . Additionally, one club represents the province in First Division B: Lommel SK . Technically-speaking, greater Brussels (the City of Brussels and surrounding communities)
2064-495: The two teams from the third division were not able to meet each other in the playoff. The matches were played in one leg at the venue of the first drawn team. When a match ended in a draw, extra time of two periods of 15 minutes was played followed by a penalty shootout if the score remained tied. Football in Belgium Association football is the most popular sport in Belgium , which has been played since
2112-575: Was a competition amongst seven teams, four of which were based in Brussels: Racing Club , Léopold Club Uccle , Sporting Club and Union d'Ixelles . Léopold Club was a club for the nobility and bourgeoisie in Brussels and is still active after no less than four mergers between 1982 and 2001 (they are currently playing in the Fourth Division ). The latter two clubs ceased to exist in 1897 and 1901 respectively and were replaced by
2160-538: Was discovered while playing for Ranchers Bees by Nigerian national team coach Clemens Westerhof , who brought the talented player to the 1990 African Nations Cup , and soon Amokachi moved to play for Club Brugge in Belgium. He competed in the new format of the Champions League, and became the first player to score in the competition, after his goal secured a 1–0 win in the opening match in the group stage against CSKA Moscow . Performing well in Belgium and at
2208-563: Was dominated by clubs from the cities of Antwerp and Bruges . From the early 1930s, however, the Brussels-based clubs Union and Daring divided five titles between themselves. The rivalry between the two clubs has inspired a stage play named Bossemans et Coppenolle ("Bossemans" was the name of the Union head coach in those years, "Coppenolle" his counterpart at Daring). Shortly after World War II , Anderlecht replaced Union and Daring as
2256-497: Was named KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen and started in the first division with the matricule number of KFC Germinal Ekeren, but lost the honours of K Beerschot VAC. The new club did keep playing in the Beerschot stadium and wore the purple shirt for which Beerschot was famously known. Another famous example is that of five-time champion Daring Club de Bruxelles ' merger with RR White into R White Daring Molenbeek in 1973. From
2304-567: Was part of the team that participated in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and 1998 FIFA World Cup and won the 1994 African Nations Cup . He also helped win the Olympic championship in 1996 , scoring in the final against Argentina. Amokachi sustained an injury just ahead of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, played one match at the tournament, but struggled with knee problems thereafter. Amokachi managed Nigerian club Nasarawa United and later Enyimba Aba . In April 2007, he quit his role as assistant coach of
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