Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, commonly abbreviated toRSCAnderlecht (Dutch:[ˈɑndərlɛxt]ⓘ,French:[ɑ̃dɛʁlɛkt]ⓘ,German:[ˈandɐlɛçt]) orRSCA (Dutch:[ˌɛr.ɛs.seːˈaː,-ˈʔaː],French:[ɛʁ.ɛs.se.ɑ]ⓘ,German:[ˌɛʁʔɛs.tseːˈʔaː]), is a Belgian professionalfootball club based inAnderlecht,Brussels Capital-Region. Anderlecht plays in theBelgian First Division A and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions, with five trophies, as well as in the Belgian domestic league, with 34 championship wins. They have also won nineBelgian Cups and hold the record for most consecutive Belgian championship titles, winning five between the1963–64 and1967–68 seasons.
Founded in 1908, the club first reached the highest level in Belgian football in1921–22 and have been playing in the first division continuously since1935–36 and in Europe since 1964–65. They won their first major trophy afterWorld War II with a championship win in1946–47. They never finished outside the top six of the Belgian first division with the exception of2019–20 (8th) and2022–23. They are ranked 14th amongst all-timeUEFA club competition winners, tenth in theInternational Federation of Football History & Statistics continental Clubs of the 20th Century European ranking and were 41st in the 2012UEFA team rankings.[2] In 1986, they achieved their best UEFA ranking with a joint first place withJuventus.[3]
Anderlecht have been playing their matches in theAstrid Park in the municipality of Anderlecht since 1917. Their current stadium was renamed Lotto Park in 2019. Previously it was calledConstant Vanden Stock Stadium which was first opened in 1983 to replace the former Emile Versé Stadium. They play in purple and white outfits. They have long-standing rivalries withClub Brugge andStandard Liège.
Founded asSporting Club Anderlechtois on 27 May 1908 by a dozen football lovers at the Concordia café (located in theRue d'Aumale/Aumalestraat in the municipality of Anderlecht), the club beat Institut Saint-Georges in their first match, 11–8.[4] They joined the official competition in1909–10, starting at the lowest level in theBelgian football league system, then the third provincial division. In1912–13, they gained promotion to the second-higher level of football, then named thePromotion. After only one season at that level, the championships were suspended due toWorld War I, and resumed in1919–20. With the popularity of the team increasing, Anderlecht had moved to a new stadium in theAstrid Park in 1917 (then known as Meir Park). They baptized the stadiumStade Emile Versé in honor of the club's first major patron, the industrialist Emile Versé.
At the end of the1920–21 season, Anderlecht was promoted to the first division for the first time in their history. In the next 14 seasons, Anderlecht was relegated four times (1923, 1926, 1928 and 1931) and promoted four times (1924, 1927, 1929, 1935), earning themselves the mockery of local rival clubsUnion Saint-Gilloise andDaring Club de Bruxelles, who nicknamed them the "lift club". In 1933, 25 years after their formation, the club changed their name toRoyal Sporting Club Anderlechtois. Since their promotion in 1935, Anderlecht has remained at the top level of football. WithJef Mermans, astriker signed fromK Tubantia FC in 1942 for a record fee of 125,000Belgian francs, Anderlecht won their first league title in 1947. Their success increased in the following years as they won six more titles between1949–50 and1955–56 (winning three consecutive titles twice) and two more in1958–59 and1961–62. In the 1960s, under the coaching ofPierre Sinibaldi and then ofAndreas Beres, the club even won five titles in a row (from1963–64 to1967–68), which is still a Belgian league record. The star of this team wasPaul Van Himst, topscorer in 1965, 1967 and 1969 andBelgian Golden Shoe winner in 1960, 1961, 1965 and 1974.
For the first time, they advanced to the second round, where they beatCSKA Sofia before losing toDundee in the quarter-finals. In the1969–70 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, Anderlecht lost in the final againstArsenal. Between 1975 and 1984, Anderlecht only won one championship but they achieved considerable European success. The club reached three consecutive finals of theEuropean Cup Winners’ Cup, starting in1975–76. In that season, Anderlecht secured their first major European trophy by defeatingWest Ham United 4–2 in thefinal held in Brussels.[5] BothRob Rensenbrink andFrançois Van der Elst managed to score two goals. Thefollowing season, they reached thefinal again but narrowly lost 2–0 toHamburg in Amsterdam.[6] In1978, Anderlecht returned to the top of the competition by winning their second Cup Winners’ Cup title, overcomingAustria Wien 4–0 in Paris.[7]
Their victories in 1976 and 1978 also earned them spots in theEuropean Super Cups, contested between the winners of theEuropean Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup. Anderlecht triumphed on both occasions: in1976, they defeatedBayern Munich over two legs (1–2 away, 4–1 at home),[8] and in1978, they overcameLiverpool with a 4–3 aggregate score.[9]
The team’s success in these finals contributed significantly to Anderlecht's international reputation, and established Anderlecht as one of Europe’s leading clubs of the era.[10]
The 1982–83 season was a noteworthy season for the club for numerous reasons: former Anderlecht favourite Paul Van Himst was named the new coach, they won the1982–83 UEFA Cup after a 2–1 aggregate victory in thefinal againstBenfica,[11][12] and under the impulse of sporting directorMichel Verschueren, the rebuilding of the club stadium began.[13] But in the domestic league, Anderlecht had to settle for second place behind Standard. Their bid to retain the UEFA Cup in1983–84 failed at thefinal hurdle against English sideTottenham Hotspur. It turned out afterwards that Anderlecht had reached the final by bribing the semi-final referee to the equivalent of £27,000, ensuring passage against another English side,Nottingham Forest.[14]
After three second-place finishes in a row, thePurple and Whites secured an easy 18th title in 1984–85, 11 points ahead ofClub Brugge. In 1985–86, Anderlecht won the championship again, but this time after a two-legged play-off against Club Brugge. Anderlecht won their 20th championship on the last matchday of the 1986–87 season. They then lost key playersFranky Vercauteren,Enzo Scifo (transferred in the summer of 1987) andJuan Lozano (heavily injured in a game atKSV Waregem a few months earlier).[15] A weakened team coached byRaymond Goethals finished only fourth in 1988 behind Club Brugge,KV Mechelen andRoyal Antwerp, but they nonetheless managed to lift theBelgian Cup for the sixth time in club history after a 2–0 victory overStandard Liège, with goals byLuc Nilis andEddie Krnčević. The next year, Anderlecht retained the trophy with goals byEddie Krncevic andMilan Janković (again with a 2–0 win over Standard), but finished second in the championship. After his second cup win, Goethals left forBordeaux in the FrenchLigue 1.
During the 1990s, Anderlecht reached one more European final, the1990 European Cup Winners' Cup final, which they lost to Italian clubSampdoria. The club then declined in European competitions, with the1990–91 and1996–97 UEFA Cup quarter-finals their best results. In national competition, they won four championship titles and a cup. During the 2000s, Anderlecht secured five more Belgian champion titles, reaching a total of 29 titles in2007, in addition to one more cup victory. In the2000–01 UEFA Champions League, they qualified for the first time to the second round, then another group stage, where they finished third in their group behind Real Madrid andLeeds United.
In2009–10, thePurple and Whites won their 30th Belgian league title, while in the2011–12 UEFA Europa League, Anderlecht made history by becoming the first Belgian team to finish the group stage of a European competition with the maximum number of points, dominating group oppositionLokomotiv Moscow,Sturm Graz andAEK Athens. They were also the only team of that year's Europa League to achieve this feat. On 6 May 2012, Anderlecht won their 31st Belgian championship,[16] while on 22 July, they won their tenthBelgian Super Cup.[17]
In theEuropa League they were eliminated in the quarter final byManchester United in extra time.[18]After businessmanMarc Coucke took over the club in 2018, structural changes followed, together with regular personnel changes.[19] Sportingly, a low point was reached in2019–20: despite the return of club iconVincent Kompany, the club did not qualify for theEuropean club competitions the following season, which it had managed for the previous 55 years.[20]
After a few disappointing seasons, Anderlecht could again compete for the championship title in the2023-24 season, finishing 2nd on the regular season of Belgian Pro League.[21]
The Anderlecht colours are purple and white, and the club's home kit is generally purple with white trim, though they did wear a black and purple home kit in the 2005–06 season, and a grey in the 2007–08 season. In the beginning, purple was the main colour of the shirts.
The origin of the colours is not entirely clear. According to journalist Robert Wyckaert, they were the colours of a flower parade held in the municipality of Anderlecht. In it, the futureQueen Elisabeth was driven around in a carriage decorated with white and purple orchids. Purple is as well the color of the Belgian monarchy. The first outfits consisted of white pants and a purple and white shirt.[22]
Anderlecht's colours inspired other football clubs. United Arab Emirates'Al Ain FC, for instance, decided to change their colours to purple, after they saw Anderlecht play in a friendly tournament in 1977.[23]
The motto of Anderlecht ("Mens sana in corpore sano") is written on its badge as are the three letters "SCA", referring to the initial name of the club (Sporting Club Anderlechtois).[24] In 1933, the club celebrated its 25th anniversary and received royal statute. A crown was added following the name change to Royal Sporting Club Anderlechtois. In 1959, the badge with 2 rings was implemented in a new crest, to mark the 50th anniversary of the club.[25]
Anderlecht play their home matches at theLotto Park stadium located within theAstrid Park in the municipality of Anderlecht. Initially the stadium had a capacity of 40,000 seats and standing places, but through the years the amount was reduced to 22,500 seats for safety reasons.[31]
Anderlecht has been playing in the Astrid Park since the building of the Emile Versé Stadium in 1917. The stadium was completely rebuilt in 1983 and renamed in honour of the then chairmanConstant Vanden Stock. Prior to 1917, the club has played on a pitch in the currentRue du Serment/Eedstraat for a couple of years since 1908, then in a stadium located inRue Verheydenstraat (nowRue Démosthènestraat).[32] In 2013 the stadium was refurbished, with installation of new scoreboards and advertising strips alongside the border of the pitch in accordance with UEFA regulations for theChampions League.AIM Sport was chosen as the provider for the ultra-modern LED strips and their controllers.
Anderlecht would move to the 60,000-capacityEurostadium when it was expected to be completed in 2019.[33] The Eurostadion would also become home to theBelgium national team and hostUEFA Euro 2020.[34] However, during the years that followed, the project was plagued by numerous delays caused by political infighting.[35][36] In February 2017, Anderlecht eventually pulled out of the project.[37] In the 2018–19 season, Anderlecht drew an average home attendance of 18,536 in 15 league games at their stadium.[38]
In July 2019, the new owner Marc Coucke sold the naming rights of the Constant Vanden Stockstadion to the firm Lotto, and changed the name to Lotto Park.[39]
Before the start of every home match, the song "Anderlecht Champion" byLange Jojo is played in the stadium.[40] It was released in 1985 in French and Flemish (Brussels dialect) after Anderlecht became national champions. The song was reworked into a Belgian national supporters' song and was used at the1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, after which the chorus "Oléé, Olé, Olé, Oléé" became an international anthem used in sports, musical performances and political activities.[41]
The club had the highest average attendance in the Belgian First Division for ten years, until 2004–05.[citation needed] Anderlecht supporters hail from all over the country and only a minority come from theBrussels Capital Region. Anderlecht counts 77 fan clubs, of which 5 are abroad (one inFrance, one inPoland, one inTexas, USA, one inMontreal, Canada and one inSunderland, England).[citation needed] On 1 January 2024, RSC Anderlecht had 4 million followers on social media, the highest among Belgian football clubs.[42]
The nickname of rival supporters for Anderlecht supporters is "dikkenekken". This Flemish expression (translated as "thick necks") refers to their exaggerated pride towards their club, as well as themselves. In recent years, the term has also been used jokingly among Anderlecht supporters.[43]
Anderlecht supporters village before the2025 Cup Final against Club Brugge
Anderlecht's main rivals are Standard Liege and Club Brugge, the two other teams of the "Big Three" in Belgium. Only a few players made the transfer from Club Brugge to Anderlecht, and when it happened it often caused controversy. For example, during his ninth season with Club Brugge, the transfer ofLorenzo Staelens to Anderlecht was already announced in April 1998, after which he had to finish the remaining 10 games for Club Brugge with constant whistling of furious Bruges supporters. Even when Staelens had to take a penalty for their club he was booed, and there were cheers when he eventually missed it.[44] Transfers from players to and from Standard are more common. Atifo of a Standard supporters association, with the image of a decapitatedSteven Defour in 2015 directed to their former player caused a lot of controversy in Belgium, after which theFederal Public Service Interior launched an investigation.[45]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
There have been a total of 37 permanent managers and 3caretaker managers of Anderlecht since the appointment of the first manager, Sylva Brébart, in 1920. The club's longest-serving manager is EnglishmanBill Gormlie, who served during nine seasons between 1950 and 1959. Frenchman Georges Perino is the first Anderlecht manager to have claimed a trophy, with the first championship win in1946–47. Seven Anderlecht managers have managed the club on two occasions: Ernest Churchill Smith,Pierre Sinibaldi,Urbain Braems,Raymond Goethals,Arie Haan,Johan Boskamp andFranky Vercauteren. Other managers have also played another role in the club before being appointed manager, includingJean Dockx, who served three times as caretaker before being appointed manager
The youth complex is located in Neerpede, a district in Anderlecht. RSC Anderlecht has one of the most productive youth academies outside theBig Five.[66] In August 2023, it was announced that head of youth development, Jean Kindermans, was leaving the team after 16 years.[67] Under his leadership, youth players such asRomelu Lukaku,Youri Tielemans andJérémy Doku made their breakthrough.[68]
TheSuperleague Formula was a race class that existed between 2008 and 2011. The competition counted 16 to 19 teams, with every race car typically linked to an international football club. Theteam of R.S.C. Anderlecht won the championship in the2010 season.[71]
RSCA Futsal hosted the venue for the main round of the2022–23 UEFA Futsal Champions League. After advancing in the main round, they were able to beat the previous year's winner,FC Barcelona, in the elite round of the UEFA Futsal Champions League due to a better goal difference. Then the team advanced to the UEFA Champions League semifinals againstSporting Lisbon where they were eliminated.[72]
Anderlecht Coupes Européennes 76 77 78 by Goethals in 1978, Rossel, 52 p.(in French)
Haan-derlecht by Frank Baudoncq in 1979, Gamma, 188 p.(in French)ISBN2713003601
100 Matches de Coupe d'Europe by Christian Hubert in 1981, Tournai, 176 p.(in French)ISBN9782713004902
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht 1908–1983 75 Jaar Voetbal by Herman Pauwels, Frank Baudoncq, Albert Durenne & Jacques Levebvre in 1983, Gamma Sport, 154 p.(in Dutch and French)ISBN2713005604
Koning Anderlecht by Eddy Soetaert in 1987, Reinaert, 128 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9063341016
Anderlecht: L'apothéose Européenne by Michel Dubois in 1989, Reinaert, 193 p.(in French)ISBN978-2713005855
Constant vanden Stock – Een Leven, Twee Carrières by Hugo Camps & Philippe Majersdorf in 1993, Kritak, 155 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9789060054536
De Goden van Anderlecht by Frank Buyse & Henry Guldemont in 1995,Roularta, 156 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9054662239
Anderlecht in Europa : van Old Trafford tot San Siro by Rudy Nuyens in 1999, Globe, 304 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9053121439
25 Titels. Een Levende Legende by Michel Dubois in 2000, Euro Images Productions, 210 p.(in Dutch and French)ISBN9789076628103
Mister Michel: De Zilveren Vos van Anderlecht by Stefan van Loock in 2004, Van Halewyck, 310 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9789056175436
Le Dictionnaire du RSC Anderlecht. Un Club de Légende, 557 Joueurs (2 Volumes) by Marcel Gallez & Johan Serkijn in 2008, Magnad, 486 p.(in French)ISBN9782960072334
100 jaar Anderlecht by Stefan van Loock in 2008, Van Halewyck, 336 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9789056178635
Circus Voetbal-Straffe Verhalen uit de Glorietijd van het Belgisch voetbal byGilbert van Binst in 2009, Sport Voetbalmagazine, 303 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9789086792252
RSCA by Stijn Vanderhaeghe, David Steegen,Jan Mulder in 2013, Hannibal Books, 346 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9789491376511
Elke Dag een Wonder : Leven achter de Schermen van Paars-Wit by David Steegen in 2018, Borgerhoff & Lamberigts, 319 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9789089318527
RSC Anderlecht: 110 Jaar Voetbaltraditie by Sam van Clemen in 2019, Aspekt B.V., 360 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9789463384889
Eeuwige 25 van Anderlecht: van Mermans tot Kompany by Raf Willems in 2019, Willems Uitgevers, 100 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9789492419651
Gang of Brussels: L'histoire vraie de hooligans d'Anderlecht, entre foot et banditisme by Louis Dabir and Barthelemy Gaillard in 2020, Cherche Midi, 100 p.(in French)ISBN9782749161624
RSCA: We are Anderlecht! by Marc van Staen in 2021,Lannoo, 253 p.(in French and Dutch)ISBN9789401474771
Jef Mermans : Bombardier : de Voetballer die Anderlecht naar de Top Loodste by Stefan van Loock in 2022, Sportumi, 272 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9789493242586
Achter de Schermen bij Sporting Anderlecht by Hubert Lemaire in 2024, Lannoo, 192 p.(in Dutch)ISBN9789401443821
^Van Loock, Stefan (2008). "De Geboorte van Sporting Club Anderlecht".100 Jaar Anderlecht (in Dutch). Uitgeverij Van Halewyck. pp. 14–15.ISBN9789056178635.
.jpg)
_verlaat_veld%2c_Bestanddeelnr_929-8640.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
