About the Club:
The History of RSC Anderlecht
The Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, commonly known as RSC Anderlecht or simply Anderlecht, is a Belgian professional football club based in the capital city of Brussels. Anderlecht was founded in 1908 by a group of students from the Saint-Guidon Institute in the Anderlecht district of Brussels.
During its early years, the club played in various amateur leagues before joining the Belgian Pro League in 1935. Anderlecht quickly established itself as one of the top teams in Belgium, winning its first league title in 1947. This success continued throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with the club winning a total of 11 league titles and 7 Belgian Cups.
In 1964, Anderlecht made its debut in European competitions, participating in the European Cup, now known as the UEFA Champions League. The club reached the final in 1970, where they were defeated by Feyenoord Rotterdam. However, Anderlecht continued to have success in Europe, winning the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1976 and 1978.
Under the leadership of legendary player-manager Paul Van Himst, Anderlecht dominated Belgian football in the 1980s, winning 6 consecutive league titles from 1981 to 1986. The club also continued to have success in Europe, reaching the final of the UEFA Cup in 1983 and winning the UEFA Super Cup in 1983 and 1984.
In the 1990s, Anderlecht saw a decline in its success, but still managed to win 4 more league titles and 3 Belgian Cups. However, the club made a comeback in the 2000s, winning 6 league titles and 4 Belgian Cups. Anderlecht also returned to the top of European football, reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2001 and 2006.
Today, Anderlecht remains one of the most successful clubs in Belgium, with a total of 34 league titles and 9 Belgian Cups. The club also holds the record for most consecutive Belgian Pro League titles, winning 5 in a row from 1963 to 1968 and 6 in a row from 1981 to 1986.
In addition to its success on the field, Anderlecht is also known for its impressive youth academy, which has produced many talented players such as Vincent Kompany and Romelu Lukaku. The club also has a strong rivalry with fellow Brussels club Union Saint-Gilloise, with matches between the two teams known as the Brussels Derby.
With its rich history and legacy, RSC Anderlecht continues to be a dominant force in Belgian football and a respected club in Europe.