R.S.C. Anderlecht
Belgian football team.
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, commonly known as Anderlecht or RSCA, is a professional football club based in Anderlecht, Brussels, Belgium. Founded in 1908, Anderlecht is one of the most successful and popular clubs in Belgian football history. The club competes in the Belgian Pro League and plays its home matches at the Lotto Park, formerly known as Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, which has a capacity of 21,500 spectators.
Anderlecht's colors are purple and white, earning them the nickname "Purple and White" or "Les Mauves et Blancs" in French. The club has an impressive record of success, having won a record 34 Belgian First Division titles, making them the most successful team in Belgian football history. They have also claimed 9 Belgian Cups and 13 Belgian Super Cups.
The club's first major success came in 1947 when they won their first Belgian league title. This victory marked the beginning of Anderlecht's dominance in Belgian football. The 1960s and 1970s were particularly successful decades for the club, with multiple league titles and their first European success. In 1976, Anderlecht won the European Cup Winners' Cup, defeating West Ham United in the final. They repeated this feat in 1978, beating Austria Wien.
Anderlecht's European success continued into the 1980s. They won the UEFA Cup in 1983, defeating Benfica in the final, and reached the final again in 1984. The club also won two more European Super Cups in 1976 and 1978. These European triumphs established Anderlecht as one of the most respected clubs in European football during this period.
In domestic competitions, Anderlecht's dominance has been remarkable. They have never been relegated from the top flight of Belgian football and have consistently challenged for the league title. The club has had several periods of sustained success, including winning five consecutive league titles between 1963 and 1968, and another run of five straight titles from 1985 to 1989.
Anderlecht is known for its excellent youth academy, which has produced numerous talented players who have gone on to successful careers both in Belgium and abroad. Players like Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku, and Youri Tielemans are among the notable graduates of the Anderlecht academy.
The club has strong rivalries with other top Belgian clubs, particularly Club Brugge and Standard Liège. Matches against these teams are always highly anticipated events in the Belgian football calendar.
In recent years, Anderlecht has faced increased competition from other Belgian clubs, particularly Club Brugge. While they have continued to compete at the top level of Belgian football, their dominance has been challenged. As of 2024, Anderlecht remains one of the most popular and successful clubs in Belgium.