Royal Union Saint-Gilloise
Belgian football team.
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, commonly known as Union Saint-Gilloise or simply Union, is a professional football club based in Saint-Gilles, Brussels, Belgium. The club competes in the Belgian Pro League, the top tier of Belgian football. Union Saint-Gilloise was founded in 1897 and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Belgian football history.
The club plays its home matches at the Joseph Marien Stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 9,400 spectators. The stadium, built in 1919, is known for its unique charm and historical significance, having hosted matches during the 1920 Olympic Games. Union's colors are yellow and blue, which are prominently featured in their home kit.
Union Saint-Gilloise has a rich and illustrious history, particularly in the early part of the 20th century. The club won its first Belgian championship in 1904, just a few years after its foundation. This success was followed by a period of dominance in Belgian football, with Union winning a total of eleven Belgian league titles between 1904 and 1935. This impressive tally made them the most successful Belgian club for many decades until they were overtaken by Anderlecht in the 1960s.
One of the most remarkable achievements in Union's history is their unbeaten run of 60 consecutive matches between 1933 and 1935, a record that still stands in Belgian football. During this period, the club won three consecutive league titles, cementing their status as the dominant force in Belgian football of that era.
After their golden age, Union Saint-Gilloise experienced a long period of decline. The club spent many years in the lower divisions of Belgian football, with their last top-flight appearance before recent times dating back to 1973. However, the club's fortunes changed dramatically in the 2010s.
In 2018, Union was acquired by Tony Bloom, the owner of English club Brighton & Hove Albion. This investment brought new resources and a data-driven approach to player recruitment and team management. The results were almost immediate, with Union gaining promotion to the Belgian Pro League in 2021, ending a 48-year absence from the top flight.
Union's return to the top division was nothing short of sensational. In their first season back in 2021-22, they not only avoided relegation but challenged for the league title, finishing second and qualifying for European competition for the first time since 1964. This remarkable achievement was followed by another strong performance in the 2022-23 season, where they finished third and qualified for the UEFA Europa League.