Extreme Football Tourism: BELGIUM: KVC Lille United (2023-)

Saturday, 18 February 2023

BELGIUM: KVC Lille United (2023-)

Heggestadion II, Poederlee (KVC Lille United)

Belgium, province: Antwerp

18 II 2023 / KVC Lille United - K Bocholter VV 1-2 / VFV Amateur Division 2B (= BE level 4)

Timeline

1938 / Foundation of FC Poederlee (matricule 2643, renamed KFC Poederlee in 1988), which joins Belgium's FA under matricule 2643. Most probably, FC Poederlee played its football at Heggestadion (I) from the very beginning onwards. Also in 1938, in nearby Lille, FC De Heidebloem Lille saw the daylight (matricule 2618), renamed KFC De Heidebloem Sint-Pieters-Lille in 1988; and KFC Lille in 1999.
1998 / Following the bankruptcy of KFC Poederlee, a successor club is founded rightaway, VC Poederlee (matricule 9328), which takes over the premises of KFC Poederlee.
2021 / A merger is concluded between KFC Lille - meanwhile having climbed up into the national divisions - and VC Poederlee, resulting in the foundation of KVC Lille United, which retains Lille's matricule 2618. Initially, FC Gierle was also involved in the merger talks, but this club withdrew from the project at an early stage, preferring to continue independently for the time being. In the meantime, all of KVC Lille United's activities are moved to Lille's Heidebloemstadion, as a completely new stadium is built on top of VC Poederlee's old Heggestadion, which is demolished in June 2021.
2022 / With a one-year delay, FC Gierle (matricule 9373) is absorbed into KVC Lille United. Due to Lille's Heidebloemstadion being knocked down after the 2021-22 season to make way for a new multi-sports park (including a swimming pool) - and the new Heggestadion not being ready yet -, most of KVC Lille United's activities, including first team football, temporarily move to Gierle's Sportcomplex Poeyelheide.
2023 / The new Heggestadion (II) in Poederlee is inaugurated on February 4th, 2023, with the match in VFV Amateur Division 2B between KVC Lille United and K Beerschot VA B (3-4). The main pitch of the new ground is situated some 15 metres southwards as compared to Poederlee's old Heggestadion. Sportcomplex Poeyelheide in Gierle remains in use for lower team football and training sessions.