FC Charleroi 4-2 Duffel
29-1-12
Stade de la Neuville
In the shadow of the BulldogFC Charleroi are the product of a merger between RACS Couillet (Couillet is a suburb or Charleroi) and RAA Louvieroise (La Louviere isn't), more of which can
be read here. They are currently going well in the fourth tier of Belgian football and were worthy winners of this excellent game. They play thier home games at the wonderful Stade de la Neuville, a stones throw from the larger home of Sporting Charleroi. And even with the floodlights gone, the main stand somewhat butchered to accomodate business seats and the terracing at one end gone, this is a must visit stadium. The only problem for FC Charleroi, what ever their arrangements over the ground, it's not theirs and never will be. This is home to Royal Olympic Club de Charleroi Marchienne. If you don't believe me it says so; in 6 foot high letters along the back of the side terrace, above the scoreboard, and on your way in. The bulldog from the club badge (if there is a better badge in football I've yet to see it) is still displayed proudly. This is Olympic's ground, no one elses. They went into liquidation 10 October 2011 with debts over 200k Euro (making the work at the ground even less understandable). 2012 was to be their centenary. So apologies to FC Charleroi for talking about another club on 'your page' but I'm sure you'll understand. Time is a great healer, and in years to come, if there is no new club to replace Olympic, FC may start to make this home. But for now they will continue to play their entertaining brand of football in the shadow of the bulldog. |