Full Name: Royal Football Club Seraing
-
Founded: 1922 (refounded in 2014 under current name after a merger and revival)
-
Location: Seraing, Liège, Belgium
-
Stadium: Stade du Pairay
-
Capacity: Approx. 8,000
-
Club Colors: Red and black
History
RFC Seraing has a complex and storied history. The original club was founded in 1922 and played in Belgium's top divisions for several decades, including a strong presence in the 1980s and 1990s. However, due to financial difficulties, the original club merged with Standard Liège in 1996 and ceased to exist as an independent entity.
The modern RFC Seraing was formed in 2014 after a merger involving Boussu Dour Borinage, and the club quickly climbed the Belgian football ladder. By 2021, they had returned to Belgium’s First Division A for the first time in decades.
Honours
While RFC Seraing hasn't won any major national trophies, they are notable for:
-
Best League Finish (Original Club):
🥉 3rd place in Belgian First Division – 1993–94 -
Belgian Cup Finalist:
🥈 1993–94 (lost to Anderlecht)
Notable Players
-
Victor Ikpeba – Nigerian striker, who went on to play for Monaco and Borussia Dortmund
-
Alex Czerniatynski – Prolific Belgian forward in the 1990s
-
Antoine Bernier – Key player in the recent campaigns (2020s)
-
Georges Mikautadze – Georgian international who impressed during their promotion season
Notable Managers
-
Christophe Grégoire – Helped the club earn promotion to the top flight
-
Jean-Louis Garcia – Experienced coach guiding them in recent seasons
-
José Riga – Known for his tactical discipline and club rebuilding phases
Best Campaigns – Domestic & International
-
Domestic:
In the 1993–94 season, RFC Seraing finished third in the Belgian top tier and reached the Belgian Cup Final. -
European:
That same season, they qualified for the UEFA Cup and played against FC Dynamo Moscow, marking their most notable continental appearance.
Current Status
RFC Seraing was relegated from Belgium’s First Division A in 2023. As of now, they compete in the Challenger Pro League (second tier), aiming for a swift return to the top flight. The club is focused on stability, youth development, and retaining key players.
Stade du Pairay
-
Location: Seraing, Belgium
-
Capacity: ~8,000
-
Features: A traditional football ground, renovated in recent years to meet modern standards. Known for its loyal local fanbase and intimate matchday atmosphere.
