Mayor Bart De Wever praises champion Beerschot: “It is impressive how this club can rise from the ashes like a phoenix every time”

Bart De Wever received champion Beerschot on Monday evening on the Schoon Verdiep of the Antwerp city hall. The mayor had clearly prepared thoroughly. He outlined the history of Beerschot football club and spoke highly of the brand new PhD candidate. “As mayor of a sports city, I understand very well what sport means to the people. Sport is a unifying force across communities, beliefs, social backgrounds and orientations.”

“As administrative head of the police, you cannot believe how much I am looking forward to the city derbies. What a party”

Bart De Wever

Ironic

“There are two tradition clubs in Antwerp,” De Wever continued. “I won’t say who the city team is. But they are two clubs that have a broad social commitment. Beerschot has a rich tradition. From 1905 to the 1980s, the club played continuously in the first division. In 1920 the stadium was used for the seventh Olympic Games. The club grew into an absolute top club with several national titles. Beerschot guaranteed spectacular football with Rik Coppens in the 1950s and Juan Lozano in the 1970s. Seven league titles, three cups. That goes without saying.”

Hold fast that which is good

Beerschot’s last decades were difficult. De Wever also made no bones about it. “The club has gone through difficult moments. But every time Beerschot manages to rise like a phoenix from the ashes. That’s really impressive. I think there are two reasons for this. First of all: that fanatical support you hear outside here. I don’t think it has ever happened that a club that was in such misery managed to attract many thousands of supporters to the first provincial level. The second factor is the club slogan: hold fast that which is good. Keep what is good. That is not only a beautiful Latin slogan, but also a vision. Beerschot is a resilient traditional club that has had to reinvent itself several times.”

The Antwerp mayor was also looking ahead. Because next year there will again be (at least) two Antwerp city derbies on the programme. “As administrative head of the police, you cannot believe how much I am looking forward to this. What a party,” said De Wever with a joke.

He concluded with a sincere congratulations to the champion from 1B. “Congratulations Beerschot. Congratulations Mannekes, congratulations Bears, congratulations Rats. Congratulations to Royal Beerschot Football Club Antwerp. Our champion.”