|
TT No.65: Gary Spooner - Sunday 2nd February 2014; SW Harelbeke 3 KRC Waregem 0; Belgium Classe 4a; Att: 300 to 400 (est); Admn: 10 euro; Programme: 1 euro; Coffee: 1.80 euro; Tomato soup in De Ratte: 2.50 euro |
|
A superb afternoon started with a bowl of tomato soup in De Ratte. Extremely good it was too. As Mandy and I had entered the clubhouse at SW Harelbeke we were warmly greeted by Domien and Gregory of the Ultrats, so known as SW Harelbeke are nicknamed the Rats. Not a full clubhouse as aside from the Ultrats along with their partners and children, air horns, siren, drum, furry rats and furry rabbit, Mandy and I were the only other customers! There were three reasons for this. Firstly there were a lot of people indulging in VIP dining at the ground. Secondly there was the significant diversion of the World Cyclo Cross Championship which saw 6 Belgians finish in the top 10 (but was won by a Czech). Thirdly, to put it bluntly, SW Harelbeke have hit very hard times, though it was not always so.
From 1996 a previous incarnation in the convoluted history of SWH, KRC Harelbeke spent 6 years in the top division of Belgian football. In 97/98 KRC finished 5th and qualified for the Intertoto Cup where they lost 4-0 on aggregate to Sampdoria. Highlights in the top flight were away wins at Anderlecht in March 96 and at Bruges in February 2000. A search on Youtube finds videos of large crowds at the Forestiersstadion, none more so than here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdvLXIml4rw which saw an invasion by thousands of Genk fans as they became Champions of Belgium for the first time. The Forestiersstadion is what I call a “proper” football ground with a stand on either side and covered terracing behind each goal. In one corner is a two floor building with VIP catering upstairs and normal fare downstairs. Entrance was 10 euros for the “good” stand with padded back seats and 8 euros for the non backed seats in the opposite stand which saw just 4 people sitting there for the game, 3 of whom were hoppers from Hiedelberg. Unlike Mandy and I who were off to Kortrijk for a nice meal (Nata restaurant highly recommended), the Heidelberg Trio were doing a double and heading off to Zulte Waregem for an evening game in the top flight. An excellent programme was available for 1 euro which was highly welcome as there had been no issue the previous night at KAA Gent. Onto the game and the Ultrats entourage provided more atmosphere than several thousand had managed at KAA Gent the night before! Although the first half was goalless I was confident that there would be goals and there were with SWH comfortably winning 3-0. The English Rats are still waiting to mock the 0-0 that will eventually arrive! Attached is a pic of yours truly with Domien, Gregory and families plus an unknown local possibly related to John Terry! Should you go to Harelbeke for a game just head for the noise where you will be warmly welcomed, have a fun filled afternoon with great company and get to drink lots of beer. Alas I was driving so had to settle for coffee. Cheers Ultrats! For those who indulge on Facebook (I’m a committed non user) the Ultrats Facebook page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/332634883538112/ |
|
contributed on 04/02/14 |
