Union Saint-Gilloise | The sleeping Giants
When you think of the successful teams in the Belgium you would be forgiven for not know that Royale Union Saint Gilloise (Union SG) are actually the 3rd most decorated team in the country. Despite their deep-rooted history in the Belgian game they haven’t played top flight football in 48 years.
The Brussels based team was founded in 1897 and only 7 years later were crowned champions of the first division, the first of 11 1st division league titles. Between 1903/04 – 1912/13 (10 seasons), they won 7 league titles.
Union last experienced the Pro league in 1973 when they drew 1-1 to Beerschot on the final day of the season to see them relegated along side Crossing Club Schaerbeek. USG saw their team then rapidly decline over the next decade before landing on their feet in the 4th division. A quick promotion to the 3rd division saw them then stagnate there for over 30 years. In 2015 the club got promoted from Belgian National Division 1 to the Belgian First Division B where they had varied success.
However, their misfortunes have all changed thanks to Felice Mazzù and his squad. The ex Genk manager has guided Union to the Pro league at the first time of asking. Mazzù has signed 11 new players plus a further 2 on loan this season and also moved on a large number of players. One of the key signing he made was brining 22 year old Dante Vanzeir to the club from Genk on a three year deal. Along with summer signing Deniz Undav the pair have made a formidable strike force. Between them they have been involved in 44 goals.
Some other noticeable signings was the deal to bring Christian Burgess in from Portsmouth following his contract expiring and getting
With 4 games left of the season the …. side have achieved a record breaking points tally for the 1B Pro League tallying up, to date, of 60 points. The previous record was set only a few years ago by current Pro League side K.V. Mechelen.
Things are only looking on the up for Felice Mazzù’s side and I for one will be keeping an eye out to see how they do in the top division next season!
