About

Koninklijke Beerschot Voetbalclub Antwerpen, or simply Beerschot, is a Belgian professional football club located in Antwerp that competes in the top tier Pro League. Founded on 1 January 1922, the club is rooted in the local community and its lineage is often traced back to 1922. Walkouts features curated signed football shirts and memorabilia that reflect the club’s long presence in the city.

The modern identity of the club follows a complex history, including the absorption of elements from KFCO Wilrijk after the folding of Beerschot AC, and the financial collapse that saw Beerschot AC declared bankrupt on 21 May 2013. The team plays its home matches at the Olympic Stadium, often referred to as 't Kiel, a name collectors use to verify provenance when tracing shirts back to derby days and key fixtures.

Collectors follow anniversary runs closely, and for Beerschot the milestone year of Centenary 2022 prompted special editions and replica programmes that are now sought after. The club colours of purple and white make anniversary variants immediately recognisable, and centenary releases are a natural anchor for framed shirts, limited edition prints and match replica series.

Season and fixture provenance matters to collectors, and Beerschot shirts tied to specific campaigns gain traction. Fans and specialists hunt both match-worn memorabilia and retail fanshop pieces, with many signed shirts accompanied by a COA to confirm signature authenticity. Early fanshop runs, player-issue variants and region-specific releases from the club shop are explicitly collected alongside match-issued shirts.

Away shirts also form a focused lane in Beerschot collecting. The club’s white away palettes, usually paired with purple trim, are linked in collectors’ catalogues to important away fixtures and promotion campaigns, making white with purple trim desirable for display and provenance research. Replica and retail variants worn at decisive away matches during promotion pushes are often singled out by curators and framed displays.

Beerschot’s recent sporting timeline adds to collector interest: the club’s identity shift after the 2012-13 season relegation and subsequent reorganisation has created a clear dividing line for provenance, while the rise back to the top flight shapes which shirts are labelled historic. Proper nouns such as Beerschot AC, KFCO Wilrijk and 't Kiel help attested listings stand out when verifying decades of kits.

Today Beerschot shirts from the historic eras and the promotion timeline, notably the 2012-13 season and the 2023-24 season, are regularly sought for framed displays and signed retail offerings; final provenance notes, a clear season link and the stadium alias 't Kiel are the trio that most buyers look for when choosing items from Walkouts.

Legends & Leadership

Rik Coppens is remembered as a legend player from the 1950s whose flair and goalscoring touch captured the spirit of Beerschot at 't Kiel.

Vic Mees embodied reliability in the 1950s, a legend player admired for his poise and reading of the game as the club built its identity in purple and white.

Jozef Mannaerts, a legend player associated with the 1950s, contributed decisive performances, while Wim Hofkens added versatility and composure in the 1970s, offering balance and experience through demanding campaigns.

Hernan Losada emerged as a recent key player in the 2010s, linking midfield to attack with the kind of technical quality that energised the crowd at the Olympic Stadium.

Marc Brys provided guidance as a managerial figure in the 2000s, shaping competitive standards and leaving an enduring imprint on the touchline at 't Kiel.

Stadium

Beerschot play their home matches at Olympisch Stadion Antwerp, the historic Olympic Stadium that supporters and locals affectionately call 't Kiel. The ground’s identity is woven into the club’s narrative, with the purple-and-white matchday scene reflecting tradition and pride. Returning to the top flight has brought a fresh surge of energy, and Pro League visitors quickly learn how tight the bond is between team and crowd in this compact football setting. The stands swell with flags and songs as the De Kielse Ratten faithful back their side, celebrating the club’s roots and resilience. Whether it is an evening fixture under the lights or a weekend game, the venue’s atmosphere remains a hallmark of Antwerp football, with the Olympic moniker and neighbourhood nickname standing side by side as enduring symbols of Beerschot’s home.

Capacity
12711

FAQ

Q: Which league do Beerschot currently play in? A: The club competes in the Belgian top tier, the Pro League, following promotion from the second tier in the 2023-24 season.

Q: Where is Beerschot based and what is their home ground called? A: The team is based in Antwerp, Belgium. Home matches are played at the Olympic Stadium, widely known as 't Kiel, with the venue also referred to as the Olympisch Stadion Antwerp.

Q: When was the club founded and what are the traditional colours? A: The club was founded in 1922 and its traditional colours are purple and white.

Q: What is the club's official name and common short forms? A: The official name is Koninklijke Beerschot Voetbalclub Antwerpen; common short forms include K Beerschot VA and Beerschot.

Q: Do signed items linked to the club come with proof of authenticity? A: Yes, where applicable, signed items are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity or equivalent proof from a witnessed signing.