About

Koninklijke Voetbal Club Westerlo, founded on 5 September 1933, represents the municipality of Westerlo and competes in the Belgian Pro League. Known by fans as De Kemphanen, the club wears yellow and blue at home and plays at a compact stadium that collectors often cite for provenance, available through Walkouts. The first paragraph sets the club identity and explains why signed Westerlo football shirts surface as sought items for regional and international collectors.

Westerlo has been a regular feature of top-flight Belgian football since the late 1990s, save a brief spell back in the second tier, and plays its home matches at Het Kuipje. The club's on-pitch highlights include a solitary major domestic honour, 1 Belgian Cup, and a maiden continental appearance recognised as the club's UEFA Cup debut. The team has produced notable names such as Toni Brogno and is referenced in modern rankings, with IFFHS placing the club at 315 with 76 points.

Collectors should note anniversary releases. The club marked a centenary-style celebration with a commemorative run in Centenary 2017, which is linked to limited-edition replicas and commemorative badges, making those shirts a post-1970 anniversary category to watch. Such releases often carry special patches and tailored sleeve art that distinguish them from regular season retail.

Seasonal magnets drive demand, notably the 2000-01 cup-winning campaign and the club's first foray into Europe in 2001-02, plus the promotion-winning outfit of 2021-22. These seasons produced match programmes, final-day photographs and media that help verify provenance. The club's regional rivalry, the Kempen derby versus Lierse, also adds provenance to shirts worn or sold around those fixtures, increasing collector interest in match-related provenance.

Iconic away designs matter: the early 2001-02 blue away set is tied to Westerlo's UEFA Cup appearances and is repeatedly cited by collectors for its association with away European fixtures. Notes from suppliers point to Jako and Nike eras, and early retail runs often featured region-specific sizing and player-issue variants that can be corroborated by sleeve patches and sponsor panels.

Signed retail demand is real, and it is important to recognise that fanshop shirts, not only match-worn garments, are sought after for their accessibility and documented runs. Collectors particularly chase early runs, player-issue variants and region-specific releases, and verified items frequently include COA or photographic evidence as provenance. Provenance cues such as authenticated match photos or manufacturer tags increase interest among enthusiasts who prize traceable origins.

For those assessing individual pieces, signatures from cup seasons and European fixtures are the most referenced provenance markers; examples include shirts from the 2000-01 Belgian Cup campaign and the 2001-02 blue away shirt worn during the club's first European tie. These seasons and fixtures are routinely mentioned in catalogues and auction notes, and final provenance often references Het Kuipje, the Kempen derby and specific opponents or venues when available.

Collector Highlights

Iconic home kits

  • 2000–01 Yellow/blue Belgian Cup winners
  • 2001–02 Yellow/blue UEFA Cup debut
  • 2021–22 Yellow/blue 1B champions (promotion)

Iconic away kits

  • 2001–02 Blue UEFA Cup away set

Anniversary shirts

  • 2017 100 jaar centenary details

Collector seasons

  • 2000–01 Belgian Cup trophy season
  • 2001–02 UEFA Cup first Europe
  • 2021–22 Promotion title

Honours

K.V.C. Westerlo’s roll-call is headlined by a hard-won national trophy, lifting the Belgian Cup after a memorable campaign that culminated in a decisive final in 2000-01. That success opened the door to Europe, bringing the club its first taste of continental football with an appearance in the UEFA Cup. On the domestic front, Westerlo have also produced consistent league performances, securing top-six finishes in 1999-00, 2003-04 and 2008-09. These campaigns underscored a capacity to compete with established sides while maintaining stability in the top flight.

Beyond silverware, the club’s profile has been recognised internationally, featuring in the IFFHS world club list with a rank of 315. Together, the cup triumph, European debut and multiple top-six league finishes represent the club’s high-water marks, reflecting a culture of resilience and ambition that resonates with supporters at Het Kuipje. The combination of a national trophy and continental participation remains a defining chapter in Westerlo’s competitive identity.

Legends & Leadership

Toni Brogno is remembered as a recent key player of the early 2000s, spearheading attacking ambitions during a period that brought cup glory and European qualification, and uniquely earning Belgium caps while representing Westerlo. His performances captured the club’s momentum as it consolidated itself among the country’s leading sides.

Patrick Goots is celebrated as a legend player of the late 1990s, leading the line as Westerlo established itself in the top flight and pushed into the league’s upper reaches, laying the groundwork for the top-six finish that showcased the team’s upward trajectory.

Jef Delen is regarded as a recent key player of the 2000s, embodying consistency and commitment in yellow and blue, and contributing to the stability that kept Het Kuipje hosting top-tier football while the team pursued ambitious league campaigns.

Stadium

Het Kuipje is the recognised home of K.V.C. Westerlo, providing the club’s identity and stage in the municipality of Westerlo in the province of Antwerp. The ground is known locally for its intimate feel and clear sightlines, with the yellow and blue of De Kemphanen setting the tone on matchdays. Supporters gather early, and the stands respond with energy to fast transitions and set-piece moments, creating a distinctive rhythm that suits the team’s competitive edge.

The venue also frames regional rivalries, most notably the Kempen derby against Lierse, when the atmosphere intensifies and every challenge is cheered. As the club’s base for league and cup ties, Het Kuipje remains a focal point for community pride, where tradition and ambition meet under familiar floodlights and the colours of Westerlo carry from the turnstiles to the final whistle.

Capacity
8035
Local derby
Kempen derby Lierse regional

Authentication & Provenance

  • Verification KBVB vs UEFA patches
  • Suppliers Jako/Nike eras; check labels
  • Provenance cup-final shirts desirable

FAQ

Q: Which league does K.V.C. Westerlo compete in? A: The club competes in the Belgian Pro League, where it has been a regular presence since 1997-98, aside from a brief spell in the second tier between 2012 and 2014.

Q: What are the club colours and nickname? A: Westerlo play in yellow and blue and are nicknamed De Kemphanen.

Q: When was the club founded and where do they play home matches? A: The club was founded in 1933 and is based in Westerlo, Antwerp province, Belgium. Home fixtures are staged at Het Kuipje.

Q: What are Westerlo’s standout achievements? A: The team has won the Belgian Cup once and has achieved several top-six league finishes. They also made their UEFA Cup bow after that cup triumph.

Q: Do you provide authenticity and shipping assurances for signed items? A: Yes. Items are supplied with an authenticity safeguard such as a COA/LOA or equivalent evidence, with exact photo proof where available. Free worldwide shipping.