History: KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen

Merger solution
Two rungs up the league ladder, FC Germinal Ekeren were also in the grip of a cash crisis. Despite having reached three Belgian Cup finals and two League Cup finals in the 1990s their future was far from assured. The solution for both clubs was a merger. And so there featured a brand new team in the Belgian first division in the 1999/2000 season – KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen.

Beerschot's titles
Despite the fact that it was Germinal Ekeren who were in the top division at the time of the merger, Beerschot had the more impressive history. Founded in 1899 they won their first league championship in 1933, adding a hat-trick of crowns in 1924, 1925 and 1926 and collecting more trophies in 1928, 1938 and 1939.

Cup wins
Beerschot made their European debut in the 1968/69 Inter Cities Fairs Cup and Belgian Cup wins in 1971 (2-1 over K. Sint Truidense VV) and 1979 (1-0 against Club Brugge KV) ensured they twice competed in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Decline followed in the 1980s and in 1991 they lost their place in the top division.

Germinal's first trophy
It was then, however, that Germinal Ekeren – who began life in the late 19th century as a small provincial team based at Veltwijck Park – started to make an impression. They reached their first Belgian Cup final in 1990 – losing 3-1 to RFC de Liège – and were again runners-up in 1995, losing 3-1 to Club Brugge KV. However, in 1997 they won their first major honour when they beat RSC Anderlecht 4-2 after extra time to lift the cup.

Hope for the future
But not even this triumph – nor reaching League Cup finals in 1998 and 1999 or even four European campaigns in the 1990s – succeeded in the club turning the corner financially and ultimately only a merger with the popular but faded Beerschot offered hope.

2001/02: Ninth in Belgian league.