Belgium was the sensation of the 1980 European Championship, but before that, there was the ordinary season of the country. Since Belgian football was on ascent for quite some time, it deserves through presentation. Big and closely watch championship it was not. To a point, the success of Belgian clubs depended on Dutch players for many years. But other foreigners played their part as well and Belgium was prime destination for foreign players for a long time – the situation was bit peculiar, for on one hand Belgium allowed larger number of imports that any other European country, and on the other hand most clubs were small and unable to afford big names. Some big names were always at hand, but most foreigners were relatively unknown or old veterans to attract wider interest. Same with coaches. Finally, Belgium enlarged its top league to 18 teams and unusual system resulted: perhaps the only country in Europe with smaller second division than the first. This, to a point, reflected the difficulties facing Belgian football: there were not enough really healthy clubs. The country was small and football competed with other sports, particularly bicycle racing, for public attention. Financially, many clubs were unstable as a result and forced into amalgamations. It appeared that the Belgian Federation was determined to organize and keep a top professional league of stable clubs and the lower levels to stay semi-professional – may be there was no other way.
16-team second division had hardly recognizable abroad members this season – as ever, really. True, many clubs played top level football, but there was hardly a rising club. There was not a famous name in decline either. Rather, smallish clubs, playing now and then in the upper echelon, but never strong enough to make a lasting impression. Current form was seemingly the decisive factor – and current form depended on money, available or not. Hoeselt VV and Royale Union were too weak for the league, and finished at the bottom, separated by the rest of the league. The same happened at the top too – KV Kortrijk ended 2nd 5 points ahead of KSK Tongeren, but also 5 points behind the champions.
KAA Gent had no rivals.
Standing from left: Jaak De Koning, Erwin Vanden Daele, Luc Criel, Guy Hanssens, Roger Coenije, Willy Quipor, André Laureyssen, Marc Temmerman (kinesist)
Crouching: Filip Benoot, André Raes, Frank Nollet, Aad Koudijzer, Franky Vanhaecke.
The ‘Buffaloes’ finished first to the delight of their supporters and won the only direct promotion. The squad is unfamiliar, naturally, but obviously superior to any other in the league: they won 18 games, tied 10, and lost 2. Best attack – 53 goals, and best defense, allowing just 13 goals during the campaign.
Instead of second direct promotion, there was final promotional tournament between the 4 clubs below the champions. Racing Jet de Bruxelles (5th), K.St.-Niklase SK (4th), and KSK Tongeren (3rd) were slightly above the lower part of the league, but they have been no match to KV Kortrijk during the season – now they had a chance to top a team stronger for the whole season. It was a chance alright, but a futile one, as it turned out. K.St.-Niklase SK lost all 6 final matches. Racing Jet and KSK Tongeren were more or less equal, so, to a point, Racing Jet delivered spirited final performance and KSK Tongeren confirmed its season-long position as he third strongest second division club. Yet, none came even close to KV Kortrijk, which simply blew away the opposition, winning every one of the final matches.
There was justice after all: the rules were against the second best team during the season and there was a chance the 5th in the table to go up, but strong is strong: KVK Kortrijk won well deserved promotion.