Charleroi

R. Charleroi S.C. is a Belgian football club based in Charleroi, Hainaut. They currently feature in the Belgian first division and have been playing in the top flight since the 1985-1986 season.

Charleroi were established in 1904 and 20 years later they were qualified for the second division. In 1929 the prefix Royale was added to their name. In 1949 they finished fourth in the league but after that they became a sort of yo-yo club.

In 1974 when the Belgian first division was ecpanded to 20 teams and Charleroi were chosen to play at that level. But they suffered relegation in 1980 and returned to the top flight only after five years. Since then, though, Charleroi have been featuring in the first division and achieved their best ever fourth place in 1994.