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[Football] Union Saint-Gilloise



Change at Barnham

Well-known member
Aug 6, 2011
5,487
Bognor Regis
Now that Tony Bloom has invested in Union Saint-Gilloise I'm guessing a few of us may begin following them and even perhaps visiting Belgium to watch a game or two.
The more I read about them, the more interested I have become about their history and set-up.
The ground looks like a wonderful cross between the Goldstone and Withdean, and appears to be in the process of being upgraded a bit.

It seems easier to get there than many Premier League grounds.
As an example, a Eurostar train from St.Pancras to Brussels on Sat 8th Sept cost £58 return
Dep St Pancras 08.58, Arr Brussels 12.08
Dep Brussels 19.52, Arr St Pancras 21.03

Benefits: Belgium Beer, Iconic Stadium, cheering on Tony Bloom's Yellow & Blue Army, POTG.

Unfortunately their website is currently only available in French or Dutch. Hopefully an English option may appear in the future.

http://www.rusg.brussels/choose/fr

However their Facebook page is a bit more English friendly and has some great videos and photos

https://www.facebook.com/unionstgilloise/

Maybe someone on NSC might have some information about any proposed supporters links between BHA and RUSG?

It would also be handy if we could find out when the fixtures are released.
 






Is it PotG?

Thrifty non-licker
Feb 20, 2017
25,632
Sussex by the Sea
They seem friendly enough

763.jpg
 








Yes Chef

Well-known member
Apr 11, 2016
1,908
In the kitchen
When Saturday Comes featured them in an article a couple of years ago, which piqued my interest because of their illustrious and abstract history. I'll see if I can post a link when I get home later.
A train to Belgium, Trappist beer and lower division football would knock plenty of Premier league matches into a cocked hat personally speaking
 


GOM

living vicariously
Aug 8, 2005
3,262
Leeds - but not the dirty bit
Still curious as to why our Tony wants another club. Us a lifelong supporter of, but USG ?
 






Whitechapel

Famous Last Words
Jul 19, 2014
4,431
Not in Whitechapel
Still curious as to why our Tony wants another club. Us a lifelong supporter of, but USG ?

Belgium has more much lax work permit rules.

We could in theory ship a load of African/South American wonder kids through USG if they can’t get work permits.
 


AmexRuislip

Retired Spy 🕵️‍♂️
Feb 2, 2014
34,885
Ruislip
In Agatha Chrisities short story collection, entitled The Under Dog and Other Stories.
Hercule Poirot is mentioned as a fan of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, often going to the games and commenting in the match day programs. :cool:
 


Change at Barnham

Well-known member
Aug 6, 2011
5,487
Bognor Regis
I can't quite confirm where they play their home games. Soccerway has their home ground as Stade Roi Baudouin which holds over 50000 and it's where Belgium sometimes play and disappointingly has a running track around the pitch.
https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/belgium/royal-union-st-gilloise/266/venue/
http://www.rusg.brussels/article/plan-acces

However, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that various photos I've seen of Brussels 'Theatre of Trees' with building work being undertaken means that they may be returning to their old Parc Duden ground shortly.

https://twitter.com/UnionStGilloise/status/1001748449459605504
Does anyone on NSC know?
 












AZ Gull

@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
Oct 14, 2003
13,167
Chandler, AZ
I can't quite confirm where they play their home games. Soccerway has their home ground as Stade Roi Baudouin which holds over 50000 and it's where Belgium sometimes play and disappointingly has a running track around the pitch.
https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/belgium/royal-union-st-gilloise/266/venue/
http://www.rusg.brussels/article/plan-acces

However, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that various photos I've seen of Brussels 'Theatre of Trees' with building work being undertaken means that they may be returning to their old Parc Duden ground shortly.

https://twitter.com/UnionStGilloise/status/1001748449459605504
Does anyone on NSC know?

From the Argus on May 21 - Done deal: Albion chairman Tony Bloom completes takeover of Belgian club Saint Gilloise

Saint Gilloise president Jurgen Baatszsch said: "We are delighted to welcome Tony Bloom as a new investor to the club.

"Tony has a tremendous passion for football and a great understanding of the game. His investment comes at an exciting time for the club as we prepare to move back into our newly renovated stadium.
 






Superphil

Dismember
Jul 7, 2003
25,692
In a pile of football shirts
Still curious as to why our Tony wants another club. Us a lifelong supporter of, but USG ?

It was reported at the time that this is part of his investment portfolio, he’d expressed an interest to own a European soccer team and this one fitted the bill. The report was also at pains to stress that there would be no link to the Albion in any way.

Belgium has more much lax work permit rules.

We could in theory ship a load of African/South American wonder kids through USG if they can’t get work permits.

I’d be interested to hear how ther work permit rules are different to all the other EU countries, was it one of Belgiums vetos? What’s different about it?
 




Lurchy

Well-known member
Jul 2, 2014
2,422
I’d be interested to hear how ther work permit rules are different to all the other EU countries, was it one of Belgiums vetos? What’s different about it?

If he hadn't have found a club in Belgium suitable then he probably would have gone after a Spanish one (as the league in Luxembourg isn't the most challenging)... people need to be a resident in those countries a minimum of 3 years before they can apply to become a EU citizen, for the other countries within it's longer.
 




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