The Stade du Vivier d'Oie (Dutch: ''De Ganzenvijver'', English translation: ''Goose Pond Stadium'') is a stadium in the Belgian community of

Uccle Uccle () or Ukkel () is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. In common with all of Brussels' municipalities, it is legally bilingual (French–Dutch). It is generally considered an affluent area of the city a ...

in the

Brussels Capital Region Brussels (french: Bruxelles or ; nl, Brussel ), officially the Brussels-Capital Region (All text and all but one graphic show the English name as Brussels-Capital Region.) (french: link=no, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale; nl, link=no, Bruss ...

. The stadium lies in the quarter Vivier d'Oie (Dutch: Diesdelle) at the margin of the Soignies Forest. In the first half of the 20th century the football club

Racing Club de Bruxelles Koninklijke Football Club Rhodienne-De Hoek is a Belgian association football club based in Sint-Genesius-Rode, Flemish Brabant. The club was created in 1894 as Racing Football Club. It became a member of the Royal Belgian Football Association ...

played here.

History

Racing club was founded at the end of the 19th century and played first in

Koekelberg Koekelberg (, ) is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. Located in the north-western part of the region, it is bordered by Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Ganshoren, Jette and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. In common with all ...

and then at the velodrome of Longchamps at Longchamps in Uccle. In 1901 the club was successful and it was decided to move to Vivier d'Oie. On a location on the outskirts of the Soignies Forest a stadium with side building and a club house were built. The main stand was made in armoured concrete, an innovating technique which was only used in England at that moment. It was one of the first covered tribunes that was not made of wood. The stadium was opened in 1902, and at 1 May 1904 the Belgian national football team played its first official football match against

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

(3–3). After the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

it also became a sports ground for field hockey. In 1923 a cottage was built, designed by Uccle's architect Fritz Seeldraeyers. During the

Interbellum In the history of the 20th century, the interwar period lasted from 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939 (20 years, 9 months, 21 days), the end of the First World War to the beginning of the Second World War. The interwar period was relativel ...

the decorated concrete entrance gate was made with the inscription "ROYAL RACING CLUB DE BRUXELLES". After the Second World War the football section of the club played in the highest division again, and the stadium became too small for the club. Therefore, the athletic and football sections moved to the newly constructed Drie Linden Stadion in

Watermael-Boitsfort Watermael-Boitsfort () or Watermaal-Bosvoorde () is a residential suburb of the city of Brussels in Belgium, and one of the 19 municipalities which form the Brussels-Capital Region. The municipality has a total area of of which 58 percent is cov ...

. After financial challenges, the football section separated itself in 1963 from Racing Club de Bruxelles and merged with another club. The hockey section and tennis section kept playing in the Stade du Vivier d'Oie. In 1963 a new club house was built. In 2010 the Belgian government assigned the sports complex as a protected monument.

References

{{reflist

External links

Article about Stadion De Ganzenvijver
on www.deheldenvanleon.be - Groundhop page with photographic materials from the Drie Linden Stadium and the Stade du Vivier d'Oie
Vergane Glorie - Stadion de Ganzenvijver
- History and photo materials about the Stade du Vivier d'Oie Sports venues completed in 1902 Football venues in Brussels Uccle Royal Racing Club Bruxelles