Posted on 17th October 2014
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
These FSF guides are intended to offer a quick snapshot of advice and info for fans ahead of their trips to Europe – if you have any specific questions about the city, how to get there, where to stay or anything else then simply email us your questions. Through our extensive network of contacts at Football Supporters Europe and experience of travelling throughout Europe ourselves, we will be able to answer just about any query you have.
About Anderlecht
The Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht was founded as Sporting Club Anderlechtois in 1908 by a bunch of football fans at a café in the district Anderlecht in Brussels. They have been in the Belgian First Division since the 1935-36 season and are currently the most successful Belgium club team in European competitions – however, it is worth noting that they won their last UEFA Cup trophy back in 1983…
About the Stadium
The Constant Vanden Stock Stadium is about 3 miles away from the central train station in the South-West of the City on the border of Parc du Meir/ Meirpark (later Astrid Park).
Away fans find themselves in the South West of the stadium in the 2nd tier behind the goal (Blocks B, C, D and Y, V). They’re requested to enter the ground at entrance gate no. 1 on this side of the ground. There are still standing terraces behind the two goals but during European competitions, the stadium is all-seated with a capacity of 21,619.
The nearest metro to the stadium: Saint-Guidon/Saint Guido.
Due to security measures, visiting supporters for UEFA Champions League matches are usually requested to get off at Aumale.
Typically, Belgian Frites are made with Belgian Bintje potatoes, cooked twice and served in a paper cone with a side of mayonnaise. There are almost a myriade of at frietkots or fritures to be found across the country, which are outdoor vendors who sell Belgian fries, many of them offering a selection of over 50 dipping sauces to choose from.
Place St. Géry is the main area for bars or around Grand’Place. The areas are not really far from each other and probably the places where most football supporters would head for.
Why you’d want an Irish bar in Belgium is beyond us, but those who prefer the taste of home can enjoy themselves with a pub crawl through Brussels, starting at O’Reilly’s, either at their place at Boulevard Anspach (in front of the stock exchange) and at 1 Place de la Bourse. For the further course you can choose between James Joyce at 34 Rue Archimede, the undoubtedly Irish pub Celtica at 55 Rue du Marchéaux poulets, the Michael Collins pub at 1 Rue de Bailli and finally The Old Oak at 26 Rue Franklin. And if you are really unweary and thirsty just try them all…
Whenever you go out for a beer in Brussels, you will certainly come across Grand’Place – the main town square in Brussels – many tourists have said it is one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe. Apart from that, its surroundings host quite a few nice bars and restaurants. The famous statue Manneken Pis is also situated on the corner of Eikstraat/ Stoofstraat near the Grand Place. Apart from the imposing complex of buildings that are home to the numerous administrative bodies of the European Union which make Brussels being the inofficial capital of Europe, you can also pop in at Mini Europe! There you can see all the major monuments in Europe in miniature. The museum is located near the unfortunately not gloriously renowned Heysel Stadium (Metro: Heysel ).
If you haven’t already had enough alcohol, you can visit beer museums! There are even two: The Brewery Museum, Grote Markt 10, Grand Place or the Gueuze Museum at Gheudestraat 56, Rue Gheude.
With England’s She Believes Cup campaign getting underway shortly, as part of our Free Lionesses service we’ve pulled together some useful links and information for fans who might be making the journey out to the USA to cheer on Phil Neville’s side, who are aiming to retain the trophy they won in 2019.
England are off to Portugal this week as they prepare for the first-ever finals of the new UEFA Nations League – and the Free Lions team will be on hand to help fans once more.
Following England’s defeat to Holland in Portugal last night the Three Lions will be heading back to Guimarães on Sunday to take on Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League.
(Millie Bright, Rachel Daly, Beth Mead, Jill Scott pick up their copy of Free Lionesses.)
