RFC Seraing - Stade Du Pairay

RFC Seraing
Stade Du Pairay
Rue de la Boverie 249
4100 Seraing
Belgium

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Ground Number: 1274
Sunday 10th March 2024
RFC Seraing 1-2 Beveren
Challenger Pro League

RFC SERAING - A BRIEF HISTORY

RFC Seraing are based in the Liege province of the same name. The club was founded in the early 20th century as RFC Bressoux but changed their name in 1992 to Royale Union Liégeoise or RUL after a merger. After another merger with RFC Seraing in 1996, the club was renamed Seraing RUL and started playing at the Stade du Pairay, the original home of RFC Seraing.  Seraing RUL were in Belgium's fourth tier at the time. The club would remain at the lower levels of Belgian football, never higher than the third level. In 2006, this club changed its name to RFC Seraing, but dropped further, even sinking to the fifth level in 2014, at which point it bought the rights (and place) of another club, Boussu Dour Borinage, to swap places. Therefore they were able to immediately jump three levels and started the 2014–15 season in the Belgian Second Division under the new name Seraing United, but reverted to their original name after a year. With the Belgian league restructure of 2016, the club dropped back to the third level but won promotions in 2020 & 2021 to reach the top tier for the first time in 25 years. They survived for a couple of years before being relegated at the end of last season.

MY VISIT

Unlike at home, there was very little Saturday afternoon football and a limited amount of Saturday evening football. Therefore, this game would dictate where I would base myself for the weekend. With me being in Liege for the Sunday evening game, RFC Serainge were ideal in that I would not have to worry about luggage having booked a hotel in Liege for two nights. They were the last of the three evening games to release tickets, for a while I thought I might be out of luck with there being crowd trouble in a recent game. However, around a week before the game, I was able to secure my place for 15 Euros, just under £13, which seems to be the standard and very fair price at this level.

From my game in Visé, it was a twenty-minute walk to the station and then another 20 minutes to wait for my train. The train was packed and a couple of minutes late but I had plenty of time to change on to the train to Seraing. This train had a bit more space on it but I had my ticket checked for the first time. I was in Seraing in good time though the walk to the ground was via a ghost down. Nevertheless, I was at the ground by 7.40. Initially going to the wrong entrance, I had a lengthy walk around the other side. The dreaded token system was in force again and as they didn't have anything especially enticing, I didn't bother. At least I was able to get a scarf on my card for £15, one that was better as a display piece than a wearable but very nicely made. There were plenty of seats to choose from and I had a good view.

Seraing were in 15th place and had beaten Patro Eisden in their last game but otherwise, their form was patchy. Beveren were in 8th and were winless in three. Their last game had seen them lose 3-2 to Oostende. The visiting fans were in good voice and their team dominated early proceedings. They were awarded a penalty on 43 minutes, initially saved but ordered to be retaken as the keeper was off his line. Goduine Koyalipou made no mistake the second time, going the opposite way. Other than that, it was getting a tetchy game with plenty of niggly fouls. Seraing improved in the second half, equalising on 56 minutes, Papa Moussa Fall bundling home a left-sided corner. Seraing were unlucky not to score on 78 minutes, having a shot saved and another cleared off the line. They continued to apply pressure but against the run of play, Beveren grabbed a late winner. A ball from the left was put in and Koyalipou swept home on 88 minutes for his and his team's second.

THE GROUND

STADE DU PAIRAY is an excellent stadium. There are two side seated stands, each with a capacity of around 2,000 each. Behind the goals are a disused terrace and an area for press. There are basic food and drink facilities, plus merchandise. The ground is about 20 minutes from the train station, in the opposite direction to the town.