CS Fola Esch
Wikipedia - CS Fola Esch
Sporting Circle Fola Esch (French: Cercle sportif Fola Esch), usually abbreviated to Fola Esch or simply Fola, is a professional football club based in Esch-sur-Alzette, in south-western Luxembourg. They play their home games at Stade Émile Mayrisch, in the south of the city, which they share with their sister athletics club CA Fola Esch.
History
Founded in 1906 by the English language teacher Jean Roeder, Fola was the first football club in Luxembourg. During its heyday, it was the best club in the country, winning four National Division championships and two Luxembourg Cups between 1918 and 1924. Fola won another championship in 1930 and the Luxembourg Cup in 1955, but had since this time lost its place in Luxembourg's top flight.
Fola stubbornly rejected a merger with its larger neighbours, Jeunesse Esch, during the wave of consolidation in the 1990s. In 2004–05, Fola were relegated to the third tier of Luxembourgish football, but were promoted the following season. In 2006–07 they finished third, qualifying for a promotion play-off, which they lost to Victoria Rosport. In August 2007, Fola pulled off a transfer coup by signing former Morocco midfielder Mustapha Hadji.
In 2008, the club managed to secure second place in the championship, granting them promotion to the Fortis League (National Division, the top league in the country, renamed BGL League in March 2009 due to the financial crisis).
In May 2013, CS Fola Esch won the championship in the BGL Ligue with a historic 5–1 win against their rivals, Jeunesse Esch in the 25th match of the season. The club had a gap of 83 years since their last championship. Stefano Bensi scored 20 goals during this season.
Fola participated in the second qualifying round of the Champions League 2013–14, but lost to Dinamo Zagreb 0–5 in the first leg (at home) and 0–1 in the second leg (away). In 2015, Fola won the championship again, after finishing second in 2014. In 2016 they again finished second with an equal number of points with the champions, F91 Dudelange.
In 2016 CS Fola Esch, celebrated their 110th birthday, and also became a member of the exclusive Club of Pioneers, as the oldest football club of Luxembourg.
History
- 1906: Club founded as Football and Lawn Tennis Club Esch
- 1907: Adopts current colours of red and white stripes
- 1910: Absorbs FC Nerva, becoming Cercle sportif Fola Esch
- 1918: Wins first championship title
- 1924: Wins the Double
- 1930: Wins last championship title for the next 83 years
- 1935: Moves to current stadium, Stade Émile Mayrisch
- 1955: Wins Luxembourg Cup, last title before a long lean period
- 1973: First participation in European competition (season 1973–74)
- 2013: Wins first championship since 83 years, followed by another champion title in 2015
- 2017: First qualification to the second round and to the third round in European competition
Fola Esch has a strong fan base and plays their home matches at the Stade Émile Mayrisch, a historic stadium in Esch-sur-Alzette. The team's colors are red and white, and they are known for their attacking style of play and skilled players.
Over the years, Fola Esch has won numerous domestic titles and cups, establishing themselves as one of the top teams in Luxembourg. They have also competed in European competitions, representing Luxembourg on the international stage.
The team has a strong youth academy and focuses on developing young talent, with many players going on to have successful careers in professional football. Fola Esch is a respected and competitive team in Luxembourgish football, with a proud tradition and passionate supporters.