KAA Gent

Formation

In 1864, an association called the 'Société Gymnastique la Gantoise', which was tasked with promoting gymnastics, was founded. Some branches quickly became independent and in 1891 the team merged with the Association Athlétique, which was in itself a merger of younger teams, such as Racing Club, Running Club and Red Star. The new merger team was called Association Athlétique La Gantoise, and aside from gymnastics, the activities were broadened to athletics, boxing, cricket, cycling, fencing, hockey, swimming and tennis. In this context, the athletics team KAA Gent was founded.

In the last decade of the 19th century, organized football was introduced in Ghent. Different small teams were founded and some merged into Racing Club Gantois on 1 April 1899, which would later become the biggest challenger of KAA Gent. Only in 1900, a football section was founded by the students of the College of Melle, which is a place close to Ghent. The first president of the team was doctor Hector Priem. The games were played on the Carpentierplein, which was situated at the crossroads of the Kortrijksesteenweg, the Clementinalaan, the Oostendestraat and the Astridlaan. Initially, the colours black and white were chosen, but by 31 October 1900, when the team became an official member, the colours were changed to blue and white. On 15 November 1900, the first regular game was played, against Omnium Sporting Club.

Early 20th century

For the first few years, the team…

Belgian First Division Winners (1): 2014–15 Runners-up (3): 1954–55, 2009–10, 2019–20 Belgian Cup Winner (4): 1963–64, 1983–84, 2009–10, 2021–22 Runners-up (2): 2007–08, 2018–19 Belgian Super Cup Winners (1): 2015 Runners-up (3): 1983–84, 2010, 2022 UEFA Intertoto Cup Runners-up (2): 2006, 2007