U.D. Vilafranquense
União Desportiva Vilafranquense was a Portuguese football club from Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon District. It last plays in the Liga Portugal 2, the second tier of the Portuguese football league system, following its promotion in 2019 until 2023, the club relocate to Aves. The other only time when the club had played in the second tier was in 1987–88 season, when that level was still regionalised. [1]
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| Full name | União Desportiva Vilafranquense | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Piranhas do Tejo (Tagus Piranhas) | ||
| Founded | 12 April 1957 | ||
| Dissolved | 5 May 2023 (merged with AVS Futebol SAD) | ||
| Ground | Campo do Cevadeiro | ||
| Capacity | 2,500 | ||
| Chairman | Elias Barquete Albarrello | ||
| 2022–23 | Liga Portugal 2, 7th of 18 | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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History
The club was created in April 12, 1957 with the merger between four local sports clubs: Grupo de Foot-Ball Operário Vilafranquense, Águia Sport Club Vilafranquense, Hóquei Clube Vilafranquense and Ginásio Vilafranquense.
In the 2016–17 Taça de Portugal, Vilafranquense defeated G.S. Loures, Vilaverdense F.C. and G.D. Vitória de Sernache to reach a fourth-round tie at home to F.C. Paços de Ferreira of the Primeira Liga.[2] They beat the top-flight team 1–0 on 20 November, with a goal by Marocas.[3] In the next round (last 16), they lost by the same score at Vitória S.C., also of the Primeira.[4]
In the 2018–19 Campeonato de Portugal, Vilafranquense came second in Serie C behind U.D. Leiria. In the play-offs, they dispatched Lusitânia F.C. and then Leiria on penalties to win promotion. This was the club's first time in a national second division.[1] On 23 June in the final at the Estádio Nacional against Casa Pia A.C., the club drew 2–2 then lost 4–2 on penalties.[5]
Due to the inadequate facilities of their Campo do Cevadeiro, Vilafranquense had to play their LigaPro home games 50 kilometres away at the Estádio Municipal in Rio Maior.[6]
At end of 2022–23 season, UD Vilafranquense relocate to Aves and became a new club, AVS Futebol SAD from 2023–24.
Current squad
- As of 6 July 2023
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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References
- "Vilafranquense vence União de Leiria e sobe à II Liga" [Vilafranquense defeat União de Leiria and go up to II Liga] (in Portuguese). TSF. 16 June 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
- "Vilafranquense recebe Paços para a Taça" [Vilafranquense hosts Paços in the Taça] (in Portuguese). O Mirante. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- "Vilafranquense afasta Paços de Ferreira da Taça de Portugal" [Vilafranquense knock out Paços de Ferreira in the Taça de Portugal]. Correia da Manhã (in Portuguese). 20 November 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
- "Hurtado coloca o V. Guimarães nos quartos de final" [Hurtado puts V. Guimarães into the quarter-finals] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
- "Casa Pia conquista o Campeonato de Portugal" [Casa Pia win the Campeonato de Portugal]. Record (in Portuguese). 23 June 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
- "Vilafranquense não encontra alternativas ao Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior" [Vilafranquense find no alternatives to the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 25 June 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
External links
- Official website (in Portuguese)