After a 4-1 victory over Patro Eisden at the weekend, SK Beveren were officially promoted back to the Belgian Pro League. The side were helped by RWDMโs late equaliser against Beerschot, but in truth this promotion was just a matter of when not if. The side remain unbeaten in the second tier of Belgian football this season and are now hoping to cap off their promotion winning campaign with an unbeaten season.
At the end of the 2020/2021 season then Waasland-Beveren were relegated to the second tier. It has been a long time coming, with the side having targeted promotion every season. The closest they came was the 2022/2023 season, missing out on promotion by a single point to RWDM. Back then, only one side were promoted, meaning that despite being by far the second best team in the second tier, they were denied a trip to the Pro League.
Since then, Waasland-Beveren has been replaced with SK Beveren, the historical name of the side. This came about after negotiations with then the holders of the rights to the name SK Beveren, who agreed that the professional club could also regain the name.
In the summer of 2024 the side hired former Charlton manager Bob Peeters as Sporting Director. Peeters, alongside head coach Marink Reedijk, have put together a squad that has blitzed the Belgian second tier. So far this season the side have won 21 of their 24 games, with three draws. They have scored 53 goals and conceded just 17. The side are now looking to go unbeaten in their triumphant return to the Belgian top flight. Such a strong campaign will give fans plenty of confidence going into next season that the side can begin to position themselves as a stable top flight side.
Peeters recruitment has been excellent, bringing in experienced players to help guide the side back to the top flight. The 33-year-old striker Lennart Mertens leads the side with 12 goals this season, alongside six assists. Former Sint Truiden and Zulte Waregem creative midfielder Christian Bruls has provided 10 assists at the age of 37. SK Beveren also have the likes of Laurent Jans and Bruno Godeau, two players with plenty of experience in Belgian football.
However, there have also been youngsters who have contributed. One of the standout players for SK Beveren this season has been Jearl Margaritha. The Cuacao international has scored six goals and provided nine assists for the side. Margaritha has arguably been the signing of the season in the Belgian second tier this season, joining SK Beveren in the summer from Phoenix Rising in the US. He will more than likely be part of the Curacao squad that makes their World Cup debut this summer.
There are now just eight games to go in the league and Beveren can enjoy every single one. They have a 15 point lead over second place Kortrijk, who look set to join them in the Pro League next season. It is likely that SK Beveren will be confirmed champions of the league long before the two sides play each other on the 12th of April.
GBeNeFNย |ย Ben Jackson
