U.D. Vilafranquense
União Desportiva Vilafranquense is a Portuguese football club from Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon District. It currently plays in the LigaPro, the second tier of the Portuguese football league system, following its promotion in 2019.
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Full name | União Desportiva Vilafranquense |
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Nickname(s) | Piranhas do Tejo (Tagus Piranhas) |
Founded | 12 April 1957 |
Ground | Campo do Cevadeiro |
Capacity | 2,500 |
Chairman | Henrique Sereno |
Manager | Quim Machado |
League | LigaPro |
2019–20 | 16th |
Website | Club website |
History
The club's history was spent mostly in the third tier. It spent one season in the second, in 1987–88, when that level was still regionalised.[1]
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]
Current squad
- As of 15 September 2020
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
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.