KV Mechelen is a team in Belgium’s first division, the Jupiler Pro League. The club plays its games in traditional yellow and red striped shirts. Founded in 1904, KV Mechelen is one of the oldest clubs in Belgium. It was registered as 25th member of Belgian’s FA. KV Mechelen is often referred to as "Malinwa". This name is a reference to the former French name FC Malinois.

UEFA Cup II

The club won four championship titles. The last in 1989. KV Mechelen played five cup finals. It succeeded in winning the Belgian FA cup in 1987. In 1988 the club won the UEFA cup II final by beating Ajax one to nil. Following that title, KV Mechelen also won the European supercup in season 1988-1989. Up to present, KV Mechelen is the last Belgian club to win a European cup.

Saved by fans

Financial difficulties led to serious problems for the club. After its bankruptcy in 2002, the club was saved by its own supporters who held a fund raising to help their favourite team. The club relegated to third division. This absolute low proved to be a turning point. KV Mechelen regained its place in first division only four years after its relegation. The most recent success in the club’s history was the 2009 cup final.

Due to the financial problems in 2002, KV Mechelen lost the ownership of the stadium. The club now rents the stadium it used to own. The stadium is called Argosstadium Achter de Kazerne and has a capacity of 13,213 supporters.

The new board of directors secured a healthy financial statement and is now planning to build a new stadium.

Hall of fame

Piet den Boer (scored the only goal in the 1988 European Cup Winner's Cup final against Ajax), Eli Ohana, Erwin Koeman, Michel Preud’homme, Marc Wilmots and Lei Clijsters are just a few of the famous players to have played at KV Mechelen.