Olympic Charleroi

Full Name: Royal Olympic Club Charleroi Marchienne
City: Charleroi
Founded: 1911
Stadium: Stade de La Neuville (12,164)
Colors: Red, White, Black
Previous: Olympic Caroloregian Club Lodelinsart (1911-21), Olympic Club Caroloregien Lodelinsart (1921-22), Olympic Club Caroloregien (1922), Olympic Club de Charleroi (1922-37), Royal Olympic Club de Charleroi (1937-72), Royal Olympic Club de Montignies-Sur-Sambre (1972-82), Royal Olympic Club de Charleroi (1982-2000)
Nickname: Les Dogues
Rival: Sporting Charleroi

Olympic Charleroi were founded on September 20th, 1911 as Olympic Caroloregian Club Lodelinsart. Caroloregian is the Latin name for Charleroi and roughly translates as the reign of Charles, meaning Charles II, the 17th-century king of Spain who controlled the area at the time. Lodelinsart is a suburb of Charleroi and, since 1977, officially a part of the city.

In 1922 the club name was simplified to Olympic Club de Charleroi and in 1937 they received royal blessing and became known as Royal Olympic Club de Charleroi. All clubs in Belgium receive this royal blessing to their name after a certain number of years of existence. From 1972-82 they were officially known as Royal Olympic Club de Montignies-Sur-Sambre, another suburb of Charleroi, before returning to their traditional name. Olympic Charleroi are actually still based in Montignies-sur-Sambe.

In 2000 Olympic Charleroi merged with Royal Association Marchiennoise des Sports and adopted their present official name ofRoyal Olympic Club Charleroi Marchienne. Marchienne is yet another suburb of Charleroi.

Olympic Charleroi have the "matricule" 246. These are honorary numbers given out by the Belgian FA to a club at the time of its creation.

Olympic Charleroi's nickname is Les Dogues - the dogs, or more specifically the Mastiffs.

Stade de La Neuville:

Olympic Charleroi Links:

Official Website: roccm.be