Our history 
Our history
"Flandria Social and Sports Club" was founded on February, 9th 1941. The founding meeting took place in the Rerum Novarum building with the participation of 20 neighbours of Villa Flandria. The following main objectives were established: To support the practice of sports among the personnel of Algodonera Flandria SA and their family members, and to encourage the intellectual and physical culture among the members as well as the companionship and union spirit. The first president was Mr. José Delessie. The truly driver of the club was Mr. Julio Steverlynck (from Vichte, Belgium), to who we owe everlasting thanks.
Once founded, the club affiliated to the Lujanense Soccer League, conquering the championship in the first participation. In the year 1943 Flandria obtained the title in the Reserve Division and the main title in the First Division again in 1944. Due to some differences, Flandria dropped the Lujanense League and the following year affiliated to AFA (Argentine Football Association), starting in the "3rd Ascending Division" (today known as First Division D).
In 1948, 1949 and 1950 Flandria obtained the pre-tournaments coached by Independiente's maximun scorer, Arsenio Erico. In 1952, Flandria conquered its first AFA's title, and therefore ascended to First Division C. The following year, Flandria obtained the sub-championship, and in 1954 became the Reserve Champion. En 1960, the old soccer field of Av. San Martín and Tejedores St. was closed down and the brand new Carlos V Stadium was opened. In the first game at home Deportivo Español beat Flandria 4-1 and consequently became the new Champion.
Flandria got the 4th place, just like in 1961. Between 1962 and 1966, the campaigns were average. In 1967, Flandria won its pool and the right to participate in the next round, in which they got the 8th place. Excellent campaigns followed until 1971. During the 1972 season, the team had great players who fought for the championship. There were two possibilities to ascend, both for the champion and sub-champion. Defensores de Belgrano was the champion. In the final game, Flandria - 3rd behind Sarmiento that had one more point- beat Central Argentino 1-0 with Julio Apariente scoring the goal, and thanks to the draw between Sarmiento and Dock Sud was able to join Sarmiento in the 2nd place.
Another game was played on December 12th at Ferro's Stadium to untie. Numerous fans left the town empty to cheer for the "Canario". The team started to pay and Juan Carlos Nocella scored in the 3rd minute. After 15 minutes of the second half Juan Carlos Nocella scored again after a rebound in the top goalpost. Pedro Mansilla was the coach and the main players were goalkeeper Curieses, defenders Daniele and Aranda, midfielders Apariente and Soria, and of course the unforgettable Nocella. Between 1973 and 1976, there were not great campaigns. In 1977 Flandria got the best place in the First Division B, a 5th place 8 points away from the First Division A.
1978 and 1979 were low- production years making Flandria descend back into First Division C in 1980. The team had good seasons in 1982, 1991/92 and 1992/93 (sub-champion 1 point behind the champion). In the 1993/94's campaign, Flandria was close to descend again. A squad of young players from the junior team fought to maintain Flandria in the division. During the 94/95 season, Flandria signed a cooperation agreement with Chacarita in which they were going to be in charge of the "Canario" soccer team. By that time, Algodonera Flandria had already disappeared, therefore, there Flandria had no financial support.
In December 1994, the agreement with Chacarita was turned down. The president at that time, Héctor Cava, called for an Extraordinary Meeting asking to drop-off the Division and shut the club down. The board appointed a new president who eventually managed to clear the accounts up. Pedro Mansilla was coaching the team again and Flandria had a great performance in that season. By January 1996, Mr. Hernán Mosca took up the presidency.
Flandria looked for a new coach for the Opening Tournament in 1996. Former president, Mr. José Larrea, suggested a former player: Omar Santorelli, who started coaching on July 28th, 1996. The first game was indicative of the success that the team would have: Flandria beat Luján 1-0 at home, and Pedro Nieva scored a great goal. Although the main target was to be able to stay in the category, Flandria had an outstanding performance finishing second, two points behind Berazategui, the champion. In the Closing Tournament in 1997 Flandria did not have a good performance, drawing against Luján. However, the team was able to reach the semifinals. In the Opening Tournament in 1997, Flandria obtained the sub-championship, finishing again 1 point behind the champion, Ituzaingó.
In October 1997, Alejandro González, "el Negro", passed away. He was a great fan and pal on the floor. It was a hard knock for everyone who loved him. The classic match of that tournament was a victory for "el Canario" beating Luján 2-0 (Dotta and Ale Campana). In the Closing Tournament in 1998 we saw the superb team of the previous campaign again. It was a real pleasure to go and see the demonstrations of brilliant soccer that the players would offer. The classic match was played in Luján with Flandria having entire control. "Lelo" Basso scored the first goal. Minutes later, Teco Godoy amazingly deviated a penalty to Luján. However, Luján unfairly managed to tie through a free kick. In the minute 90, Onainty, Luján's awful goalkeeper, had a really bad timing and the unforgettable "Cheche" Quevedo took advantage to turn the "14" crazy. The celebration at the club lasted for hours. Finally Flandria was the champion on June 13th, after beating Deportivo Riestra at home. A crowd stuffed the Carlos V Stadium and enjoyed Pedro Nievas' two goals through which Flandria got the championship.
On June 21th Flandria beat Ituzaingó 3-0 at Estudiantes de Caseros' Stadium in the first final to ascend. It was a tough match in the first half that eventually turned into a festival in the second. Sergio Kaezuk scored two penalties and Lelo Basso scored the other goal. The second match was played on June 28th, in Campana. The Stadium was packed with nearly 3000 fans that traveled in several buses and hundreds of cars creating a big caravan. The team replied with another victory, beating Ituzaingó 2-0. "Lelo" Basso scored both goals. The return to the town was amazing. The caravan ended up at the club's building and the celebration finished early in the morning.
Flandria was back in First Division B after 19 years, drawing against Deportivo Italiano 1-1 in the first game. The most important aim was to sum up more than 40 points so that the team could be relaxed in the average needed to stay away from descending again. Notwithstanding they succeeded in that, Flandria went under great amounts of suffering taking into account the excellent overall performance of the team. In the second appearance in the Division, the team had a spectacular performance being one of the best teams in the regular round. However, Flandria was surprisingly eliminated in the following round towards the ascend, after a doubtful job of the referee in detriment of Flandria.
