First competitive years

Shortly after the turn of the century, Club Brugge slowly rises to the top of Belgian football. However, it is no match for the Brussels clubs, who claim the national titles. In 1901, 16-year-old Charles Cambier makes his debut in the first team. Soon after, the young Hector Goetinck also debuts. Both will become absolute Club icons.

During that first decade, FCB does win its first trophy. In 1909, it wins the Coupe de l'Average, a precursor to the Belgian Cup, against Union. In the final (3-2), Edgard Van Bocxtaele scores the winning goal. During this period, Club also records its biggest league victory to date: on Sunday, March 7, 1909, it defeats Kortrijk Sport 11-0 with goals from top scorer Robert Deveen.

In 1901, at the young age of 16, Charles Cambier made his debut for Club Brugge. It was the start of a career that would last 22 seasons and help shape the club in its early decades. Three years later, on May 1, 1904, Cambier made history again when he was the only Bruges player selected for Belgium's very first official international match against France. The match ended in a 3-3 draw, so the Évence Coppée Trophy was not awarded.

The 1908-1909 season marked an important step in Club Brugge's evolution into a professional club. For the first time in history, a paid coach was appointed: Mr. Dafnet. Although the fee was modest by today's standards, 3 Belgian francs per training session and 3 francs per match, until then, training and tactical meetings were led by players or board members on a voluntary basis. The appointment of Dafnet was a sign of the club's growing ambition and the recognition that sporting success required a professional approach. This was one of the first steps in a long process of professionalization.