The Golden Happel Years

During the second half of the 1970s, coach Ernst Happel turns Club Brugge into a European powerhouse. After the second title in 1973, Club becomes Belgian champion three times in a row (1976, 1977, 1978), wins the Belgian Cup (1977), and plays two European finals (1976, 1978). Over 25,000 Club fans travel to Wembley in 1978 for the final of the European Cup. Among others, Birger Jensen, Raoul Lambert, and Julien Cools become immortal. But the 1970s are more than just the Happel years. The whole decade is full of milestones in Club history.

On March 10, 1971, in the quarterfinals of the Cup Winners' Cup, the great Chelsea FC visits. Club defeats the English team 2-0, with goals from Raoul Lambert and Gilbert Marmenout. Two weeks later, Club is eliminated by Chelsea after extra time; Chelsea will go on to win the Cup Winners' Cup.

From the 1972-1973 season, shirt sponsorship is officially allowed during league and cup matches. After 'Galerijen Jonckheere' appeared on the training kits, 'Carad', a manufacturer of radios and televisions from Kuurne, West Flanders, is now featured on the match shirts.

At the start of 1974, Ernst Happel becomes the new coach of Club Brugge. The appointment will prove to be one of the most important decisions in Club history. Happel molds a group of players to his will and has them play with an unstoppable drive forward. Under Happel, Club becomes a European top team.

Officially, the home match against Standard on May 11, 1975, is the last match of Club Brugge at 'De Klokke'. Two weeks later, on May 24, 1975, a special event takes place: the Jubilotte. On that day, Club honors legend Raoul "Lotte" Lambert for fifteen seasons at Club Brugge. This is celebrated with a gala match against a Belgian selection (3-3). Lotte scores the last goal from the penalty spot.

Two European finals are the crown jewels of the Golden Seventies. In 1976, Club Brugge reaches the final of the UEFA Cup. On the way to the final, it defeats Olympique Lyonnais, Ipswich Town, AS Roma, AC Milan, and Hamburger SV. In the final, Club faces English top club Liverpool FC. In the first leg at Anfield, Club surprises everyone. After just fifteen minutes, it leads 0-2, with goals from Raoul Lambert and Julien Cools. The match ends 3-2. In the return leg, Club takes the lead thanks to a penalty from Raoul Lambert, but a free kick from Kevin Keegan makes it 1-1. Liverpool FC wins the UEFA Cup.

Two years later, Club plays in the final of the European Cup. The road to the final this time goes past, among others, Atlético Madrid and Juventus. On May 10, 1978, Liverpool FC is once again the opponent at Wembley. 25,000 Club fans make the crossing by air and sea. Club has to play the final without the injured Paul Courant and Raoul Lambert. Happel brings in the Hungarian striker Lajos Kű, who had only played one match for Club until then. Despite a world-class performance by goalkeeper Birger Jensen, Club loses 1-0.

There is more success in the Belgian Cup. In a legendary final, Club Brugge defeats Anderlecht 4-3 on a scorching hot June 12, 1977. The big hero that afternoon is Englishman Roger Davies, who scores twice.

Midfielder Julien Cools is chosen as Golden Shoe winner. In coach Ernst Happel's successful team, the tireless midfielder is the glue of the squad. Julien Cools is at that moment the Club player with the greatest stamina.