2003–04 Belgian First Division


The 2003–04 season of the Belgian First Division was held between 8 August 2003 and 15 May 2004. Sporting Anderlecht became champions on 24 April 2004.

Promoted teams

These teams were promoted from the second division at the start of the season:

Relegated teams

These teams were relegated to the second division at the end of the season:

Anderlecht's title success

The battle for the title was not great as Anderlecht had a big lead over their opponents. However, a bad finish from Anderlecht kept the suspense until the 31st matchday when Club Brugge drew with Mouscron while the team from Brussels also drew at Herman Vanderpoortenstadion, the homeground of Lierse.

Battle for Europe

The next week, Club Brugge was sure to enter the UEFA Champions League Preliminary Round with a 1-0 win against Standard Liège, then lying third. In spite of this defeat, Standard managed to qualify for the UEFA Cup as they were 6 points ahead of Mouscron after the 32nd matchday. The suspense was killed after a 1-1 draw against [R. R. Charleroi S.C.|Charleroi S.C.|Charleroi] the next Saturday.

The relegation dog fight

The end of the league was thus centered on the battle against relegation. Four teams were concerned : R.A.E.C. Mons and Charleroi, which finally saved themselves, R. Antwerp F.C. and K. Beringen-Heusden-Zolder finishing respectively 6 and 5 points adrift.

Final league table


Attendances

No.ClubAverage attendanceChangeHighest
1Anderlecht24,1602,1%26,311
2Club Brugge23,71613,1%27,900
3Genk23,627-0,9%25,061
4Standard de Liège16,88814,5%26,000
5Charleroi9,083-9,0%17,000
6Gent8,355-4,3%10,500
7Mouscron7,711-5,8%10,654
8STVV7,665-3,1%11,000
9Germinal Beerschot7,429-1,8%11,000
10Lierse7,253-12,2%11,250
11Antwerp6,735-6,1%13,000
12Sporting Lokeren5,570-10,4%7,000
13Westerlo5,282-6,0%10,000
14Heusden-Zolder5,105153,9%9,270
15Cercle Brugge5,103103,6%13,550
16Beveren4,9419,4%8,000
17RAEC4,582-25,5%7,000
18RAAL4,300-17,0%7,000

Source: