Portuguese association football club
Football club
U.D. Vilafranquense |
| Full name | União Desportiva Vilafranquense |
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| Nickname(s) | Piranhas do Tejo (Tagus Piranhas) |
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| Founded | 12 April 1957; 66 years ago (12 April 1957) |
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| Dissolved | 5 May 2023; 10 months ago (5 May 2023) (merged with AVS Futebol SAD) |
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| Ground | Campo do Cevadeiro |
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| Capacity | 2,500 |
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| Chairman | Elias Barquete Albarrello |
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| 2022–23 | Liga Portugal 2, 7th of 18 |
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| Website | Club website |
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União Desportiva Vilafranquense was a Portuguese football club from Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon District.
At the time of closure in 2023, it competed in Liga Portugal 2, the second tier of the Portuguese football league system, following its promotion in 2019.
The club relocated to Vila das Aves after the 2022-23 Liga Portugal 2, rebranding itself as AVS Futebol SAD and adopting the defunct Desportivo das Aves's facilities and colours.
The other only time when the club had played in the second tier was in 1987–88 season, when that level was still regionalised. [1]
History
The club was created in April 12, 1957 with the merger between four local sports clubs: Grupo de Foot-Ball Operário Vilafranquense, Águia Sport Club Vilafranquense, Hóquei Clube Vilafranquense and Ginásio Vilafranquense.
In the 2016–17 Taça de Portugal, Vilafranquense defeated G.S. Loures, Vilaverdense F.C. and G.D. Vitória de Sernache to reach a fourth-round tie at home to F.C. Paços de Ferreira of the Primeira Liga.[2] They beat the top-flight team 1–0 on 20 November, with a goal by Marocas.[3] In the next round (last 16), they lost by the same score at Vitória S.C., also of the Primeira.[4]
In the 2018–19 Campeonato de Portugal, Vilafranquense came second in Serie C behind U.D. Leiria. In the play-offs, they dispatched Lusitânia F.C. and then Leiria on penalties to win promotion. This was the club's first time in a national second division.[1] On 23 June in the final at the Estádio Nacional against Casa Pia A.C., the club drew 2–2 then lost 4–2 on penalties.[5]
Due to the inadequate facilities of their Campo do Cevadeiro, Vilafranquense had to play their LigaPro home games 50 kilometres away at the Estádio Municipal in Rio Maior.[6]
At end of 2022–23 season, UD Vilafranquense relocate to Aves and became a new club, AVS Futebol SAD from 2023–24.
Current squad
- As of 6 July 2023
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
