Vilafranquense
[4] Vilafranquense
v
Wikipedia - U.D. Vilafranquense
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.
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. They beat the top-flight team 1–0 on 20 November, with a goal by Marocas. In the next round (last 16), they lost by the same score at Vitória S.C., also of the Primeira.
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. 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.
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.
At end of 2022–23 season, UD Vilafranquense relocate to Aves and became a new club, AVS Futebol SAD from 2023–24.
Vilafranquense har aldri spilt i Portugals toppdivisjon, Primeira Liga, men har spilt flere sesonger i den nest øverste divisjonen, Segunda Liga. Klubbens beste prestasjon i cupen er å ha nådd kvartfinalen i Taça de Portugal i 2016–17-sesongen.
Noen av de mest kjente spillerne som har spilt for Vilafranquense inkluderer:
* Jorge Cadete
* Hugo Almeida
* Bruno Andrade
* Luís Leal
* Miguel Viterbo
Vilafranquense er kjent for sin offensive spillestil og troppen består ofte av unge, lovende spillere. Klubben har også et sterkt ungdomsakademi som har produsert en rekke spillere som har gått videre til å spille på høyere nivå.