Let’s first talk about the match itself. We played well in the first half and had chances to take the lead:
In Belgian football it’s mostly the case that the team who scores first goes on to win the game. We had three chances to score first. One against the post, another cleared from almost on the goal line by one of our own players, and thirdly the nice shot from Jarju onto the underside of the crossbar. Those were our chances to dominate the match before Antwerp were able to. But I’m proud of my team. I want to thank them because they’ve all done what was expected of them. Next season we’ll be back with a strong team that from day 1 will compete for the title.

After the Winter break Lierse went from 16th place to 6th place. How do you evaluate the past season?
The second half of the season was very good. We dropped points here and there, which meant otherwise that we could have been in the play-offs before today, and not have had to rely on getting a result today. But that’s football. We stayed in it to the end and that in itself is a success.

Despite being behind the supporters sang during the whole match and showed today that they are proud to be Lierse supporters:
I’m very proud of them. I promise them that we will be champions next year. Our team is strong, but we will invest in a further six players or so. That will try and ensure that we are competing for the title from day one.

You can watch the full interview on Lierse TV

Amidst loud cheering from the Lierse fans, we spoke to Lierse Chairman Leo Theyskens

The fans have shown today that they’re very good supporters?
They’ve shown today why the whole Lierse Club does what it does time after time. It was a nice day for the fans, and I want to thank them for their massive presence. This is what we exist for? It was an end game and it’s a shame that we lost but for the club there is absolutely nothing lost. You have to look at it positively. We now have a number of weeks of holiday instead of a tiring play off campaign. I’m now especially happy that we can start to work on the team for next year. A team that will be strengthened in many areas. We don’t have to worry.

So now all attention on next season and the assembling of a  strong team. Perhaps with the emphasis on players with character who can hold their own in 2nd division?

We’re really looking for two types of player. First and foremost, like you said, character players like Chris Janssens.
We have to win battles via athleticism.Today we’ve seen that Antwerp have such players. Additionally we’ll be looking for a couple of players ‘a la Charlie’, who can make the difference. And then we can build a team who must be a real top team in the 2nd division next season.

Currently only Tshiala (ex-Namen) brought in, a sturdy defender who can also play at right back. Will there be furher news in the coming days and weeks surrounding transfers?

We’re currently dealing with 5-6 players and some will sign in the near future. But these footballers will be of great quality.

Perhaps it’s best for Lierse, rather than for the third consecutive year to be in the play-offs, to have a few months to muster up courage and to have sufficient time to improve everything?

It’s been a difficult season. We came from 17th place. Also at the turn of the year, we had to integrate a number of new players, so the rest is certainly welcome now. Of course we hoped to reach the play-offs, but if you’re realistic you have to look at where the team stands now, and conclude that there’s still a lot of work to do. Rest is also very much needed now.

So you’re saying that it’s best that we’re not in the play-offs?
From now we can say that that it’s not a financial imperative anymore, and from a sporting viewpoint I think it’s better that we don’t have to play in them. We have to start with a really strong team next season, and the lads really need their rest now. The best that could happen was a good match today and then build with an eye on next season.
 
Lierse lost 3-0 but the fans are still singing, so apparently for them it was a good day.
Of course it’s not good to lose here, but it’s the Lierse fans who make the difference. Anyway, I think that when they see what a team we’ll put out next season , they’ll be here with even more of them!

On Monday the 4th annual Pallieter Tournament took place on the Lisp for ‘Duivels’, ‘Pre-miniemen’ and G-Kids. Despite the International Pallieter Tournament being postponed a year, due to the difficult financial period for Lierse at the end of last year, today’s games made for a perfect replacement. Under a cloudless sunny sky and a large public attendance from especially parents and family members, it was an unforgettable day for the young footballers. The teams who had fought their way through the preliminary rounds in Kessel, reached their grande finale on Monday at the Lisp.
Via this message we want to thank and congratulate all participants!

You can see an extensive photo report here.

This event was only made possible through the financial support of willing sponsors, via this medium we also want to thank them:
Van den Broeck, Van den Broeck Bouwmaterialen, Smets Consulting nv, Patisserie LEYSEN, Brasserie KOOZIE, BUSREIZEN VERHOEVEN, GARAGE VAN PARIJS nv, TOYOTA, DUFFELS AUTOBEDRIJF, PEUGEOT, JANSSENS en CO, INTERIOR design, Garage Vandecruys, SPAR KESSEL - NV MABRI, Taverne MARNIXHOEVE, Rita Borré, Bandencentrale DE RING, ARCTURUS E. SCHNEIDER, Supportersclub “Beerzel - Dorp”, Meubelen Verhaegen nv, C. See.point, Loodgieterij & Verwarming VINDEVOGEL FRANK, Marie Fleur bvba Katrin V., Haarmode - zonnnebank HAIR DIFFERENT, ELEKTRO MYLEMANS bvba, DOKTER NUYTS RUDY, Cafe HEKSEKETEL, VIXX - VIKTOR, Bank DEXIA NETELAND, Carrosserie HOEFKENS, De Kaasmarkt, LIERS AUTO CENTER, LIERSE 2006, Profi Sport, LS Bikes bvba, LKM The Office Creator