Alverca

Football Club Alverca, commonly known as F.C. Alverca, is a Portuguese football club based in Alverca do Ribatejo, a town in the Vila Franca de Xira municipality in the Lisbon District. The club was officially established on the 1st of September 1939, making it one of the long-standing football clubs in Portugal.

F.C. Alverca has a rich history in Portuguese football, having competed in the top-tier Primeira Liga for several seasons. The club's highest achievement in the Primeira Liga came in the 1999-2000 season when they finished in 5th place, their best ever finish in the top flight of Portuguese football. However, the club has spent most of its history in the lower tiers of Portuguese football, including the Segunda Liga and the Campeonato de Portugal.

The club's home ground is the Complexo Desportivo FC Alverca, a stadium with a seating capacity of 7,500 spectators. The stadium has been the club's home since its establishment and has witnessed many memorable moments in the club's history.

F.C. Alverca is also known for its youth academy, which has produced several players who went on to have successful careers in professional football. The most notable among these is Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who began his football journey at F.C. Alverca before moving to Sporting Lisbon and then to Manchester United, where he rose to global stardom.

However, the club faced financial difficulties in the mid-2000s, which led to its dissolution in 2005. After a year of inactivity, the club was reformed in 2006 and started competing in the lower tiers of Portuguese football. Since then, F.C. Alverca has been working its way back up the football pyramid, with the aim of returning to the top flight of Portuguese football.

Despite the challenges, F.C. Alverca has remained a beloved institution in Alverca do Ribatejo and the wider Lisbon District. The club's passionate fan base, known as the "Alverquenses," has continued to support the team through thick and thin, embodying the spirit of resilience and determination that defines F.C. Alverca.

In recent years, F.C. Alverca has shown signs of a resurgence, with improved performances in the Campeonato de Portugal. The club's ambition is to return to the Primeira Liga and once again compete with the best teams in Portugal. With a rich history, a dedicated fan base, and a promising future, F.C. Alverca remains a significant part of Portuguese football.