F.C. Arouca

History

Arouca was founded on 25 December 1951 as a subsidiary of FC Porto and spent its first five decades in the Aveiro regional leagues. Between 2006 and 2008, the club rose to the third division in just two years, during which television presenter Jorge Gabriel managed the team for several months. At the end of the 2012–13 season, Arouca achieved its fourth promotion in seven years, reaching the Primeira Liga for the first time; the Arouca Municipality subsequently awarded the club the Medal of Gold Merit and provided extra funds to renovate and expand the stadium. Under Lito Vidigal in 2015–16, Arouca finished fifth, its best-ever league position, and qualified for the UEFA Europa League. The club eliminated Heracles Almelo on the away goals rule but lost the play-off 3–1 after extra time to Olympiacos. A year later, Arouca was relegated after four seasons in the top flight. A two-year stint in the second division ended in May 2019 when a loss to U.D. Oliveirense and a Varzim S.C. victory over Académica de Coimbra relegated the club, ending nine years in professional leagues. The 2019–20 season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic; Arouca and Vizela were set to be promoted based on their final standings, but Olhanense successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, suspending those promotions.