Union Rochefort president Nicolas Lhoist turned down multiple approaches from Standard Liège to join the board of his boyhood club, choosing instead to remain with the Belgian lower-league side, Walfoot.be reported.
Why Nicolas Lhoist Said No to Standard Liège
Standard Liège contacted Nicolas Lhoist on several occasions regarding a role as a new shareholder. Lhoist is a lifelong supporter of the Rouches who attended matches for many years alongside his father and maintained a prior acquaintance with former Standard owner Bruno Venanzi. Despite those deep ties to the Liège club, Lhoist opted to stay at Parc des Roches with Union Rochefort.
“There were contacts. On several occasions. Standard will remain the club of my heart. I went there for many years, I have memorable memories with my father,” Lhoist said in comments reported by Walfoot.be.
The Appeal of Lower-League Privacy
The primary factor behind Lhoist’s decision centers on media scrutiny. Comparing his quiet operational environment at Rochefort to the high-profile spotlight at Stade Maurice Dufrasne, the club president pointed to his family’s preference for discretion.
Nicolas Lhoist, président de Rochefort, est une personne méticuleuse & qui ne laisse quasiment rien au hasard.Attendez-vous à voir l’Union jouer le top 3 dès la saison prochaine. Tubize-Braine & Mons auront un sacré client dans les pattes. pic.twitter.com/ymCm0pglMt
“The people who know us know that we are a very discreet family. And there is nothing you can do: being president of Standard is being exposed media-wise, much more than in Rochefort,” Lhoist explained, as reported by Walfoot.be.
Ambitious Projects at Parc des Roches
Under Lhoist’s leadership, Union Rochefort has achieved promotion to D1 Amateur and advanced a project to construct a new stadium. The club’s ongoing expansion also encompasses job creation and a doubling of the academy’s capacity since the current ownership group took charge of a team previously playing in the provincial divisions.
“We take over a club in first provincial and we climb the ranks, creating jobs, doubling the size of the academy,” Lhoist said, according to Walfoot.be.
Croky Cup Ambitions and Upcoming Fixtures
The rejection of Standard’s advances coincides with a successful run in the Belgian Cup. Union Rochefort advanced to the Round of 16 in the Croky Cup following a comeback victory against Lierse, in which Rochefort scored three goals in thirteen minutes during the final half-hour after trailing 2-0 at home. Rochefort advanced to face Gent in the next round of the competition.
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