The post-Goethals period

On 7 April 1968, Lon Polleunis made his debut with the Red Devils in Amsterdam, where the Belgians scored 1-2 and Lon scored the first goal. Polleunis received the Golden Shoe ('68 -'69) for his brilliant achievements at STVV and the national team. The Canaries ended in a nice 7th place.

The final of the Belgian cup in '70 -'71 was the next top performance of the Canaries. Thousands of supporters traveled to the Heysel, where Beerschot proved to be too strong in the extensions. The 2-1 loss (goal by Eddy Lievens) meant the end of a beautiful dream.

For the season '72 -'73 the Canaries pulled the Austrian top scorer Alfred Riedl. The Austrian confirmed his torinstinct and in 1973 together with Robbie Rensenbrink of Anderlecht he became a top striker with 16 goals.

Even before the start of that season, the STVV family was plunged into a deep mourning for the death of president (since 1937) and monument Paul Massa.

The competition 1973-1974 was too much: STVV ended last! Back to second class.