Division. The relegation was confirmed on 9 April 1972, in an away game at Crossing Schaerbeek, where legendary goalkeeper Jean-Marie Pfaff made his debut. The club managed to keep their most important players and appointed Rik Matthijs as new manager. On 24 September 1972, won the first ever Waasland derby game against arch rivals Sporting Lokeren with 3-2. SK Beveren-Waes eventually won the title in the Belgian Second Division on 8 April 1973 against K. Boom F.C. The club became a founding member of the Pro League in Februari 1974. Beveren had a good run in the 1973-74 Belgian Cup, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time, but losing to K.S.K. Tongeren. After two years in charge, Matthijs was replaced by Armand Jurion as manager in the summer of 1974. The club also signed two unknown prospects who would become one of the best Belgian full-backs of their generation, namely Marc Baecke and Eddy Jaspers. Jurion's reign was momentary and after one season he was replaced by Urbain Braems, who would become one of the most influential coaches in the club's history. The club ended the 1975-76 Belgian First Division in a meritorious 6th place, but failed to confirm the next with a disappointing 13th place. 1977–1988 Golden Years With lowered ambitions, the club made a quite anonymous transfer that would however make a huge impact in the Golden Years, buying German midfielder Heinz Schönberger from K.R.C. Mechelen in the Belgian Second Division. Beveren reached the final of the first-ever Beker van Vlaanderen, a pre-season tournament for Flemish teams, eventually losing by penalties from K.S.V. Waregem. The club played an excellent first half of the season and stood in 3rd place in December, eventually ending the 1977–78 Belgian First Division in 5th place. In January 1978 Louis Verhaert, after 31 years of service, transferred his chair of the club to Jan Van Ussel, who would become the most successful and respected chairman in the club's history. On 21 May 1978 the club won its very first major trophy by winning the Belgian Cup. Beveren knocked out Witgoor Dessel, K. Boom F.C., K.S.K. Tongeren and Sporting Lokeren before winning the final against R. Charleroi S.C. with 2-0, due to two late goals of Johan Coninx and Bob Stevens. The club changed its name, to SK Beveren, in 1978, and under this name enjoyed its greatest successes, being surprise champions in 1979