Turnhout managed to advance through the lower leagues, to play twice in the first division: in 1931 and 1936.

That same year the club was awarded the Royal title Koninklijke, and was called K.F.C.

It became apparent later that the doctor had applied blood doping to the player, but because of a wrongful connection in the machinery, an air embolism developed in the player's body.

[1] During the 1990s, the club came close on several occasions to win promotion again to the first division, but failed each time in the play-offs.

In 2007, the club was sold to the Wadi Degla company of Egypt, which also owns Lierse S.K.