Chamois Niortais FC
Encyclopedia
Chamois Niortais Football Club (often referred to as simply Les Chamois) is a French association football
club based in the commune
of Niort
, in the Deux-Sèvres
department of western France. It was founded in 1925 by Charles Boinot, the son of the owner of a local chamois leather
factory. The club's badge shows a chamois
goat standing on a football. The club's home stadium is the Stade René Gaillard
in Niort, which has a capacity of 10,898 although in the last 20 years attendances have generally averaged below 5,000 per match due to the club's relatively small fan base. Chamois Niortais has traditionally played in an entirely blue home strip, although away strips regularly differ.
For the first 20 years of the club's existence they played in local leagues around the Centre-Ouest region. In 1945, after the Second World War, the side joined the Championnat de France amateur. They achieved promotion to Division 3 in 1970 and stayed in the division for the following eight seasons. Between 1980 and 1984, the team played in Division 4 before winning promotion back to Division 3. The club gained professional status for the first time the following year when they were promoted to Division 2
. After another promotion in 1987, they played in Division 1
for the only time in the 1987–88 season, but were relegated after one season. Chamois Niortais were relegated to the Championnat National
in 2008. For the 2009–10 season
the Chamois Niortais senior team played in the Championnat de France Amateurs
Group C, the fourth tier of the French football league system. The club were relegated from the Championnat National on 29 May 2009, thereby losing their professional status.
For the first season, the presidency of the club was entrusted to Jean Gavaggio, a chemical engineer at the Boinot factory. Georges Poussard, also a worker in the factory, was appointed as the club's first secretary. The original team played in a fully white strip, and competed in the regional championship of the Ligue de Charentes. In 1929, the Swiss
footballer Franchina was named as the club's first manager and the first committee was elected. Throughout the 1930s the club continued to grow in size, enlisting more players and members, despite the team performing relatively poorly in the league.
For the 1932–33 season, Chamois Niortais joined the DH Centre-Ouest, the highest level of regional football in France, and finished eighth in their first season. The side achieved consecutive sixth- and seventh-place finishes in the next two seasons, before being relegated to the Promotion d'Honneur in 1936. The team played in the division for three seasons, until they gained promotion back to the DH Centre-Ouest at the end of the 1938–39 campaign. In 1939, Joseph Boinot was appointed president of the club. The following year the club pulled off a major coup with the signing of Czechoslovakia
international Ferdinand Faczinek
, who played for the club for one season before transferring to FC Sète
at the end of the 1940–41 campaign, after which the Second World War halted competitive football for two years in France. In 1943, the club were one of the founder members of the Championnat de France amateur (CFA), the highest level of amateur football in France.
international Maurice Banide
. The team re-joined the CFA for the 1948–49 season and played in the division for the following five campaigns, achieving a second-place finish in 1951, when they finished behind Stade Quimpérois
by five points. In 1953, the side finished bottom of the division and were relegated back to the DH Centre-Ouest. Following the relegation, manager Nicolas Hibst
was sacked and replaced by Georges Hatz
, who had previously coached AJ Auxerre
. The side remained in the DH Centre-Ouest until 1960 when, under the guidance of Nordine Ben Ali
, they won the league title by a single point ahead of Poitiers FC to return to the CFA.
The side struggled in their first season back in the third tier, achieving a tenth-placed finish. After being runners-up in the division for two consecutive seasons in 1961–62 and 1962–63, the team secured a number of mid-table league finishes under Kazimir Hnatow
. After Hnatow left Chamois Niortais in 1966, the club's fortunes on the pitch began to diminish and they were eventually relegated at the end of the 1968–69 campaign after ending the season with just 12 points from 26 matches. Upon the restructuring of the league system, the team joined the newly-formed Division 3
in 1970. They played there for the following eight years, but never finished higher than fourth in the division. In 1978, the club finished last were again relegated to the fourth level, but were immediately promoted back to Division 3 after finishing as runners-up in 1979. However, they again finished bottom of the division and in 1980 returned to Division 4, where they played for the next four seasons. In April 1984, Patrick Parizon
was appointed as manager and the following month, the side secured a third-placed finish to gain promotion back to Division 3. In 1984–85, the team lost only three matches in the entire campaign as they finished comfortably top of the division. A 2–1 victory over Montauban on 18 May 1985 confirmed their promotion to Division 2
for the first time in the history of Chamois Niortais.
on 16 July 1985. They went on to accomplish a respectable fifth-placed finish in their first season with a total of 37 points. The next campaign saw unprecedented success for the team, as they racked up a 17-match unbeaten run on the way to the league championship. Their title triumph was confirmed with a 2–0 victory over US Orléans
at the Stade René Gaillard
on 23 May 1987.
The following season turned out to be the club's only season to date in the top tier of French football. The season began with a 1–1 draw with RC Lens
and the side's first victory came against Montpellier HSC
on 1 August 1987. The team also managed a win in their first ever televised match, defeating AS Saint-Étienne
2–1 on 18 August 1987. After a promising start, the team languished around the bottom of the division for the majority of the campaign, and were eventually relegated back to Division 2 on 10 June 1988, after being beaten 3–0 by SM Caen
, finishing just one point behind RC Lens
.
The relegation saw the end of Patrick Parizon's reign as head coach as he was replaced by Victor Zvunka
. Zvunka remained manager for the following three seasons, until the side were relegated to Division 3 at the end of the 1990–91 campaign. The team returned to the second tier after just one season as they comfortably won Division 3. The next 13 consecutive seasons saw a number of mid-table finishes in Ligue 2
, until a poor 2004–05 campaign, in which the team lost 21 of their 38 league matches. Philippe Hinschberger
was apponted as the new manager in 2005, and he successfully escaped from the Championnat National
at the first attempt, securing the title with a 2–0 victory over Sporting Toulon Var
on 13 May 2006. Niort found the following two seasons difficult in Ligue 2, finishing 16th in the 2006–07 season and then suffering relegation in 2007–08 after conceding an injury time goal to US Boulogne
.
was hired as the club's new manager in August 2008, and despite hopes of a swift return to Ligue 2, the team performed poorly throughout the 2008–09 campaign. The side failed to win a league match during the first three months of the season, and that form continued into 2009. They went into their final match of the season, away at Pacy Vallée-d'Eure
, requiring three points to avoid successive relegations. However, the side could only procure a 0–0 draw and were relegated to the Championnat de France amateur for the first time since 1970. The relegation saw the end of Chamois Niortais' era as a professional club, as they were forced to become a semi-professional outfit due to the DNCG rules. In June 2009, Pascal Gastien
was appointed as manager for his third spell in charge of the club, handed the task of achieving promotion back to the Championnat National at the first attempt. The club won the CFA Group C at that season, and was subsequently promoted back to the National division for the following campaign. Niort secured their third-tier status with an 11th-place finish in the 2010–11 season.
.
For the following season, the home kit reverted to the usual all-blue strip and the jersey currently has a white sash across it. The away kit for the current season is the reverse of the home strip, and consists of a white jersey with blue sash, white shorts and white socks. For the 2009–10 season, the club's kits are produced by Italian sportswear company, Erreà
, and the main shirt sponsor is Cheminées Poujoulat.
and played friendly matches at various venues in and around Niort
. In 1926, when the team joined the Ligue du Charentes, the club adopted the small Stade de Genève as their first home. They continued to play at the Stade de Genève for the majority of the following 50 years until, in the early 1970s, it was announced that the side would move into a new stadium. On 3 August 1974, the Stade Venise Verte was opened, with the inaugural game being an exhibition match between Chamois Niortais and Dynamo Kyiv. Some time later, the stadium was renamed the Stade René Gaillard in honour of René Gaillard, the former mayor of Niort.
At present, the stadium has four stands: the Tribune d'Honneur, the Tribune Pasages, the Tribune Populaire Nord, and the Tribune Populaire Sud. The four stands currently have a combined capacity of 10,898, with 1,324 of these being standing places. The stadium is typical of many continental European grounds, with an athletics track between the pitch and the stands. Next to the stadium there is a small annexed ground where the club's reserve and youth teams play their matches. The first televised match at the ground took place on 18 August 1987, when AS Saint-Étienne
were beaten 2–1. The record attendance at the stadium was set on 24 October 1987, when 16,715 people saw Chamois Niortais defeat Olympique de Marseille
by two goals to one in a Division 1
encounter.
. The organisation has no history of violence or extremism, and works closely with the football club to try and improve the atmosphere at home matches.
To date, the highest ever average attendance in a season was 10,142 during the club's Division 1
campaign of 1987–88. Since then, the average attendance has usually been under 5,000 spectators. In the 2008–09 season, the average was as low as 2,348 when the club was playing in the Championnat National
.
The club also fields a reserve team, which competes in the Championnat de France amateur 2 Group G, and has youth teams ranging from under-7 to under-15.
coach Franchina, there have been 31 different first-team managers. Three of the coaches; Kazimir Hnatow
, Robert Charrier and Pascal Gastien
have had more than one spell in charge of the club. The current manager is Pascal Gastien, who was given the job in 2009 after Denis Troch
was sacked following the side's relegation from the Championnat National
. Gastien, a former Chamois Niortais player, is currently in his third spell as manager. To date, the only manager to have coached the club in the top division of French football is Patrick Parizon
, during the 1987–88 season. The club's longest-serving manager was Ferdinand Faczinek
, who had a five-year tenure between 1943 and 1948.
Football in France
Football is the most popular sport in France. The Fédération Française de Football is the national governing bodyand is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of association football in the country, both professional and amateur...
club based in the commune
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
of Niort
Niort
Niort is a commune in the Deux-Sèvres department in western France.The Latin name of the city was Novioritum.The population of Niort is 60,486 and more than 137,000 people live in the urban area....
, in the Deux-Sèvres
Deux-Sèvres
Deux-Sèvres is a French département. Deux-Sèvres literally means "two Sèvres": the Sèvre Nantaise and the Sèvre Niortaise are two rivers which have their sources in the department.-History:...
department of western France. It was founded in 1925 by Charles Boinot, the son of the owner of a local chamois leather
Chamois leather
Chamois leather , sometimes known as a shammy, is a type of porous leather that is favored for its gentle, non-abrasive composition and exceptional absorption properties...
factory. The club's badge shows a chamois
Chamois
The chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra, is a goat-antelope species native to mountains in Europe, including the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, the European Alps, the Tatra Mountains, the Balkans, parts of Turkey, and the Caucasus. The chamois has also been introduced to the South Island of New Zealand...
goat standing on a football. The club's home stadium is the Stade René Gaillard
Stade René Gaillard
Stade René Gaillard is a multi-use stadium in Niort, France.It is the home of French Championnat de France amateur football team Chamois Niortais and has a capacity of 10,898 spectators...
in Niort, which has a capacity of 10,898 although in the last 20 years attendances have generally averaged below 5,000 per match due to the club's relatively small fan base. Chamois Niortais has traditionally played in an entirely blue home strip, although away strips regularly differ.
For the first 20 years of the club's existence they played in local leagues around the Centre-Ouest region. In 1945, after the Second World War, the side joined the Championnat de France amateur. They achieved promotion to Division 3 in 1970 and stayed in the division for the following eight seasons. Between 1980 and 1984, the team played in Division 4 before winning promotion back to Division 3. The club gained professional status for the first time the following year when they were promoted to Division 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
. After another promotion in 1987, they played in Division 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
for the only time in the 1987–88 season, but were relegated after one season. Chamois Niortais were relegated to the Championnat National
Championnat National
The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
in 2008. For the 2009–10 season
2009–10 in French football
The 2009–10 season was the 77th season of competitive professional football in France.The season began on 7 August 2009 for the Championnat National and Ligue 2 and on 8 August for Ligue 1 and the Championnat de France amateur...
the Chamois Niortais senior team played in the Championnat de France Amateurs
Championnat de France Amateurs
The Championnat de France amateur, commonly referred to as simply CFA and formerly known as National 2, is a football league competition. The league serves as the fourth division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1, Ligue 2, and the Championnat National...
Group C, the fourth tier of the French football league system. The club were relegated from the Championnat National on 29 May 2009, thereby losing their professional status.
Early years
After the First World War, local chamois leather factory owner, Theophile Boinot, established the first sports club in Niort, Amicale Club Niortais. Soon after, the football section of the club was founded and named Étoile Sportive Niortaise. In 1923, many players were conscripted into the French army. In 1925, a number of the players returned to the town and Boinot's son, Charles, set up the first proper association football team in the town, which he named Chamois Niortais Football Club.For the first season, the presidency of the club was entrusted to Jean Gavaggio, a chemical engineer at the Boinot factory. Georges Poussard, also a worker in the factory, was appointed as the club's first secretary. The original team played in a fully white strip, and competed in the regional championship of the Ligue de Charentes. In 1929, the Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
footballer Franchina was named as the club's first manager and the first committee was elected. Throughout the 1930s the club continued to grow in size, enlisting more players and members, despite the team performing relatively poorly in the league.
For the 1932–33 season, Chamois Niortais joined the DH Centre-Ouest, the highest level of regional football in France, and finished eighth in their first season. The side achieved consecutive sixth- and seventh-place finishes in the next two seasons, before being relegated to the Promotion d'Honneur in 1936. The team played in the division for three seasons, until they gained promotion back to the DH Centre-Ouest at the end of the 1938–39 campaign. In 1939, Joseph Boinot was appointed president of the club. The following year the club pulled off a major coup with the signing of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
international Ferdinand Faczinek
Ferdinand Faczinek
Ferdinand Faczinek was a footballer from Slovakia, who played internationally for Czechoslovakia .-External links:* *...
, who played for the club for one season before transferring to FC Sète
FC Sète
FC Sète 34 is a French football club based in Sète and founded in 1900. The club won the French league twice and the French cup also twice . In 1934 they became the first club to win the French league and cup double....
at the end of the 1940–41 campaign, after which the Second World War halted competitive football for two years in France. In 1943, the club were one of the founder members of the Championnat de France amateur (CFA), the highest level of amateur football in France.
After the Second World War
Chamois Niortais were soon relegated from the CFA and returned to the DH Centre-Ouest in 1945. Led by Faczinek, who had returned to the club as player-manager in 1943, the side won the DH Centre-Ouest for three consecutive seasons. Despite this success, Faczinek left the club in 1948 and was replaced by former FranceFrance national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
international Maurice Banide
Maurice Banide
Maurice Banide was a professional French football player and manager. He played as a midfielder and was part of the Racing Club Paris side that won the Division 1 and Coupe de France double in 1936, as well as winning the Coupe de France in 1939 and 1940.Between 1929 and 1936, Banide was awarded...
. The team re-joined the CFA for the 1948–49 season and played in the division for the following five campaigns, achieving a second-place finish in 1951, when they finished behind Stade Quimpérois
Stade Quimpérois
Quimper Cornouaille FC is a French football team from the city of Quimper, Finistère, currently playing in Championnat de France amateur group D . The team used to be known as Stade Quimpérois.-History:...
by five points. In 1953, the side finished bottom of the division and were relegated back to the DH Centre-Ouest. Following the relegation, manager Nicolas Hibst
Nicolas Hibst
Nicolas Hibst was a French association football player and manager. During his career, he played in Division 1 and Division 2 with FC Metz and AS Saint-Étienne and was part of the Metz side which lost the 1938 Coupe de France final....
was sacked and replaced by Georges Hatz
Georges Hatz
Georges Hatz was a French football player and manager. He was born in Montgeron, France and died in 2007, aged 90, in Rochefort....
, who had previously coached AJ Auxerre
AJ Auxerre
Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise is a French association football club based in the commune of Auxerre in Burgundy. The club was founded in 1905 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Auxerre plays its home matches at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps on the banks of the...
. The side remained in the DH Centre-Ouest until 1960 when, under the guidance of Nordine Ben Ali
Nordine Ben Ali
Nordine Ben Ali is an Algerian-French former association football player and manager. He played as a midfielder and was part of the Girondins ASP side that won the Coupe de France in 1941, as well as reaching the final of the Coupe de France in 1943. He was player-manager of Chamois Niortais for...
, they won the league title by a single point ahead of Poitiers FC to return to the CFA.
The side struggled in their first season back in the third tier, achieving a tenth-placed finish. After being runners-up in the division for two consecutive seasons in 1961–62 and 1962–63, the team secured a number of mid-table league finishes under Kazimir Hnatow
Kazimir Hnatow
Kazimir Hnatow is a former French footballer of Ukrainian descent...
. After Hnatow left Chamois Niortais in 1966, the club's fortunes on the pitch began to diminish and they were eventually relegated at the end of the 1968–69 campaign after ending the season with just 12 points from 26 matches. Upon the restructuring of the league system, the team joined the newly-formed Division 3
Championnat National
The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
in 1970. They played there for the following eight years, but never finished higher than fourth in the division. In 1978, the club finished last were again relegated to the fourth level, but were immediately promoted back to Division 3 after finishing as runners-up in 1979. However, they again finished bottom of the division and in 1980 returned to Division 4, where they played for the next four seasons. In April 1984, Patrick Parizon
Patrick Parizon
Patrick Parizon is a football manager. He was fired from coaching SM Caen in June 2009.-References:*...
was appointed as manager and the following month, the side secured a third-placed finish to gain promotion back to Division 3. In 1984–85, the team lost only three matches in the entire campaign as they finished comfortably top of the division. A 2–1 victory over Montauban on 18 May 1985 confirmed their promotion to Division 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
for the first time in the history of Chamois Niortais.
Professional status
Thanks to the promotion, Chamois Niortais became a professional club for the 1985–86 season. The season began well for the side, as they achieved a 1–0 win against USL DunkerqueUSL Dunkerque
USL Dunkerque is a French football club based in the commune of Dunkirk.They currently play in the Championnat de France Amateurs Group A. The club's nickname is The Doves. Their kit colours are white and blue. They play their home matches at the Stade Tribut in Dunkirk.-History:The club was...
on 16 July 1985. They went on to accomplish a respectable fifth-placed finish in their first season with a total of 37 points. The next campaign saw unprecedented success for the team, as they racked up a 17-match unbeaten run on the way to the league championship. Their title triumph was confirmed with a 2–0 victory over US Orléans
US Orléans
Union Sportive Orléanaise Loiret Football is a French association football club based in Orléans. The club was founded in 1920 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third division of French football, having achieved promotion from the Championnat de France amateur in the 2009–10...
at the Stade René Gaillard
Stade René Gaillard
Stade René Gaillard is a multi-use stadium in Niort, France.It is the home of French Championnat de France amateur football team Chamois Niortais and has a capacity of 10,898 spectators...
on 23 May 1987.
The following season turned out to be the club's only season to date in the top tier of French football. The season began with a 1–1 draw with RC Lens
RC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
and the side's first victory came against Montpellier HSC
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
on 1 August 1987. The team also managed a win in their first ever televised match, defeating AS Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
2–1 on 18 August 1987. After a promising start, the team languished around the bottom of the division for the majority of the campaign, and were eventually relegated back to Division 2 on 10 June 1988, after being beaten 3–0 by SM Caen
SM Caen
Stade Malherbe Caen is a professional French football team, playing in the city of Caen, Normandy. The club was founded on 17 November 1913 following the merger of Club Malherbe Caennais and Club Sportif Caennais...
, finishing just one point behind RC Lens
RC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
.
The relegation saw the end of Patrick Parizon's reign as head coach as he was replaced by Victor Zvunka
Victor Zvunka
Victor Zvunka is a French former football defender and football manager.-Honours:As a player*Coupe de France 1976 with Olympique de MarseilleAs a coach*Championnat National with LB Châteauroux in 1993–94...
. Zvunka remained manager for the following three seasons, until the side were relegated to Division 3 at the end of the 1990–91 campaign. The team returned to the second tier after just one season as they comfortably won Division 3. The next 13 consecutive seasons saw a number of mid-table finishes in Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
, until a poor 2004–05 campaign, in which the team lost 21 of their 38 league matches. Philippe Hinschberger
Philippe Hinschberger
Philippe Hinschberger is a retired French football player who played with FC Metz.After retiring as a player Hinsberger has managed CS Louhans-Cuiseaux, Chamois Niortais and Le Havre; he has been manager of Laval since 2007.-References:...
was apponted as the new manager in 2005, and he successfully escaped from the Championnat National
Championnat National
The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
at the first attempt, securing the title with a 2–0 victory over Sporting Toulon Var
Sporting Toulon Var
Sporting Toulon Var is a football club from Toulon, France, who currently play in the French sixth division . The club, which was founded in 1944, is presided by Jacques Jayet and managed by Luigi Alfano.- History :...
on 13 May 2006. Niort found the following two seasons difficult in Ligue 2, finishing 16th in the 2006–07 season and then suffering relegation in 2007–08 after conceding an injury time goal to US Boulogne
US Boulogne
Union Sportive de Boulogne-sur-Mer Côte d'Opale is a French association football club based in the commune of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The club was founded in 1898 and currently plays in Ligue 2, the second of division of French football, having been relegated from Ligue 1 during the 2009–10 season.The...
.
To regional football and back again
Denis TrochDenis Troch
Denis Troch is a former French professional football player and now manager.Troch's last job in management was with Chamois Niortais, but he was sacked in June 2009 after the club were relegated to the Championnat de France amateur...
was hired as the club's new manager in August 2008, and despite hopes of a swift return to Ligue 2, the team performed poorly throughout the 2008–09 campaign. The side failed to win a league match during the first three months of the season, and that form continued into 2009. They went into their final match of the season, away at Pacy Vallée-d'Eure
Pacy Vallée-d'Eure
Pacy Vallée-d'Eure Football is a French football club based in Pacy-sur-Eure . It was founded in 1932. They play at the Stade Pacy-Ménilles, which has a capacity of 2,000...
, requiring three points to avoid successive relegations. However, the side could only procure a 0–0 draw and were relegated to the Championnat de France amateur for the first time since 1970. The relegation saw the end of Chamois Niortais' era as a professional club, as they were forced to become a semi-professional outfit due to the DNCG rules. In June 2009, Pascal Gastien
Pascal Gastien
Pascal Gastien is a French former professional footballer and now manager. He is currently in his second permanent, and third overall, spell as head coach of Championnat de France amateur side Chamois Niortais.-Personal life:...
was appointed as manager for his third spell in charge of the club, handed the task of achieving promotion back to the Championnat National at the first attempt. The club won the CFA Group C at that season, and was subsequently promoted back to the National division for the following campaign. Niort secured their third-tier status with an 11th-place finish in the 2010–11 season.
Colours and badge
The badge of Chamois Niortais features a chamois goat standing on a football, and the background of the crest is royal blue, which has featured in the club's home colours since its foundation. When the club was founded in 1925, Chamois Niortais adopted a white strip. Since then, however, the club has usually played in a home strip of royal blue jersey, shorts and socks. In the 2007–08 season the team played in a gold and black kit for the first time, to commemorate 20 years since the club competed in Division 1Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
.
For the following season, the home kit reverted to the usual all-blue strip and the jersey currently has a white sash across it. The away kit for the current season is the reverse of the home strip, and consists of a white jersey with blue sash, white shorts and white socks. For the 2009–10 season, the club's kits are produced by Italian sportswear company, Erreà
Erreà
Erreà is a sportswear trademark founded in 1988, in Torrile...
, and the main shirt sponsor is Cheminées Poujoulat.
Stadium
When Chamois Niortais were founded, the club had no fixed home groundStadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
and played friendly matches at various venues in and around Niort
Niort
Niort is a commune in the Deux-Sèvres department in western France.The Latin name of the city was Novioritum.The population of Niort is 60,486 and more than 137,000 people live in the urban area....
. In 1926, when the team joined the Ligue du Charentes, the club adopted the small Stade de Genève as their first home. They continued to play at the Stade de Genève for the majority of the following 50 years until, in the early 1970s, it was announced that the side would move into a new stadium. On 3 August 1974, the Stade Venise Verte was opened, with the inaugural game being an exhibition match between Chamois Niortais and Dynamo Kyiv. Some time later, the stadium was renamed the Stade René Gaillard in honour of René Gaillard, the former mayor of Niort.
At present, the stadium has four stands: the Tribune d'Honneur, the Tribune Pasages, the Tribune Populaire Nord, and the Tribune Populaire Sud. The four stands currently have a combined capacity of 10,898, with 1,324 of these being standing places. The stadium is typical of many continental European grounds, with an athletics track between the pitch and the stands. Next to the stadium there is a small annexed ground where the club's reserve and youth teams play their matches. The first televised match at the ground took place on 18 August 1987, when AS Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
were beaten 2–1. The record attendance at the stadium was set on 24 October 1987, when 16,715 people saw Chamois Niortais defeat Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
by two goals to one in a Division 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
encounter.
Supporters
Chamois Niortais have always had a relatively small fan base, with very few fans from outside of the area around Niort. The club has one main supporters' organisation, named "Unicamox 79". The name is taken from "uni", the French for united, "camox", the Latin word meaning chamois. The 79 symbolises the department number of Deux-SèvresDeux-Sèvres
Deux-Sèvres is a French département. Deux-Sèvres literally means "two Sèvres": the Sèvre Nantaise and the Sèvre Niortaise are two rivers which have their sources in the department.-History:...
. The organisation has no history of violence or extremism, and works closely with the football club to try and improve the atmosphere at home matches.
To date, the highest ever average attendance in a season was 10,142 during the club's Division 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
campaign of 1987–88. Since then, the average attendance has usually been under 5,000 spectators. In the 2008–09 season, the average was as low as 2,348 when the club was playing in the Championnat National
Championnat National
The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
.
Current squad
- As of 23 March 2011.
The club also fields a reserve team, which competes in the Championnat de France amateur 2 Group G, and has youth teams ranging from under-7 to under-15.
Managers
Since the appointment of the first Chamois Niortais manager, the SwissSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
coach Franchina, there have been 31 different first-team managers. Three of the coaches; Kazimir Hnatow
Kazimir Hnatow
Kazimir Hnatow is a former French footballer of Ukrainian descent...
, Robert Charrier and Pascal Gastien
Pascal Gastien
Pascal Gastien is a French former professional footballer and now manager. He is currently in his second permanent, and third overall, spell as head coach of Championnat de France amateur side Chamois Niortais.-Personal life:...
have had more than one spell in charge of the club. The current manager is Pascal Gastien, who was given the job in 2009 after Denis Troch
Denis Troch
Denis Troch is a former French professional football player and now manager.Troch's last job in management was with Chamois Niortais, but he was sacked in June 2009 after the club were relegated to the Championnat de France amateur...
was sacked following the side's relegation from the Championnat National
Championnat National
The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
. Gastien, a former Chamois Niortais player, is currently in his third spell as manager. To date, the only manager to have coached the club in the top division of French football is Patrick Parizon
Patrick Parizon
Patrick Parizon is a football manager. He was fired from coaching SM Caen in June 2009.-References:*...
, during the 1987–88 season. The club's longest-serving manager was Ferdinand Faczinek
Ferdinand Faczinek
Ferdinand Faczinek was a footballer from Slovakia, who played internationally for Czechoslovakia .-External links:* *...
, who had a five-year tenure between 1943 and 1948.
Managerial history
| Name | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Franchina | 1929–19xx |
| Luc Pilard | 1940–1943 |
| Ferdinand Faczinek Ferdinand Faczinek Ferdinand Faczinek was a footballer from Slovakia, who played internationally for Czechoslovakia .-External links:* *... |
1943–1948 |
| Maurice Banide Maurice Banide Maurice Banide was a professional French football player and manager. He played as a midfielder and was part of the Racing Club Paris side that won the Division 1 and Coupe de France double in 1936, as well as winning the Coupe de France in 1939 and 1940.Between 1929 and 1936, Banide was awarded... |
1948–1949 |
| René Garnier | 1949–1950 |
| Nicolas Hibst Nicolas Hibst Nicolas Hibst was a French association football player and manager. During his career, he played in Division 1 and Division 2 with FC Metz and AS Saint-Étienne and was part of the Metz side which lost the 1938 Coupe de France final.... |
1950–1953 |
| Georges Hatz Georges Hatz Georges Hatz was a French football player and manager. He was born in Montgeron, France and died in 2007, aged 90, in Rochefort.... |
1953–1955 |
| Jean Léost | 1955–1957 |
| Nordine Ben Ali Nordine Ben Ali Nordine Ben Ali is an Algerian-French former association football player and manager. He played as a midfielder and was part of the Girondins ASP side that won the Coupe de France in 1941, as well as reaching the final of the Coupe de France in 1943. He was player-manager of Chamois Niortais for... |
1957–1960 |
| Henri Burda Henri Burda Henri Burda is a French-Polish former association football player and manager. He played in France for FC Metz and Limoges FC, and later coached Chamois Niortais and LB Châteauroux.-Managerial statistics:-External links:... |
1960–1963 |
| Kazimir Hnatow Kazimir Hnatow Kazimir Hnatow is a former French footballer of Ukrainian descent... |
1963–1966 |
| Maurice Cailleton | 1966–1967 |
| Jean-Claude Casties Jean-Claude Casties Jean-Claude Casties is a French former professional association football player and manager.-External links:* at footballdatabase.eu* at rsssf.com... |
1967–1969 |
| Raymond Abad Raymond Abad Raymond Abad is a former French football player and manager. He was born in Marrakech in Morocco.-Career:During his playing career, Abad played as a goalkeeper in the French Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 for Limoges and Grenoble.... |
1969–1971 |
| Jean-Claude Lavaux | 1971–1972 |
| Robert Charrier and Kazimir Hnatow Kazimir Hnatow Kazimir Hnatow is a former French footballer of Ukrainian descent... |
1972–1973 |
| Robert Charrier | 1973–1977 |
| Jean-Pierre Andres | 1977–1978 |
| Name | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Jean-Louis Memeteau | 1978–1982 |
| Gérard Proust | 1982–1984 |
| Patrick Parizon Patrick Parizon Patrick Parizon is a football manager. He was fired from coaching SM Caen in June 2009.-References:*... |
1984–1988 |
| Victor Zvunka Victor Zvunka Victor Zvunka is a French former football defender and football manager.-Honours:As a player*Coupe de France 1976 with Olympique de MarseilleAs a coach*Championnat National with LB Châteauroux in 1993–94... |
1988–1991 |
| Robert Buigues Robert Buigues Robert Buigues is a French former professional football player and manager.Whilst playing for Olympique de Marseille, Buigues started in the 1976 French Cup final and collected a winner's medal when Marseille defeated Olympique Lyonnais 2–0.Buigues' long career both as a player and a manager... |
1991–1995 |
| Albert Rust Albert Rust (footballer) Albert Rust is a former French footballer, who currently works as Goalkeeper coach by AS Saint-Étienne.-International career:He won one international cap for the French national team during the 1980s... |
1995–1999 |
| René Cédolin René Cédolin René Cédolin is a retired French footballer and football manager.-Career:Cédolin played as a defender, for SM Caen and Stade Rennais F.C., where he spent most of his career, winning the Coupe de France twice in 1965 and 1971.... and Pascal Gastien Pascal Gastien Pascal Gastien is a French former professional footballer and now manager. He is currently in his second permanent, and third overall, spell as head coach of Championnat de France amateur side Chamois Niortais.-Personal life:... (caretakers) |
1999 |
| Angel Marcos Ángel Marcos Ángel Marcos is an Argentine former football striker currently working in the staff of Niort.-Playing career:Marcos started his professional playing career in 1963 with Ferro Carril Oeste... |
1999–2001 |
| Philippe Hinschberger Philippe Hinschberger Philippe Hinschberger is a retired French football player who played with FC Metz.After retiring as a player Hinsberger has managed CS Louhans-Cuiseaux, Chamois Niortais and Le Havre; he has been manager of Laval since 2007.-References:... |
2001–2004 |
| Vincent Dufour Vincent Dufour Vincent Dufour is a former French football player who is now a manager.Despite having a very ordinary playing career, Dufour has managed former Belgian Jupiler League side K.S.K. Beveren as well as then French Ligue 2 outfit Chamois Niortais... |
2004–2005 |
| Pascal Gastien Pascal Gastien Pascal Gastien is a French former professional footballer and now manager. He is currently in his second permanent, and third overall, spell as head coach of Championnat de France amateur side Chamois Niortais.-Personal life:... |
2005 |
| Philippe Hinschberger Philippe Hinschberger Philippe Hinschberger is a retired French football player who played with FC Metz.After retiring as a player Hinsberger has managed CS Louhans-Cuiseaux, Chamois Niortais and Le Havre; he has been manager of Laval since 2007.-References:... |
2005–2007 |
| Faruk Hadžibegić | 2007 |
| Jacky Bonnevay Jacky Bonnevay Jacques "Jacky" Bonnevay is a French former footballer and coach. He is currently working as director of FC Nantes' youth academy and second team head coach.... |
2007–2008 |
| Samuel Michel Samuel Michel Samuel Michel is a former French professional football player and now manager.Michel played for a number of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs during his playing career and was manager of now Championnat de France amateur side Chamois Niortais for a five-month spell in 2008.-External links:* at... |
2008 |
| Denis Troch Denis Troch Denis Troch is a former French professional football player and now manager.Troch's last job in management was with Chamois Niortais, but he was sacked in June 2009 after the club were relegated to the Championnat de France amateur... |
2008–2009 |
| Pascal Gastien Pascal Gastien Pascal Gastien is a French former professional footballer and now manager. He is currently in his second permanent, and third overall, spell as head coach of Championnat de France amateur side Chamois Niortais.-Personal life:... |
2009– |
Current staff
- As of 18 November 2009.
Position Name Manager Pascal Gastien Pascal GastienPascal Gastien is a French former professional footballer and now manager. He is currently in his second permanent, and third overall, spell as head coach of Championnat de France amateur side Chamois Niortais.-Personal life:...Assistant manager Franck Azzopardi Franck AzzopardiFranck Azzopardi is a former professional footballer. He was a defensive midfielder and played his entire career for Chamois Niortais. Since retiring from playing, he has been a coach at Niort.-External links:...First team coach Karim Fradin Karim FradinKarim Fradin is a former French football midfielder who last played in the French Ligue 2 with Niort.His previous clubs also include OGC Nice, Stockport County and LB Châteauroux.-External links:...Reserve team coach Laurent Cadu Laurent CaduLaurent Cadu is a former professional footballer. He played as a defender and is currently the manager of the Niort youth team.-External links:* at chamoisfc79.fr...Youth team coach Mickaël Lauret Mickaël LauretMickaël Lauret is a retired professional footballer. He played as a defender.-External links:* at chamoisfc79.fr...Goalkeeping coach Pascal Landais Pascal LandaisPascal Landais is a goalkeeper currently playing for French CFA side Chamois Niortais. He re-signed for Niort on a free transfer on 15 June 2009. He made eight appearances in Ligue 2 between 1998 and 2003.-References:...Fitness coach Fabrice Fontaine Physiotherapist Éric Gontier Club doctor Emmanuel Zaccheo
Honours
| Honour | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Division 2 Ligue 2 Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division... vice-champions |
1986–87 |
| Division 3 Championnat National The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2... champions |
1984–85, 1991–92 |
| Championnat National Championnat National The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2... champions |
2005–06 |
| Championnat de France amateur Group C winners | 2009–10 |
| DH Centre-Ouest champions | 1945–46, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1959–60 |
| Coupe de la Ligue du Centre-Ouest winners | 1947, 1948, 1950, 1966, 1970, 1975, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2001 |
Club
- Biggest win: 9–0 (v. VellesFR VellesFR Velles is a French association football club based in the commune of Velles, Indre. They currently play in the Troisième Division d'Indre Group C, which is the 14th tier of the French football league system. In the 1997–98 season, the club reached the Seventh Round of the Coupe de France, but...
, Coupe de FranceCoupe de FranceThe Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
Seventh Round, November 1997) - Highest league finish: 18th, Division 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
(1987–88) - Record home attendance: 16,715 (v. MarseilleOlympique de MarseilleOlympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
– 24 October 1987)
Players
- Most league appearances: 435 – Franck AzzopardiFranck AzzopardiFranck Azzopardi is a former professional footballer. He was a defensive midfielder and played his entire career for Chamois Niortais. Since retiring from playing, he has been a coach at Niort.-External links:...
- Most league goals: 51 – Joël BossisJoël BossisJoël Bossis is a French former professional association footballer who played as a striker. During his career, he played for five different clubs, making almost 500 league appearances and scoring well over 100 goals...
- Most league goals in one season: 17 – Walquir MotaWalquir MotaWalquir Mota is a former professional footballer who played as a striker.-External links:* at chamoisfc79.fr...
(1995–96)