Croix de Savoie Gaillard
Encyclopedia
Evian Thonon Gaillard Football Club (evjɑ̃ tɔnɔ̃ ɡajaʁ; commonly referred to as Evian TG or simply Evian) is a French association football
club originally based in Gaillard
near the Swiss border and the city of Geneva
. In 2007, the club moved to Thonon-les-Bains
. Evian was founded in 2003 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1
, the first division of French football after earning promotion from Ligue 2
in the 2010–11 season
. The team is managed by Bernard Casoni
and captained by midfielder Cédric Barbosa
.
Evian was founded under the name Football Croix-de-Savoie 74 and have since gone under two other different mergers. The original incarnation of the club was known as FC Gaillard and existed from 1924–2003. Gaillard achieved minimal honours in its life only winning the Division d'Honneur of the Rhône-Alpes
region
in 1999. Evian have proved more successful ascending up to the professional divisions after just three seasons. The club won the Championnat de France amateur in 2008, the Championnat National
in the 2010
, and are the current champions
of Ligue 2
.
Evian formerly played its home matches at the Stade Joseph-Moynat
in the club's hometown, but moved to the Parc des Sports
in nearby Annecy
for the 2010–11 season
as the Joseph-Moynat did not meet the Ligue de Football Professionnel
's standards. The Parc des Sports will serve as a temporary stadium for the club, while the club contemplates building a new facility or renovating the Stade Joseph-Moynat. Prior to moving to its current facility, Evian sought to play at the Stade de Genève
in nearby Geneva.
Evian Thonon Gaillard Football Club was formed in 2003 under the name Football Croix-de-Savoie 74 as a result of a merger between FC Gaillard and FC Ville-la-Grand. Gaillard was founded in 1924 and spent most of its life playing in the Ligue Rhône-Alpes, while Ville-la-Grand was founded in 1928. The new club finished 3rd in the Championnat de France amateur (CFA) Groupe B section for the 2003–04 season. Normally, only the top club in each of the four amateur groups are promoted to the Championnat National
; however, both the 1st and 2nd placed clubs in the group were reserve sides of professional teams, namely Lyon
and Metz
. As such, Croix-de-Savoie was promoted. The club's first season in National saw them narrowly avoid relegation, finishing 14th out of 20, two points above relegated 17th place Besançon
. The 2005–06 season was less successful; Croix-de-Savoie finished 18th with 41 points, one point behind SO Châtellerault
, thus falling back to the fourth division. Croix-de-Savoie's average attendance also dropped from 933 to 716.
In 2007, the club underwent a further merger, this time with local team Olympique Thonon-Chablais; the club's name changed once again, with it becoming known as Olympique Croix-de-Savoie 74. Whilst the former club had been heavily associated with the commune
of Gaillard
, the new club moved to the nearby commune of Thonon-les-Bains
because the stadium in Gaillard was, in August 2005, deemed unfit for use in the National division. The decision resulted in club being forced to move to Stade Joseph-Moynat
in Thonon, a facility with 2,700 seats and a capacity of 6,000. The club returned to the Championnat National as the CFA Group B winners, for the 2008–09 season. In the summer of 2009, the president of the Groupe Danone
, Franck Riboud
, was made honorary president of the football club. Riboud yet again changed the name of the team to Evian
Thonon Gaillard Football Club. He also put money into the team in order to improve the youth system of the club and harbored aspirations of the side achieving promotion to Ligue 2
. On 16 April 2010, the club completed the feat in Riboud's first season presiding over the club achieving promotion to Ligue 2
, for the first time, following its 1–0 victory over Amiens
.
After earning promotion to Ligue 2
for the 2010–11 season, Evian were rumored to be pursuing a move to play its home matches at the Stade de la Praille
in Geneva
, Switzerland after it was determined that the club's current facility, the Stade Joseph-Moynat
, did not meet the Ligue de Football Professionnel
's (LFP) standards. Thonon-les-Bains
, the commune
where the club situates itself, is a few kilometers from the Swiss border and is only 34.6 kilometres (21.5 mi), a 45 minute car drive, from the city of Geneva. It was reported that the club's president, Patrick Trotignon, had been in the process of advocating for the move since the beginning of the 2009–10 Championnat National
season just in case the club had achieved promotion to the second division. The vice-president of Swiss club Servette FC
, who occupy the stadium, questioned the move citing possible schedule conflicts, as well as the health of the pitch if both clubs were to use the stadium on a weekly basis. However, his claims were refuted by Benoît Genecand, who serves as president of Fondation du Stade de Genève (FSG), which owns and operates the facility. The club responded immediately to Genecand's comments via a press release posted on the club's official website. Evian petitioned to the State Council of Geneva and obtained approval from the LFP for the move in early May. On 20 May 2010, Evian received a favorable ruling from the French Football Federation
(FFF) with the Federal Council voting in favor of the move. According to the federation, the move now had to be agreed upon by a UEFA
executive committee, which is composed of seventeen officials. On 8 June, UEFA officially denied Evian's request to play at the Stade de la Praille meaning the club will likely play its home matches at the Parc des Sports
in nearby Annecy
.
On 9 January 2011, Evian recorded an upset victory over the defending French champions
Marseille
in the Coupe de France
. The team defeated the Ligue 1 club 3–1 in the Round of 64. Strong form throughout the season saw Evian secure a second successive promotion as champions
of Ligue 2
.
Coaching and medical staff
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 originally based in Gaillard
Gaillard
Gaillard is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.Gaillard is close to Geneva on the Swiss border. The biggest border crossing is called Moillesulaz and the second one is Fossard.-External links:*...
near the Swiss border and the city of Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
. In 2007, the club moved to Thonon-les-Bains
Thonon-les-Bains
Thonon-les-Bains is a town in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-History:...
. Evian was founded in 2003 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 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....
, the first division of French football after earning promotion from 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...
in the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Ligue 2
The 2010–11 Ligue 2 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Caen were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 22 May 2010 and the season began on 6 August and ended on 27 May 2011. The winter break will be in effect between 22 December and 14 January 2011...
. The team is managed by Bernard Casoni
Bernard Casoni
Bernard Casoni is a football manager, currently managing Evian Thonon Gaillard FC. In his playing career he played for Olympique Marseille and France at Euro 1992....
and captained by midfielder Cédric Barbosa
Cédric Barbosa
Cédric Barbosa is a French professional football player, currently playing with Évian Thonon Gaillard FC.- Career :Barbosa is a midfielder and lists Olympique Alès, Montpellier SC and Stade Rennais as his former clubs...
.
Evian was founded under the name Football Croix-de-Savoie 74 and have since gone under two other different mergers. The original incarnation of the club was known as FC Gaillard and existed from 1924–2003. Gaillard achieved minimal honours in its life only winning the Division d'Honneur of the Rhône-Alpes
Rhône-Alpes
Rhône-Alpes is one of the 27 regions of France, located on the eastern border of the country, towards the south. The region was named after the Rhône River and the Alps mountain range. Its capital, Lyon, is the second-largest metropolitan area in France after Paris...
region
Régions of France
France is divided into 27 administrative regions , 22 of which are in Metropolitan France, and five of which are overseas. Corsica is a territorial collectivity , but is considered a region in mainstream usage, and is even shown as such on the INSEE website...
in 1999. Evian have proved more successful ascending up to the professional divisions after just three seasons. The club won the Championnat de France amateur in 2008, 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 the 2010
2009–10 Championnat National
The 2009–10 Championnat National was the 17th edition of the 3rd division league. Play commenced on 7 August 2009 and ended on 21 May 2010.-Promotion and relegation:Teams relegated from Ligue 2 2008–09* 18th Place: Amiens* 19th Place: Reims...
, and are the current champions
2010–11 Ligue 2
The 2010–11 Ligue 2 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Caen were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 22 May 2010 and the season began on 6 August and ended on 27 May 2011. The winter break will be in effect between 22 December and 14 January 2011...
of 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...
.
Evian formerly played its home matches at the Stade Joseph-Moynat
Stade Joseph-Moynat
Stade Joseph-Moynat is a multi-use stadium in Thonon-les-Bains, France. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Croix de Savoie Gaillard. The stadium is able to hold 6,000 people....
in the club's hometown, but moved to the Parc des Sports
Parc des Sports
Parc des Sports is a multi-use stadium in Annecy, France. It is used by Annecy F.C. for their home matches. The capacity of the stadium is 15,660 spectators. It also hosted the 1998 World Junior Championships in Athletics....
in nearby Annecy
Annecy
Annecy is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.It lies on the northern tip of Lake Annecy , 35 kilometres south of Geneva.-Administration:...
for the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Ligue 2
The 2010–11 Ligue 2 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Caen were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 22 May 2010 and the season began on 6 August and ended on 27 May 2011. The winter break will be in effect between 22 December and 14 January 2011...
as the Joseph-Moynat did not meet the Ligue de Football Professionnel
Ligue de Football Professionnel
The Ligue de Football Professionnel , commonly known as the LFP, is a French governing body that runs the major professional football leagues in France. It was founded in 1944 and serves under the authority of the French Football Federation...
's standards. The Parc des Sports will serve as a temporary stadium for the club, while the club contemplates building a new facility or renovating the Stade Joseph-Moynat. Prior to moving to its current facility, Evian sought to play at the Stade de Genève
Stade de Genève
Stade de Genève is a stadium in the greater Geneva, Switzerland area . It has a capacity of 30,084.-Overview:The stadium was completed in 2003 by Zschokke Construction S.A. after nearly three years of construction...
in nearby Geneva.
History
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...
; however, both the 1st and 2nd placed clubs in the group were reserve sides of professional teams, namely Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
and Metz
FC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
. As such, Croix-de-Savoie was promoted. The club's first season in National saw them narrowly avoid relegation, finishing 14th out of 20, two points above relegated 17th place Besançon
Besançon RC
Besançon Racing Club is a French football club based in Besançon. It was founded in 1904-1905. They play at the Stade Léo Lagrange.- Current squad :As of September 2011.- Coaching staff :...
. The 2005–06 season was less successful; Croix-de-Savoie finished 18th with 41 points, one point behind SO Châtellerault
SO Châtellerault
Stade Olympique Châtellerault is a French association football team founded in 1914. They are based in Châtellerault, Poitou-Charentes, France and are currently playing in the Championnat de France amateur 2, Groupe G...
, thus falling back to the fourth division. Croix-de-Savoie's average attendance also dropped from 933 to 716.
In 2007, the club underwent a further merger, this time with local team Olympique Thonon-Chablais; the club's name changed once again, with it becoming known as Olympique Croix-de-Savoie 74. Whilst the former club had been heavily associated with 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 Gaillard
Gaillard
Gaillard is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.Gaillard is close to Geneva on the Swiss border. The biggest border crossing is called Moillesulaz and the second one is Fossard.-External links:*...
, the new club moved to the nearby commune of Thonon-les-Bains
Thonon-les-Bains
Thonon-les-Bains is a town in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-History:...
because the stadium in Gaillard was, in August 2005, deemed unfit for use in the National division. The decision resulted in club being forced to move to Stade Joseph-Moynat
Stade Joseph-Moynat
Stade Joseph-Moynat is a multi-use stadium in Thonon-les-Bains, France. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Croix de Savoie Gaillard. The stadium is able to hold 6,000 people....
in Thonon, a facility with 2,700 seats and a capacity of 6,000. The club returned to the Championnat National as the CFA Group B winners, for the 2008–09 season. In the summer of 2009, the president of the Groupe Danone
Groupe Danone
Groupe Danone is a French food-products multinational corporation based in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. It claims world leadership in fresh dairy products, marketed under the corporate name, and also in bottled water...
, Franck Riboud
Franck Riboud
Franck Riboud born 7 December 1955 in Lyon, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Danone. He is the son of Antoine Riboud, the previous CEO, who transformed the former European glassmaker BSN Group into a leading player in the food industry....
, was made honorary president of the football club. Riboud yet again changed the name of the team to Evian
Evian
Evian is a French brand of mineral water coming from several sources near Évian-les-Bains, on the south shore of Lake Geneva.Today, Evian is owned by Danone Group, a French multinational company...
Thonon Gaillard Football Club. He also put money into the team in order to improve the youth system of the club and harbored aspirations of the side achieving promotion to 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...
. On 16 April 2010, the club completed the feat in Riboud's first season presiding over the club achieving promotion to 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...
, for the first time, following its 1–0 victory over Amiens
Amiens SC
Amiens Sporting Club is a French association football club based in Amiens. The club was formed in 1901 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. The club plays its home matches at the Stade de la Licorne located within the city...
.
After earning promotion to 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...
for the 2010–11 season, Evian were rumored to be pursuing a move to play its home matches at the Stade de la Praille
Stade de Genève
Stade de Genève is a stadium in the greater Geneva, Switzerland area . It has a capacity of 30,084.-Overview:The stadium was completed in 2003 by Zschokke Construction S.A. after nearly three years of construction...
in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland after it was determined that the club's current facility, the Stade Joseph-Moynat
Stade Joseph-Moynat
Stade Joseph-Moynat is a multi-use stadium in Thonon-les-Bains, France. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Croix de Savoie Gaillard. The stadium is able to hold 6,000 people....
, did not meet the Ligue de Football Professionnel
Ligue de Football Professionnel
The Ligue de Football Professionnel , commonly known as the LFP, is a French governing body that runs the major professional football leagues in France. It was founded in 1944 and serves under the authority of the French Football Federation...
's (LFP) standards. Thonon-les-Bains
Thonon-les-Bains
Thonon-les-Bains is a town in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-History:...
, 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...
where the club situates itself, is a few kilometers from the Swiss border and is only 34.6 kilometres (21.5 mi), a 45 minute car drive, from the city of Geneva. It was reported that the club's president, Patrick Trotignon, had been in the process of advocating for the move since the beginning of the 2009–10 Championnat National
2009–10 Championnat National
The 2009–10 Championnat National was the 17th edition of the 3rd division league. Play commenced on 7 August 2009 and ended on 21 May 2010.-Promotion and relegation:Teams relegated from Ligue 2 2008–09* 18th Place: Amiens* 19th Place: Reims...
season just in case the club had achieved promotion to the second division. The vice-president of Swiss club Servette FC
Servette FC
Servette FC is a Swiss football club, based in Geneva currently playing in the Swiss Super League. They were playing in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football having been relegated from the Swiss Super League at the end of 2004/05 season...
, who occupy the stadium, questioned the move citing possible schedule conflicts, as well as the health of the pitch if both clubs were to use the stadium on a weekly basis. However, his claims were refuted by Benoît Genecand, who serves as president of Fondation du Stade de Genève (FSG), which owns and operates the facility. The club responded immediately to Genecand's comments via a press release posted on the club's official website. Evian petitioned to the State Council of Geneva and obtained approval from the LFP for the move in early May. On 20 May 2010, Evian received a favorable ruling from the French Football Federation
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
(FFF) with the Federal Council voting in favor of the move. According to the federation, the move now had to be agreed upon by a UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
executive committee, which is composed of seventeen officials. On 8 June, UEFA officially denied Evian's request to play at the Stade de la Praille meaning the club will likely play its home matches at the Parc des Sports
Parc des Sports
Parc des Sports is a multi-use stadium in Annecy, France. It is used by Annecy F.C. for their home matches. The capacity of the stadium is 15,660 spectators. It also hosted the 1998 World Junior Championships in Athletics....
in nearby Annecy
Annecy
Annecy is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.It lies on the northern tip of Lake Annecy , 35 kilometres south of Geneva.-Administration:...
.
On 9 January 2011, Evian recorded an upset victory over the defending French champions
2009–10 Ligue 1
The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...
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...
in the Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The 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...
. The team defeated the Ligue 1 club 3–1 in the Round of 64. Strong form throughout the season saw Evian secure a second successive promotion as champions
2010–11 Ligue 2
The 2010–11 Ligue 2 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Caen were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 22 May 2010 and the season began on 6 August and ended on 27 May 2011. The winter break will be in effect between 22 December and 14 January 2011...
of 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...
.
Current squad
Former players
For a list of former and current Evian players, see :Category:Evian Thonon Gaillard FC players.Club officials
Senior club staff- President: Patrick Trotignon
- Honorary President: Franck RiboudFranck RiboudFranck Riboud born 7 December 1955 in Lyon, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Danone. He is the son of Antoine Riboud, the previous CEO, who transformed the former European glassmaker BSN Group into a leading player in the food industry....
- Board of Directors: Esfandiar Bakhtiar, Jacques Bungert, Christophe Chenut, Jo Dupraz, Pierre Fillon, Patrick Fournier, Richard Tumbach
- Association President: Alain Gay
- Association Vice-President: Jean-Louis Escoffier, Marco Berguglia
- Treasurer: Murielle Biglione
- Secretary: Philippe Lefevre
- Assistant Secretary: Patrick Lepart
Coaching and medical staff
- Sporting Director: Pascal Dupraz
- Manager: Bernard CasoniBernard CasoniBernard Casoni is a football manager, currently managing Evian Thonon Gaillard FC. In his playing career he played for Olympique Marseille and France at Euro 1992....
- Assistant Manager: Stéphane Bernard
- Goalkeeping Coach: Jean-Yves Hours
- Reserve team coach: Ronan Salaün
- Fitness Coach: Rodolphe Duvernet
- Kinesiotherapy: Nicolas Le Coroller, Jean-Paul Meynet Gauthier, Dominique Vellut
- Doctor: Louis Koosilinin, André Prunier
- General Intendant: Michaël Chassan
Honours
- Ligue 2Ligue 2Ligue 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...
- Champions (1): 2010–112010–11 Ligue 2The 2010–11 Ligue 2 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Caen were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 22 May 2010 and the season began on 6 August and ended on 27 May 2011. The winter break will be in effect between 22 December and 14 January 2011...
- Champions (1): 2010–11
- Championnat NationalChampionnat NationalThe 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 (1): 2009–102009–10 Championnat NationalThe 2009–10 Championnat National was the 17th edition of the 3rd division league. Play commenced on 7 August 2009 and ended on 21 May 2010.-Promotion and relegation:Teams relegated from Ligue 2 2008–09* 18th Place: Amiens* 19th Place: Reims...
- Champions (1): 2009–10
- Championnat de France amateur
- Champions (1): 2007–08