Valenciennes FC
Encyclopedia
Valenciennes Football Club (valɑ̃sjɛn; commonly known as Valenciennes or USVA) is a French association football
club based in Valenciennes
. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1
, the top level of French football
. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city. The team is managed by former football player Daniel Sanchez
and captained by defender
Rudy Mater
, who was born in the city and joined the club in 2002.
Valenciennes was founded under the name Union Sportive de Valenciennes Anzin (USVA). The club spent over 80 years playing under the name before switching to its current name. Valenciennes has spent an equal amount of time playing in Ligue 1
and Ligue 2
having played 40 seasons in the first division and 36 seasons in the second division. The club has never won the first division, but has won Ligue 2 on two occasions. Valenciennes has also won the Championnat National
and the Championnat de France amateur in 2005 and 1998, respectively. In 1951, the club made its first and only appearance in a Coupe de France
final. Valenciennes kit sponsor is Nike
.
From 2004–2011, Valenciennes was presided over by Francis Decourrière, a former politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament
under the Social Democratic Party from 1994–1999 and later the Union pour la Démocratie Française
(Union for French Democracy) from 1999–2004. In 2011, Decourrière left the position and was replaced by Jean-Raymond Legrand.
of the French Football Federation
voted 128–20 in support of professionalism in French football. Valenciennes, under the leadership of president M. Le Mithouard, achieved professionalism in 1933 and were inserted into the second division
. The club, subsequently, became founding members of the second division of French football.
In the second division's inaugural season, Valenciennes finished in 7th place in its group. In the following season, the league table was converted into a single table and Valenciennes finished in 2nd place position earning promotion to Division 1
as a result. During this period, the club was notably led by foreign players such as Englishmen
Peter O'Dowd
and George Gibson and the German-born attackers Édouard Waggi and Ignace Kowalczyk
. In the club's first season in Division 1, Valenciennes finished 15th place falling back to Division 2. The club finished equal on points with Red Star Olympique, but due to having less wins and a lesser goal difference, Valenciennes were relegated. After suffering relegation, the club brought in a new president known by the surname of Turbot. Soon after arriving, Turbot released several of the club's international players and brought in the likes of Ernest Libérati
to replace them. The transition was a success with the club earning promotion back to Division 1 in 1937. However, Valenciennes stint back in Division 1 was the equivalent of its first. The club finished in last place in the 1937–38 season and relegated back to Division 2. Due to World War II, Valenciennes reverted back to amateur status and spent three of the six seasons in wartime playing amateur league football.
After the war, Valenciennes turned professional again and were back in the second division. The club spent a decade in Division 2 before earning promotion the top-flight ahead of the 1956–57 season. Under manager Charles Demeillez, in 1951, Valenciennes reached the final of the Coupe de France
. In the final, the club faced Strasbourg
and were humbled 3–0 at the Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir
in the Colombes
. In the club's return to Division 1, Valenciennes finished in the latter part of the table for three consecutive seasons. In 1959, Valenciennes reached the final of the Coupe Drago, but were defeated 3–2 in extra time by Lens
at the Parc des Princes
. In the 1959–60 season, Valenciennes achieved its best finish in Division 1 after finishing 8th in the table. However, manager Robert Domergue
was unable to keep the consistency as Valenciennes finished 19th in the following season. Valenciennes, now being led by youngsters Bolec Kocik and Serge Masnaghetti
, achieved promotion back to Division 1 after one season and spent the next nine years playing in Division 1. During the stint, Domergue led to club to its highest finish ever in the first division when the club finished 3rd in back-to-back seasons in 1965 and 1966. After the 1966 season, Domergue departed the club and he was replaced by Gaby Robert. Neither Robert or his successor Louis Provelli could match the consistency of Domergue and he returned to the club in 1970. In the club's first season back, Domergue led the club to relegation in 1971, got the club promoted back to the first division in 1972, and coached the club to relegation again in 1973. He departed after the season and was replaced by Jean-Pierre Destrumelle
.
After spending the early 1970s hovering between top flight and the second division, Destrumelle led the club back to Division 1 for the 1975–76 season. The manager had vast majority of talent in the club, most notably Bruno Metsu
, Bruno Zaremba, Dominique Dropsy
, and Didier Six
and kept the club in the first division for his entire campaign, however, after finishing in 18th place in 1979, Dustremelle was fired and replaced by the combination of Erwin Wilczek
and Bolek Tomowski. Under the duo, Valenciennes lasted in Division 1 until the 1983 season. The club, subsequently, spent the next decade playing in Division 2 under five different managers, which led supporters to slowly become disassociated with the club.
From 1988–1991, Valenciennes improved significantly under manager Georges Peyroche
. Peyroche left the club in 1991 and Francis Smerecki was named as his replacement. In Smerecki's first season, he led the club back to Division 1. In the club's first season back, Valenciennes were involved in a bribing scandal that effectively dismantled the club for the next decade. The scandal, which involved Marseille midfielder
Jean-Jacques Eydelie
and the club's general manager under the advisement of club chairman Bernard Tapie
bribing Valenciennes players Christophe Robert
, Jacques Glassmann
, and Jorge Burruchaga
, became headline news mainly due to Marseille being the most popular club in the country. It was asserted that the bribe was made in order for Valenciennes players to "take it easy" on Marseille players with the latter club having to play in the 1993 UEFA Champions League Final
against Italian
club Milan
just days later. Marseille beat Valenciennes 1–0 and went on to defeat Milan to become the first French club to win the European competition. After the plot was discovered, Robert admitted to accepting the bribe, Burruchaga admitted to initially agreeing to it, but later changing his mind, while Glassmann said he never agreed to the deal. The subsequent reports of the scandal completely tarnished the Valenciennes's image and several players departed the club amid embarrassment and speculation that they were also involved in the plot. With the club now playing in Ligue 2
, Valenciennes was unable to cope with the damage instilled on it due to the scandal and finished dead last in the league, thus falling to the third division for the first time in the club's lifetime. Two seasons later, the club was relegated to the fourth division due to financial problems. Ahead of the 1996–97 season, the club dropped to amateur status after filing for bankruptcy.
On 1 April 1996, the club was renamed Valenciennes Football Club and finished in fifth place in its inaugural campaign under the name. In the following season, the fourth division was renamed to the Championnat de France amateur and Valenciennes became inaugural champions of the league. Over the next seven seasons, Valenciennes played in the Championnat National
, excluding one season back in the CFA. In the 2004–05 season, the club won National and returned to the second division, now called Ligue 2. Surprisingly, after one season, Valenciennes earned promotion back to the first division, now called Ligue 1, under the leadership of Antoine Kombouaré
.
and international competition since the club's foundation in 1913. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 100 official matches for the club.
For a complete list of Valenciennes players, see :Category:Valenciennes FC players.
Johan Audel
Joseph Bonnel
Jean-Claude Bras
Bernard Chiarelli
Dominique Corroyer Léon Desmenez Laurent Dufresne
Jacky Duguépéroux
Jérôme Foulon
Jacques Glassmann
Wilfried Gohel Jean-Pierre Guinot Bolec Kocik Hocine Lachaab Thierry Laurey
Joseph Magiera
Serge Masnaghetti
Rudy Mater
Bruno Metsu
Nicolas Penneteau
Jean-Claude Piumi
Louis Provelli Grégory Pujol
Steve Savidan
Didier Six
Bruno Zaremba José Saez
Nourredine Kourichi Wolfgang Matzky Éric Chelle
Milan Biševac
David Régis
Senior club staff
Coaching and medical staff
Youth coaching 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 based in Valenciennes
Valenciennes
Valenciennes is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It lies on the Scheldt river. Although the city and region had seen a steady decline between 1975 and 1990, it has since rebounded...
. The club was founded in 1913 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 top level of French football
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...
. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city. The team is managed by former football player Daniel Sanchez
Daniel Sanchez (French footballer)
Daniel Sanchez is a French former football striker currently managing Ligue 1 team Valenciennes.-References:* *...
and captained by defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
Rudy Mater
Rudy Mater
Rudy Mater is a French football defender currently playing for Valenciennes FC in the French Ligue 1.-External links:*...
, who was born in the city and joined the club in 2002.
Valenciennes was founded under the name Union Sportive de Valenciennes Anzin (USVA). The club spent over 80 years playing under the name before switching to its current name. Valenciennes has spent an equal amount of time playing 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....
and 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...
having played 40 seasons in the first division and 36 seasons in the second division. The club has never won the first division, but has won Ligue 2 on two occasions. Valenciennes has also won 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...
and the Championnat de France amateur in 2005 and 1998, respectively. In 1951, the club made its first and only appearance in a 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...
final. Valenciennes kit sponsor is Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
.
From 2004–2011, Valenciennes was presided over by Francis Decourrière, a former politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
under the Social Democratic Party from 1994–1999 and later the Union pour la Démocratie Française
Union for French Democracy
The Union for French Democracy was a French centrist political party. It was founded in 1978 as an electoral alliance to support President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in order to counterbalance the Gaullist preponderance over the right. This name was chosen due to the title of Giscard d'Estaing's...
(Union for French Democracy) from 1999–2004. In 2011, Decourrière left the position and was replaced by Jean-Raymond Legrand.
History
Valenciennes Football Club was founded in 1913 by a group of young men known by surnames Colson, Joly, and Bouly. Due to the club having limited resources and its formation coinciding with the onset of World War I, Valenciennes sought a consolidation between locals clubs in the city. The merger was completed in 1916 with the club changing its name to Union Sportive de Valenciennes Anzin (USVA) in the process. Following the merger, the new club spent the ensuing 15 years playing the District de l’Escaut Championship. In July 1930, the National CouncilNational Council
-Conservation:* National Council for Science and the Environment, a US-based non-profit organization which has a mission to improve the scientific basis for environmental decisionmaking...
of 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...
voted 128–20 in support of professionalism in French football. Valenciennes, under the leadership of president M. Le Mithouard, achieved professionalism in 1933 and were inserted into the second division
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...
. The club, subsequently, became founding members of the second division of French football.
In the second division's inaugural season, Valenciennes finished in 7th place in its group. In the following season, the league table was converted into a single table and Valenciennes finished in 2nd place position earning promotion to 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....
as a result. During this period, the club was notably led by foreign players such as Englishmen
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Peter O'Dowd
Peter O'Dowd
James Peter O'Dowd was an English professional footballer who played as a central defender. He won three caps for the England national football team.-References:...
and George Gibson and the German-born attackers Édouard Waggi and Ignace Kowalczyk
Ignace Kowalczyk
Ignatz Kowalczyk was a German-French footballer. Born in Castrop, he is of Polish descent.-External links:* *...
. In the club's first season in Division 1, Valenciennes finished 15th place falling back to Division 2. The club finished equal on points with Red Star Olympique, but due to having less wins and a lesser goal difference, Valenciennes were relegated. After suffering relegation, the club brought in a new president known by the surname of Turbot. Soon after arriving, Turbot released several of the club's international players and brought in the likes of Ernest Libérati
Ernest Libérati
Ernest Liberati was a French football forward. He was part of the France national football team at the FIFA World Cup 1930.-References:**...
to replace them. The transition was a success with the club earning promotion back to Division 1 in 1937. However, Valenciennes stint back in Division 1 was the equivalent of its first. The club finished in last place in the 1937–38 season and relegated back to Division 2. Due to World War II, Valenciennes reverted back to amateur status and spent three of the six seasons in wartime playing amateur league football.
After the war, Valenciennes turned professional again and were back in the second division. The club spent a decade in Division 2 before earning promotion the top-flight ahead of the 1956–57 season. Under manager Charles Demeillez, in 1951, Valenciennes reached the final of 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...
. In the final, the club faced Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
and were humbled 3–0 at the Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir
Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir
The Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir - stadium in Colombes, near Paris, France . Named in memory of French rugby player Yves du Manoir in 1928. Was the main stadium for the 1924 Summer Olympics and had a capacity of 45,000 at the time...
in the Colombes
Colombes
Colombes is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-History:On 13 March 1896, 17% of the territory of Colombes was detached and became the commune of Bois-Colombes ....
. In the club's return to Division 1, Valenciennes finished in the latter part of the table for three consecutive seasons. In 1959, Valenciennes reached the final of the Coupe Drago, but were defeated 3–2 in extra time by 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...
at the Parc des Princes
Parc des Princes
The Parc des Princes is an all-seater football stadium located in the southwest of Paris, France. The venue, with a seating capacity of 48,712 spectators, has been the home of French football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. The current Parc des Princes was inaugurated on 4 June 1972, endowed...
. In the 1959–60 season, Valenciennes achieved its best finish in Division 1 after finishing 8th in the table. However, manager Robert Domergue
Robert Domergue
Robert Domergue is a former French football player and manager.He played for his hometown club Cannes.He most notably coached Alès, Valenciennes, France , Marseille, ES Tunis, Monaco, Strasbourg, Cannes and Dunkerque.-External links and references:**...
was unable to keep the consistency as Valenciennes finished 19th in the following season. Valenciennes, now being led by youngsters Bolec Kocik and Serge Masnaghetti
Serge Masnaghetti
Serge Masnaghetti is a French former professional football player.-External links:**...
, achieved promotion back to Division 1 after one season and spent the next nine years playing in Division 1. During the stint, Domergue led to club to its highest finish ever in the first division when the club finished 3rd in back-to-back seasons in 1965 and 1966. After the 1966 season, Domergue departed the club and he was replaced by Gaby Robert. Neither Robert or his successor Louis Provelli could match the consistency of Domergue and he returned to the club in 1970. In the club's first season back, Domergue led the club to relegation in 1971, got the club promoted back to the first division in 1972, and coached the club to relegation again in 1973. He departed after the season and was replaced by Jean-Pierre Destrumelle
Jean-Pierre Destrumelle
Jean-Pierre Destrumelle was a French football player who played for Rouen, Marseille and Paris SG.Destrumelle also enjoyed a career as a manager with Valenciennes, Bastia, Lyon, Béziers and Orléans.-External links:*...
.
After spending the early 1970s hovering between top flight and the second division, Destrumelle led the club back to Division 1 for the 1975–76 season. The manager had vast majority of talent in the club, most notably Bruno Metsu
Bruno Metsu
Bruno Metsu , also known as Abdul Karim, is a retired French footballer and is the current manager of Qatari side Al-Gharafa...
, Bruno Zaremba, Dominique Dropsy
Dominique Dropsy
Dominique Dropsy is a former French footballer who played goalkeeper, and who earned seventeen international caps for the French national team during the late 1970s, early 1980s. A player of RC Strasbourg , he was a member of the French team in the 1978 FIFA World Cup.-References:...
, and Didier Six
Didier Six
Didier Six is a former French international footballer. He played as a winger and he earned 52 caps and scored 13 goals for the France national football team. He played in the 1978 FIFA World Cup and the 1982 FIFA World Cup, and was also part of the winning team at Euro 84...
and kept the club in the first division for his entire campaign, however, after finishing in 18th place in 1979, Dustremelle was fired and replaced by the combination of Erwin Wilczek
Erwin Wilczek
Erwin Wilczek , is a retired Polish soccer player, who is most famous for his 1960s performances in both Górnik Zabrze and the Polish National Team....
and Bolek Tomowski. Under the duo, Valenciennes lasted in Division 1 until the 1983 season. The club, subsequently, spent the next decade playing in Division 2 under five different managers, which led supporters to slowly become disassociated with the club.
From 1988–1991, Valenciennes improved significantly under manager Georges Peyroche
Georges Peyroche
Georges Peyroche is a French football player and manager.-References:***...
. Peyroche left the club in 1991 and Francis Smerecki was named as his replacement. In Smerecki's first season, he led the club back to Division 1. In the club's first season back, Valenciennes were involved in a bribing scandal that effectively dismantled the club for the next decade. The scandal, which involved Marseille midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
Jean-Jacques Eydelie
Jean-Jacques Eydelie
Jean-Jacques Eydelie is a French former footballer most noted for his role in the Marseille match-fixing scandal of 1993. A midfielder, Eydelie began his career with Nantes, before joining Marseille in 1992...
and the club's general manager under the advisement of club chairman Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie is a French businessman, politician and occasional actor, singer, and TV host. He was Ministre de la Ville in the government of Pierre Bérégovoy, a businessman specializing in recovery for bankrupted companies, among which Adidas is the most famous ; and owner of sports teams...
bribing Valenciennes players Christophe Robert
Christophe Robert
Christophe Robert is a former footballer from France.He is famous for having been involved in the bribery scandal involving Olympique de Marseille and his team US Valenciennes...
, Jacques Glassmann
Jacques Glassmann
Jacques Glassmann is a former footballer from France.He is famous for having revealed the bribery scandal involving Olympique de Marseille and his team US Valenciennes...
, and Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Burruchaga
Jorge Luis Burruchaga is a former Argentine professional football player, and last manager of Arsenal de Sarandí in the Primera División Argentina...
, became headline news mainly due to Marseille being the most popular club in the country. It was asserted that the bribe was made in order for Valenciennes players to "take it easy" on Marseille players with the latter club having to play in the 1993 UEFA Champions League Final
1993 UEFA Champions League Final
The 1993 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match between French club Marseille and Italian club Milan, played on 26 May 1993 at the Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany....
against Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
club Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
just days later. Marseille beat Valenciennes 1–0 and went on to defeat Milan to become the first French club to win the European competition. After the plot was discovered, Robert admitted to accepting the bribe, Burruchaga admitted to initially agreeing to it, but later changing his mind, while Glassmann said he never agreed to the deal. The subsequent reports of the scandal completely tarnished the Valenciennes's image and several players departed the club amid embarrassment and speculation that they were also involved in the plot. With the club now playing 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...
, Valenciennes was unable to cope with the damage instilled on it due to the scandal and finished dead last in the league, thus falling to the third division for the first time in the club's lifetime. Two seasons later, the club was relegated to the fourth division due to financial problems. Ahead of the 1996–97 season, the club dropped to amateur status after filing for bankruptcy.
On 1 April 1996, the club was renamed Valenciennes Football Club and finished in fifth place in its inaugural campaign under the name. In the following season, the fourth division was renamed to the Championnat de France amateur and Valenciennes became inaugural champions of the league. Over the next seven seasons, Valenciennes played 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...
, excluding one season back in the CFA. In the 2004–05 season, the club won National and returned to the second division, now called Ligue 2. Surprisingly, after one season, Valenciennes earned promotion back to the first division, now called Ligue 1, under the leadership of Antoine Kombouaré
Antoine Kombouaré
Antoine Kombouaré is a manager of football Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain and a former professional football defender.-Early life and career:...
.
Current squad
As of 17 August 2011Reserve squad
As of 12 January 2011Notable players
Below are the notable former players who have represented Valenciennes in leagueLigue 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....
and international competition since the club's foundation in 1913. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 100 official matches for the club.
For a complete list of Valenciennes players, see :Category:Valenciennes FC players.
Johan Audel
Johan Audel
Johan Audel is a French football winger currently playing for VfB Stuttgart in the German Bundesliga.He began his career in the youth academy of south coast club OGC Nice before moving to French rivals Lille for the 2004–05 season. He stayed with the team for his first season with the club, before...
Joseph Bonnel
Joseph Bonnel
Joseph Bonnel Joseph Bonnel Joseph Bonnel (born 4 January 1939 is a French former football midfielder.He was part of France in the FIFA World Cup 1966. He scored 3 goals during the 1966 season.-Titles:*French Championship in 1971, 1972 with Olympique Marseille...
Jean-Claude Bras
Jean-Claude Bras
Jean-Claude Bras is a former professional French football player.-External links:****...
Bernard Chiarelli
Bernard Chiarelli
Bernard Chiarelli , is a former French footballer who played $2 mifielder.-Honours:*1958 FIFA World Cup third place with France-External links:*...
Dominique Corroyer Léon Desmenez Laurent Dufresne
Laurent Dufresne
Laurent Dufresne is a French footballer. He is the former team captain of Valenciennes FC Laurent Dufresne is a French footballer. He is the former team captain of Valenciennes FC Laurent Dufresne is a French footballer. He is the former team captain of Valenciennes FC (the title was passed on to...
Jacky Duguépéroux
Jacky Duguépéroux
Jacky Duguépéroux is a former French football player. He previously served as manager of Tunisian side Espérance.-As a player:*Division 1 1979 -AS a coach:...
Jérôme Foulon
Jérôme Foulon
Jérôme Foulon is a former professional footballer, who last played for Championnat de France amateur 2 side AC Cambrai. He played as a right-back.-External links:* at chamoisfc79.fr...
Jacques Glassmann
Jacques Glassmann
Jacques Glassmann is a former footballer from France.He is famous for having revealed the bribery scandal involving Olympique de Marseille and his team US Valenciennes...
Wilfried Gohel Jean-Pierre Guinot Bolec Kocik Hocine Lachaab Thierry Laurey
Thierry Laurey
Thierry Laurey is a retired French professional football defender and manager. He is currently without a club....
Joseph Magiera
Serge Masnaghetti
Serge Masnaghetti
Serge Masnaghetti is a French former professional football player.-External links:**...
Rudy Mater
Rudy Mater
Rudy Mater is a French football defender currently playing for Valenciennes FC in the French Ligue 1.-External links:*...
Bruno Metsu
Bruno Metsu
Bruno Metsu , also known as Abdul Karim, is a retired French footballer and is the current manager of Qatari side Al-Gharafa...
Nicolas Penneteau
Nicolas Penneteau
Nicolas Penneteau is a French football goalkeeper currently playing for Valenciennes FC in the French Ligue 1.He joined the Corsican football team to play with them in the Corsica Cup 2010.-External links:*...
Jean-Claude Piumi
Jean-Claude Piumi
Jean-Claude Piumi was a French former football defender.-References:***...
Louis Provelli Grégory Pujol
Grégory Pujol
Grégory Pujol is a French footballer who plays for Valenciennes, as a striker.-Career:Pujol's previous clubs are FC Nantes, R.S.C. Anderlecht and CS Sedan...
Steve Savidan
Steve Savidan
Steve Savidan is a retired French footballer who played as a striker.A late bloomer, he played for seven different clubs, mostly in the country's second and third divisions. At the age of 30, he reached the French national team for his sole cap.-Club career:Savidan's first year of professional...
Didier Six
Didier Six
Didier Six is a former French international footballer. He played as a winger and he earned 52 caps and scored 13 goals for the France national football team. He played in the 1978 FIFA World Cup and the 1982 FIFA World Cup, and was also part of the winning team at Euro 84...
Bruno Zaremba José Saez
José Saez
José Saez is a French football midfielder currently playing for Valenciennes FC in the French Ligue 1.-External links:*...
Nourredine Kourichi Wolfgang Matzky Éric Chelle
Éric Chelle
Éric Sékou Chelle is a Malian football defender currently playing for FC Istres in the French Ligue 2.He also holds French passport and spent whole career at France.- External links :*...
Milan Biševac
Milan Biševac
Milan Biševac is a Serbian footballer who plays for French side Paris Saint-Germain.- Career :...
David Régis
David Regis
David Regis is a former French-American soccer defender who played for the United States at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.- Career :Regis began his pro career in 1988 with Valenciennes and played there until 1993. He then transferred to Strasbourg in 1993, Lens in 1996, and Karlsruhe in 1997...
Club officials
Valenciennes Football Club (SASP)- President: Francis Decourrière
- Vice-President: Jean-Raymond Legrand
- Association President: Jean-Claude Brienne
- Honorary President: Jean-Louis Borloo
Senior club staff
- General Director: Alain Dhee
- Assistant General Director: Philippe Pelluault
- Security Director: Renaud Verplanck
- Communications Director: Christophe Hugot
Coaching and medical staff
- Manager: Daniel SanchezDaniel Sanchez (French footballer)Daniel Sanchez is a French former football striker currently managing Ligue 1 team Valenciennes.-References:* *...
- Assistant Manager: Michel Troin & Philippe Burle
- Goalkeeper Coach: Christian Mas
- Doctor: Marc Chasselat & Eric Maude
- Kinesiotherapy: Jérôme Baicry & Thomas Duée
- Intendant: Mehdi Durbal
Youth coaching staff
- Youth Academy Director: Gabriel Desmenez
- Reserve team coach: Jérôme Foulon
- Under-19s Coach: Franck Triqueneaux
- Under-17s Coach: Laurent DufresneLaurent DufresneLaurent Dufresne is a French footballer. He is the former team captain of Valenciennes FC Laurent Dufresne is a French footballer. He is the former team captain of Valenciennes FC Laurent Dufresne is a French footballer. He is the former team captain of Valenciennes FC (the title was passed on to...
& David Jacqmin - Fitness Coach: Romain Carpentier
- Goalkeeper Coach: Karim Boukrouh
- Doctor: Frédéric Dehaut & Patrick Greselle
- Kinesiotherapy: Benjamin Gobert
Managerial history
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 1933–1934 |  Demay |
| 1934–1936 |  Bryan Griffiths |
| 1936–1938 | Peter Fabian |
| 1938 | Charles Demeillez |
| 1938–1946 | Pierre Parmentier |
| 1946–1947 | Arthur Plummer Arthur Plummer Arthur Plummer was an English professional football player and manager who coached French team Valenciennes between 1946 and 1947.He played for Bristol Rovers.-References:... |
| 1947–1948 | Pierre Parmentier |
| 1948–1950 | André Tison |
| 1950–1951 | Henri Pérus |
| 1951–1953 | Charles Demeillez |
| 1953–1966 | Robert Domergue Robert Domergue Robert Domergue is a former French football player and manager.He played for his hometown club Cannes.He most notably coached Alès, Valenciennes, France , Marseille, ES Tunis, Monaco, Strasbourg, Cannes and Dunkerque.-External links and references:**... |
| 1966–1970 | Gaby Robert |
| 1970 | Louis Provelli |
| 1970–1973 | Robert Domergue Robert Domergue Robert Domergue is a former French football player and manager.He played for his hometown club Cannes.He most notably coached Alès, Valenciennes, France , Marseille, ES Tunis, Monaco, Strasbourg, Cannes and Dunkerque.-External links and references:**... |
| 1973–1979 | Jean-Pierre Destrumelle Jean-Pierre Destrumelle Jean-Pierre Destrumelle was a French football player who played for Rouen, Marseille and Paris SG.Destrumelle also enjoyed a career as a manager with Valenciennes, Bastia, Lyon, Béziers and Orléans.-External links:*... |
| 1979–1983 |  Erwin WilczekErwin Wilczek Erwin Wilczek , is a retired Polish soccer player, who is most famous for his 1960s performances in both Górnik Zabrze and the Polish National Team.... Bolek Tempowski |
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 1983–1987 | Léon Desmenez |
| 1987–1988 | Daniel Leclercq Daniel Leclercq Daniel Leclercq is a retired football defender and manager.-References:*... |
| 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 | Georges Peyroche Georges Peyroche Georges Peyroche is a French football player and manager.-References:***... |
| 1991–1993 | Francis Smerecki |
| 1993 |  Boro PrimoracBoro Primorac Boro Primorac is a Croatian football coach and a former Yugoslav international player. Currently, he is the first team coach at Arsenal.... |
| 1993–1994 | Bruno Metsu Bruno Metsu Bruno Metsu , also known as Abdul Karim, is a retired French footballer and is the current manager of Qatari side Al-Gharafa... |
| 1994–1996 | Robert Dewilder Robert Dewilder Robert Dewilder is French former footballer and football manager.-Career:Dewilder played as a midfielder for Boulogne, Sochaux, Monaco, Toulon, Quimper and Blois.-Coaching career:... |
| 1996 | Dominique Corroyer |
| 1996–2000 | Ludovic Batelli Ludovic Batelli Ludovic Batelli is a French former football goalkeeper who managing Amiens SC.-References:*... |
| 2000–2003 | Didier Ollé-Nicolle Didier Ollé-Nicolle Didier Ollé-Nicolle is French former footballer and football manager. He is currently the manager of Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 club USM Alger.-Career:... |
| 2003–2005 | Daniel Leclercq Daniel Leclercq Daniel Leclercq is a retired football defender and manager.-References:*... |
| 2005–2009 | Antoine Kombouaré Antoine Kombouaré Antoine Kombouaré is a manager of football Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain and a former professional football defender.-Early life and career:... |
| 2009–2011 | Philippe Montanier |
| 2011–present | Daniel Sanchez Daniel Sanchez (French footballer) Daniel Sanchez is a French former football striker currently managing Ligue 1 team Valenciennes.-References:* *... |
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 (2): 1972, 2006
- 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): 2005
- Championnat de France amateur
- Champions (1): 1998
- 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...
- Runners-Up (1): 1951
- Coupe Charles DragoCoupe Charles DragoThe Coupe Charles Drago was an elimination cup competition organised by the Ligue de Football Professionnel, between clubs that are knocked out before the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France. The tournament was founded in 1953 and was discontinued after the 1965 tournament.-Finals:Key-Results by...
- Runners-Up (1): 1959