FC Tours
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| Full name | Tours Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | TFC | ||
| Founded | 1919 | ||
| Ground | Stade de la Vallée du Cher, Tours, France (Capacity: 13,500) | ||
| Chairman | Frédéric Sebag | ||
| Manager | Daniel Sanchez | ||
| League | Ligue 2 | ||
| 2008-09 | L2, 6th | ||
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Tours Football Club (a.k.a. Tours FC) is a French football club based in Tours. It was founded in 1919. They play at the Stade de la Vallée du Cher.
The club had its best years in the eighties, playing four seasons in Ligue 1 (1980-1983 and 1984-1985).
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Honours
- Champion of France Division 2 : 1984.
- Runner-up Division 2 : 1980.
- Runner-up National : 2006.
- Semi-finalist of Coupe de France : 1982, 1983.
- Champion of Division d'Honneur (DH) Ligue du Centre : 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1949, 1952, 1960, 1965, 1968, 1973.
Stadium
The club has been playing at the Stade de la Vallée du Cher since 1978.In 1979, its capacity was 22000 people but now just 13500. The stadium was built thanks to former mayor Jean Royer, as he wanted a decent venue for the club. Before, Tours FC used to play at the Stade de Grammont.
History
The team was founded in 1919 as AS Docks du Centre and quickly changed its name to AS du Centre in 1921.In 1951, the Docks du Centre withdrew from the club, which changed its name to FC Tours.The team enjoyed some successes thanks to player-coach Alfred Aston who lead the club to round of 64 of the Coupe de France.
The team got promoted in Division 1 in 1980 and signed best goalscorer Delio Onnis from AS Monaco FC, who helped the team for three years.But in 1983, the team was relegated. However, the team reached twice the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, in 1982[1] and 83[2], being eliminated twice by Paris SG.In 1984, the team won the Division 2 title and came back in Division 1 but was relegated after one season at the top level.Since 1985, Tours never managed to come back in Division 1.[3]
The club was relegated from Ligue 2, finishing last after a desastrous season, despite some individuality such as Cédric Collet, Mehdi Benatia or Michel Rodriguez. During the season, Albert Falette, manager for eight years was sacked. At the end of the season, the club released or sold almost all its players, including captain David Fleurival. The club only kept long-time goalkeeper Armand Raimbault and young prospect Rudy Wendling. The team for the 2007-2008 season has a new look, with the arrival of Diego Sebastian Gomez or Anthony Robic.
Colours and logos
The logo is inspired by the city coats of arms with three towers and Fleur-de-lis. It bears the club's motto "Turonorum civitas libera" which means in Latin "Free city of Turones", the celtic tribes which gave its name to Tours. The motto was found engraved on a rock which is now in the undergrounds of the Beaux Arts museum of the city.[4] The salamander is a reference to king François 1er.
Supporters
In France, Tours is not a town fond of football because of the lack of football tradition.Moreover, supporters were disappointed of the poor results of the club for years.However, the accession to Ligue 2 in 2006 has created some interest in the city and audiences in the stadium are gradually getting bigger. There are 3 groups of supporters:
- Amicale des supporters
- Kop 37
- Supras Tours
Current squad
As of November 2009[5] Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Famous past players
For a complete list of Tours FC players, see Category:Tours FC players
| Name | Nationality | Position | Tours career | Appearances | Goals | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Aston |  France | FW | 1951–1956 | French international | ||
| Omar da Fonseca |  Argentina | FW | 1982–1985 | |||
| Sylvain Distin | France | DF | 1998–1999 | Later played for major clubs | ||
| Jean-Jacques Eydelie | France | MF | 1987–1988 | Was involved in OM/VA bribery scandal, won the UEFA Champions League in 1993 | ||
| Sergio Omar Almirón | Argentina | DF | Won the 1986 FIFA World Cup | |||
| Guy Lacombe | France | MF | 1981–1983 | Was integral to the team in Division 1 | ||
| Rabah Madjer |  Algeria | MF | 1985–1986 | Algerian star who played 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup | ||
| Delio Onnis | Argentina | FW | 1980–1983 | 64 | Ligue 1 all-time goalscorer with 299 goals |
Coaches
- Yvon Jublot :1969-1976
- Pierre Phelippon :1976-1981
Hennie Hollink :1981-1983- Guy Briet: 1983-March 1985
- Serge Besnard : March 1985-1986
- Yvon Jublot : 1986-1988
- Jean Sérafin : 1988-1992
- Raymond Kéruzoré : 1992-1993
- Philippe Leroux : 1993-1995
- Christian Letard : 1995-March 1999
- Albert Falette : March 1999-2007
- Philippe Bizeul : 2007
- Daniel Sanchez : 2007-
References
- ^ "Coupe de France demi-finales 1982". FFF. http://www.fff.fr/www/coup/historique/pages/hist1982_2.shtml. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ "Coupe de France demi-finales 1983". FFF. http://www.fff.fr/www/coup/historique/pages/hist1983_2.shtml. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ "De l'AS du Centre au Tours FC". Tours FC.net. http://historique.toursfc.net/. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ "Tours antique - une ville derrière son rempart". Collège Montaigne de Tours. http://ecl.ac-orleans-tours.fr/clg-montaigne-tours/classe_pat/page103.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ "Tours FC-L'équipe fanion". Tours FC. http://www.toursfc.fr/affiche_equipe.php. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ^ "France - Trainers of First and Second Division Clubs". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/players/trainers-fran-clubs.html#t. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
External links
- (French) Official website
- (French) Unofficial website