Nîmes Olympique
Encyclopedia
Nîmes Olympique is a French association football
club based in Nîmes
. The club was formed on 10 April 1937 and currently play in Championnat National
, the third level of French football
. The club's only achievement was winning Ligue 2
in 1950 and the Championnat National
in 1997. Nîmes plays its home matches at the Stade des Costières
located within the city. The team is managed by Thierry Froger
.
, his home town. Originally, the team was for young Protestants only.
In 1908, the SCN played FC Sète for the title of 'Champions of Languedoc
'. Nîmes won, qualifying for the final phase of the French championship, which they lost to Olympique Marseille in the first round.
The club suspended activities due to World War I on 15 April 1919. In 1922, SCN absorbed a local rival, F.A. Nîmois.
The new team, still under the name of Sporting Club Nîmois, were runners-up in the South-East championship in 1925. In 1927, les Nîmois won a place in the highest championship, then known as the Division d'Honneur.
In October 1931, the then-president of the Republic of France, Gaston Doumergue
, inaugurated the Jean Bouin stadium.
Due to financial problems, SCN abandoned their professional activities in 1937. Following efforts from local businessmen, the club moved to the district of Lozère-Gard in Nîmes, and was reformed as Nîmes Olympique.
The team moved to the Stade des Costières
on 15 February 1989. The first league match at the stadium was on 4 March 1989, against Montceau in a Ligue 2
game, with 3,647 spectators in attendance. The record attendance to date was 25,051, which was recorded in the 1991–1992 season, in a Ligue 1
game against Olympique Marseille.
The French national team also played an international game against Greece, just before Euro 96, with an attendance of 23,420. On this occasion, France won 3-1 with two goals by Patrice Loko
and one by Zinedine Zidane
.
In December 1991, during a match for Nîmes, Eric Cantona
threw the ball at the referee, having been angered by one of his decisions. He was summoned to a disciplinary hearing by the French Football Federation and was banned for one month. Cantona responded by walking up to each member of the hearing committee in turn and calling him an idiot. His ban was increased to two months, and Cantona subsequently announced his retirement from football on 16 December 1991.
In 1995-1996, Nîmes reached the final of the French Cup, allowing them to compete the following year in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In September 1996, in the Round of 32, Nîmes beat Budapest Honved FC
((1:2) (0:2)), before losing to AIK Stockholm in the next round.
and international competition since the club's foundation in 1937. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 80 official matches for the club or represented the national team for which the player is eligible during his stint with Nîmes or following his departure.
For a complete list of Nîmes Olympique players, see :Category:Nîmes Olympique players
are the Gladiators Nîmes founded in 1991. The name refers to Nîmes' rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire
.
Before the start of each home game an extract of George Bizet's opera "Carmen
" is heard.
There is a long rivalry with the nearby city of Montpellier
which extends to both local football teams.
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 Nîmes
Nîmes
Nîmes is the capital of the Gard department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. Nîmes has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire, and is a popular tourist destination.-History:...
. The club was formed on 10 April 1937 and currently play in 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...
, the third 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...
. The club's only achievement was winning 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 1950 and 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 1997. Nîmes plays its home matches at the Stade des Costières
Stade des Costières
Stade des Costières is a football stadium in Nîmes, France. It is currently used by Nîmes Olympique. The stadium is able to hold 18,482 people and was opened in 1989....
located within the city. The team is managed by Thierry Froger
Thierry Froger
Thierry Froger is a French football coach and former professional player, who currently manages Ligue 2 side Nîmes.-Playing career:Froger played club football for Le Mans, Lille and Grenoble.-Coaching career:...
.
History
The Sporting Club Nîmois (SCN) was founded in 1901 by Henri Monnier, who, at the age of 21, had just returned from a 2 year trip to England. He decided to start a new team in NîmesNîmes
Nîmes is the capital of the Gard department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. Nîmes has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire, and is a popular tourist destination.-History:...
, his home town. Originally, the team was for young Protestants only.
In 1908, the SCN played FC Sète for the title of 'Champions of Languedoc
Languedoc
Languedoc is a former province of France, now continued in the modern-day régions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées in the south of France, and whose capital city was Toulouse, now in Midi-Pyrénées. It had an area of approximately 42,700 km² .-Geographical Extent:The traditional...
'. Nîmes won, qualifying for the final phase of the French championship, which they lost to Olympique Marseille in the first round.
The club suspended activities due to World War I on 15 April 1919. In 1922, SCN absorbed a local rival, F.A. Nîmois.
The new team, still under the name of Sporting Club Nîmois, were runners-up in the South-East championship in 1925. In 1927, les Nîmois won a place in the highest championship, then known as the Division d'Honneur.
In October 1931, the then-president of the Republic of France, Gaston Doumergue
Gaston Doumergue
Pierre-Paul-Henri-Gaston Doumergue was a French politician of the Third Republic.Doumergue came from a Protestant family. Beginning as a Radical, he turned more towards the political right in his old age. He served as Prime Minister from 9 December 1913 to 2 June 1914...
, inaugurated the Jean Bouin stadium.
Due to financial problems, SCN abandoned their professional activities in 1937. Following efforts from local businessmen, the club moved to the district of Lozère-Gard in Nîmes, and was reformed as Nîmes Olympique.
The team moved to the Stade des Costières
Stade des Costières
Stade des Costières is a football stadium in Nîmes, France. It is currently used by Nîmes Olympique. The stadium is able to hold 18,482 people and was opened in 1989....
on 15 February 1989. The first league match at the stadium was on 4 March 1989, against Montceau in a 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...
game, with 3,647 spectators in attendance. The record attendance to date was 25,051, which was recorded in the 1991–1992 season, in a 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....
game against Olympique Marseille.
The French national team also played an international game against Greece, just before Euro 96, with an attendance of 23,420. On this occasion, France won 3-1 with two goals by Patrice Loko
Patrice Loko
Patrice Loko is French footballer who retired in 2004. Playing as a striker he began his career at Nantes and then moved on to Paris Saint-Germain, where he was part of the team that won the 1996 Cup Winners' Cup and lost to Barcelona in the 1997 Cup Winners' Cup final. From there he went on to...
and one by Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
.
In December 1991, during a match for Nîmes, Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona
Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in...
threw the ball at the referee, having been angered by one of his decisions. He was summoned to a disciplinary hearing by the French Football Federation and was banned for one month. Cantona responded by walking up to each member of the hearing committee in turn and calling him an idiot. His ban was increased to two months, and Cantona subsequently announced his retirement from football on 16 December 1991.
In 1995-1996, Nîmes reached the final of the French Cup, allowing them to compete the following year in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In September 1996, in the Round of 32, Nîmes beat Budapest Honved FC
Budapest Honvéd FC
Budapest Honvéd FC |football]] team. "Honved" means the Homeland Defense. Originally formed as Kispest AC, they became Kispest FC in 1926 before reverting to their original name in 1944. The team enjoyed a golden age during the 1950s when it was renamed Budapest Honvéd SE and became the Hungarian...
((1:2) (0:2)), before losing to AIK Stockholm in the next round.
Current squad
As of 28 June, 2011Notable players
Below are the notable former players who have represented Nîmes 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 1937. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 80 official matches for the club or represented the national team for which the player is eligible during his stint with Nîmes or following his departure.
For a complete list of Nîmes Olympique players, see :Category:Nîmes Olympique players
France William Ayache William Ayache William Ayache is a retired French association football defender.-Football career:Ayache played on two championship teams in France in 1980 and 1983 with FC Nantes.-International career:... Laurent Blanc Laurent Blanc Laurent Robert Blanc is a French association football manager and former player. He is the head coach of the French national team, having replaced Raymond Domenech in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was previously the manager of Bordeaux... Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier (born 3 October 1952, in Nîmes (Gard, France) is a former French football player.The defender played successively in Nîmes Olympique (from 1964 to 1981), Lyon (1981–1982), Toulon (from 1982 to 1986) and Le Grau-du-Roi (from 1986 to 1988).... Eric Cantona Eric Cantona Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in... René Girard René Girard (footballer) René Girard is a former football midfielder from France.- Career :Girard won seven caps for France and was a member of the squad that finished fourth at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.... Michel Mezy Michel Mézy Michel Mézy is a former French international football midfielder and manager.-External links:... Christian Perez Christian Perez Christian Perez is a French former footballer. He played for France at Euro 1992.-Titles:* Coupe de France runner-up in 1996 with Nîmes Olympique* China Jia A League runner-up in 1997 with Shanghai Shenhua-External links:... Frédéric Piquionne Frédéric Piquionne Frédéric Piquionne is a French football player who plays as a forward for West Ham United. His former clubs are Golden Star of Martinique, Nîmes Olympique, Rennes, AS Saint-Etienne, AS Monaco, Lyon and Portsmouth... Philippe Vercruysse Philippe Vercruysse Philippe Vercruysse is a former football midfielder from France. Vercruysse was born in Saumur, Maine-et-Loire. He earned a total number of twelve international caps for the French national team during the 1980s... |
Algeria  Kader FiroudKader Firoud Abdelkader Firoud , most commonly known as Kader Firoud, was a French-Algerian professional football midfielder and manager.-External links:*... Djamel Menad Mehdi Mostefa Abder Ramdane Abder Ramdane Abder Ramdane is a retired Algerian footballer. He played as a forward and is now an assistant coach for TSV 1860 München.-Personal:... Amokrane Oualiken Amokrane Oualiken Amokrane «Da Mokrane» Oualiken was an Algerian football player and manager-Career:Oualiken was born in Ben Aknoun, Alger, Algeria.... Argentina José Luis Cuciuffo José Luis Cuciuffo José Luis Cuciuffo was a defender in the starting XI of 1986 FIFA World Cup-winning Argentine national team. He was fatally wounded in the stomach while out hunting in the southern Buenos Aires province, near the Bahía San Blas bay... José Daniel Ponce José Daniel Ponce José Daniel Ponce is a former Argentine football player, who was part of the Estudiantes de La Plata team that won two back-to-back championships in 1982 and 1983.... |
Ivory Coast Lamine Sakho Lamine Sakho Lamine Sakho is a Senegalese football player who is currently a free agent after leaving Wrexham.-Early career:His previous clubs were Nîmes Olympique, RC Lens, Olympique Marseille and AS Saint-Étienne.-Leeds United:... Morocco Hassan Akesbi Hassan Akesbi Hassan Akesbi is a Moroccan former football striker.-Career:In 2006, he was selected by the Confederation of African Football as one of the best 200 African football players of the last 50 years.-Honours:... Netherlands Ton Lokhoff Ton Lokhoff Antonius Johannes Jacobus Lokhoff is a Dutch former football midfielder, who was the head coach of Excelsior since the summer of 2006, when he succeeded Mario Been. He is nicknamed Mister NAC. Lokhoff's contract at Excelsior expired in the spring of 2009... |
Romania Ion Pârcălab Ion Pârcalab Ion Pârcălab is a former Romanian football player. He was nicknamed "The Carpathian Arrow" by coach Helenio Herrera.His last name is sometimes spelled Pîrcălab. He had to change the spelling of his last name in 1953 to Pîrcălab, but in 1993 the spelling was reverted to Pârcălab... Florea Voinea Florea Voinea Florea Voinea is a former Romanian football Striker.-Career statistics:* Total matches played in Romanian First League: 251 matches - 117 goals* Total matches played in Ligue 1: 50 matches - 18 goals... Togo Jonathan Ayite Jonathan Ayité Jonathan Ayité is a French-born Togolese football striker who currently plays for Stade Brest in Ligue 1.-External links:* *... Yugoslavia Fadil Vokrri Fadil Vokrri Fadil Vokrri is a former Yugoslav football player, from the 1980s.Vokrri was known for his Diego Maradona-like approach with quick movement and strong shooting... |
Managers
| Marcel Gebelin (1940–42) Louis Gabrillargues Louis Gabrillargues Louis Gabrillargues was a French footballer.-References:* *... (1942–46) René Dedieu (1946–48) Pierre Pibarot Pierre Pibarot Pierre Pibarot, was a French football player and legendary football manager. He was born in Alès, France.A product of the Olympique Alès youth programme, Pibarot left Alès briefly in 1932 to play for the now-defunct sporting club attached to the lycée Victor Hugo-de-Marseille... (1948–55)  Kader FiroudKader Firoud Abdelkader Firoud , most commonly known as Kader Firoud, was a French-Algerian professional football midfielder and manager.-External links:*... (1955–64) Pierre Pibarot Pierre Pibarot Pierre Pibarot, was a French football player and legendary football manager. He was born in Alès, France.A product of the Olympique Alès youth programme, Pibarot left Alès briefly in 1932 to play for the now-defunct sporting club attached to the lycée Victor Hugo-de-Marseille... (1964–67) Marcel Rouvière (1967) Marcel Tomazover Marcel Tomazover Marcel Tomazover is a former French footballer and coach. He was born in Paris.He played his professional career as a left winger for Roubaix and Sète, in the 1930s and 1940s, before becoming a famous coach.... (1967–69) Kader FiroudKader Firoud Abdelkader Firoud , most commonly known as Kader Firoud, was a French-Algerian professional football midfielder and manager.-External links:*... (1969–78) Henri Noël (1978–82) Pierre Barlaguet (1982 – August 84) Marcel Domingo Marcel Domingo Marcel Domingo Algara was a former French association football goalkeeper and manager of Spanish origin. He spent part of his career in Spain... (August 1984–86) Kristen Nygaard Kristen Nygaard (footballer) Kristen Nygaard Kristensen is a Danish former football player, who played professionally for Dutch team AZ Alkmaar and several French clubs. He scored 11 goals in 36 games for the Denmark national football team, and represented Denmark at the 1972 Summer Olympics.Born in Sunds near Herning,... (1986–87) Jean Sérafin Jean Sérafin Jean Sérafin is a French former footballer and coach.He played for US Valenciennes and USL Dunkerque.After his playing career, he became a coach with Le Touquet AC, RC Lens, OGC Nice, Nîmes Olympique, Tours FC, Al-Wahda FC, Club Africain, Red Star and Wuhan .-External links and references:*... (1987–88) Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier (born 3 October 1952, in Nîmes (Gard, France) is a former French football player.The defender played successively in Nîmes Olympique (from 1964 to 1981), Lyon (1981–1982), Toulon (from 1982 to 1986) and Le Grau-du-Roi (from 1986 to 1988).... (1988–90) Daniel Romeo (1990 – November 91) René Girard René Girard (footballer) René Girard is a former football midfielder from France.- Career :Girard won seven caps for France and was a member of the squad that finished fourth at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.... (November 1991 – June 92) Michel Mézy Michel Mézy Michel Mézy is a former French international football midfielder and manager.-External links:... (June 1992-92) |
Léonce Lavagne (1992 – February 93) Michel Mézy Michel Mézy Michel Mézy is a former French international football midfielder and manager.-External links:... (February 1993-93) René Exbrayat René Exbrayat René Exbrayat is French former footballer and football manager.He played for Arles and Aix-en-Provence, playing for France amateur football team at the Mediterranean Games.... (1993–94) Josip Skoblar Josip Skoblar Josip "Joško" Skoblar is a Croatian former football player and manager. He was primarily a forward, and also capable of playing on both wings.-Club:... (1994 – October 94) René Girard René Girard (footballer) René Girard is a former football midfielder from France.- Career :Girard won seven caps for France and was a member of the squad that finished fourth at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.... (October–December 94) Pierre Barlaguet (December 1994–96) Pierre Mosca Pierre Mosca Pierre Mosca is an Italian born French former footballer and coach.He played for SO Montpellier and AS Monaco FC.... (1996–99) Serge Delmas (1999-00) Dominique Bathenay Dominique Bathenay Dominique Bathenay is a retired football midfielder from France, who last worked as Head Coach of United Arab Emirates.- Career :... (2000 – December 2001) Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier Bernard Boissier (born 3 October 1952, in Nîmes (Gard, France) is a former French football player.The defender played successively in Nîmes Olympique (from 1964 to 1981), Lyon (1981–1982), Toulon (from 1982 to 1986) and Le Grau-du-Roi (from 1986 to 1988).... (December 2001–02) François Brisson François Brisson François Brisson is a retired professional French football striker. He obtained two international caps for the French national team during the 1980s... and Armand Sene (2002–03) Patrick Champ (April 2003-03) Didier Ollé-Nicole (2003–05) Régis Brouard Régis Brouard Régis Brouard is a former professional footballer. He played as a midfielder.-External links:* at chamoisfc79.fr... (2005–07) Laurent Fournier Laurent Fournier Laurent Fournier, is a former French footballer and now manager of AJ Auxerre.-As a player:*French championship in 1991 with Olympique Marseille and 1994 with Paris SG... (2007) Jean-Luc Vannuchi (2007–08) Jean-Michel Cavalli Jean-Michel Cavalli Jean-Michel Cavalli is a French and Corsican licenced professional football manager and former football player.-Biography:... (2008–10) Noël Tosi Noël Tosi Noël Tosi is a French football coach and former player.As a player he played for minor clubs in France. His first job as a coach was Deauville in 1986.Tosi previously coached the Congo national football team... (2010–2011) Thierry Froger Thierry Froger Thierry Froger is a French football coach and former professional player, who currently manages Ligue 2 side Nîmes.-Playing career:Froger played club football for Le Mans, Lille and Grenoble.-Coaching career:... (2011–) |
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: 1950
- 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: 1997
- 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: 1958, 1961, 1996
- Trophée des ChampionsTrophée des championsThe Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
- Runners-Up: 1971
- Coppa delle AlpiCoppa delle AlpiCoppa delle Alpi , was a football tournament, first organized by the Italian national league to start 1960 and then aided by the Swiss League in 1962 for the reason that the majority of the Alps are in Switzerland...
- Runners-Up: 1971
- Coupe Drago
- Runners-Up: 1956
- Coupe GambardellaCoupe GambardellaThe Coupe Gambardella is a French football cup competition held between the under-19s of the French football clubs, organized by the French Football Federation ....
- Champions: 1961, 1966, 1969, 1977
Miscellaneous
The largest group of UltrasUltras
Ultras are a type of sports fans renowned for their fanatical support and elaborate displays. They are predominantly European followers of football teams...
are the Gladiators Nîmes founded in 1991. The name refers to Nîmes' rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
.
Before the start of each home game an extract of George Bizet's opera "Carmen
Carmen
Carmen is a French opéra comique by Georges Bizet. The libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée, first published in 1845, itself possibly influenced by the narrative poem The Gypsies by Alexander Pushkin...
" is heard.
There is a long rivalry with the nearby city of Montpellier
Montpellier
-Neighbourhoods:Since 2001, Montpellier has been divided into seven official neighbourhoods, themselves divided into sub-neighbourhoods. Each of them possesses a neighbourhood council....
which extends to both local football teams.