For over thirty years, Jean-Claude Faludi has had this memory of the Stade Rennais victory in the league championship of the Western League in 1918, 1919 and 1920.
"The past of Stade Rennais is magnificent, it must be highlighted. Jean-Claude Faludi, 77, is a fan of the Rouge et Noir. If last January, the Stade Rennais had misplaced his two French cups, this enthusiast has a real treasure: the first cup won by the Rennes team in 1918, 1919 and 1920.
"This is the cup awarded by the newspaper Ouest-Eclair [the ancestor of Ouest-France ] , as part of the league championship of the Western League Football Association," says Jean-Claude. The ancestor of the Coupe de France. The championship of France did not exist and the teams of the West disputed this competition. "
Hidden during the Second World War
Former player of the Stade Rennais, he has always been interested in the life of the club. "I played as an amateur and had the chance to practice with the pros in the 1950s. Until the day I was called by the Army. When I returned from the Algerian war, I was sick and started working. But I remained faithful to the Rouge et Noir. "
How did he get this memory object from the club? "I was an antique dealer in Rennes. Thanks to my profession, I managed to keep some pieces of Stade Rennais. One day, a lady who was going to a retirement home asked me to buy her furniture and her knick-knacks. I came across this cup she had from her parents. Her father had managed to hide it during the Second World War, so that it was not looted by the Germans. "
1.2 kg in sterling silver
After doing extensive research, the antique dealer discovers the history of this jewel. A 1.2-kg solid silver coin sits in the middle of his room entirely dedicated to the Rouge et Noir.
More precious archives cover the walls. "I do not know who is the goldsmith who made it. But it was a cup that was awarded by West-Eclair in the premises of the rue du Pré-Botte. Stade Rennais won three years in a row. But she always stayed in the newspaper's premises. "
Memorial place on the history of the club
A player at the stadium, Jean-Claude does not miss a match at Roazhon Park. "I knew the wooden stands, exceptional players like Jean Grumellon ... As for the last two games, they were bad but I do not worry, it'll come back. "
Can the cup and its archives be exhibited in the memory of the history of the club, a project announced by President Olivier Létang? "Why not," answers Jean-Claude. But for the moment it is not relevant. Even if I admit that this cup belongs to the memory of Stade Rennais. "