Gueugnon (France) (AFP)

The "Blacksmiths", Petits Poucets of the Coupe de la Ligue: crowned in 2000, Gueugnon will remain the only winner of the second division of the event. Today, the small Burgundy club, which has known meanwhile in Europe and a liquidation, is rebuilding itself far from professionalism.

On April 22, 2000 at the Stade de France, a town of 8,000 inhabitants triumphed over the capital. By beating Paris SG (2-0), the FCG offered itself a moment of eternity which, twenty years later, is still working on its development.

On the banks of the Arroux, the Jean-Laville stadium, with its 14,000 seats and two renovated stands, evokes the glorious past of the "Blacksmiths" and their 37 seasons in D2, but its dilapidated lawn betrays a less gleaming last decade.

"We have the two worlds that come together, the professional inherited from our history, and the amateur who embodies our present. We are closer to the second", underlines Bernard Canard, president of the FCG. Next to him, the Coupe de la Ligue sits next to a faded-colored final pennant.

This trophy does not only represent a title, but also the twenty years of crises and hopes which followed his quest. He was seized by the bailiff in 2011 when the club was liquidated, following a relegation to the National in 2008 and two years (2009-2011) with the former striker Tony Vairelles owner who precipitated his downfall.

- Identity -

It was returned a year later, at the same time as Gueugnon began its reconstruction. Today, the Saône-et-Loirienne formation is evolving in National 3 (5th division), with the ambition to quickly rise to N2.

At the helm as sporting director, we find Richard Trivino, the guardian of the 2000 epic. "I never talk about this final! I hate living with the past", he sweeps away with a smile. "Of course, the League Cup had a huge impact. We played a preliminary round of the UEFA Cup (lost against Iraqlis Thessaloniki, Editor's note)! But what interests me is is the next game! "

The images displayed on the walls of the headquarters speak for him. In the stadium, before entering the lawn, players can turn their heads towards the photo of the semi-finalist team of the Coupe de France in 1991 with Pascal Dupraz, or the one who played in the club's only season. in D1 (1995-1996) with the international Franck Jurietti or Philippe Correia, the current coach.

"It leaves a certain identity, because we know very well that it is lost very quickly. It is important for us to bequeath certain values", explains the latter, who noticed that this past has a price: "We are always the team to beat! "

- "History helps us" -

"We keep a certain culture. We do imitation pro," said Intendant Michel Berthommier, French D2 champion in 1979 with the FCG, who then refused his rise to D1 to avoid the professionalization of the club . It was a time when players also worked for the nearby steel plant. From the training ground of the plain of Vieux-Fresne, the annealing tower of the factory today operated by Aperam can still be seen.

With its 30 employees, the majority of players, the club is trying to structure itself, relying in particular on its stadium, which has hosted friendly matches between pro teams or summer camps for young people.

"History helps us. We are not here to deny it", recognizes President Canard. But the club is condemned not to shut itself up in its memories.

Weakened by its liquidation which forced it to start from scratch, the FCG must continue to grow to withstand the shock economically: "The difficulty is to put a budget every year in this club. daily cause, "he continues.

The Covid-19 crisis caused a drop of around 10% in the budget, estimated at around 620,000 EUR, and forced the club not to renew its three federal contracts, the most expensive. But the release in July of a new logo, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the FCG, symbolizes this going that the leaders want to maintain.

"We must quickly climb the ranks because this notoriety, at some point, will disappear. We must at least climb to National 2", abounds Correia. Le Petit Poucet marked the path.

© 2020 AFP