Europe 1 Studio SEASON 2021 - 202205h00, July 11, 2022

In 1979, FC Nantes broke the curse by winning the Coupe de France for the first time in its history, after three defeats in the final in previous years.

Eric Pécout scores three goals and gives the "Canaries" the victory which allows them to compete in the European Cup.

The dream is within reach… How are they preparing for the long-awaited great European epic?

In this fifth episode of the “Les Géants” podcast presented by Jacques Vendroux, Eric Pécout, former FC Nantes striker, recounts the golden age of the Nantes game in 1979-1980.

From his first steps at the club which taught him everything, to the cruel defeat at the gates of the Cup final in 1980, he looks back on the incredible journey of a team which wrote one of the most beautiful pages of the history of French football.

For Eric Pécout, the story begins at the age of 13.

After a season with FC Noirmoutier in Vendée, Eric Pécout is already a football prodigy.

It was at the FC Nantes club that he found his place as an attacker.

In this formative club, he will know his best moments, but also his lot of injuries and disappointments.

He and his teammates would live together every day for eight years, under the hard training of another French football giant, Jean-Claude Suaudeau.

And if on the ground, a climate of competition reigns between the players, the shouting matches always stop in the locker room.

Outside of training sessions, those who are nicknamed the “Canaries” are linked by a sincere friendship, underlined by the ex-player of FC Nantes in this story produced by Europe 1 Studio.

"The Giants" is a Europe 1 Studio podcast

Presentation: Jacques Vendroux

Producer: Sebastien Guyot

Directed by: Loic Vimard

Broadcaster: Eloise Bertil

Graphics: Sidonie Mangin

Archives: Sound Heritage and Documentation Department

Want to listen to episodes of this podcast?

"Les Géants" is a podcast to be found for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Dailymotion, Youtube on your usual listening platforms.

Archives: 

FC Nantes / AJ Auxerre, final of the Coupe de France.

Interview of Henri Michel by Eugène Saccomano, June 17, 1979

FC Nantes / Valence FC, semi-final of the European Cup.

Fernand Choisel, April 9, 1980