Robert Diochon, an emblematic figure of the Football Club de Rouen 1899!
Co-founder of Football Club Rouennais, he was regularly its captain. From 1906 to 1907, he was president of the club, but never left the pitch. At the time, roles weren’t really defined, and it wasn’t uncommon for presidents to change on a regular basis, so as not to hurt anyone. However, as early as 1908, Robert Diochon, director of a pharmaceutical company, returned to the helm of the club, not to relinquish it until 1953, a few weeks before his death on September 14.
For over forty-five years (a record for a French club president), his determination to give the FCR stable structures made him the real instigator of modern soccer in Rouen.
He was behind the creation of the Ligue de Normandie (Normandy League), and helped the Rouen team to enjoy its finest hours between the wars, and above all to bounce back after each world conflict. He gave his name to the Avenue des Canadiens stadium in 1953.