The Red Devils reached Division 1 in the 1981/82 season, the last ascent in the club’s history!
The fourth season in Division 2 was the right one. Robert Vicot, who had been at the helm for one season, strengthened his squad with the arrivals of Desbouillons, Malbeaux and, above all, Jean-François Beltramini, whom Vicot had met during his time at PSG. Beltramini went on to become one of the architects of the club’s rise to Division 1, while Robert Vicot was the last coach to lead the FCR to Division 1.
Throughout the season, the Diables Rouges were on the right track for promotion. In the first half of the season, they had to contend with Reims and Noeux-les-Mines. Rouen took the lead from day 17 onwards, and held it until the end (with the exception of one day in March).
For the decisive match against Stade Français on the final day of the season, 6,000 fans travel to Saint-Ouen to push the Diables Rouges towards the title. With this final victory (2-0), the Diables Rouges finish as Group B champions and go straight into Division 1. The club remained there for three seasons until a tragic play-off against Rennes in June 1985.