FCR - Saint-Etienne, April 1977

Long before he set up shop on the edge of the FCR pitch for matches and training sessions, Bernard’s eye was watching from the stands, particularly on a certain evening in April 1977!

His story.

“It was exactly 48 years ago that the attendance record for the Stade Robert Diochon was set for the first leg of the Coupe de France, 8th final, between FC Rouen and AS St Etienne: 23532 spectators officially, but…more unofficially!!! With people sitting right on the pitch, and the linesman stepping over them to officiate! I can vouch for that. I think I can safely say that this record will never be beaten in the stadium’s current configuration.

An extraordinary atmosphere, which could be described as hellish for the opposing teams. Every time FC Rouen went on the attack, the Shell (now Lenoble) stand shook! What’s more, this crowded stand was located above a Shell service station, hence the name, with gasoline tanks… A bygone era. Completely unthinkable now!

That evening in April 1977 remains an unforgettable memory to this day for those who lived through it.”

From left to right: Christian Lopez (ASSE), Daniel Horlaville (FCR), Jacques Santini (ASSE), Gilbert Carrié (FCR), Oswaldo Piazza (ASSE), Abdel Bourebbou (FCR), Ivan Curkovic (ASSE).