ChristopheVAFC

That's precisely the problem with us, it's that we panic quickly and don't give ourselves time to get things done. Morale is not at its best for many of my compatriots, but I'm convinced that after the rain will come the good weather. As we say in France, the French are eternally dissatisfied, haha: always grumbling about nothing... I don't think that SR are the worst owners there are, admittedly they don't do everything right, but they keep their commitments to our 3 clubs. Their management style is quite different from that of other timeshare owners, and they don't spend money like QSI at Paris SG, who, despite injecting billions, have still not won the Champions League, despite Mbappé / Messi / Neymar and others. I think we'll see in the coming months.

Last season, we recruited 15 players from the 4 corners of the world, but this year, as sporting director Ben Chorley told me, the aim is to recruit less, but to recruit better, with players who have a good mentality and who have made it up the league. I also think that because the squad hasn't changed much, the players already know each other and that could save time in the league. They know it didn't work last year and are trying to do things differently. I'm fine with that. The result will be determined on the pitch, but SR knows that the fans are waiting for him and that if he doesn't get the league off to a good start, the fans will be quick to show their anger.

The problem for us is that the club hasn't been used to winning for 11 years, so when SR arrived there was a lot of impatience and a lot of my compatriots are disappointed that the results aren't there. I think that like Rome, which wasn't built in 1 day, it will take time for the work to pay off. I'm very calm about the season to come, positive things lead to positive things and that will be my point of view for a long time to come. I don't think that it's by criticising SR all the time that VA will come through and achieve better results. Our former owner is now a long way from our club and that's no bad thing, I'd never want him back. I wish the best of seasons to our 3 clubs and that we can all celebrate together next summer!

I'd like to remind you that the state Valenciennes was in when it was bought by Sport Républic was not at all the same as that of our friends at Southampton and Goztepe. Lack of staff, work to be done everywhere (stadium, training centre, academy, etc.) and that takes time. You can't erase 10 years of management by the previous owner in 1 year, it's impossible, whatever the club. The mood of many of my compatriots is one of sadness and resignation, because we've had very little taste of victory and ambition. As Ben Chorley said, VA is no longer used to winning and it's time for that to change. The positive leads to the positive and we have to keep believing because our situation is far from hopeless. A project takes time to take shape and I have no doubt that we will rediscover the ambition that has returned to Southampton and Goztepe.

Le maintien d’Ahmed Kantari en tant qu’entraîneur de l’équipe première cet été n’a pas été bien accueilli par de nombreux fans ici, car nous nous attendions à un changement d’entraîneur. Or, j’imagine qu’il a dû défendre ardemment sa cause lors de son interview cet été avec la gouvernance de la SR. Je pense aussi qu’il n’aura pas beaucoup de marge d’erreur, car SR ne sera pas aussi patient qu’il l’a été la saison dernière.

I look forward to bringing you regular updates from my team! I hope we have a great season, and hopefully we'll be back in the top flight straight away! For us, the 1st day of the championship is scheduled for Friday 16 August 2024.

Of course our sporting director, Ben Chorley, will be under a lot of pressure at the start of the season. We mustn't make the same mistakes as last season. We mustn't forget that this is a business and that there's a lot of money at stake, and I think that Yoann Godin, our managing director, and Ben Chorley, our sporting director, must have been briefed by Sport Républic governance this summer. As far as the fans are concerned, even if most of us have been patient and accepted our descent into the National, it won't be the same if the season gets off to a catastrophic start.

Dear colleague, It's true that the 1st year of Sport Républic in Valenciennes has not been a success. Nevertheless, SR having experienced the same situation with our friends from Southampton and Goztepe, the second season is more than a success. Let's wish our club the same fate. I would remind you that Eddy Zdziech (our former owner), left SR a derelict club with work to be done on all the club's structures. Let's be patient. Work always pays off sooner or later.

Honestly, it's not a good deal to buy Girondins de Bordeaux, firstly because they have a total debt of more than 90 million euros (Valenciennes had around 20 million at the time of the buyout). Bordeaux may be one of the oldest clubs in France, but they have often been helped out in the past. Sometimes you have to go backwards in order to go forwards, and Strasbourg, Sedan and others are examples of clubs that have gone from the bottom to the top. I wish a lot of courage to those who will buy the club because in my opinion it's a real money pit and it's a club that lives well beyond its means.

It seems to me that owning 2 clubs from the same country isn't really legal, it could be said to be a conflict of interest. That's why multi-owners generally have 1 club per country.

Sekou Mara, I'll take it from all the players, I'll even travel to your house to pick it up haha

I'll get back to you, don't worry. As far as Girondins de Bordeaux are concerned, their situation is very, very, very complicated. They're on the verge of bankruptcy and will probably go out of business. This summer, they have to replenish their accounts and raise around €40 million (£33,655,400), which is a lot of money for a football club. Bordeaux were in negotiations to be bought out by the Fenway Sport Group (owner of Liverpool). But the sale did not go ahead for the following reason: ‘This decision is explained in particular by the significant cost of the stadium in the coming years, but also by the general economic context of French football’. The owner alone must come up with this sum before 24 July 2024, as they have an appointment with the French football regulator (DNCG). The FFF (Fédération Française de Football) has indicated on the board ‘Bordeaux or Troyes’ pending the decision on 24 July, but all indications are that Troyes (17th and 1st relegated from Ligue 2) will be drafted in, as it seems impossible for Bordeaux to find the money in 8 days. For Bordeaux, it will be either National or lower (7th or 8th division in France). The rugby here at Valenciennes is not top level, it plays in the regional league I think... But relations between the football club and the rugby club are not at their best, because our current stadium was built on part of their old ground and they had to move further away... However, since Sport Républic took over, our club has enjoyed a better relationship with local politicians (town hall / agglomeration / local enterprise...)

I'd love to have a few of your players but of course, between the Premier League and the French 3rd division, it's not easy. We'll have to see what happens in the next few years. SR told us that they were here for the medium to long term, for several years.

With the presence of quite a few clubs with professional infrastructures (recent stadiums and training centres), I would say that the 3rd division championship, known as the ‘National Championship’, is looking more and more like a semi-professional championship. After all, the 3rd division isn't the most attractive league in France, but this year, with the names of the clubs present, it could be interesting to follow. As far as the players are concerned, this championship could give some of them a chance to make a name for themselves and show what they can do. From what I know, some club presidents and governing bodies want the 3rd division to become more professional and be renamed ‘Ligue 3’ in the near future, which I think would be a good thing.

I'm very happy about that

Yes ! Of course my friend ! https://x.com/VAforeverVA

I like your shirts for the new season, my friends. I think that during the season, I'll be ordering your home jersey that I won't hesitate to wear at Valenciennes. May these shirts bring you luck and all the best for the new season, my friends!

The championship was announced yesterday afternoon. It's not going to be an easy championship, as there are a number of clubs who have played at the top level recently (Nimes / Sochaux / Dijon / Troyes or Bordeaux / Nancy). I think that if we want to get back up there straight away, we'll have to give it our best shot from the outset, be keen to win games, and I think that with positive results, this will help to build a good dynamic for the group. I'm personally confident, but only the truth on the pitch will matter. As a little anecdote, the calendar you shared comes from a page that I manage myself. Don't hesitate to subscribe (Allow me to do a little self-promotion haha) https://www.facebook.com/VAFCSupporters

Hello friends! First pre-season friendly match yesterday in front of almost 650 supporters. Against a team we call the UNFP (union of professional football players), which isn't really a club but a training course for players without a club (unemployed). For this first match, the aim was to get the intensity right away and to get almost everyone playing (the players all played around 45 minutes). Starting with a win is always good for morale and confidence. The aim is to continue our preparations before the start of the new season on 16 August.

Good evening, folks. I hope you enjoy the match tonight. Avenge France against the Spaniards! I'm watching the match and I'll be right behind your team! Go England!

Congratulations on your penalty shoot-out win over Switzerland! Welcome to the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals!

Honestly, when I'm in Valenciennes I come across a lot of English club shirts (Manchester City and Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool especially) but otherwise no-one but me wears the occasional shirt I bought when I visited you.

Front and back photo of the jersey I took yesterday.

Feedback from Valenciennes fans has been fairly positive - they like the design and quality of the shirt. The most important thing now is that the shirt is our lucky charm for next season and takes us back to the second division as quickly as possible.

Hello friends! I hope you're well and that the holidays are going well for some of you too! Yesterday, the presentation of the new home shirt for next season took place in front of Valenciennes town hall. A new equipment supplier (Hummel) and the return of an old sponsor (Toyota). Sold in shops for €70 (£59.30). Link to online shop: https://boutique.va-fc.com/products/maillot-domicile-saison-2024-2025 Video presentation of the shirt by the club: https://boutique.va-fc.com/products/maillot-domicile-saison-2024-2025 What do you think, folks? Have a great day!