Valenciennes

[Holmes_and_Watson]

30 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

Hello friends, I hope you're well?

Today is match day for Valenciennes, who host Le Mans at the Stade du Hainaut.

With promotion to Ligue 2 no longer a possibility, the aim at the end of the season is to finish as well as possible and finish in a good position.

The coach is also taking advantage of the end of the season to give playing time to players who haven't had much of a chance in order to prepare for next season.

Also, according to my information, a friendly match will take place in mid-July between Southampton and Valenciennes at Saint Mary's Stadium if all goes well.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm French time and you can follow the match via the link below:

--> 

 

Have a nice day and a good weekend.

Allez VA!

Thanks for the links as always Christophe. And for the info.

This will be interesting. A test for those who might not have played much this season, to stake a claim for more minutes next season.

That's in a side, where you could see the momentum/ hope drain out of it recently, that could be a bit disjointed with players not used to each other, and against one of the better sides in the division.

[ChristopheVAFC]

51 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Thanks for the links as always Christophe. And for the info.

This will be interesting. A test for those who might not have played much this season, to stake a claim for more minutes next season.

That's in a side, where you could see the momentum/ hope drain out of it recently, that could be a bit disjointed with players not used to each other, and against one of the better sides in the division.

It's always a pleasure for me to give you news about my team.

We're preparing for next season now because we can't go up to the second division and I know that the team will probably change a lot next year (at least 10 departures this summer).

SR governance was very disappointed with some of our players and I'm expecting a big mercato as far as I'm concerned.

There are 4 games left before the end of the season:

- Le Mans (home)
- Paris 13 (away)
- Nancy (home)
- Aubagne (away)

These 4 matches will allow us to test players and systems that could be used next year.

[FredVaFC59100]

4 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

ISR governance was very disappointed with some of our players and I'm expecting a big mercato as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah ?

-with players on loan and has-been free transfers from obscure leagues just like last year ? 

-with Siga Diarra, a very talented scout, jumping ship after 11 years at the club ? Who found good players with literally no money ? Who brought in GrBic during the 2023 winter transfer window to save our ass from relegation...until SR took over and finally relegated us to National ?

It will keep on going for the worse as long as SR remains in charge, in fact we were more competitive under the previous tenure with Eddy Zdziech, the tables ranking don't lie.

SR took us to 3rd league and managed to get the B-Team relegated twice. Quite an achievement for "experts in football", in just 2 years none the less.

 

Edited April 25 by FredVaFC59100

[ChristopheVAFC]

1 hour ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

Yeah ?

-with players on loan and has-been free transfers from obscure leagues just like last year ? 

-with Siga Diarra, a very talented scout, jumping ship after 11 years at the club ? Who found good players with literally no money ? Who brought in GrBic during the 2023 winter transfer window to save our ass from relegation...until SR took over and finally relegated us to National ?

It will keep on going for the worse as long as SR remains in charge, in fact we were more competitive under the previous tenure with Eddy Zdziech, the tables ranking don't lie.

SR took us to 3rd league and managed to get the B-Team relegated twice. Quite an achievement for "experts in football", in just 2 years none the less.

 

Well said, what expression in your answer!

I expected nothing less from you, dear colleague!

I would simply reply that, on the one hand, Mr Eddy Zdziech left the club, and he is far from it today, for the good of the club.

The most important thing for me is to want what's best for the club and its institution; yesterday it was the dictator, today it's an investment fund.

I would give SR as much time as EZ had in his time.

I think that our friends from Southampton who read us every day want to hear about our club and not see the settling of scores.

I don't deny that SR don't do everything right, they make mistakes, that's obvious, they even make mistakes at our friendly club Saint's!

Many Valenciennes supporters are lucid about the current situation of our club and know that things are improving in certain areas. A project takes time, and you have to be patient, even if it takes a long time...

You and I won't agree on the management of VAFC, and I don't want to pollute this discussion with a debate that will never end...

[spyinthesky]

7 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

It's always a pleasure for me to give you news about my team.

We're preparing for next season now because we can't go up to the second division and I know that the team will probably change a lot next year (at least 10 departures this summer).

SR governance was very disappointed with some of our players and I'm expecting a big mercato as far as I'm concerned.

There are 4 games left before the end of the season:

- Le Mans (home)
- Paris 13 (away)
- Nancy (home)
- Aubagne (away)

These 4 matches will allow us to test players and systems that could be used next year.

Christophe,

Thanks for your posts.
Really interesting Bonne Chance for the remaining part of the season and next year.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Nathan Jones right once again. Playing against 10 is harder. Only a few mins after Le Mans were down to 10, and they got the only goal. That was quite late on and VA had no answer.

I was beginning to think a warrant would be put out for the thieves who had pinched everyone's shooting boots. Most of the few chances were blazed over.

VA did get a 1 on 1 fairly close to the keeper that was saved. Some running up and down the middle, followed by poor passing was the order of the evening.

VA will be very disappointed about the marking for the goal. But they hadn't done anything of note to get more than a draw.

[ChristopheVAFC]

Let's look back at yesterday's game, which was a continuation of the last few games, a team that gave up and which, for me, is already on holiday because there are no longer any objectives to achieve...

As I said here yesterday, I think we need to start thinking about next year and building a new team.

I hope that SR will make the right choices this summer and that we'll have a better season next year.

Below is a press article summarising yesterday's game.

Have a good day and a good game, folks.

[ChristopheVAFC]

https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1579544/article/2025-04-25/vafc-le-mans-symptomatique-battu-sur-la-fin-va-prend-encore-ses-limites-en

Quote

VAFC - Le Mans: ‘Symptomatic!’ Beaten at the end, VA once again take their limitations in their stride

Technically mediocre in the first half, a depleted VA ended up losing to Le Mans (0-1) at the end of the game despite having raised their game and playing with eleven against ten. It was a familiar scenario and a winless streak stretching to five games. The end of the season can be so long when you have nothing left to play for...

It's been one evening after another for Valenciennes fans. Those who were hoping for a thrilling end to the season, full of suspense and decisive matches, have nothing left to look forward to. Not only did their hopes of going up disappear without a game last weekend, but they are also seeing others come and have a fiesta in their backyard. A month ago, 500 Boulonnais celebrated a last-gasp 2-3 win in style. This time, it was the Manceaux who roared their delight at having also won at the end.

Three games in a row without a goal

Beaten in the final minutes despite being outnumbered, without a win in five games and without a goal in three games, VAFC are bogged down in a nasty run of form. It has cost them their last dreams as much as it has exposed their limitations. To take a goal like that, they go sixty metres with the ball and it's symptomatic of our problems," laments Vincent Hognon. At Bourg, it wasn't the same game, but we also took a goal with eleven against ten, without being in danger. At Dijon, against Boulogne... We're not focused enough or presumptuous enough to think that things are going to go well. Even if I think we're better than we are at the moment.

Too shaky in the final quarter

Perhaps, but against an opponent who deserves to be up there, VA were far too weak technically in the first half before recovering, and Kouakou even lost a decisive one-on-one with Nicolas Kocik (74th). VAFC were also far too predictable. "We knew that if we went after them, they'd be cut in half. They're a team that score a lot of goals in the last quarter of an hour," said Sarthe coach Patrick Videira, his voice hoarse with celebration. When we got the red, I told my assistant that we'd have another chance. Right on target.

VALENCIENNES - LE MANS : 0-1 (0-0).

Stade du Hainaut. 6,107 spectators.

Referee: Mr Perpinan.

Goal : Rabillard (87th) for Le Mans.

Expulsion of Yohou (83rd).

Warnings for Valenciennes: Oyewusi (32nd), Masson (38th), Sissoko (50th); Le Mans: Burlet (36th), Yohou (81st).

Valenciennes: Michel; Coeff, Poha (Boutoutaou, 90e), Dibassy (capped); Buades, Sissoko, Masson (Traoré, 55e), Basse; Camblan; Oyewusi (Appuah, 71e), Kouakou. Coach: Vincent Hognon.

Le Mans: Kocik; Eyoum (Lamgahez, 70e), Yohou, Voyer; Matumona Makanga (Oudjani, 76e), Bernardeau (Oggad, 76e), Lauray, Quarshie (capped by Rossignol, 66e), Burlet; Rabillard, Vula (Gueye, 66e). Coach: Patrick Videira.

 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

45 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

Let's look back at yesterday's game, which was a continuation of the last few games, a team that gave up and which, for me, is already on holiday because there are no longer any objectives to achieve...

As I said here yesterday, I think we need to start thinking about next year and building a new team.

I hope that SR will make the right choices this summer and that we'll have a better season next year.

Below is a press article summarising yesterday's game.

Have a good day and a good game, folks.

Thanks for your summary and that excellent, spot on, article.

I try to be a bit tactful, watching from afar. You have a club with engaged, if flawed decision makers. The position is not where anyone wants to be, but there are plenty of opportunities for players to stake a claim and go up with the club. 

It's not everyone, but there are a number of apathetic, mediocre players drifting their way through this season. Why they don't grasp the opportunity is a mystery. If that's their level, or they deluded themselves into thinking they should be somewhere else, that's on SR's recruitment and coaching.

Oh, for a manager that gives them some home truths and a right kick up the rear. At least you'd see some intensity and increased effort.

[Convict Colony]

I'm calling it now.

The new boss decides to get rid of the sporting director will be changed in the summer and @FredVaFC59100 will finally find something to be happy about😁.

Next season you demolish the league, better players, better system and most importantly a better mentality.

[ChristopheVAFC]

35 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

I'm calling it now.

The new boss decides to get rid of the sporting director will be changed in the summer and @FredVaFC59100 will finally find something to be happy about😁.

Next season you demolish the league, better players, better system and most importantly a better mentality.

Aside from the sporting director's responsibility, we don't talk enough about the disappointment of certain players who have not lived up to their expectations and who have greatly disappointed SR...

The sporting director makes and validates the choices, the players have to do the work on the pitch, and today, few are satisfied, and it's not for nothing that 18 of the 26 current players will potentially not be retained in the team for next year...

I hope we'll have a much better season next year, with players who are fully committed and aware of the expectations placed on them.

If our coach stays with us and does the whole season, it could be very good in building the new team.

[ChristopheVAFC]

2 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Thanks for your summary and that excellent, spot on, article.

I try to be a bit tactful, watching from afar. You have a club with engaged, if flawed decision makers. The position is not where anyone wants to be, but there are plenty of opportunities for players to stake a claim and go up with the club. 

It's not everyone, but there are a number of apathetic, mediocre players drifting their way through this season. Why they don't grasp the opportunity is a mystery. If that's their level, or they deluded themselves into thinking they should be somewhere else, that's on SR's recruitment and coaching.

Oh, for a manager that gives them some home truths and a right kick up the rear. At least you'd see some intensity and increased effort.

It's always a pleasure to share the news from my team with you.

The club is becoming more professional and I know that in certain areas it is taking its cue from you, as with the club's official mobile application, which is the same as Southampton's. I'm delighted to be able to share my team's news with you.

As far as sport is concerned, I maintain that in a football club, it's the most difficult thing to build and stabilise in order to have a good season. Even if the choices are carefully thought out at the outset, no one can say whether these choices will pay off 100% (players out of form, injuries, player behaviour, declining performance)...

Our coach, who arrived at the start of the season, was quick to spot the flaws and weaknesses in our team, and once again, it's not for nothing that, as I speak, 18 of the 26 players probably won't be retained for next year...

The players don't realise that they're at a club like Valenciennes, with a Ligue 1 stadium and training centre, and a crowd that's always behind their team...

A lot of work awaits Sport Republic next summer and next year.

Stay tuned!

[FredVaFC59100]

all of that is just wishful thinking; the root of the problem is Dragan Solak. He got into business with 2 con artists; I put zero trust in someone that has such poor judgement at this level of responsibility . The sooner SR get the f out; the better.

Spring of 2026  will bring the same convoluted excuses from the same fellows as to why the club failed to win promotion to Ligue 2. Maybe they should consider turning to Jesus instead to fill the void inside.

[ChristopheVAFC]

Today's press review of our sporting director, Ben Chorley.

Quote

VALENCIENNES - CAN BEN CHORLEY CONTINUE?

Sporting director of VAFC since June 2023. Ben Chorley has had a string of recruitment failures and a lack of results. His position is now very fragile.

In a business that is never short of surprises, you can't swear by anything. But the record of Sport Republic's first two seasons at VA has everything to be fatal for Ben Chorley, sporting director since the arrival of the investment fund, who has already seen three coaches come and go (Maciel, Kantari, Hognon), shuffled an incalculable number of players and changed chairman on numerous occasions without ever touching his position.

The total absence of results is now a terrible stone in the garden of the Englishman, who arrived in 2022 without any real references. He is very present on a daily basis, but hardly ever expresses himself and only very rarely makes an appearance in front of the media, never hiding his annoyance at certain questions. In any case, it is very difficult to get an interview with the boss of the sporting sector.

The record speaks for itself: a descent into the National League, a failed bid to climb back up and, above all, recruitment that has gone in all directions, resembling a game of Football Manager played blindly rather than a real strategy. Of the forty or so players recruited since June 2023, there are at best a few promising signings, an incalculable number of flops who have already left and even fewer good recruits.

"With the previous management, there was a real dispute", a person close to VAFC.

COMMUNICATION CANNOT COVER IT ALL

The management of youngsters at the training centre is also a subject. Behind the case of Joachim Kayi Sanda, who was sold to parent company Southampton, there are the failures of Bouneb and Sadi, who left for nothing after shining at the U17 World Cup in December 2023.

Not to mention Manga Foé Ondoa, who was left without stability last season, but whose entourage complained to the club to get him to sign a contract that they had resolved to see him play everywhere but especially no longer at VA.

A failure at every level, Chorley appears to have been further weakened by the comments made by Dirk Gerkens, the French-speaking chairman, when he arrived in January, justifying the change in management by the need ‘to make the club as French-speaking as possible’.

Sometimes the target of banners demanding his departure to Hainaut, the Briton has been relatively spared by a loyal but clear-sighted public who hold him responsible for the failures of the last two seasons. ‘That's when you realise that the club has become very good at communicating, because for much less than that with the previous management, there was a real dispute,’ confides a person close to VAFC. But communication, no matter how polished, can't mask everything.

[ChristopheVAFC]

Hello friends.

Today is match day for Valenciennes, who travel to Paris to take on Paris 13 Atletico.

No objective other than to finish the season as well as possible.

There are 3 games left before the end of the season:

- Paris 13 (away)

- Nancy (home)

- Aubagne (away)

It's already a bit of a holiday for the players and, like you, we can't wait for the season to come to an end so we can look ahead to next season.

We've got a big job on our hands this summer, with potentially 18 of the 26 players who will not be retained in the squad. Stay tuned!

Kick-off at 7.30pm and match to follow via the following link:

Have a great day!

Allez Valenciennes!

[ChristopheVAFC]

Hello friends,

The day after the match, 1-1 draw.

I didn't get to watch the match because I'm in charge of the club's women's team, so yesterday was a match in the same vein as the end of the season.

I now call it a ‘pre-season match’ or ‘friendly match’ haha.

Can't wait for the holidays!

Have a good weekend!

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Their goal was a long passing move. You could see the layers of triggers VA have trained for, activate, then get by-passed. One in midfield broke from that, but hard to say if that gave them a little more room or as everyone else couldn't stop it either.

A more direct equaliser from a cross from the right, getting a touch in the centre. That took it to a VA player, unmarked as their defence had been drawn into the middle.

VA had one ruled out. Paris had a sitter and looked the better side on a surface VA weren't the most comfortable on. VA once again showing that they are not a promotion pushing outfit in this league, and fully deserved their position.

As a neutral, it was decent. I like grounds where you can watch the world go by outside it. In this case the traffic.

[Convict Colony]

Thanks bro appreciate these summaries.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

You can't say SR haven't left their stamp on their clubs. That's two out of three where you'd not miss at least 18 out of the squad.

It's not everyone in yesterday's team. There are a couple who look really frustrated at those around them. Hopefully, they are not the ones going out the door.

Something Saints should be wary of. Just because you struggled in one league, doesn't mean you should accept that position in the one below. Both sides need less fluffy backroom appointments, and more on field drivers.

[S-Clarke]

2 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

You can't say SR haven't left their stamp on their clubs. That's two out of three where you'd not miss at least 18 out of the squad.

It's not everyone in yesterday's team. There are a couple who look really frustrated at those around them. Hopefully, they are not the ones going out the door.

Something Saints should be wary of. Just because you struggled in one league, doesn't mean you should accept that position in the one below. Both sides need less fluffy backroom appointments, and more on field drivers.

They've made a right mess of almost everything they've touched, not out of bad intentions, but just because the people they put in charge don't have a clue.

Lots of businessmen trying fancy fluffy roles, like you say, trying to be ultra-clever and do things in a unique way with people who understand business - but have no idea about football.

There's a lot of a lot riding on the appointment of Spors, they have no rope left and it simply has to work or they need to go and leave our clubs alone before they kill us terminally.

[FredVaFC59100]

When the $h!t hits the fan, everyone gets it...or should I say, la merde?

https://le11hdf.fr/le-vafc-vers-une-cure-dausterite-a-grande-echelle/

Quote

" 

VAFC towards a large-scale austerity cure

Enzo PailotMay 4, 2025

Daniel Derajinski/Icon Sport

Boasting the largest budget in the National League, VAFC is nevertheless preparing to embark on a second consecutive season in the division. This is bad news on both the sporting and economic fronts, and will force the Hainaut club to make budget cuts in almost every area.

VAFC faces the reality of the National

With a budget of €14 million according to the media Sportune , VAFC had – and by quite a distance – the biggest budget in the National during this 2024-2025 season. A rather logical status given the club's infrastructure, its longevity of nearly two decades in Ligue 2 and Ligue 1 and the recent acquisition by Sport Republic . However, VA has not lived up to its rank on the pitch, while Nancy (€5M budget), Le Mans (€5M) and Boulogne (€3M) will share the tickets for promotion to Ligue 2 with two to five times less means.

The National being a real basket of crabs , with logistical expenses (notably on travel) similar to Ligue 2 for much lower income (€4.5M of TV rights on which a cross was drawn), a second consecutive season at this level will inevitably force the VAFC to resize its project to rationalize its costs .

Staff, training, payroll…

Thus, according to our information, the technical staff could be the first target of the Valenciennes austerity cure, especially since the understanding is not cordial between the men placed by Sport Republic and the close guard of Vincent Hognon, while the latter has seduced internally by his seriousness and his frankness. Considerable for a National club, with in particular a coach pushes set pieces and two physical trainers or even two video analysts, this could be greatly impacted, just like the training center .

A true emblem of the Hainaut club, still very well represented in the youth selections despite generations being a little less promising these days, its operating cost is today estimated at 3.2 million euros per year . A heavy burden, especially since the valuation of young shoots is much less strong in National than in Ligue 2, without counting the many talents who have left freely in recent months (Manga Foe Ondoa, Ismaël Bouneb, Aymen Sadi). And the performances of the reserve, with a relegation to Regional 1, does not help matters.

All this also leads to a clean-up of the wage bill , already disproportionate last season in Ligue 2 (9th) and which has not been shaken up in large widths despite the relegation to National. Two thirds of the Valenciennes workforce are at the end of their contracts this summer , and the extensions should be counted drop by drop. All with the objective of displaying a healthier lifestyle for the National, as Dijon or Nancy have had to force themselves to do in recent years. And with the need for Sport Republic, despite everything, to put its hand in the pot to allow VAFC to live up to its ambitions, which remain to return to Ligue 2 as quickly as possible.

 

Edited Sunday at 18:53 by FredVaFC59100

[ChristopheVAFC]

According to their information?

Journalists really do manage to get information that even SR doesn't have! It's really amazing! 🤪🤪

[Doctoroncall]

That sounds bad and seems that management has been totally chaotic. 
 

Good luck. 

[FredVaFC59100]

22 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

According to their information?

Journalists really do manage to get information that even SR doesn't have! It's really amazing! 🤪🤪

How would you know...unless you have vested interest in SR. You keep on reminding me of Matthew Le God more and more as time goes by. 

[ChristopheVAFC]

6 minutes ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

How would you know...unless you have vested interest in SR. You keep on reminding me of Matthew Le God more and more as time goes by. 

My only interest, yesterday, today and tomorrow, is Valenciennes, its club and its institution.

I've noticed that journalists have been quick to demolish Sport Republic since they took control nearly 2 years ago, whereas before Eddy Zdziech they didn't even dare to publish a single negative press article in 10 years!

[FredVaFC59100]

1 minute ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

My only interest, yesterday, today and tomorrow, is Valenciennes, its club and its institution.

I've noticed that journalists have been quick to demolish Sport Republic since they took control nearly 2 years ago, whereas before Eddy Zdziech they didn't even dare to publish a single negative press article in 10 years!

Did Eddy Zdziech manage to maintain both A and B teams in their respective leagues during his entire tenure while SR is a consistent train wreck on both fronts ?

Saints' relegation to Championship in 2023 and again this year, combined with one of the most disastrous  run in PL history, clearly demonstrates that VAFC situation isn't just a fluke but an  endemic problem with SR.

[ChristopheVAFC]

12 minutes ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

Did Eddy Zdziech manage to maintain both A and B teams in their respective leagues during his entire tenure while SR is a consistent train wreck on both fronts ?

Saints' relegation to Championship in 2023 and again this year, combined with one of the most disastrous  run in PL history, clearly demonstrates that VAFC situation isn't just a fluke but an  endemic problem with SR.

At what price did he manage (painfully, I remind you) to keep us in business for years?

- to sell players at a loss (example: Upamecano)

- giving the DNCG false papers to avoid going down

- providing poor working conditions for the club's employees

- cheating various shareholders (Partouche)

- alienating virtually all the institutions

- leaving the club with a colossal debt

- losing all the time in industrial tribunal proceedings

Without SR's takeover, we wouldn't be in N1 today, but in N3 since last season...

As far as our friends from Saint's are concerned, I don't think there's any reason why the Premier League is the toughest league in the world. In fact, the 3 promoted teams went straight back down!

All I'm asking is that SR be given as much time as EZ had to prove himself at VAFC, i.e. 10 years.

In my opinion, equal management means equal time.

[FredVaFC59100]

Ben is going bye bye...

https://le11hdf.fr/vafc-ben-chorley-plus-quune-question-de-temps/

VAFC: Ben Chorley, just a matter of time?

Enzo PailotMay 5, 2025

Dave Winter/FEP/Icon Sport

Accompanied by a disappointing record, to say the least, and threatened by the desire to "Frenchify" all levels of the club, Ben Chorley's time at VAFC is numbered. The English sporting director, gradually pushed towards the exit, even appears less and less present and involved in daily life, while the question of his replacement is on the table.

Ben Chorley arriving in the next few weeks, or even days?

After going through three coaches since his arrival (Jorge Maciel, Ahmed Kantari, Vincent Hognon) without finding a miracle solution, Sport Republic is preparing to change its target. Highly criticized by Valencia fans, to the point of being the target of several banners at the Hainaut stadium in recent months, Ben Chorley is on an ejection seat at the end of the season. According to our information, the fate of the 42-year-old sporting director is even being decided behind the scenes. The official announcement should come at the end of the season, shortly after the final matchday of the National.

It must be said that the Englishman has few arguments to convince the new management led by Dirk Gerkens , who immediately announced his desire to "Frenchify" the club from the locker room to the offices, to maintain his confidence. For two years, the man who built the squad that finished bottom of Ligue 2 last season, then the one who was unable to get back there despite the biggest budget in National , has had a series of failures. Of the forty recruits, it is difficult to find real long-term satisfaction beyond Jean Louchet .

Dave Winter/FEP/Icon Sport

And if the sale of Joachim Kayi Sanda to Southampton, facilitated between clubs in the Sport Republic galaxy, was able to highlight the Valenciennes team and replenish the coffers, the management of the cases of Aymen Sadi (free to Angers), Ismaël Bouneb (free to Le Havre) and especially Manga Foe Ondoa , who punished VAFC for the incessant pressure from its sporting director by signing freely to Estoril Praia (Portugal), as reported by La Voix du Nord , does nothing to improve the case of Ben Chorley, who has been under threat for many weeks as revealed at the end of last year .

A transition already underway at VAFC

The latter, gradually sidelined and certainly aware of the impending sentence, is becoming increasingly discreet. The VAFC board, according to our information, is already working on his replacement, with the desire to get its hands on a French profile in order to strengthen the new French-speaking cycle and turn the page on " foreign and arrogant certainties and attitudes ," reports a source close to the club. The possibility of appointing a former club coach was even considered for a time, before being ruled out according to the latest reports.

Dirk Gerkens, new president of VAFC: "The goal was to move up to Ligue 1, not to go down to National"

Time is already running out for VAFC, just a few weeks before a summer transfer window full of turmoil : fewer than a dozen players are under contract beyond this summer, knowing that not all of them will want to sign up for a second season in the National, and that a host of new recruits are therefore expected. In other words, the summer promises to be a busy one for Hainaut. But without Ben Chorley, apparently. A surprise to no one.

Enzo PAILOT with Romain PECHON

[Holmes_and_Watson]

3 hours ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

Ben is going bye bye...

https://le11hdf.fr/vafc-ben-chorley-plus-quune-question-de-temps/

VAFC: Ben Chorley, just a matter of time?

Enzo PailotMay 5, 2025

Dave Winter/FEP/Icon Sport

 

Thanks for that. It's a results business, and it's been...well, you'll have your own adjective to use to describe it.

Another reminder of SR's lurching approach between ideas. One thing is an utter failure, but let's "frenchify" it.

As the article says, there's lots of change over the summer, so getting this stuff aligned quickly in the background, can only be a good thing.

[ChristopheVAFC]

I'd also like to point out that the journalists from ‘Le 11 Valenciennois’, who have been very quiet in their editorial line throughout the season, published 2 articles this week that were highly critical of the club and sport républic. Personally, I consider that this media resembles a press people or a tabloid whose sources are more than dubious.

[SuperSAINT]

4 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

I'd also like to point out that the journalists from ‘Le 11 Valenciennois’, who have been very quiet in their editorial line throughout the season, published 2 articles this week that were highly critical of the club and sport républic. Personally, I consider that this media resembles a press people or a tabloid whose sources are more than dubious.

Has Ben Chorley done much that you’ve been impressed by, Christophe?

Im not sure what he did prior to deserve getting the job.

Ivan Mance at Göztepe seems to have done an excellent job by comparison.

[FredVaFC59100]

4 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

I'd also like to point out that the journalists from ‘Le 11 Valenciennois’, who have been very quiet in their editorial line throughout the season, published 2 articles this week that were highly critical of the club and sport républic. Personally, I consider that this media resembles a press people or a tabloid whose sources are more than dubious.

Just because it interferes with your narrative and love-life with SR does not mean you have to be dismissive of this website and show contempt for the journalists; Just face the facts.I didn't hear you complaining when they reported favorably on Ben Chorley last year:

https://le11hdf-fr.translate.goog/ben-chorley-vafc-la-saison-prochaine-nous-serons-de-retour-en-ligue-2/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Ben Chorley (VAFC): “Next season we will be back in League 2”

The Editorial TeamApril 13, 2024

Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport

In a lengthy interview with the club, VAFC sporting director Ben Chorley took stock of the season. He took the opportunity to reflect on what went wrong, the infrastructure, recruitment and the future of VA.

The reasons for a catastrophic season

"There are many reasons for our relegation. We have to be honest, and from my point of view, mistakes were made. I think we took over a club we didn't really know. I've been involved in takeovers before, and until you're in the buildings, you don't really know what's under the floor, as they say. There are a lot of things to sort out, whether it's with the team, discipline, positions, or the people in the different departments. I would say, especially in terms of the organization and the commercial side, it was pretty empty; there weren't enough jobs. We had to rebuild a football club from the very first weeks."

Remarkable infrastructure development

“A lot of things happened that we're still dealing with today. We put this infrastructure in place by changing things at the training center. As you may have seen, we've started work on the football pitches. These are not excuses, they are simply facts. For the past three and a half months, we haven't been able to train on our pitches, which is very, very difficult. We've had a lot of injuries during that time. This is because we trained on a pitch that was neglected.

When I arrived, four players knocked on my door to tell me they wanted to leave, which is difficult to accept.

We've improved the gym and nutrition. The players eat breakfast and lunch, which means we can have more control over their fitness, how they sleep, and how they move, which is a sign of professionalism. Professionalism, dedication, and discipline are the three most important things to be a footballer."

A delicate context from summer 2023

“When I arrived, four players knocked on my door to tell me they wanted to leave, which is difficult to accept. It's something that surprises you but you have to deal with it. In January, we had to deal with two or three of these players. It put a spanner in the works. We took over an unhappy team. Looking at the league tables in recent years, it's a club that isn't used to winning. We want to change that. So we signed players who are used to winning leagues. It didn't work out for some of them, and we have to take responsibility for that.”

Daniel Derajinski/Icon Sport

Unsuitable recruitment for Ligue 2?

“We have international players. Valenciennes has never had five or six internationals. These are players who will prove themselves. At no point did we think it would be easy. We never underestimated the league. I think we have experienced players like Jean Louchet, Sacha Bansé, Andrew Jung, and Anthony Knockaert. Some players have played at a higher level than Ligue 2. I don't think a lack of experience in Ligue 2 should be an excuse. We've brought in players; some have been successful, others not. But there are also real successes like Joachim Kayi Sanda, Souleymane Basse, Manga Foe Ondoa, and Tanguy Lienard. The young players who have arrived in the first team are successes and will be part of the team next year.”

An innovative recruitment methodology

“When we arrived, there was a scouting structure, but no real structure, planning, or platform to observe players or connect with them. So we created a scouting team headed by Mathieu Frison. He has a fantastic background as a scout (at LOSC, editor's note) and many contacts. He's young, very, very eager to succeed, and travels a lot in France. His knowledge is unrivaled. There are two other scouts: one in Belgium, one in the Netherlands. And at Sport Republic, we have a multitude of scouts and recruitment analysts who work closely with me and at the clubs. We couldn't sign players like Mathias Oyewusi or Flamarion if we didn't watch hundreds and hundreds of matches a week and had scouts working 24 hours a day with video and data.”

We don't just want to recruit players at the end of their contracts in the National or Ligue 2.

We don't just want to recruit players at the end of their contracts in the National or Ligue 2. We find good players that way. But we want will, character, the desire to do well. I think that's what we're getting in our recruitment right now. The coach is always consulted about our recruitment. That's always the case. He gives his opinion and can say no, without any problem, if he has too many doubts about his inclusion in the project or in the locker room. We never sign a contract that everyone hasn't approved of. That's very important."

Sport Republic, a new mentality

“We spoke from experience, we can put our methodology and infrastructure in place for next season. Work on the pitches began in April, we have dedicated nutrition chefs. All of this wasn't in place when we arrived. We must be professional in creating an environment conducive to winning. This is a long-term project with a fantastic stadium, a fantastic training center. And now we want to build a fantastic team. The administrative work being done is also fantastic. We are trying to improve every individual and every area of the club, step by step. But it takes time. 18 players left this summer, 18 more arrived. Again, it takes time to build camaraderie and trust. The fans don't want to hear that. But next season, we will be back in Ligue 2. That must be our goal.” 

Ben Chorley, between warm welcome and sacrifices

“I’ve lived here for nine months. I think I’ve eaten in every restaurant in town (smiles). I really like the city, I’ve made some great friends, especially with the restaurant owners because I eat alone (smiles). People have been very kind, they help me with French, and I’m accepted. You have to make sacrifices. I’m away from my family, my wife, my two children, and it’s football. This weekend, I’m missing my son’s birthday (smiles). It’s not ideal, but I have to dedicate myself to VAFC to make it a success.”

The real start of the adventure planned for this summer?

“I want players who understand what Ligue 2 and the National are all about. I want to be able to see the Valenciennes spirit in this team: hard work, never giving up, desire, strength. We will have to show this to the fans and owners next season, that they can see our DNA in our performances. Namely, strength, discipline, and the desire to do well. We will never give up. As soon as the referee blows the whistle to start the match, we will have to fight. We have to.”

Source: VAFC

Edited 21 hours ago by FredVaFC59100

[Tommy Mulgrew]

I see that the VAFC team consists of only nine players.  Perhaps that explains your recent relegations and lacklustre results.  I am amazed that no one has realised that and done something about it.  😉
 

 

[FredVaFC59100]

5 minutes ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

I see that the VAFC team consists of only nine players.  Perhaps that explains your recent relegations and lacklustre results.  I am amazed that no one has realised that and done something about it.  😉
 

 

It is all explained in Rasmus' books: If it is not broken, brake it, and do more with less players on the pitch.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

12 minutes ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

I see that the VAFC team consists of only nine players.  Perhaps that explains your recent relegations and lacklustre results.  I am amazed that no one has realised that and done something about it.  😉
 

 

 

5 minutes ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

It is all explained in Rasmus' books: If it is not broken, brake it, and do more with less players on the pitch.

This is a hold over from Nathan Jones' time too. He said it's harder to play against 10, when we got beaten by Wolves. 

SR, being the innovators they are, simply took it to the next level, and decided to field 9 men teams. 🙂

[ChristopheVAFC]

5 hours ago, SuperSAINT said:

Has Ben Chorley done much that you’ve been impressed by, Christophe?

Im not sure what he did prior to deserve getting the job.

Ivan Mance at Göztepe seems to have done an excellent job by comparison.

I get the impression that a lot of people think that Ben Chorley is to blame for everything at the club:

‘seats are too expensive’ Ben's fault
‘Mathieu Michel concedes a goal’ Ben's fault
‘Mathias Oyewuzi doesn't score’ Ben's fault
‘It's raining in Valenciennes’ also Ben's fault...

I'm willing to accept that he's partly to blame for the team's lack of sporting success, but he's not the only one responsible for everything.

 

[ChristopheVAFC]

4 hours ago, FredVaFC59100 said:

Just because it interferes with your narrative and love-life with SR does not mean you have to be dismissive of this website and show contempt for the journalists; Just face the facts.I didn't hear you complaining when they reported favorably on Ben Chorley last year:

https://le11hdf-fr.translate.goog/ben-chorley-vafc-la-saison-prochaine-nous-serons-de-retour-en-ligue-2/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

I still think, and will continue to think, that this medium is far from reliable, unlike other reputable media in this field.

[Convict Colony]

On 26/04/2025 at 1:07 PM, Convict Colony said:

I'm calling it now.

The new boss decides to get rid of the sporting director will be changed in the summer and @FredVaFC59100 will finally find something to be happy about😁.

Next season you demolish the league, better players, better system and most importantly a better mentality.

Sometimes these things are too easy to predict, maybe i should be in charge.

[ChristopheVAFC]

https://www.va-fc.com/articles/28320

Quote

Press release from Yoann Godin, CEO of VAFC

"After a number of discussions with Ben Chorley, we have agreed that his role as sporting director will come to an end at the end of the season. I'd like to thank him and wish him all the best for the future. The work on VAFC's new sporting organisation and the preparations for next season are continuing.

Thank you for the work Ben, and now it's time for next season's projects.