ChristopheVAFC Posted July 18 Posted July 18 Here is the latest news from Valenciennes: ** FRIENDLY MATCHES ** After playing the following friendlies: - Dunkerque 0-2 VAFC - VAFC 3-0 FCV Dender Valenciennes played a third friendly match against the Belgian side RFC Liège. VA won this third match 4-2. The match was played in three 30-minute periods. Scorers: - Salif LEBOUATH (6') - Luka BOITEAU (18') - Célestin NYEMB (33') - Rayane EKRA (55') - Goal for Liège (16') - Goal for Liège (56') A fourth friendly match is currently underway—again against a Belgian team—at Kortrijk's home ground. I will share the score here a bit later. ** SUMMER TRANSFERS ** The latest rumors point to a loan deal from Southampton for midfielder Issa TOUNKARA. And as of this morning, there is a rumor that Valenciennes is in talks with Christopher ROCCHIA, a 28-year-old left-back. That’s the news for today, folks. 1
ChristopheVAFC Posted July 18 Posted July 18 Update on this morning's friendly match against Kortrijk. It ended in a 1–1 draw. Kortrijk opened the scoring in the 27th minute, and Valenciennes equalized in the 88th minute through Vincent Marcel. As the match was played behind closed doors and not broadcast, I have no further details. Schedule for the coming week: - Sunday, July 19 (tomorrow): Departure for England and Southampton's Staplewood Campus for a five-day training camp running until July 23. - Wednesday, July 22: Friendly match against Eastleigh FC at Silverlake Stadium. - Saturday, July 25: Friendly match against the UNFP (National Union of Professional Footballers) in Valenciennes. 4
ChristopheVAFC Posted July 22 Posted July 22 Hello friends, I hope you're doing well. News from Valenciennes: ** TRAINING CAMP IN SOUTHAMPTON ** Currently at their training camp in Southampton, the players have been alternating between training sessions and team-building activities—including go-karting. Today, they visited St Mary's Stadium and paid their respects at the Ted statue before the friendly match against Eastleigh at Silverlake Stadium. Kick-off is at 8:45 PM local time. ** SIGNINGS ** A 10th new player arrived yesterday: Christopher Rocchia. 👤 Who is Christopher Rocchia? Position: Left-back / Left wing-back (1.72m) Career path: A product of the Olympique de Marseille academy, he made his professional debut in Ligue 1 with the club. He subsequently had several spells—initially on loan and later via permanent transfers—at Sochaux (L2), Dijon (L2), and more recently at Aubagne and FC Villefranche Beaujolais in the National league. Playing style: He is a full-back with explosive movement, known for his pace, high work rate along the flank, and attacking contribution. 🎯 Verdict On paper, this is an excellent market opportunity. Rocchia possesses the athletic and technical qualities to quickly become an undisputed starter and a dynamic force on the left flank. If the medical and coaching staff can help him find consistency and confidence, he has all the makings of a standout performer this season. That’s all for the news. Have a great evening, everyone. 4
ChristopheVAFC Posted July 22 Posted July 22 Starting XI Eastleigh vs Valenciennes FC - Derrick Abu start the game tonight Source https://x.com/DanJHargraves/status/2079993102857629983/photo/1 1
ChristopheVAFC Posted July 22 Posted July 22 30' goal for Valenciennes ! MABROUCK ROUAI ! Score: 0-1 1
ChristopheVAFC Posted July 22 Posted July 22 77' Break for Valenciennes 🔥 Vincent MARCEL. Score: 0-2 🙂 2
ChristopheVAFC Posted July 22 Posted July 22 Full Time: 0-3 for VA. Scorer 3 goal: Vincent MARCEL (89') Allez VA ! ❤️🤍 4
Holmes_and_Watson Posted July 22 Posted July 22 2 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said: Full Time: 0-3 for VA. Scorer 3 goal: Vincent MARCEL (89') Allez VA ! ❤️🤍 Well done VA! 5
spyinthesky Posted July 23 Posted July 23 Better result than achieved by the Saints last Saturday!! 1
John Boy Saint Posted July 23 Posted July 23 55 minutes ago, spyinthesky said: Better result than achieved by the Saints last Saturday!! 4 games into pre season compared to the first for us against a team with 3(?) pre season games under their belt 1
Neil Posted July 23 Posted July 23 Looks like VA enjoyed their visit to Hampshire! And perhaps building up a head of steam for the new season, a raft of signings, pre-season wins, goals, etc. Wonder what level their pre-season opponents were at, other than Eastleigh who we know of course. Christophe - do you have any betting odds for Ligue 3 for this coming season? 1
ChristopheVAFC Posted July 23 Posted July 23 4 hours ago, Neil said: Looks like VA enjoyed their visit to Hampshire! And perhaps building up a head of steam for the new season, a raft of signings, pre-season wins, goals, etc. Wonder what level their pre-season opponents were at, other than Eastleigh who we know of course. Christophe - do you have any betting odds for Ligue 3 for this coming season? It's always a pleasure to visit! 😎 I have no doubt that our players benefited from great working conditions over these five days! I wanted to come along, but budget constraints made it impossible. 😌 So far, the friendlies are going well—no losses, good scores, and the players are starting to gel—though, of course, friendlies don't earn you any league points, haha. 😅 Regarding the level of our pre-season opponents: ** FRIENDLIES PLAYED ** - US Dunkerque (Ligue 2 - France) -> 2-0 Win - FCV Dender (Division 2 - Belgium) -> 3-0 Win - RFC Liège (Division 2 - Belgium) -> 4-2 Win - KV Kortrijk (Division 1 - Belgium) -> 1-1 Draw - Eastleigh FC (Division 5 - England) -> 3-0 Win ** UPCOMING FRIENDLIES ** - 25/07 vs UNFP (unattached players/free agents) - 31/07 vs US Boulogne CO (Ligue 2 - France) ** LIGUE 3 LEAGUE FIXTURES ** - 07/08 vs Stade Malherbe Caen (in Normandy) - 14/08 vs FC Bourg-en-Bresse (Stade du Hainaut) - 20/08 vs Paris 13 Atletico (in Paris) - 29/08 vs US Concarneau (in Brittany) Regarding odds and sports betting: under the old name—"Championnat National"—it wasn't possible to bet on matches in France. However, with the new name (Ligue 3) and the new status (shifting from amateur to professional), I think it will be possible to bet on Valenciennes matches this season, though nothing is certain just yet. In any case, here in Valenciennes, there is no getting carried away; it is only the very beginning of the season, and while the initial results are positive, we are remaining level-headed. 5
leesaint88 Posted July 24 Posted July 24 Will keep an eye on results. I lived in France for a period and enjoyed a fair bit of French football, I'm surprised to see the likes of Amiens & Bastia dropping down in to National. I was just reading about the switch to professionalism at that level, it seems the financial rules laid down by the football association are pretty tight. Wage to revenue being only 60% from 2027 and then 40% in 2029? Surely that will result in teams operating on a semi professional level rather than fully pro.
ChristopheVAFC Posted July 29 Posted July 29 Hello friends, I hope you're doing well. News from Valenciennes: ** HEAD COACH ** -> Pierre Blois Appointed VAFC Head Coach (official) Valenciennes FC VAFC is pleased to confirm the appointment of Pierre Blois as head coach of the first team for the 2026-2027 season. To meet the regulatory requirements associated with the role, Pierre Blois will soon begin a coaching course in Scotland—a program recognized and approved by the French Football Federation. This decision will be formally ratified by the Federation’s commission for football coaches and instructors, which is scheduled to meet at the end of August. Since taking charge of the team last February, Pierre Blois and his staff have successfully instilled new momentum. This appointment recognizes the hard work, commitment, and professionalism demonstrated on a daily basis over the past several months, as well as the club's confidence in the continuity of the ongoing project. Supporting him in this new role, Pierre Blois will be assisted by Rudy Mater—an iconic former club player and recent academy coach—and Samuel Goethals, who joins VAFC after four seasons with US Pays de Cassel. Both are joining the technical staff as assistant coaches. The entire club extends its sincere congratulations to Pierre Blois on this appointment and wishes him and his staff every success in this new endeavor. 3
FredVaFC59100 Posted July 29 Posted July 29 1 hour ago, ChristopheVAFC said: Pierre Blois, the new Tonda Eckert 😎 Great, you know when P. Blois is heading next when/if Tonda gets the boot. Happy ? Pappy ? 1
ChristopheVAFC Posted August 6 Posted August 6 Hello friends, I hope you're doing well. After a few days of being unavailable, here is some news from Valenciennes: ** HEAD COACH ** As previously announced, Pierre Blois will indeed be the Valenciennes coach this season. Sport Republic is placing a lot of faith in Pierre; he has been with the club for several years and coached various youth academy teams before stepping up to the professional squad. ** HOME AND AWAY KITS ** With a slight delay, the club has officially unveiled two of the three kits: the home kit on July 30 and the away kit on August 5. Photos of the kits are below: ** FRIENDLY MATCHES ** The friendly matches have now concluded, with a total of 8 games played: - US Dunkerque (Ligue 2 - France) -> 2-0 Win - FCV Dender (Division 2 - Belgium) -> 3-0 Win - RFC Liège (Division 2 - Belgium) -> 4-2 Win - KV Kortrijk (Division 1 - Belgium) -> 1-1 Draw - Eastleigh FC (Division 5 - England) -> 3-0 Win - UNFP (unattached players/free agents) -> 0-0 Draw - US Boulogne CO (Ligue 2 - France) -> 1-1 Draw - FC Mons (Division 1 - Belgium) -> 3-1 Win ** LEAGUE SEASON ** Now for the league season, which kicks off tomorrow with an away game against Stade Malherbe Caen. The "Championnat National de Football" era is over; make way for "Ligue 3 Betclic." Here are a few new features: - 4 referees (previously 3) - A "professional" league (formerly semi-pro) - No more free matches on YouTube (broadcast on Ligue1+, a paid channel) - Video officiating (distinct from VAR), known as "Football Video Support"; this system is less complex than the VAR setup used in Ligue 1 and allows coaches two challenges per match to request a video review for incidents covered by the VAR protocol. This technology reflects a commitment to officiating innovation—a key priority for this new league. Below, I’ve included a press article about our local "Phil Parsons," Mr. Yoann Godin. Have a great day, everyone. 2
ChristopheVAFC Posted August 6 Posted August 6 Quote https://www.lobservateur.fr/vafc-yoann-godin-ligue-3-ambitions-du-club/?uid=vpid&q_ressource_uri=https://www.lobservateur.fr/vafc-yoann-godin-ligue-3-ambitions-du-club/&widget=viewpay&success=true VAFC: General Manager Yoann Godin opens up ahead of the Ligue 3 season and discusses the club's ambitions August 6, 2026 After a successful pre-season, VAFC kicks off the new Ligue 3 campaign in Caen this Friday. General Manager Yoann Godin shares his thoughts and discusses the club's evolution. At VAFC, a shift toward austerity hasn't stifled ambition. Although the club has scaled back operations and launched a major cost-cutting plan, majority shareholder Sport Republic remains committed to the team. Following a successful pre-season, Valenciennes begins the new Ligue 3 season this Friday with high hopes. L'Observateur: VAFC finished pre-season unbeaten (8 matches) and showed great promise. Are you satisfied? Yoann Godin: If we don't back it up against Caen or Bourg-en-Bresse, no one will be talking about it anymore (laughs). There are plenty of examples where early promise didn't last. We are indeed satisfied with our squad; while the roster had to be overhauled significantly, the players have spent five weeks together and logged plenty of game time. The coaching staff's game plan is taking shape, and the group seems tight-knit. We are doing everything we can to forge a cohesive team unit—something just as important as the purely sporting side of things. Retaining Pierre Blois as head coach was a bold move. What is the status of his coaching qualification? There was alignment between the group's sporting management in Southampton and us here in Valenciennes. We value his technical skills and wanted him to stay. We also appreciate that he is surrounded by people like Rudy Mater—figures deeply rooted in the local area who know the club's values inside out. We began working behind the scenes in mid-April to find a way to keep him without incurring a fine. Sport Republic leveraged its connections, but he was the one who had to handle the necessary procedures. His tenure at the club and his recent promotion made him eligible for a Scottish training program. He won't receive his qualification for another two years, but in the meantime, he has a waiver allowing him to coach without issue. Nine positions cut and cost-cutting across the board After investing heavily, Sport Republic has significantly scaled back operations. What is the state of the club's finances? We are still dealing with an ongoing crisis regarding media rights. While the third division isn't directly affected, it does impact player recruitment. In France, no club is profitable without selling players. Some of our prestigious rivals even start the season with a €40–50 million deficit to cover. Our club maintains a solid structure, which comes at a cost. When people point to us as having the league's largest budget, they often overlook the fact that this covers a training center, a stadium, and other infrastructure. When looking strictly at the wage bill, the gap narrows considerably. A redundancy plan had to be implemented; what were the consequences? The shareholder had to put a comprehensive cost-cutting plan in place. This led to a restructuring process that ran from the start of the year through June, resulting in the elimination of nine positions. However, it also involved reducing costs at every level. Is Sport Republic still committed to VA? In any case, we have a shareholder who is very much present—and one we simply cannot do without for the time being. The only way to change that, as I just mentioned, is by selling players, but that relies on building momentum and achieving good results. "Ligue 3 will be an innovative yet responsible league." What does the new Ligue 3 (replacing the National division) offer the club? The FFF is making a real effort to develop this league, which remains the competition that truly represents the regions. With broadcasts on Ligue 1+ and a sponsorship deal with Betclic, it will gain greater visibility and better coverage. Ligue 3 will narrow the gap in status between clubs and ultimately prepare the 18 founding teams to make the step up to Ligue 2. It will serve as a testing ground—for instance, for the "Football Video Support" system (a modified version of VAR). At the same time, however, there will be constraints, such as capping the wage bill at 60% of revenue, with a gradual reduction to 40%. It is an innovative yet responsible league. And what about the financial side? There is a "club license" that allows teams meeting specific infrastructure and facility standards to access €400,000 in funding—sums previously allocated solely to support "federal" clubs. Until now, we had a €350,000 "parachute payment" that was set to expire this year—the third season following our relegation. We’ll be able to make up for that lost income, which is certainly a positive. Improving the "stadium experience" has been a priority for you since you arrived. What can fans expect this season? We are sticking to our goal of ensuring people have a great time, even beyond the football itself—encouraging them to arrive a bit early to enjoy the atmosphere at the stadium. We’ll keep up our current momentum while maintaining financial discipline, perhaps focusing our efforts on specific matches more than others. We also always make a point of playing an active role in the local community and its festivities—like the upcoming Binbin festival. The Leclercq stand will remain closed this season. Is that an economic decision? Opening only the Nungesser and Ouest stands allows us to improve the atmosphere and the stadium's visual appeal, given that we are in Ligue 3. But, inevitably, the primary reason is economic. The minimum shift for security staff has gone from four to six hours. That means, without any other changes, the cost per match would have nearly doubled. We are streamlining operations, but we aren't ruling out opening more sections if attendance rises. That is certainly our hope. "We’ll do everything to stay in the mix" Relations with the fans became strained for the first time last season. What is the situation now? The difficult moment was in December (the match against Sochaux was halted after fans stormed the pitch-side area and threw objects—Ed.). Since then, we’ve had plenty of dialogue. They said what they had to say, and so did we. I hold no grudges, and I hope they don't either. The takeaway is that we want to kickstart a new momentum. Last year, we never once spoke about promotion. Yet hopes were high, making the disappointment all the greater. Whatever is said, football is ultimately about emotions. And, in the end, that comes down to winning. After the brilliant "Olive & Tom" jersey stunt, you’re returning to a classic design—at the risk of sparking debate... The opportunity was too good to pass up, given the return of Toyota and the Japan connection. But we can't do that every year. We have a kit supplier, Hummel, that plays along and accepts our requests to align with local history—while still adhering to certain constraints, like the chevron design on the home shirt. That one pays tribute to the Prix de Rome, while the first away kit—which seems to be a universal hit—honors the logos. There’s still one more to be revealed soon. I suppose there’s no point asking for a prediction. But perhaps a goal? We’re doing everything we can to improve and stay in the mix. With the new play-off system, the "dead zone" in the middle of the table will shrink in Ligue 3. But our real goal—and the real disappointment we want to avoid—is about stability: being able to build a squad that can carry us through two seasons. Beyond that, it’s all so unpredictable. Is starting the season at Caen a real test? Yes. At the same time, the scoreline won't mean all that much. What will be interesting is seeing how the team reacts—not just to the euphoria of a win, but also during the tough spells. As I always say: let's see where we stand in March (laughs). 3
Saint86 Posted August 6 Posted August 6 8 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said: Hello friends, I hope you're doing well. After a few days of being unavailable, here is some news from Valenciennes: ** HEAD COACH ** As previously announced, Pierre Blois will indeed be the Valenciennes coach this season. Sport Republic is placing a lot of faith in Pierre; he has been with the club for several years and coached various youth academy teams before stepping up to the professional squad. ** HOME AND AWAY KITS ** With a slight delay, the club has officially unveiled two of the three kits: the home kit on July 30 and the away kit on August 5. Photos of the kits are below: ** FRIENDLY MATCHES ** The friendly matches have now concluded, with a total of 8 games played: - US Dunkerque (Ligue 2 - France) -> 2-0 Win - FCV Dender (Division 2 - Belgium) -> 3-0 Win - RFC Liège (Division 2 - Belgium) -> 4-2 Win - KV Kortrijk (Division 1 - Belgium) -> 1-1 Draw - Eastleigh FC (Division 5 - England) -> 3-0 Win - UNFP (unattached players/free agents) -> 0-0 Draw - US Boulogne CO (Ligue 2 - France) -> 1-1 Draw - FC Mons (Division 1 - Belgium) -> 3-1 Win ** LEAGUE SEASON ** Now for the league season, which kicks off tomorrow with an away game against Stade Malherbe Caen. The "Championnat National de Football" era is over; make way for "Ligue 3 Betclic." Here are a few new features: - 4 referees (previously 3) - A "professional" league (formerly semi-pro) - No more free matches on YouTube (broadcast on Ligue1+, a paid channel) - Video officiating (distinct from VAR), known as "Football Video Support"; this system is less complex than the VAR setup used in Ligue 1 and allows coaches two challenges per match to request a video review for incidents covered by the VAR protocol. This technology reflects a commitment to officiating innovation—a key priority for this new league. Below, I’ve included a press article about our local "Phil Parsons," Mr. Yoann Godin. Have a great day, everyone. Promising form in pre season, I like the idea of a manager promoted from within who has been at various levels of the club over a number of years. Feels a good fit for the hoped for resurgence. Fingers crossed you guys get promoted this year! 4
ChristopheVAFC Posted August 7 Posted August 7 Good evening, friends. I hope you’re all well? Live from Caen. First day of the league season. Half-time: CAEN 2–0 VALENCIENNES... I’ll keep you updated on the rest of the result. Come on, VA! ❤️🤍 2
Holmes_and_Watson Posted August 7 Posted August 7 14 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said: End match. Non comment tonight... Allez VA ! Ouch. Too early to jump to conclusions. Repeat 20 times before bed.
Window Cleaner Posted August 8 Posted August 8 (edited) Unsurprising, Mbappe has sunk a lot of money into the Stade Malherbe and his mum basically runs it, weeding out all those who've contributed to the disaster of the last few seasons. Valenciennes are basically rubbish, long gone are the Glory days of yesteryear. Might go and have a look when they play Le Puy, depends when it is because Massot on a midwinter saturday evening isn't an agreeable experience as a rule. Edited August 8 by Window Cleaner
FredVaFC59100 Posted August 8 Posted August 8 Hey, Godin, why don't you own the crap you've been serving us for over 3 years now ? everyone's got the boot but you ! so, what don't you do like a tree, and get out of here ! 1
Convict Colony Posted Sunday at 09:08 Posted Sunday at 09:08 Damn after being undefeated all pre season to lose 4-0 is a surprise. Gonna need a brief rationale as to why ? Also good to see Fred starting the season with a positive post 😂 3
ChristopheVAFC Posted Monday at 11:07 Posted Monday at 11:07 Hello friends, I hope you’re doing well. After spending the weekend recovering from the emotions of that defeat in Caen, here is my debrief of the match: It’s worth noting that Caen has the biggest budget in Ligue 3 (around €15m), while Valenciennes has the second-largest (€11.5m). That’s a piece of information which, some might say, doesn't really matter all that much. So why such a heavy defeat, given that Valenciennes had gone unbeaten in their pre-season friendlies? For starters, our coach wanted to try out a different tactical system than usual—switching to a 5-3-2 to counter their 3-5-2. He explained in the press conference: "We saw on video that Caen attacks with six players. Every team that got a result against them defended with five. Conversely, those that defended with four conceded quite a few goals. It has to be said that, for VA, it didn't work." Yes, the scoreline was heavy and harsh, and the drive home was a long one, but should we be tearing the team apart already when it’s only the first matchday of the season? Yes, there are still gaps to fill and VA needs to make signings—especially in attack—and I know discussions are underway regarding that. It was only the first matchday, and I don't know of any team that maintains the exact same momentum from the first game to the last. I’ll take stock of the situation in a few weeks. As for the fans, around 200 people made the trip to Normandy. Now, all eyes turn to Friday's home game against FC Bourg-en-Bresse at the Stade du Hainaut. Allez VA! 1
ChristopheVAFC Posted Monday at 11:10 Posted Monday at 11:10 https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1727681/article/2026-08-08/ligue-3-le-trou-normand-du-vafc-anatomie-d-un-gadin-inaugural Quote Ligue 3: VAFC’s Normandy stumble—anatomy of an opening-day flop Valenciennes’ downfall in Caen came in the very area where they had excelled during pre-season: defense. Yet, one should not draw hasty conclusions from this match—any more than from the preceding period; at best, there are "lessons to be learned," suggests Pierre Blois. But what are they? Caen was the stronger side The Normans decisively won the "big-budget clash" that kicked off the Ligue 3 season, even though the club from Valenciennes had opted to keep a low profile. Malherbe, for their part, made no secret of their impatience or their determination not to languish at this level. In front of a passionate crowd (over 14,000 spectators at the Michel-d’Ornano stadium), Gaël Clichy’s players demonstrated their readiness to live up to their status. With dominant players like Bagbema, Hafid, and El Khoumisti—who scored a hat-trick in his debut for the club—they are already a formidable force. "We saw on video that Caen attacks with six players. Every team that got a result against them defended with five." — Pierre Blois, VAFC Coach A tactical move that came to nothing By fielding a five-man defense, Pierre Blois took both his squad's absences and Caen’s strengths into account in an attempt to counter them. It wasn't improvisation—"it was something we had worked on during pre-season," confirmed Maël Zogba—but the plan failed. Nevertheless, after the match, Pierre Blois remained convinced that the issue did not lie with the formation. "We saw on video that Caen attacks with six players. Every team that got a result against them defended with five. Conversely, all those that defended with four conceded quite a few goals." "It has to be said that (for VA), it didn’t work." The all-seeing FVS It is something we will have to get used to: Football Video Support (FVS)—a stripped-down version of VAR that allows coaches to challenge decisions and referees to independently verify the validity of a goal—has made its debut in Ligue 3. VA did not exactly benefit from the system when they thought they had equalized in the 25th minute through Maël Zogba; his goal was disallowed due to a highly contentious offside call. The review of the footage by the referee, Mr. Gaillouste, was long and arduous, as the available camera angles made it difficult to reach a definitive verdict. One thing is certain: FVS, with all its inherent flaws, will not be immune to controversy this season. A depleted right flank The team sheet distributed an hour before kick-off listed Daou Kader Diomandé, yet he did not even make the bench. It was a bit of a bluff, given that the injured player is set to be sidelined for "four to six weeks," as his coach announced on Friday evening. This is a particularly damaging blow for VA, as Kylian Kouakou—who suffered a heavy tackle from behind against Boulogne during the pre-season—is facing an absence of several months. Already missing Abou Meïté, Noam Blé, and Samir Belloumou for the match against Caen, VA will need to find a solution—likely through new signings—to restock their suddenly depleted right flank. 1
Saint86 Posted Monday at 13:29 Posted Monday at 13:29 2 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said: Hello friends, I hope you’re doing well. After spending the weekend recovering from the emotions of that defeat in Caen, here is my debrief of the match: It’s worth noting that Caen has the biggest budget in Ligue 3 (around €15m), while Valenciennes has the second-largest (€11.5m). That’s a piece of information which, some might say, doesn't really matter all that much. So why such a heavy defeat, given that Valenciennes had gone unbeaten in their pre-season friendlies? For starters, our coach wanted to try out a different tactical system than usual—switching to a 5-3-2 to counter their 3-5-2. He explained in the press conference: "We saw on video that Caen attacks with six players. Every team that got a result against them defended with five. Conversely, those that defended with four conceded quite a few goals. It has to be said that, for VA, it didn't work." Yes, the scoreline was heavy and harsh, and the drive home was a long one, but should we be tearing the team apart already when it’s only the first matchday of the season? Yes, there are still gaps to fill and VA needs to make signings—especially in attack—and I know discussions are underway regarding that. It was only the first matchday, and I don't know of any team that maintains the exact same momentum from the first game to the last. I’ll take stock of the situation in a few weeks. As for the fans, around 200 people made the trip to Normandy. Now, all eyes turn to Friday's home game against FC Bourg-en-Bresse at the Stade du Hainaut. Allez VA! 5 at the back should just be outlawed imho. 1
Convict Colony Posted Monday at 13:46 Posted Monday at 13:46 Yeah would of gone with the formation the team played the most or at least drilled them equally during the friendlies. Not a good look to concede 4 when you set up specifically to keep it tight. Anyway, got the shit result out of the way early
ChristopheVAFC Posted Wednesday at 16:31 Posted Wednesday at 16:31 Hello friends, I hope you’re doing well and not getting too hot. I’m sharing an official statement from the club today regarding Yoann Godin. Quote Yoann Godin Appointed President of VAFC VAFC announces changes to the composition of its Board of Directors. Dirk Gerkens and Rasmus Ankersen are stepping down from the VAFC Board of Directors. Dirk Gerkens’ departure also entails his resignation as President of the club. Bojana Mijailovic—representing Dragan Solak, the principal shareholder of Sport Republic—and Johannes Spors, the group’s Sporting Director, are joining the VAFC Board of Directors. These two appointments to the Board reflect Dragan Solak’s commitment to a long-term partnership with VAFC, aimed at ensuring the club's stability and supporting its development in the years ahead. Following these changes, the Board of Directors, in agreement with the club’s principal shareholder, has decided to appoint Yoann Godin as Chairman and CEO of VAFC, effective Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Yoann Godin replaces Dirk Gerkens, who was unable to properly perform the role from Dubai.
ChristopheVAFC Posted Wednesday at 16:42 Posted Wednesday at 16:42 Here is what this means for Yoann Godin (according to AI): Quote Hello, To answer your question precisely: Yoann Godin now holds greater direct executive and operational power within the club, but he operates under tighter, direct oversight from the owner/majority shareholder (Sport Republic / Dragan Solak). Here is a detailed analysis of this governance change: 1. Executive and day-to-day management: A net gain in power Previously: Yoann Godin was General Manager. He reported to a Chairman (Dirk Gerkens), who held ultimate decision-making authority and served as the club's legal and political representative. Now: By becoming Chairman and CEO (PDG), Yoann Godin combines both roles. He becomes the sole executive leader on-site and the legal representative of VAFC. He no longer has a chairman above him on a day-to-day basis to approve his direct administrative, financial, or strategic decisions. Regarding operations and the club's daily functioning, his room for maneuver and formal authority have therefore undeniably expanded. 2. Strategic level and shareholder oversight: More direct control by the owners While Yoann Godin has gained executive power, the Board of Directors structure reveals tighter oversight by the parent company (Sport Republic / Dragan Solak): Appointment of Bojana Mijailovic: She is explicitly designated as the direct representative of Dragan Solak (Sport Republic’s principal owner/investor). This means the majority shareholder has placed a trusted associate directly on the Board to monitor management, approve budgets, and ensure the parent company's financial and strategic vision is implemented. Arrival of Johannes Spors: As the Sporting Director for the Sport Republic group, his presence on the Board of Directors signals that key sporting decisions—such as recruitment, technical policy, and transfers—will be directly aligned with the group's overarching strategy (which also encompasses other clubs like Southampton and Göztepe). In summary: Does he have more power? Yes, regarding operations and club leadership. He is now the undisputed head of VAFC’s local organizational structure. Is he more independent? No. While his responsibilities have increased, he remains accountable to a Board of Directors represented directly by the majority shareholder (Dragan Solak, via Bojana Mijailovic) and the group’s head of sports operations (Johannes Spors).
Convict Colony Posted Wednesday at 18:36 Posted Wednesday at 18:36 This is the only move that matters "Bojana Mijailovic—representing Dragan Solak, the principal shareholder of Sport Republic—and Johannes Spors, the group’s Sporting Director, are joining the VAFC Board of Directors". Godin wil be a paper tiger
Convict Colony Posted Wednesday at 18:36 Posted Wednesday at 18:36 Anyway Christope, this is the 3rd season so we will start holding you accountable for results soon.
ChristopheVAFC Posted 13 hours ago Posted 13 hours ago Hello friends, I hope you're doing well. Today is matchday for Valenciennes. On the agenda: Matchday 2 of the Ligue 3 Betclic season. Hosting Football Club Bourg-en-Bresse 01 at the Stade du Hainaut. Kick-off at 7:00 PM French time. - Matches are no longer broadcast for free on YouTube. ** LAST MATCH ** Matchday 1: Bourg-en-Bresse 3–2 FC Villefranche Matchday 1: Caen 4–0 Valenciennes FC Objective: Bounce back from the heavy defeat in Normandy and win tonight to regain confidence—and to reward the supporters returning to the stands after an eight-month absence. I’m sharing some press articles below. Allez VA! 1
ChristopheVAFC Posted 13 hours ago Posted 13 hours ago Quote https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1728847/article/2026-08-13/vafc-apres-une-demi-saison-d-eclipse-retour-tres-attendu-du-kop-au-stade-du VAFC: After a half-season hiatus, the *kop* makes a highly anticipated return to Stade du Hainaut The standoff lasted the entire second half of last season; deprived of ultra support, the Valenciennes players and staff found the atmosphere at Stade du Hainaut rather flat. Now that differences have been smoothed over, the big reunion between the club and its supporters is set for this Friday—in an atmosphere everyone hopes will be festive. Patience is a rare commodity when it comes to VAFC. The thrashing suffered at Caen (4–0) last Friday didn't exactly conjure up old demons, but it did immediately trigger some harsh comments on social media. The line between leniency and the first signs of rising tension is a fine one. Everyone at the club and in its inner circle knows that the shift from one state to the other will depend on results—the only thing capable of ensuring harmony. There is palpable anticipation ahead of the team's first official home game. "We missed them last year," remarks Pierre Blois regarding the supporters who had abandoned the *kop* for the entire second half of the season. "They are keen to make amends, and so are we, because last week they made the trip [to Normandy] while we failed to show up for the occasion." A total of 196 fans took their places in the away section at Stade Michel-d’Ornano—a tangible sign of thawing relations following the icy chill caused by the attempted pitch invasion during the match against Sochaux on December 12, 2025. That flare-up was the logical culmination of a series of incidents that had severely strained the first half of the season, fueled by disappointment over inconsistent sporting results. "We needed this time, this step back, to ask ourselves the right questions." We know how it ended: the match was halted before completion; VA was penalized with a point deduction in the National league standings; the club took action against the agitators (those identified were recently issued stadium bans); supporter groups dug in their heels in solidarity; and everyone involved spent the intervening period giving each other the cold shoulder. Yet, the bond was never completely severed, and the ultras took a hard look at themselves, using those eight months for introspection. "We needed this time, this step back, to ask ourselves the right questions," explains a representative of the Roisters. The various groups held internal discussions before meeting with the coaching staff when training resumed—a dialogue both sides deemed productive. The supporters, who have prepared a massive tifo to mark the reunion, want to rediscover the simple joy of cheering on their team. It is up to them to play a more active role in the stands, in sync with the action on the pitch. The prevailing mood is positive, though everyone is aware of just how fragile the relationship can be. VALENCIENNES vs. BOURG-EN-BRESSE, Friday, 7:00 PM, at the Stade du Hainaut. Broadcast live on Ligue 1+. Absentees: Diomandé, Belloumou, Kouakou (injured); Méïté, Blé (returning to fitness). 1
ChristopheVAFC Posted 13 hours ago Posted 13 hours ago Quote https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1728944/article/2026-08-14/ligue-3-une-cicatrice-nicolas-rabuel-de-retour-valenciennes-ou-l-histoire-s-est Ligue 3: "A scar" – Nicolas Rabuel returns to Valenciennes, where his story ended painfully Now the coach of Bourg-en-Bresse—having succeeded David Le Frapper, another former Valenciennes figure—Nicolas Rabuel returns to the Stade du Hainaut this Friday as an opponent for the very first time. It will be no ordinary match: VAFC, the club that dismissed him in April 2023, represents ten years of his life. The takeover bid for the Bourg-en-Bresse football club, spearheaded in May by investor Germain Targowski, marks a pivotal moment in Nicolas Rabuel’s life—a situation he describes as a "confluence of circumstances." His appointment as the Bourg coach—finalized in a whirlwind forty-eight hours just as he was turning down a contract extension at Épinal (N1)—brings him back to his home region. He is working alongside a president who hails from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais area, a region where Rabuel himself spent fifteen years, split between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Valenciennes. "I didn't get to say goodbye" Ever since the Ligue 3 schedule was released, everyone has been talking to him about this second match of the season, which will take him back to the Stade du Hainaut—a place that felt like home until April 2023. "I try to detach myself from all that; I force myself to put the emotional side of this fixture aside," he notes, even though his personal history with the club makes that difficult in reality. Nicolas Rabuel experienced everything at VAFC: he arrived during the Ligue 1 era in November 2013 to join Ariel Jacobs’ staff and didn't leave until ten years later, having spent eight of those seasons as an assistant coach. His dismissal was a deeply painful blow. It left behind "a scar, because I didn’t see my work through to the end, and the way I left was so brutal that I couldn’t say goodbye. And yet, I place great importance on the quality of hellos and goodbyes." The episode gave him "a lot of experience and maturity; I received messages saying, 'Now you’re a real coach.' It was funny. But until you’ve been through it, you don’t know." Nothing will shake his conviction that stability must be a cardinal virtue for anyone looking to build something lasting. "You have to give executives and coaches time to put things in place" in order to finally break free from "the culture of instant gratification." Any resemblance to VAFC is not necessarily coincidental. VALENCIENNES vs. BOURG-EN-BRESSE, Friday, 7:00 PM, Stade du Hainaut. Broadcast live on Ligue 1+.
ChristopheVAFC Posted 3 hours ago Posted 3 hours ago Hi friend. News live from Valenciennes. End match now. Valenciennes win 2-0. Goal for Rayane EKRA and Vincent MARCEL. I resume the game later. Allez VA ! 4
SuperSAINT Posted 3 hours ago Posted 3 hours ago 9 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said: Hi friend. News live from Valenciennes. End match now. Valenciennes win 2-0. Goal for Rayane EKRA and Vincent MARCEL. I resume the game later. Allez VA ! A win! 🚨 2
Convict Colony Posted 3 hours ago Posted 3 hours ago 13 minutes ago, ChristopheVAFC said: Hi friend. News live from Valenciennes. End match now. Valenciennes win 2-0. Goal for Rayane EKRA and Vincent MARCEL. I resume the game later. Allez VA ! ballers yes get in 1
ChristopheVAFC Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1729182/article/2026-08-14/ligue-3-des-retrouvailles-reussies-pour-va-avec-ses-supporters Quote Ligue 3: A successful reunion for VA and its fans Valenciennes wiped the slate clean this Friday with a 2-0 home victory over Bourg-en-Bresse, just a week after suffering a heavy defeat at Caen in their Ligue 3 opener. The reunion with the fans—who had been shunning the team for eight months—made the moment all the sweeter. All is forgiven. Past grievances between the Valenciennes crowd and their team, the opening-day thrashing at Caen (4–0)... all forgotten! Things move so fast in football that a single win can wipe the slate clean in an instant—though, as Vincent Marcel pointed out, "we have a match on Thursday [at Paris 13], and by Thursday, everything we did today [Friday] will be forgotten." "Thank you, VA!" chanted the supporters' section, making its big comeback after an interminable half-season absence. The ultras clearly enjoyed the show. It certainly wasn't the greatest football match they had ever seen during their fifteen years at the Nungesser stadium—successor to the historic *Tribune de Fer* (Iron Stand), a fact the ultras highlighted with a massive tifo display just before kickoff. The Valenciennes squad got the job done, and did so quite well. When it was pointed out that the pressure had been on his players' shoulders before the match, Pierre Blois admitted he hadn't even thought about it: "They approached the game the right way; positive momentum was built. In this environment, there’s a tendency to view everything negatively." VA spent a long time chasing a second goal The "Red and Whites" largely dominated proceedings during the first half-hour. After having an opening goal disallowed for offside in just the second minute, they kept pushing—led by Rayane Ekra, who both started and finished a fluid attacking move—and their persistence paid off (1-0, 22nd minute). Their intensity dropped off afterward, likely due to the stifling heat. "In the second half, it was more about self-sacrifice, fighting spirit, and resilience." VA spent a long time chasing that second goal, which Vincent Marcel finally netted deep into stoppage time, set up by academy youngster Dayann Linyon, who had come on to lend a hand. The Stade du Hainaut crowd could finally breathe a sigh of relief and fully unleash their joy at being back. VALENCIENNES – BOURG-EN-BRESSE: 2-0 (1-0). Stade du Hainaut. 4,845 spectators. Referee: Mr. Della Tomasina. Goals: Ekra (22nd), Marcel (90th + 7) for Valenciennes. Bookings: Ekra (Valenciennes, 49th); Coelho (31st), Gharbi (33rd), and Kanouté (72nd) for Bourg-en-Bresse. Valenciennes: Louchet; Abu, Passi (capt., Goprou, 75th), Zogba, Rocchia (Wahib, 87th); Maréchal (Boiteau, 87th), Rouaï; Ekra (Linyon, 87th), Marcel, Amir; Abi (Courtet, 75th). Coach: Pierre Blois. Bourg-en-Bresse: Montfort; Coelho (capt.), Muro, Dede-Lhomme, Kanouté; Muepe-Ngoie (Groune, 46th), Souici, Gharbi (Mpembele-Boula, 46th); Krizoua (Abraou, 79th), Mendes (Keita, 79th), Gomes. Coach: Nicolas Rabuel.
ChristopheVAFC Posted 52 minutes ago Posted 52 minutes ago My match recap: In sweltering conditions (39°C, feels like 42°C), the goal was to prove that the heavy 4-0 defeat away at Caen was just a blip. With a crowd of around 4,900—including the return of the supporter groups—Valenciennes looked a cut above their opponents all evening. There was also an element of caution, given they were facing a former Valenciennes coach (Nicolas Rabuel). Just before the cooling break (22nd minute), Rayane Ekra opened the scoring following a sequence of one-touch play. Not much else happened before halftime. In the second half, VA had a few nervy moments but held onto the lead, and in the dying minutes, Vincent Marcel sealed the fate of the opposition (90+4'). There were a few other chances to score, but to no avail. Overall, there was improvement; I liked the one-touch play sequences that really put the opposition under pressure. However, we still lack the attacking firepower to score more goals—specifically a true striker—though that’s not the easiest profile to recruit in the transfer market. Next match is on Thursday, an away game against Paris 13 Atletico. Good night, everyone. Allez VA! ****************************** NUNGESSER STAND ------------------ Fifteen years in the stands of the young and proud successor to our iron stand!
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