Pau FC
Pau Football Club, commonly referred to as Pau FC, is a professional football club based in Pau, capital of Béarn, France. Pau FC plays its home matches at the Nouste Camp and competes in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. Nicknamed Les Maynats, Pau FC traces its origins to the patronage of the Bleuets de Notre-Dame, officially founded in 1920 in the Mayolis district. By the onset of the 1958–59 season, the Bleuets had ascended to the highest amateur division in the French football league system. Under the stewardship of its founding president, José Bidegain, the Bleuets de Notre-Dame's senior team transitioned into the Football-Club de Pau. By the 60s, they had settled in the Stade du Hameau, harbouring ambitions of turning professional.
Recurrent financial troubles weakened the club, necessitating interventions from the municipal authorities of Pau. The team later, dropped back to the regional South West League. The 90s witnessed reckless spending in pursuit of promotion to Ligue 2, culminating in financial insolvency and relegation to the fourth tier of French football in 1995.
A revival came under the guidance of former players Bernard Laporte-Fray and Joël Lopez, who rebranded the club as Pau Football Club. Financial restructuring ensued, stabilising the club in the third tier until 2007. However, subsequent relegation compounded by non-sporting crises, delayed their return to the third division until the 2016–17 season.
In 2019, marking 59 years since its inception, Pau FC celebrated the opening of its inaugural stadium, Nouste Camp.
The club's achievements include winning the Championnat National in 2020, winning the National 2 title twice in 1998 and 2016 and winning the French South-West League in 1958 and 1968.
The team claimed victory in the Championnat National, the third division, during the 2019–20 season, which promoted the club to Ligue 2. This ushered in a period of unprecedented success, as the club seeks to firmly establish itself in the realm of the French football league system.
History
Bleuets de Notre-Dame (1920–59)
The history of football in Pau begins in 1888 with the establishment of the. In 1904, the football section of this organization was founded under the name Football Association Bourbaki. While football gained significance in Pau from 1909 with the initiation of JAB de Pau, rugby union remained the predominant sport in the Béarn and Gascony regions.Until the end of World War II, FA Bourbaki was the flagship football club in Béarn.
At the beginning of the Trente Glorieuses, the post-World War II period of rapid economic growth in France, the patronage, located in the, reached the highest amateur league in the French football league system, known as the Division Nationale.
The small neighborhood patronage evolved into an institution representing the city and Béarn. The diocese, recognizing that this level of sports activity extended beyond the scope of a simple neighborhood sports association, sought to disengage. They then began the search for leaders capable of managing a club of this magnitude.
Football Club de Pau (1959–95)
The Football Club de Pau was officially established on 19 May 1959 by José Bidegain, marking a significant milestone in the history of football in Béarn. This made it the only football club hailing from the Béarn or Gascony areas of France. Notably, it also stood as one of the very few clubs in the broader South West region of France, apart from well-known cities like Toulouse and Bordeaux, to compete at the national level in the French football league system.In its early days, the club faced unique challenges due to the lack of a dedicated home ground. Instead, it used various stadiums in the city of Pau, such as the and. The club proudly embraced the blue and white colors of its patronage roots and carried forward the motto Vaincre ou sourire.
One of the significant achievements for FC Pau came in the form of reclaiming the spot that belonged to the Bleuets in the Championnat de France Amateur for the 1959–60 season. However, financial difficulties stemming from limited infrastructure posed challenges for the club's stability. During its inaugural season, FC Pau finished in the 7th position within the CFA South-West vgroup.
As the club progressed into its second season, it began to solidify its position and attract experienced players. Despite facing player departures and changes in coaching staff, FC Pau managed to maintain its competitive standing in the championship.
Progressive Withdrawal of José Bidegain
In the 1964–65 season, FC Pau experienced its first relegation in history. José Bidegain gradually stepped back from the club's leadership, allowing James Chambaud to assume the presidency. The relegation to a regional level brought about increased financial difficulties. Operating without proper facilities, the club faced a nomadic existence, using various stadiums in Pau. During this period, young player Paul Escudé stood out, becoming the first player from Pau to join the France national youth football team.The club later regained its status in the highest amateur level in 1968–69, but this season also marked the departure of the promising Paul Escudé, who joined Girondins de Bordeaux. Despite its efforts, FC Pau remained relatively isolated in the local sports scene, with historical patronage clubs not fully recognizing its legitimacy. Consequently, FC Pau experienced a second relegation to the regional divisions of the South-West League in 1969.
Construction and Ambition under Pierre Clède's Leadership (1975–81)
Pierre Clède assumed leadership of the club in 1975 amidst sporting and financial challenges. The club spent two seasons in the Regional Divisions of the South West League before reclaiming a spot in the French Division 4 in 1978–79. Clède aimed to reach the second division within five seasons, but declining results and stadium attendance posed difficulties. The legendary player of Stade Montois, Jacques Foix, took over as coach in the 1980–81 season, but financial issues persisted, impacting results. However, Paul Escudé returned to the club, overseeing youth teams and significantly influencing its development.Ultimately, at the start of the 1981–82 season, Paul Escudé assumed responsibility for the first team and injected new energy into the club. Despite financial challenges, the club's outdated stadium, no longer met its needs.
Paul Escudé Era and Struggle for Promotion to Second Division (1981–91)
In the 1980s, president Clède sought the fusion of historical Pau football clubs to address infrastructure deficiencies. Yet, strong resistance from local clubs, particularly, thwarted these efforts. Amidst this impasse, Clède shifted focus and aimed to model FC Pau after professional clubs from smaller cities like AJ Auxerre or Stade Lavallois.FC Pau regained Division 3 status at the start of the 1983–84 season, led by iconic coach Paul Escudé. The club's return sparked growing enthusiasm, attracting over 8,000 spectators to the Coupe de France match against AS Saint-Étienne. The following season, FC Pau narrowly missed professional promotion but demonstrated remarkable progress. Under Xavier Gravelaine's influence, the club showcased an offensive style of play, thrilling fans at Stade du Hameau.
However, the late 1980s brought financial difficulties again, alleviated partially by the intervention of Mayor André Labarrère. As Paul Escudé's tenure ended in 1990, the club underwent leadership changes and narrowly avoided relegation. Challenges persisted, with a dilapidated Stade de l'Ousse des Bois highlighting the need for revitalization.
Golden Age under President Pitoun (1991–93)
In 1991, real estate developer Alain Pitoun assumed control of FC Pau, ushering in a new era. Pitoun appointed Paul Escudé as coach, aiming to secure promotion and revitalize the club's image. The club shifted its colors back to the original blue and white of the. Pitoun's arrival, reminiscent of Bernard Tapie, shook the Pau football landscape. With Richard Allenda as sporting director, the club underwent a high-profile recruitment drive, attracting notable talents like Claude Lowitz and Patrick Cubaynes or Billy Thompson. FC Pau transitioned from a decaying Stade de l'Ousse des Bois to Stade du Hameau.Despite financial challenges, the Pitoun era cultivated a fervent fan base and ambitious aspirations, marked by a notable run in the Coupe de France. However, financial issues escalated, culminating in Pitoun's departure amidst legal troubles and financial liabilities, having already been targeted by several attacks from the Iparretarrak group. The club faced liquidation, resulting in a series of leadership changes and instability.
Decay and Judicial Liquidation (1993–95)
FC Pau's participation in the newly established Championnat National marked a turning point. Despite challenges, the club showcased potential, defeating notable teams in the Coupe de France. Financial problems worsened, leading to player strikes and Pitoun's resignation. The club was eventually liquidated in 1995, ending a tumultuous chapter in its history.Pau Football Club
Football-Club de Pau, having become insolvent, rises from its ashes through the efforts of Bernard Laporte-Fray, a former goalkeeper of the club. Laporte-Fray had been a starter during the 1982–83 season, when FC Pau gained promotion to Division 3. Twelve years later, he becomes the president of the newly established Pau Football Club.The Pau Football Club is officially reestablished on 14 June 1995, adopting the iconic yellow and blue colors of the city of Pau. Two competing projects vied for the revival of FC Pau: one led by Laporte-Fray, and the other by the former club president, Pierre Clède. Ultimately, the project of the Pau Football Club proposed by Laporte-Fray was chosen by Mayor André Labarrère.
Robert Péré-Escamps, a former emblematic captain of the 1980s, was appointed as the coach with the mission of maintaining the club's position in Championnat National 2, following its administrative relegation in the previous season. Drastic changes are made to the club's sporting policies, resulting in the departure of several players such as Frédéric Viseux, José Dalmao, Bob Senoussi, and Pascal Plancque.
Pau FC embarked on its new journey at the Stade du Hameau with a 1–0 victory over Dijon FCO, marking the beginning of this new era.