Stade Lavallois Mayenne FC - last updated on 23 February 2008
(Courtesy of Johnny Beaufays)
Club name: Stade Lavallois Mayenne Football Club
Foundation: July 17th 1902
City: Laval
Colours: Orange and black
Website: www.stade-lavallois.com
Honours:
Coupe de la Ligue - 2 (1982, 1984)
Division d'Honneur (Ouest) - 1 (1964)
A bit of history:
The club was founded in 1902 after Joseph Germain, passionate by the new sport of football. Émile Sinoir became the club's first president. At that time, players were kitted in a red top and black shorts. Matches were played at Senelle, a district of Laval. Laval's first official match was against nearby Rennes. In 1903 the club participated in the Breton championship, for the first time, and the red and black strip was shed for a green and white outfit. In 1918 the kit colour was changed again, to a bright orange strip. 1930 saw the Lavallois get a new home, the Jean Yvinec stadium, named in honour of a former player who died at the age of 26. By 1931 they had risen to the Division d'Honneur , which they won title of in 1964, propelling them into the Championnat de France Amateurs, France's highest division of amateur football, which they won in 1965. In 1968 Michel Le Milinaire was named as the club's coach, with Henri Bisson as assistant. Together these two made Laval into one of the best clubs in France. By 1971 a fanclub The "Socios", had been set up, and in 1976 the club reached the top division, thanks in part to the direction of Henri Bisson, and the playing ability of Raymond Kéruzoré, and hence became a professional team for the first time in their history. Despite being clased as outsiders, the club managed to stay in the top-flight division, even qualifying for the UEFA Cup in 1983 after finishing a commendable fifth in the league. In their first season in Europe, they put Dynamo Kiev out of the competition, before being knocked out by FK Austria Wien. This would prove to be the club's only European experience. In 1989 the club was relegated to the second division, after 13 years in the elite division. In 2005 the club became a SASP (Société anonyme sportive professionnelle), roughly equivalent to going on the stock exchange. In the 2005-6 season, the club was relegated to the Championnat National.
Club crests: (roll on the crest to get more informations)
Stade Lavallois Mayenne FC
