Istres FC
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| Full name | Istres Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Les Aviateurs (The Aviators) | ||
| Founded | 1920 | ||
| Ground | Stade Parsemain | ||
| Capacity | 12,500 | ||
| Chairman | Bertrand Benoît | ||
| Manager | Anthony Sichi | ||
| League | National 2 Group A | ||
| 2024–25 | National 2 Group A, 8th of 16 | ||
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Istres Football Club (French pronunciation: [istʁ]; commonly referred to as simply Istres) is a French association football club based in Istres. The club was formed in 1920 and currently play their home matches at the Stade Parsemain in Istres, a commune in the Arrondissement of Istres.
History
[edit]SS Istréenne
[edit]1920-21
[edit]FC Istres was founded in 1920 by Édouard Guizonnier as SS Istréenne. They began their history in the lower leagues, usually only facing against teams from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Bouches-du-Rhône.
Istres Sports
[edit]In 1969, SS Istréenne was merged into the more general sports club Istres Sports, who chose to keep Istréenne's distinctive purple and black colours. In 1977 the club made young entrepreneur Michel Aviet the club's president and ex-Yugoslav goalkeeper Georges Korac the club's manager. During the Aviet-Korac years, the club advanced from France's lower amateur regional divisions all the way up to Ligue 2.
FC Istres Ville Nouvelle
[edit]2003-04 season
[edit]They played in 2003-04 in Ligue 2 and won their first ever promotion to Ligue 1 after finishing 3rd.
FC Istres Ouest Provence
[edit]2004-05
[edit]In the 2004–05 season, the club reached Ligue 1 for the first time in their history but finished last and was relegated to Ligue 2.
2008-09
[edit]Istres returned to Ligue 2 in the 2009–10 season after winning the Championnat National 2008–09, along with AC Arles Avignon and Stade Lavallois, but on 23 June, the DNCG ruled that AC Arles-Avignon would not be allowed to play in Ligue 2 following their promotion from the Championnat National, due to irregularities in the club's financial accounts and management.[1] On 3 July, following an appeal, the DNCG reversed its decision reinstating Arles' Ligue 2 status.[2]
2013-14
[edit]After five seasons in Ligue 2, they were relegated at the end of the 2013–14 season after a 4–2 loss to Dijon FCO.[3] They were briefly readmitted to Ligue 2 when Luzenac was denied promotion due to stadium requirements.
2014-15
[edit]On 11 July 2014, following the reversal of a ruling against Valenciennes, Istres' relegation was confirmed, and they returned to the Championnat National.
2015-16
[edit]In July 2015, the club was relegated to the seventh tier due to financial issues.
Istres FC (2016-2022)
[edit]2015-16
[edit]On 12 March 2016, it was renamed Istres Football Club, effective in June, with President of the club Alain Christmann explaining, "The entity 'Ouest Provence' no longer exists, so this change is more logical. It's not a revolution, but it needed to be done."[4]
2016-17
[edit] |
In the first season under the Istres FC name and the first since 2003-04 under the Ville d'Istres logo inside their badge, they had an eventful season.
In July 2016, Istres Football Club embarked on a new chapter following several years of financial and sporting turmoil. Previously known as FC Istres Ouest Provence, the club had been administratively relegated to the seventh tier of French football due to severe financial difficulties. To signify a fresh start and reconnect with the city, the club officially rebranded as Istres FC. President Alain Christmann spearheaded the reorganization, stressing the importance of stability, sustainable growth, and community engagement. The club's priority was clear: return to higher levels of French football while rebuilding its reputation and infrastructure.
During July, the club focused on pre-season preparations. Manager Jean-Luc Vannuchi, retained to guide the team through its rebuilding phase, worked with a largely local and semi-professional squad, blending youth academy graduates with experienced regional players. Pre-season friendlies were arranged against nearby clubs, including Martigues B, Salon Bel-Air, and ES Fos, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate new recruits and establish team cohesion. The sessions emphasized fitness, tactical organization, and defensive solidity, reflecting the challenges of competing with a reduced squad at the regional level. Local supporters, nostalgic for the club's more successful days, began attending training sessions and friendlies, signaling a tentative but meaningful reconnection with the fans.
August marked the beginning of Istres FC's competitive season in the Division d'Honneur Régionale Méditerranée, the seventh tier of French football. The team opened with a 3–1 victory over US Cap d'Ail, a match that showcased the attacking promise of forward Yannis Saïdi and the midfield leadership of Thomas Fellous. Subsequent matches included a goalless draw away to Aubagne B and a 2–0 home win over Carnoux FC, establishing Istres as an early contender for promotion.
Concurrently, the club began its Coupe de France campaign, advancing past US Septèmes-les-Vallons in the initial regional round with a narrow 2–1 victory, providing an early morale boost for players and fans alike. September saw Istres FC solidify its position at the top of the league. Wins against US Marseille Endoume and Stade Beaucairois, coupled with a draw against ES Fos, demonstrated growing tactical maturity and squad cohesion. In the Coupe de France, Istres overcame FC Rognac 3–0 in the second round and AS Gignac 2–1 in the third round, securing a place in the fourth round and reigniting memories of the club's previous cup exploits. The early successes fostered optimism around Stade Parsemain, with local press highlighting the club's resurgence and supporters beginning to return to the stadium in increasing numbers. October brought mixed results as the rigors of a competitive schedule tested the squad's depth. Istres continued to pursue promotion while maintaining their cup ambitions. The team recorded notable victories, including a 1–0 away win at US Marseille Endoume and a 3–0 triumph over Stade Beaucairois, though a 2–2 home draw with ES Fos exposed defensive vulnerabilities.
In the Coupe de France, Istres defeated US Carqueiranne 2–0 in the fourth round, advancing to face higher-level opposition in the fifth round. Off the field, the club invested in community engagement initiatives, hosting youth clinics and fostering local partnerships to ensure the sustainability of the club's revival. November and December focused on maintaining consistency in league play while navigating the challenges posed by cup competition. Istres continued to occupy one of the top positions in their group, relying on a disciplined defensive approach complemented by effective attacking transitions. The Coupe de France fifth round presented a more demanding challenge, and Istres were ultimately eliminated by GS Consolat after extra time, losing 1–3 in a tightly contested match. Despite the cup exit, the league campaign remained the club's primary objective, with Vannuchi urging his squad to concentrate on securing promotion. In January 2017, Istres resumed league play following a brief winter break. The squad, bolstered by several mid-season acquisitions from nearby amateur sides, displayed improved physical conditioning and tactical cohesion. The team accumulated a string of victories, including 2–0 and 3–1 wins against regional rivals, reinforcing their status as frontrunners in the Méditerranée DHR. The club also benefited from the return of injured players who had missed the first half of the season, adding depth to key positions. February and March were decisive months in Istres FC's promotion campaign. The team maintained an impressive unbeaten run at home, while achieving crucial victories in away matches that allowed them to distance themselves from their nearest competitors. Manager Vannuchi emphasized the importance of experience and composure, and players such as Saïdi, Fellous, and Bellamri became central figures, contributing key goals and leadership on the pitch. By the end of March, Istres had established a comfortable lead in the league standings, bringing the club closer to its long-sought goal of getting promoted back to Ligue 2. April and May saw Istres FC consolidate their advantage and prepare for the final stages of the season. With promotion within reach, the team approached each fixture with discipline and focus. Highlights included a series of 3–0 and 2–1 victories that confirmed the club's dominance in the division. On 16 April 2017, Istres FC secured the Division d'Honneur Régionale Méditerranée title, following a 2–0 victory over a local rival, thus achieving promotion to the Division d'Honneur for the following season. The triumph marked a significant milestone in the club's recovery, symbolizing the success of the summer's reorganization and the dedication of players, staff, and supporters. In June 2017, the season concluded with celebrations both on and off the pitch. Istres FC had not only regained a place in a higher division but had also reestablished itself as a respected presence in regional football. Preparations for the 2017–18 season began immediately, with the club aiming for a second consecutive promotion and continuing its gradual ascent through the French football pyramid. The 2016–17 season, therefore, was remembered as a period of rebirth and renewal, laying the foundations for the club's future.
2017-18
[edit]A second consecutive promotion in 2018 elevated the club to the Championnat National 3.
Istres FC (2022-present)
[edit]2023-24
[edit]They achieved promotion to the Championnat National 2 in 2024.
Naming history
[edit]- SS Istréenne (1920–1969)
- Istres Sports (1969–1990)
- FC Istres Ville Nouvelle (1990–2004)
- FC Istres Ouest Provence (2004–2016)
- Istres FC (2016–present)
Players
[edit]Current squad
[edit]- As of 14 October 2024
None of the players have a fixed/assigned shirt number by the club.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable former players
[edit]For a list of former Istres players, see below
Rivalries
[edit]The club has two major rivalries. First is with neighbours FC Martigues, with many encounters over the years. The second is the Provence derby against AC Arles-Avignon.[5]
Honours
[edit]- National
- Champions (1): 2008–09
- Méditerranée Division d'Honneur
- Champions (2): 1982, 1990
- Runner-ups (1): 2018
- Méditerranée Division Honneur Regionale
- Champions (1): 2017
- Coupe de Provence
- Champions (4): 1933, 1982, 1987, 1989
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Les décisions du mardi 23 juin". Ligue de Football Professionel. lfp.fr. 23 June 2009. Archived from the original on 26 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
- ^ "Arles-Avignon repêché par la DNCG". L'Equipe. 3 July 2009. Archived from the original on 4 July 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
- ^ Bergogne, Romain. "Auxerre respire, Istres relégué". L'equipe fr. (in French). L'equipe. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "Football – DHR : un nouveau nom pour le club istréen" [Football – DHR: A New Name for the Istres Club]. La Provence (in French). 12 March 2016. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016.
- ^ foot-national.com (21 November 2012). "Istres - Arles-Avignon : A qui le derby de la Provence?". foot-national.com. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
External links
[edit]
- Official website (in French)