Le Havre AC

Le Havre Athletic Club Football Association (French pronunciation: [lə avʁ]; commonly referred to as Le HAC, HAC, or simply Le Havre) is a French association football club based in Le Havre. The club was founded originally as an athletics and rugby club in 1872, thus making it the oldest association football and rugby club registered in France.^[1] Le Havre currently plays in Ligue 2, the second level of French football and plays its home matches at the Stade Jules Deschaseaux, although in 2012 it will move into the Grand Stade du Havre.

Le Havre made its football debut in France's first-ever championship in 1899 and, on its debut, became the first French club outside of Paris to win the league. The club, subsequently, won the league the following season in 1900. Le Havre has yet to win the current first division of French football, Ligue 1, but has participated in the league 24 times; its last stint being during the 2008–09 season. The club's highest honor to date was winning the Coupe de France in 1959. Le Havre is managed by Cédric Daury and captained by midfielder Hassane Alla.

History

It was in 1872 that a group of British residents formed Le Havre Athletique.^[2] which played a hybrid form of football, a cross between rugby and soccer, called "combination". Le Havre can therefore be said to be origin of rugby union in France.

Association football began being played on a regular basis in 1894, so technically FC Mulhouse could be considered the first French football team being established in 1893 (however, they were a German team at the time). Le Havre currently play in Ligue 2 of the French league and their home stadium is Stade Jules Deschaseaux.

In 1899, Le Havre became the first club from outside Paris to become French football champions. At the time the championship was organised by the USFSA. After being awarded a win over Iris Club Lillois in the semi-final by walkover, they were awarded the title after also receiving a walkover in the final against Club Français^[3]. They would also win the following year, with the final being a "re-match" of the forfeited 1899 final.

The club is famous for its notable youth investment program which develops and nurtures young (often local) talent, with the vision of using them in the first team if they show enough promise. A vast amount of good young talent has gone on to make an impact at international level including Ibrahim Ba, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Lassana Diarra and Vikash Dhorasoo.

The club was on the receiving end of some high-profile illegal transfers, by which Charles N'Zogbia, Matthias Lepiller and Paul Pogba were signed by other clubs, allegedly without the proper compensation being paid. The first two were arbitrated by FIFA, who ordered Newcastle United and ACF Fiorentina to pay training compensation.

Le Havre is known as 'les ciel et marine' in France, which translates as 'the sky and navy blues'. These colours were chosen by the club's English founders as they were those of their alma maters, the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

Players

Current squad

As of 9 July, 2011^[4]

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Reserve squad

• Head Coach: Johann Louvel

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Notable players

For all Le Havre AC players with a Wikipedia article, see Category:Le Havre AC players.

Honours

• Ligue 2
  • Winners (5) : 1938, 1959, 1985, 1991, 2008
  • Runners Up (1) : 1950
• Coupe de France
  • Winners (1) : 1959
  • Runners Up (1) : 1920
• USFSA Championnat
  • Winners (3) : 1899, 1900, 1919
• Challenge international du Nord
  • Winners (1) : 1900
• Coupe Nationale
  • Winners (2) : 1918, 1919
• Normandy Division d'Honneur
  • Winners (13) : 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1909, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1926
• Challenge des Champions
  • Winners (1) : 1959

Managerial history

References

External links

• Official site (French)