I suppose that the history of Red Star at least for this season begins on June 19th 2003. The Tribunal de Grande Instance at Bobigny finally decides which of three rival bids to take over the ailing Red Star club would be the one retained. The verdict - the bid proposed by Eric Charrier, 38 year-old local man backed by former PSG boss Luis Fernandez (photo: Luis left & Mr Charrier right). On Wednesday evening, the 26th of June, the new board of directors holds a public meeting at Stade Bauer to give the fans the chance to meet the new faces, and to ask questions. For some it was also the chance to tread the hallowed turf of Bauer for the very first time !
Training starts in earnest in July... basically the club is starting again from scratch, with a nucleus of players whom had remained loyal to the club from last season, together with some new faces as well as one or two returning faces. In July this site moves from a free hosting service (Multimania) to a pay service (Lycos) - the transition isn't as smooth as we expect, but in the end all comes good and so now we have an advert-free site. The local town magazine published by Saint-Ouen carries a feature on the rebirth of Red Star, and better still, lists AllezRedStar.com as being the internet site for the club.
On the 18th the fixture list is published and Red Star are handed a tough tie away to DH regulars Arméienne. Not the easiest of baptisms in an already tricky division. Meanwhile, Karim Fellahis' brother Riad makes his return to Bauer, and from Viry Châtillon Mounir Jalliti is another new face. Azedine Benmesmoudi, midfielder from Saintes (CFA), also signs, aged 22. The name of Azzedine Meguellati, former Istres coach is announced as the new man to take the club forwards.
August is a month of unusually high temperatures and so the pres-season friendlies get underway. First opponents are Cosmo Ermont-Taverny, a future DH rival, and watched by a large crowd, Red Star lose 1-0 to a penalty. On Saturday 11th Red Star play local rivals Aubervilliers and act out a 1-1 draw. Red Stars' goal is scored by Alain Milome. New signings include Franck Gueï, 'keeper Laurent Delmas and striker Alhaji Baldé.
Orly visit Bauer for a friendly and the new Red Star record their first ever win, with two goals from Milome and a solo effort from a rejuvenated Philippe Marques. Meanwhile the coaches' preparations are hit by the injury to influential midfielder Yoann Delaneuville, and during a practice game a few days later Philippe Marques has to leave the action on a stretcher with a shoulder injury. The site also celebrates it's fifth birthday. More celebrations are in order as this site exclusively announces the return of former coach Jean-Luc Girard to Red Star as a supervisory coaching rôle to the youth teams. Mr Charrier also unveils the new strip for 2003-2004 exclusively for this site.
So on Sunday 24th August the season gets underway. On a lovely sunny day in Issy, barbequeues and all, Red Star look solid enough to take back a draw from their first fixture until goalie Néret punches a harmless looking shot straight back to the feet of an Arménienne player who smashes the ball past Red Stars' goalie to earn a win for the home side. Huge disappointment for the large following from Red Star, one of whom distinguishes himself by falling out with the home fans and almost provokes a punch up.
The draw for the Coupe de France is made, and Red Star are drawn away to the Portugais de Fontainebleau. Coach Meguellati gives an exclusive interview to AllezRedStar.com, and praises his youngsters despite the defeat, and promises that things will get better. The improved relations between club and supporters was starting to reap dividends; now the club are announcing to AllezRedStar.com the squad ahead of the games on Sunday.
First goal and first points for Red Star, but in reality the game should have been won. Riad Fellahi scores Red Stars' first ever goal in the DH only for Evry to draw level in injury time. Off the pitch Red Star unveil another new signing in the form of ex-Laval, Saint-Etienne and Swindon Town man Philippe Cuervo, brought in to add experience to the club.
Stade Bauer stages its first league game of the season with Red Star beating visitors Paris FC reserves 3-0. Newcomer Latt-Agnes scores twice and Riad Fellahi doubles his league tally. AllezRedStar.com publish a match programme and have two photographers in action at the game.
Red Star might be the first ever DH club to grace the cover of France Fooball as Luis Fernandez speaks at length of his plans, of Red Star and his time at PSG. On the 9th, a special evening is organised on the Champs Elysées with a host of celebrities present.
Next to Bauer are high-flying Villemomble and ex-Red Star man (and nice bloke) Mickaël Santos. Their winning run continues thanks to an early defensive cock-up by Julien Carles leading to a 1-0 victory for the visitors. Red Star play well enough but fail to capitalise on some good scoring opportunities. Yoann Delaneuville returns from injury and is named man of the match. AllezRedStar.com bring out another new idea - free wallpapers to download for your pc.
The trail to the Stade de France and the Coupe de France continues as Red Star brushed aside gallant Portugais de Fontainebleau 6-1 with goals from Jalliti, Latt-Agnes, Desmarets, Latt-Agnes again, Balde and Bial Hammami. Full marks to the hospitality of the home club. Two days later and the news emerges that Paul Sanchez, former Red Star president in the 1970s and the man responsible for the new Bauer stand and the attempt to sign Garrincha has passed away. Another new signing is former PSG striker Gaël Hiroux, a man with experience in European football trying to rebuild his career in the game.
Red Star for the first time in years are represented at the town festival of Saint-Ouen. Later in the day a trip to the less-than-lovely ground at Meaux sees late drama with an injury-time goal for Red Star by Yves Desmarets cancelled out by another injury-time goal by a Meaux player. Honours even in a dull match.
Red Star are handed another away trip to play Montigny-le-Bretonneux in the Coupe de France. Our heros win a close-fought game thanks to Alhaji Baldés' winner in the fourth minute of injury time. Goalkeeper Mickaël Germain makes his debut. Next league visitors to Bauer are the third XI of Paris Saint-Germain. In front of 800 spectators Red Star take a fourth-minute lead (Desmarets) only for PSG to equalise. Captain Yoann Delaneuville is the local hero scoring the winner deep into injury time. One week later and in the Coupe de France Red Star in red need another last-minute goal by Alain Milome to beat plucky Ponthierry.
Off the field AllezRedStar.com are given the honour of taking the official club photograph for the season 2003-2004. Gaël Hiroux is the star as Red Star record their first away league win of the season, his double sees off Orly (2-0). The hand of AllezRedStar.com draws the name of Fontainebleau from the hat as visitors to Bauer in the next round of the Coupe de France.
...and the cup run ends, so no party at the Stade de France this season. Fontainebleau grab a last-gasp winner and the Bauer faithful go home disappointed. The start of a difficult month of November. Luis Fernandez appears to have found himself a job as coach with Spanish strugglers Espanyol of Barcelona. Red Stars' new supporters' association held a meeting at Stade Bauer at which Eric Charrier was present and gave a short speech to the assembly before holding a question & answer session. Some good news came in the form of an announcement of the return of quality defender Nabile Yessad to the club. Away trip to Saint-Leu and wily old hand Walquir Mota scored one and created another as the home side ran out 2-0 winners. Yoann Delaneuville had a perfectly good goal ruled out. On as a sub was youngster Reevis N'Simba. Strugglers Brétigny visit Bauer and grind out a goal-less draw, and at the end of the match one Red Star supporter voices his displeasure. Another return-ee is last years' captain Djamel Hamdane. On a positive note, the club re-open the old supportes' hut at Bauer for the new fans association. Marques makes his come-back from injury against Brétigny. Gaël Hiroux leaves Red Star to play for Pontivy in the CFA, as does Julien Carles.
A trip to Colombes to meet Racing the day after England are crowned eagg-chasing world champions. Two goals, the second a penalty just before the break leaves Red Star chasing the game. But our chaps are made of sterner stuff and they draw level through Latt-Agnes and an absolute beauty from Reevis N'Simba draws the sides level. However Racing are too strong and win the game ten minutes from time through Jacquet.
November closes with a ghastly 2-0 defeat at home to uninspiring Versailles. In our match report, parallels are being drawn with Doncaster Rugby League Club of the 1970s....