ADIEU 2000

Well, the end of another year, indeed another century... here's hoping that the next one will bring more trophies to Red Star, and that the back end of the century has been just a mere blip in the fortunes of the club. That's your lot for this year, I'm off on holiday, see you again next year, thanks for your support and keep coming back to our site, the best Red Star 93 site on the web (and why not the best National site...?)

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

John and Gérard

AWAY TRIP TO AUXERRE. On Saturday 6th January, the Amis du Red Star 93 are organising a bus to Auxerre for the League Cup match. Kick off 6pm CET, depart Stade Bauer, Saint-Ouen at 2pm CET. Interested ? Mail to : redstar189@aol.com
BACK TO TRAINING. As from tomorrow the players will be back at work. Coach Jean-Luc Girard will have virtually a full squad available, including new recruit Emmanuel Hutteau. Most notable absentee is Kader Ferhaoui still out injured. The match, important as it may be, is nothing compared to the struggle against relegation which should be the focus of everyone at the club.

PLAYERS OF THE CENTURY. France Football put together a jury of the top footballers since 1958 in order to elect the top French footballer of the century. Amongst the jury featured some former Red Star players - Pierre Bernard (winner, 1961) and Philippe Gondet (1965-1966). In the list of possible choices there were several ex-Bauer idols, including Fred Aston, Philippe Bonnardel, Pierre Chayrigues, Nestor Combin, Julien Darui, Fleury Di Nallo, Lucien Gamblin (photo, right), Philippe Gondet, Marcel Langiller, Paul Nicolas, Armand Penverne, Alex Thépot, Ernest Vaast, Jules Vandooren (photo, left).
Only one received any votes, that being goalkeeper Julien Darui (19th). Unfortunately, it could be said that the majority of Red Stars' heros date from the early days of French football, so perhaps a little out of the memory of some of the voters. For instance Pierre Chayrigues or Lucien Gamblin or Fred Aston would have received greater acclaim.
Michel Platini won the top prize ahead of the Balding One and Raymond Kopa.

D2 match, Stade Bauer, 24th January 1965, Red Star – Reims 1-0
inset - Raymond Kopa

OTHER RESULTS. Top coach was Aimé Jacquet, who easily beat Albert Batteux and Michel Hidalgo. In the list of 22 were Robert Herbin and Roger Lemerre, both ex-Red Star coaches, player-coach Jean Prouff and Lucien Leduc. Finally in the list of top teams, the Red Star team from the twenties, triple cup winners were nominated. The winners were France 1998-2000 ahead of France 1982-1986 and Saint-Etienne 1974-1977.

The Heros of 1921; back : Marion, Hugues, Gamblin, Chayrigues, Bonnardel, Meyer.
Front : Bourdin, Brouzes, P. Nicolas, Naudin, Clavel.

ALIM BEN MABROUCK BOOTED OUT "An amicable arrangement", Alim Ben Mabrouck and Jean-Claude Bras have parted company - unfortunately it isn't the latter who will be leaving the club. After three years with Red Star, he will be leaving his post of "Technical Advisor".
Already in August his position was in jeopardy, and for two days it appeared that his days at Marville were numbered, but he managed to hang in there. Latterly he was right-hand man to coach Jean-Luc Girard following the departure of Jacky Lemée. The reasons for the spearation are quoted as being due to a conflict between his professional occupations and those of the club. Who next, we ask ? Not Bras, we suspect.

Alim Ben Mabrouck, left along with Michel Moulin (Managing Directeur)

HALF WAY MARK We've carried out a comparison between the state of play this time last season and the current situation. The statistics speak for themselves, but more sinister for us is a comparison with the bottom four clubs at this point last season. For starters, none of those clubs had such a low total poits as us. For the record - Raon-l'Etape and Paris FC (15 points), Evry (17) and GFCO Ajaccio (21). Only one of those managed to extract themselves, but the Corsicans were only two points behind the team which eventually dropped, Fréjus (23). Paris FC, 17th at the end of the season finished with a total of 41 points. Pacy-sur-Eure, who avoided relegation ended up with 43 points. Ergo, in order to stay in the National, Red Star need to take around thirty points from nineteen games. Humm....

RED STAR TWO SEASON COMPARISON

	1999-2000	2000-2001
position	9th	18th
points	28	14
wins	8	2
draws	4	8
losses	7	9
scored	24	19
against	19	32
top scorer	Fellahi (7)	Van Kets (7)

ON THE BOX. On Christmas Day, among the guests for a special programme about a Century of football, Our Great Leader, Jean-Claude Bras, along with Michel Hidalgo and Robert Herbin. They showed some pictured from the 1921 final, an interview with Lucien Gamblin made in the 1950's. Bras came out with "I hope that the Red Star will rediscover it's glory, but at that time Red Star had a stadium". He went on to describe his past as a union man with the U.N.F.P.

SPECTATORS. Several ex-Red Star favourites were at the match on Friday evening. We spoke to some of them, including last years' captain Fabien Valéri, now at Naval de Maio, in Portugal.
Fabien, how's the life in Portugal ? :
"It's good, we're currently seventh in the league, in D2. The atmosphere is good, altough the ground is a bit old and decrepit. The fans are close to the action, though."
What sort of crowds do you get :
"Oh, round about a thousand, in fact we have the lowest home gates in the league. That's why, perhaps, we're better away from home."
Are you the only Frenchman in the team ?
"No, there are three others - a goalkeeper Eric Dura, but he hasn't played yet, plus two outfield players, ex-Beaucaire striker David Coste and another ex-Baucaire man Damien Tixier. During the winter break the club are looking to sign a striker."
A good experience ? :
"Yes, it's change from Red Star, the only clib I've ever known. As for Red Star, I read the press for their results, and it's not good - I'm worried."
Also present was Karim Fellahi, having a mixed time at Saint-Etienne. All started well during the Robert Nouzaret era : "I was a regular in the squad, I played most games, the game play was geared more towards the attack, but with the arrivam of the Welshman, the game is more physique, a strengthened defence with only two strikers. With the competition for places in the team, it's more difficult, and I have to hang in there and try my best."
Karim follows events at Marville, where his father, a regular in the stands at Marville and his brother Riad, a reserve team player bring him up to date with the events and news.
Another Saint-Etienne man and ex-Red Star player present was Fousseni Diawara. He has battled his way into the squad, and has recently featured in several games.
Ted Agasson is one of the stars of his new club Lille, a revelation in the top half of D1. Unfortunately Ted has recently undergone an operation for appendicitis. He is back in training, however, and hopes to be back in action next year.
Stéphane Lucas, somewhat forgotten in recent times, was playing for Oviedo in Spain, but was only third-choice. He has decided to burn his boats, cancel the contract and to move back home. He is currently looking for a club.
Still with Red Star 93, Camille Oponga, currently recovering from a similar operation to Ronaldo.
How's it going, Camille ? :
"In good spirits, I'm attending courses at the Saint-Jean clinic at Gennevilliers. Afterwards, I'll be at Cap Breton for an intensive recovery course."
Will you be back before the end of the season ? :
"I'm under no illusions, I have to be patient, although this season is over for me. I should be back for 2001-2002.
Good luck, Camille.
SILENCE. There xas a minutes' silence before the game in memory of the brother of Red Stars' Fabrice Richard. Christophe was also a footballer, playing this season for Montauban (CFA). He played previously for Ajaccio.
NEW SIGNING. On Thursday we announced the arrival of a new signing - now it is definite, and Emmanuel Hutteau has arrived from Angers (D2). He has already played a few matches this season in D2, and last season he played thirty six times and played an important role in the clubs' promotion push from the National. He has signed up to the end of the season. He his 32 years old, and has played for Strasbourg, Bourges, Lens, Sedan, Cannes, Le Mans, Créteil and Angers.
AWAYDAY. Despite the defeat, the Amis du Red Star confirm that they will be running a bus to Auxerre, the 6th January 2001. It leaves from Stade Bauer, Saint-Ouen at 2pm CET. For more information, mail me at jwh@multimania.com.

Auxerre – Red Star, friendly : Saïb, Girard, Valéri and Vasquez.

SAMUEL MICHEL TO LEAVE GUINGAMP. Samuel, more often warming the subs' bench than not, has decided to leave Guingamp, and Niort (D2) appears to be his next port of call.

LAST MATCH OF THE CENTURY This evening at 8pm CET at Stade Marville, Red Star 93 have the chance to win the last-ever match this century. Come on the lads, let's go and eat some Penguins this evening ! Red Star should line up as follows : Branger, Natchimie, Perron, Saxemard, Tacalfred, Richard (?), Aïchour, Pizzo, Saragaglia, Busuttil (?), Traoré, Milton, Randget, Van Kets, Serreau et Castro.

Photo - Patrick Van Kets, former Racing man, now at Red Star.

Racing won't be at marville just to make up the numbers, nor have they written off any last hopes of promotion. They will be, however, without key players Jean-Claude Lanoizelet and Arnaud Tanguy (both suspended), as well as Maxime Poisson (injured).
TEAM MATES. Other than ex-Racing men now at Red Star, Olivier Saragaglia will be up against a former Grenoble team mate, Alain Colacicco.
ALSO TAKING PLACE. This is the last match in the series of first leg games... other than the Paris derby, the biggest game tonight will be at Istres, where the third placed locals take on leaders Grenoble. Clermont, second, are at Valence, the form team of the moment. Amiens will try to make up a bit of ground on the leaders with a trip to struggling Pau. Other games - Besançon – Reims, Brest – GFCO Ajaccio, Dijon – Noisy-le-Sec, Pacy-sur-Eure – Louhans-Cuiseaux, La Roche-sur-Yon – Thouars et Valenciennes – Alès. Next league games take place on the 13th January.
CFA 2. Following their 2-2 draw at Paris SG, the reserves have a three point lead. If chasing Moissy-Cramayel win at fourth-placed Chaumont, Red Star will slip back into second place. Other games : Ivry – Chantilly, Toul – Evry, Senlis – Saint-Dizier, Créteil – Blénod, Tinqueux – Châlons-sur-Marne & Auxerre – Poissy.
HOLIDAY. After tonights' game, the players are on holiday until the 29th December. On the 6th January there is the important Cup Tie at Auxerre. If you're interested, there is a coach going organised by the supporters - mail me at jwh@multimania.com

WELL DONE THE KIDS. Christophe Fiatte and Pierre Repellini were forced to ring the changes and call up several youngsters with little or no experience in the reserves. Other than Ibrahima Faye, Mourad El Othmani and to a lesser extent Charles Itandje, most of the youngsters were from lower level football.
Red Star fell quickly behind, in the evelenth minute a bad defensive error led to a ball being given away by Mickaël Santos and Parisian striker Malik Rouag took advantage and slotted the ball past Charles Itandje. Undeterred, the Audoniens fought their way back into the game, Macedo Gomes Varela missed a sitter five minutes later. Then the players of Bernard Guignedoux took control again, a ten minutes before the break Bartho Ogbèche doubled their advantage. At 2-0 the game seemed to be all over. But, the young Reds had something to prove, and Ibrahima Faye pulled a gola back with a sweet left foot drive from over twenty five yards out ten minutes into the second half. Didier Marty, Red Star defender found himself surprised by the speed of a PSG striker and hauled his opponent down just outside the penalty area. With Red Star down to ten men, the task seemd to be even harder, but nevertheless, the CFA 2 leaders' character showed and following a center from Santos, Price Jolibois scored a deserved equaliser.
The other games will take place this weekend. As for Red Stars' kids, they have a well-deserved holiday for a few days. Next game the 13th of January 2001 at home (Marville) to Tinqueux.
INJURY LIST LENGTHENS. Jean-Luc Girard, who watched the game at Saint-Germain has several injury posers before Friday nights' derby game. Firstly, Kader Ferhaoui, victim of a calf injury, then injuries to N'Goma and Abda. Fabrice Richard should be back in training on Friday, back from Corsica after having been at the funeral of his brother, knocked down and killed by a car.

Kader Ferhaoui, out of action Friday

Thus Girard will have to choose from : Branger, Natchimie, Perron, Saxemard, Tacalfred, Richard (?), Aïchour, Pizzo, Busuttil, Traoré, A. Gomis, Milton, Randget, Van Kets, Serreau & Castro.
NEW SIGNING ?. During the Winter transfer window, Red Star could sign another player. More to folllow...
RED STAR 93 – RACING. The referee will be Brice Auvinet, from the Ligue Atlantique. He is by trade a banker. At least that what it says here. Unless it's a misprint, of course. We shall see Friday.
COUPE DE FRANCE. Amnéville, who k-o'd Red Star from the Cup have drawn CFA outfit Boulogne in the next round, after their victory 1-0 over Saint-Gratien in the last round. By the seaside they will be up against Berthelot, former Red Star Under-17 goalkeeper, and former team-mate of Oponga and Milton.

IN BOTH CAMPS. Here are the players who have starred for both Red Star and Racing CP : Yéso Amalfi, Fred Aston, Paul Baron, Stéphane Blondeau (right), Tarek Bouabdellah, Jean-Michel Bridier, Antoine Dalla Cieca, Edmond Delfour, Emilien Devic, José Farias, Louis Finot, Gilles Irazoqui, Gusti Jordan (far right), Albert Jourda, Roger Lamy, Lucien Leduc, Francis Magny, André Mérelle, Roger Quenolle, Alain Polaniok, Michel Prost, Eric Renaut, Thierry Saxemard, Ernest Vaast, Patrick Van Kets, Edmond Weiskoff also known as "Virage". PARIS SG – RED STAR 93. This match should take place this afternoon at 3pm CET. Results in the same group from last Saturday are : Tinqueux – Créteil 0-2 & Chantilly – Chaumont 1-3

In August 1970, Bernard Guignedoux (pictured on the right in the photo), was playing for Paris SGFC, as they were known at that time. From left to right in the photo : Jean-Claude Bras, Roland Mitoraj, Jean Djorkaeff & Jean-Pierre Destrumelle.
Paris SGFC played in the National, group Centre (effectively D2, divided into three sections). The idea was to give Paris a D1 club, and helped by radio Europe 1, tried to fill the gap left by the disappearances of Racing and Stade Français. The capital was solely represented by a club from the suburbs - Red Star - and this seemed at the time to be unacceptable in the eyes of the footballing world. Indeed pressure was put upon Sedan in order to get them to merge and form a Pris club - an operation which failed. Paris SGFC played their home games that season at the Stade de Saint-Germain and the Stade Jean Bouin in Paris, as the Parc des Princes was being rebuilt.
Coached by Pierre Phelippon, Jean-Claude Bras was the players representative at the Administrative Council.
COUPE GAMBARDELLA. Match postponed again, rendezvous on the 10th of January ?
COUPE DE LA LIGUE. The Amis du Red Star 93 should be running a bus to Auxerre on the 6th January. Kick off 6pm CET, expected departure from Stade Bauer at 2pm CET. Interested ? Mail me at : jwh@multimania.com

Samuel Michel in a friendly against Auxerre.

DSR. Following the defeat, Red Star 93s' third XI are still top, but with a one point advantage over CAP, whom have a game in hand.
LUIS FIGO AT BAUER. The new Ballon d'Or de France Football set foot at the Stade Bauer on the 11th November 1992 for a friendly match Portugal – Bulgaria. Watched by nearly 10 000 spectators, mostly Portugese, Figo played 89 minutes and saw his side win 2-1. Congratulations to Figo, at least he kept Zidane out ! (Let's keep this site a Zidane-free site !)

PARIS SG – RED STAR 93. Tomorrow afternoon, at the Stade Georges Lefèvre, Saint-Germain, 7 avenue Kennedy, 3pm CET, there is a CFA2 game for Red Star reserves, against Paris Saint-Germain. Last Saturdays' match for the Parisians against Poissy had been cancelled due to bad weather.

Going back to November 1973 at the Parc des Princes (see photo), Paris SG beat Red Star 3-1. This was a match at the top of D2, and Red Star went on to be promoted. Unfortunately that was to be Red Stars' last season in the top flight. PSG, meanwhile, beat Valencienns in the play-offs, were promoted and have remained in D1 ever since. Incidentally, at Saint-Ouen, Red Star beat PSG 2-0 that season.
RED STAR 93 – RACING DE PARIS. Friday, 8pm CET will see the last derby match of the century, Red Star 93 play Racing at Marville. The first ever derby between the two clubs took place in 1934-35, when Racing won 2-1. An omen, perhaps ?
THIRD XI LOSE. Against Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône, away, Red Star 93 lost 1-0
COUPE GAMBARDELLA. If the pitch is playable, FC Mantois play Red Star 93 tomorrow at 2-30 pm CET.
NATIONAL. Noisy-le-Sec slumped 3-0 at home to Valenciennes in a re-arranged match

DRUBBING. Humiliation again for the Red Star, and doubts about the comportement of the players, and a seeming lack of interest and indeed of professionalism. On Friday, Red Star let in a goal from Bouger after only twelve minutes, and Créteil went on to take the piss out of Red Star. Tatarian and Rott scored twice in two minutes, whereas Red Star could only muster two clear cut chances - Van Kets missed a sitter and another from Milton. Créteil controleld the game and scored twice more before the end to rub salt into the wound.
Red Star 93 : Branger, Natchimie, Perron, N'Goma, Saxemard, Saragaglia, Traoré, Serreau, Van Kets, A. Gomis, Rangdet. Bayiha, Neveu, Pizzo, Milton, Busuttil came on for the second half.
FABRICE RICHARD. Red Stars' new defender missed the game due to a family funeral. Ouy sympathies go out to him and his family.
ABSENTEES. Out with injury were Ferhaoui, Castro & Saci.
ON TRIAL. A second half substitue was triallist Cédric Neveu, a sweeper formerly with Saint-Denis-Saint-Leu. 26 years old, 1,87 m for 80 kg.
BRAHIM THIAM, FACE IN THE CROWD. Cast aside from the first team squad, Brahim Thiam and his agent Fabrice Poulain are looking for a club. Contacts have been made with Turquie and in England. Brahim watched the match accompanied by his daughter. He will be suspended for the next two games, following a red card recived whilst playing for the reserves, whereas Robert Gomis, also dismissed that day receives a one-match ban.
COUPE GAMBARDELLA. The cup tie FC Mantois – Red Star 93 fell victim to the lousy weather.

FRIDAY AT CRETEIL. Following the elimination of Red Star 93 from the French Cup, the club would have found themselves without a game this weekend, so in order to keep the rythmn going, a friendly / training match has been arranged at Créteil, kick off 3pm CET on Friday. Mid-season, Créteil (D2) had changed coach, and the new man in charge is former Red Star man Laurent Roussey.
RED STAR IN GOOD HEALTH. Just to prove that things aren't all bad at Red Star, here are some interesting statistics. This season the club is running some 32 teams in different championships as opposed to thirty last year. Each team has of course it's own coach. There are just under six hundred registerd players of all ages, and a hundred or so people in charge of organisation. This season there is a new school of football, as well as centres at Bauer, la Motte at Bobigny, over forty kids tkae part at Stade Marville. Encouraging.
JACKY LEMEE JOINS THOUARS. Following his dismissal as Red Star 93 coach, Jacky Lemée has joined National bottom club Thouars. Former Thouars boss Thierry Goudet has recently abandoned ship and taken over the reins at Le Mans.
VALENCIENNES IN TROUBLE. Already in debt after the season 1999-2000, the finanicla situation at Valenciennes appears to be getting worse. Thus it appears for the moment as if the club will be booted out of the National at the end of the season by the DNCG.
CHANGE. The reserve team match in the CFA 2, Paris SG v Red Star 93, originally scheduled for Saturday 16th December has been put back to Wednesday 20th December at 3pm CET, Stade Georges Lefèvre at Saint-Germain. On Saturday Paris SG make the short trip to Poissy to play a game cancelled last weekend. Chantilly v Chaumont was also cancelled last week, and other than that and the Red Star defeat, results from the weekend include : Blénod – Tinqueux 1-2, Châlons – Créteil 1-0, Evry – Ivry 1-1, Moissy-Cramayel – Auxerre 1-0, Saint-Dizier – Toul 0-0.

CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT CFA 2 LEAGUE TABLE

DSR : RED STAR GO TOP. Promoted from the DHR, Red Star 93, following victory at Chatou, are in top spot with 26 points, ahead of Bobigny (24 pts), CA Paris(22 pts, game in hand), Le Chesnay (22 pts), Chatou (22 pts).
RED STAR SITE. Keep our site a Zidane-free zone !! What do you think ? jwh@multimania.com

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Red Stars' anuual General Assembly was held on Monday. Other than the sporting progress of the first team, the club is in good health, according to Our Great Leader. At least the club can tackle the twenty first century on a sound footing.
RED STAR 93 – RC PARIS.. Confirmation that the match Red Star 93 – RC Paris will kick off at 8pm CET, on Friday 22nd December.
NEW RED STAR BOOK. Editions Atmosphères have published a "cartoon strip" book, written by Didier Daeninck (pictured, right) which relates the story of a young footballer who comes from Tunisia to play for Red Star just before the war, but is later persecuted because of his Jewish origins. Only in French for the moment, but as soon as we get hold of a copy, a review will appear on this site. Meanwhile, here's a little snippet from the book which we managed to obtain.

YELLOWS. In yesterdays match report of Amiens-Red Star we forgot to mention the players booked during the encounter. So, to put the record striaght the culprits were : for Amiens, Coquelet (62) and for Red Star Traoré (37), Faye (79).
CEDRIC FONTAINE. Playing for Amiens was Cédric Fontaine who played for Red Star at the start of the 1990s'.
JEAN-MARC BRANGER. Jean-Marc Branger, Red Stars' goalkeeper has been elected as a presentative for the Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP). President of the Union is Philippe Piat and amongst the three vice presidents, two have featured at Saint-Ouen in the past, Jean-Jacques Amorfini and Sylvain Kastendeuch. René Charrier makes up the trio. Also in the office is another ex-Red Star man, and currently coach at Beauvais, Jacky Bonnevay. Goalkeepers seem to play an important part in Union affairs, as other than Jean-Marc, Guillaume Warmuz (Lens) and Philippe Schuth (Gueugnon) are number ones and Union reps. A famous outfield player and rep is PSG's popular defender Eric Rabesandratana. Remember that Red Star president Jean-Claude Bras was once one of the early Union cornerstones, in an organisation founded by Hidalgo, Kopa, Fontaine and Njo-Léa.
NEW COACH FOR RED STAR 93 ? According to France Football, Red Star have Amiens' Denis Troch as coach, whilst "former" Red Star 93 boss Jean-Luc Girard has taken over the reins at Trochs' old club, Amiens... methinks a mistype has been carried out somewhere....

SO CLOSE. On Friday we had the feeling that Red Star might do something at Amiens. And we came within a whisker of the first away win, and our prediction was close to coming true... and in addition to that we put a photo of Mickaël Serreau, goalscorer on Saturday to illustrate our feature on the game.
INNOVATION. For the trip, as well as the encouraging debut of Fabrice Richard, Jean-Luc Girard experimented with playing Arthur Gomis. Arthur caused plenty of problems for the Amiens defence in the first half, and Serreaus' goal came from a Gomis free kick.
TWO FINGERS. Mickaël Serreau, prohibited from training with Red Star during the dark days of coach Lemée, proved his old coach wrong by his performance at Amiens, and as well as that performances in recent games have shown that he is becoming an integral part of the first team. A way of sticking two fingers up to those who had no faith in him. Rudy Perron, also cast aside by Lemée is another who has proved Lemée wrong. Why oh why did we take that clown (Lemée) on at the start of the season ?
THE RIGHT TRACK ?. During the match, an Amiens supporter nearby said to us "I can't understand why Red Star are in the place they are in". Perhaps he ought to read the item above in order to understand why.
AND NOT JUST HIM. Red Star supporter from Bayonne, Jacky, made the trip up from the south-west and was surprised by what he witnessed. He didn't recognise the Red Star from the one he saw at Pau earlier in the season. He too appears more optimistic for the rest of the season.
CFA 2 SLUMP. First defeat of the season for the reserves, going down 1-3 (1-1) to Senlis. A match to forget, ruined by the referee who gave a petty and pedantic performance. In a match far from being physical, the official dealt out six yellow cards in thef irst half and kept it up for the second. Both Brahim Thiam and Robert Gomis received their marching orders, and all this after Red Star had opened the scoring through the aforementioned Gomis. Despite losing, Red Star are still top of their group, but with a one point advantage over Moissy-Cramayel.
RED STAR 93 : Bayiha, El Othmani, Tacalfred, R. Gomis, Thiam, Pizzo, Gomes (Saiti), N'Goma (R. Fellahi), Milton, Abda, Aïchour.
THIRD XI. Victory at Chatou 3-1.

RECRUITMENT. Firstly there was Fabrice Richard to sign for Red Star, now Besançon have also been whipping out the cheque book in order to lure Rafaël Guerreiro, former Auxerre, Caen and Châteauroux man. Stade de Reims have also been busy, signing David François from Laval (D2). François started his career at Reims. Going back to Fabrice Richard, he should make his debut at Amiens on Saturday.
RED STAR 93 - CRETEIL. Next Friday, 3pm CET at the Stade Dominique Duvauchelle Red Star 93 have a friendly match against Créteil (D2). Fine, but what about those who have to work ?
ALSO THIS WEEKEND. The weather has cast a doubt over several matches this weekend in the Paris area : all the games for Red Star 93 planned at the Stade de la Motte at Bobigny have been cancelled, as is the Under-17 game Red Star 93 – Reims at the Ile des Vannes.
As of Friday morning games still on are :
CFA 2 : RED STAR 93 – SENLIS, Sunday, 2-30pm CET, at Marville
DSR : CHATOU – RED STAR 93
UNDER 15S : AVION – RED STAR 93
COUPE GAMBARDELLA. The draw has paired Red Star 93 with CA Mantois, match to be played at Mantes, Sunday December 17th.

MEMORIES. In response to our appeal for your memories of Red Star 93, yesterday Xavier sent us his by e-mail.
"I'd just got back from my holidays abroad at the end of July 1990, and my favourite club had been relegated to D3. As I arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport, I bought L'Equipe and to my surprise I read that Red Star were on top of D2 following their victory over Reims. I rubbed my eyes and wondered if I was dreaming. No, it wasn't a dream, Red Star had been reprieved and if I remember correctly, the dream was to last a few more weeks. Under the guidance of Michel Rouquette our club stayed on top and unbeaten for a while !"
Thank you, Xavier, for replying to our appeal. We'll bung you a signed photograph of Steve Marlet in return. Just for the record, the Red Star line-up for that win against Reims was as follows: Mérelle, Cartellier, Fanzel, Polaniok, Scipion, Girard, Amours (cap.), Tcherenkov (Niesser 80), Stéfanini, Rodionov, Roussey (Michel 64) . Coach : Rouquette. Result : a 3-2 win with goals coming from Polaniok, Stéfanini & Michel).

Franck MERELLE	Fédor TCHERENKOV

HAVE YOU GOT NEWS FOR US ? As we appraoch the end of another year, a period of great disppointment for Red Star supporters, mismanagement, bad decisions, and the seemingly inexorable slide of the club into the CFA, here's your chance to tell us your stories, impressions or souvenirs, good or bad ? Send your notes to : jwh@multimania.com
MISTER CAT. Monsieur Philippe Chat will be the match referee at Amiens. He has already officiated at a Red Star game this season ,that being the goalless draw at Dijon.
TOP MARKSMEN. Leading the way in the top goalscorers chart for the National is Christophe Meslin (GFCO Ajaccio) with 11 ahead of Moreira (Brest), 10. Red Stars' include Patrick Van Kets (6), then much futher Yoann Rangdet & Hakim Saci (3).
LAURENT DELANOUE. Former Red Star defender, out of work since the start of the season, has found himself a new club, namely Les Lilas of the CFA. Looks like we'll be meeting up with him next season, then.

HAKIM SACI BACK. Hakim Saci is back in training, although still doubtful for Saturdays' trip to Amiens, Hakin could nevertheless be back before the Winter break
NGOMA. On Sunday at Créteil, NGoma had to be content with wathcing procesings from the stands, whilst serving a one-match ban.
UNDER 17S. Here's a summary of the current standings :
1st Nancy 35 pts, 2nd Auxerre (- 1 m) 33 pts, 3rd Strasbourg (- 1 m) 31 pts, 4th Metz 27 pts, 5th Reims 25 pts, 6th Brétigny (- 1 m) 24 pts, 7th RED STAR 93 (- 1 m) 22 pts, 8th Mulhouse (- 1 m) 21 pts, 9th Troyes 20 pts, 10th. Magny (- 1 m) 20 pts, 11th Jarville (- 1 m) 19 pts, 12th Saint-Dizier (- 1 m) 16 pts.
LE MAUX. Former Red Star player, cast aside under the regime of Lemée and back with his former club Pontivy (CFA), Guénaël Le Maux (photo) foudn the net twice in his sides' 2-0 win last weekend.
Also on the mark for Laval was Guilhermo Mauricio who notched the winner, 1-0 against Caen.
SENLIS AT MARVILLE. Sunday 10th December, 2-30pm CET Red Star reserves take on sixth-placed Senlis in the CFA2. Currently nine points behind Red Star, the club from the Oise reagion are coached by Noël Gillion. They could line up with Sébastien Barnaud, a 27-year old striker who wore the colours of Red Star and who has also played in the USA for Fort Lauderdale.

CORRECTION. Your favorite Red Star site is not above making the odd Coleman-balls now and then... yesterday we reported that in the DSR Red Star had beaten Aulnay - in fact it was Issy-les-Moulineaux beaten 4-1 by our heros. After the victory, Red Star are top of their division, with 22 points ahead of Chatou, 21 pts and CAP, 20 pts with a game in hand.
Red Star 93 actually beat Aulnay, in the District Division, 2-1. The club also top the table, with 23 pts ahead of Pantin and Stains, 21 pts, but these two do have a game in hand.
The under-17's turned in a good performance, earning a 1-1 draw at Troyes, despite the handicap of not including capitain Abdoulaye Diawara and playmaker Jimmy Hamme in their line-up.
ERIC OBINA. Former Red Star player, on loan last season from Saint-Etienne is on trial with Brest.
DAVID GIRAUDO. Latest news on some other ex-Red Star players: David Giraudo is currently plying his trade with a Portugese second division outfit Espinho, after playing last season with Académica de Coimbra. Also in that division are Fabien Valéri and Thomas Debenest, the latter at Maia.

David GIRAUDO	Fabien VALERI (right)	Thomas DEBENEST

CFA 2 results :

CRETEIL	0-0	RED STAR 93
PARIS SG	0-0	CHALONS
POISSY	1-1	MOISSY CRAMAYEL
SENLIS	2-1	CHANTILLY
IVRY	3-0	TINQUEUX
CHAUMONT	4-2	EVRY
TOUL	2-1	BLENOD
AUXERRE	1-0	ST DIZIER

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST CFA 2 LEAGUE TABLE

DISAPPOINTMENT. After the match, Jean-Luc Girard wondered how to get rid of the curse that seems to be following Red Star at the moment. Red Star now have twenty one games left in order to avoid the drop into the CFA.
TESTING. A doctor turned up at Marville at half-time, in order to conduct a post-match drugs test. Six players are drawn at random, three from each side. The test actually lasted for two hours, despite large amounts of non-alcoholic beer supped by the players in question ! The three Red Star players drawn were Gérald Milton, Rudy Perron (pictured) and Olivier Saragaglia.
FIXTURE CHANGE. The last match before the Christmas break, initially planned for Friday 22nd December could be brought forward twenty four hours to the Thursday. As soon as we have the details we'll post them on the site. Red Star are due to play Racing at home.
RESERVES MARCH ON. "A godd game" was the verdict of coach Christophe Fiatte and of cocaching director Pierre Repellini after the match which saw the reserves extend their unbeaten run to eleven games. Red Star 93, directed by Mourad El Othmani returned with two points from a draw at Créteil. They still keep their four point margin over second-placed Moissy-Cramayel. Next weekend at Marville, against Senlis, Red Star will be looking to further extend their unbeaten spell. Against Créteil, several of the opposition are regular faces in the second division - Bancarel, Rott, Amirèche, Séguy ….
CRETEIL : Legrang, Le Bozec, Rott, Théret, Amirèche, Philippe, Genton, Berthier (Khenniche 62), Bancarel, Séguy, Ebanda (Murcy 64).
RED STAR 93 : Itandje, Tacalfred, Faye, R. Gomis, El Othmani, Pizzo (Sangar), Gomes-Varéla (Saïti), Busuttil, Jolibois, Abda, A. Gomis. Other sub: Marty.
INTERESTED SPECTATORS. Luc Sonor, assistant coach of the first team at Créteil, along with ex-international Daniel Rodighiero and Antoine Dalla Cieca were intersted spectators at yesterdays' game. At the end of the match, Thiam, NGoma, Rangdet, Traoré from Red Star said their hellos to their team-mates in the reserves.
OTHER SCORES. DSR - Red Star third XI beat Aulnay 4-1. The under-15's drew at Lens 1-1, a good draw for them.
COUPE DE FRANCE. Amnéville, who beat Red Star in the last round have a home game against CFA 2 club from the Paris region Sannois-Saint-Gratien.

PRESSURE ON. Under pressure, the line-up to face Ajaccio will not be revealed until after the last training session this afternoon.

FRIENDLY. With the Red Star no longer involved in the French Cup, a friendly match is to be arranged between Red Star and Créteil, at Créteil on Friday 15th December. Details to be confirmed. Incidentally, the draw for the French Cup gave Reims a rather long away trip to play Etoile Morne-des-Eaux, in Guadeloupe.
RED STAR V CRETEIL, CFA 2. On Sunday 3rd December, at the Stade Dominique Duvauchelle, Créteil, seventh placed Créteil reserves take on their counterparts of Red Star 93, kick off 3pm CET. The Audoniens are lookig to retain their unbeaten record and to keep a four point margin over their nearest rivals Moissy-Cramayel who have an awkward trip to fourth-placed Poissy. Chaumont (third) are at home to tenth placed Evry; Ivry (5th) welcome Tinqueux (11th). Other games are Toul – Blénod, Senlis – Chantilly, Paris SG – Châlons-en-Champagne and Auxerre – Saint-Dizier. Also in CFA 2, the trip to Saint-Germain to play Paris Saint-Germain has been brought forwards from Saturday 23rd December to Saturday 16th December, 3pm CET, Camp des Loges.
HOME GAME FOR THE THIRDS. Red Stars' third XI welcome Issy-les-Moulineaux at 1-30pm CET at the Ile des Vannes, Saint-Ouen.
DISTRICT. Red Star 93 (3rd) are at home to Aulnay-sous-Bois, Sunday 3pm CET, Stade de La Motte, Bobigny.