Nearly twenty tears ago, on the 25th of June 1980 Red Star had just finished second in the very difficult Division d'honneur de Paris, behind Malakoff. In order to be able to gain promotion to the old Division Four, Red Star would have to take part in play-off games at home to Béthune and away at Vic-sur-Aisne.
At home, in front of several hundred loyal supporters, the team under coach Claude Dubaële were hit twice and fell behind. Gérard Laurent, a future coach of the club (season 86-87), drew the scores level just before the half-time break. However, in the 57th minute, the men from the North scored again and it looked as if Red Stars' hopes had evaporated, goodbye promotion and hello to a third consecutive season in the DHR.
It was not to be the case, as firstly player-coach Claude Dubaële equalised and moments later Christian Massard, ace marksman made up for having a first-half goal disallowed bby giving a sweet victory to Red Star.
The final stage was to be a trip to Vic-sur-Aisne, victory necessary in order to win a place in D4. The Audoniens did the necessary and ran out 3-1 winners, and thus started a new adventure for the re-born club in Division Four.
For the record, the main players in the promotion season were: Roussillon, Chazottes, d'Amico, Milan, Padovan, Séguy, Blanson, Disez, Dubaële, Laurent, Caron, Joudet, Massard, Rivoal.