2023-06-08 08:48:04
May 26 will remain a historic date for the Concarnois, to mark a milestone in the annals of football. Following the last match against the Orléanais, which they won after a breathless suspense, the Thoniers became champions of National, the division in which they played, and thus reached league 2. A dream which materialized for Jacques Piriou, president of US Concarneau. But this accession is accompanied by constraints that will have to be resolved very quickly, under penalty of an ephemeral passage in the big leagues…
As the pitch of the Guy Piriou stadium does not meet the standards of the national football league, therefore not approved for official matches, work will begin in a few weeks, financed by the municipality to the tune of 5 million euros, including subsidies. Municipal funding which also makes many Concarnois cringe.
The expansion work will begin with the demolition of the current stands and will last about a year, thus depriving the Tuna boats of their land. If training will not be a problem – neighboring towns can accommodate USC players – the same is not true for league matches broadcast on television channels. Lorient and Guingamp, respectively 55 and 140 km from Concarneau, which also play in league 2, seem ready to receive their Finistère counterparts but the calendar of the three teams will have to coincide. In addition, the distance is likely to dampen the enthusiasm of Tuna fans, unless shuttles are provided to carpool the public.
Who says rise, says salary increase
In National, USC had one of the smallest budgets, around 3.5 million euros, ranking 16th out of the 18 teams. It will take at least 7 million in league 2, knowing that an average budget is around 10-11 million. A figure that can be reached with the rights to broadcast matches on TV channels, with partners and institutions.
Who says rise, says salary increase, a multiplication by two or three depending on the player. Everything is to be negotiated or renegotiated. The Mercato is currently taking place, the recruitment phase which will last until the end of August. We already know that Amine Boutrah, voted best player of the season in National, will leave the club for league 1. The coach, Stéphane Le Mignan, caused a little fright to the supporters by showing a certain discontent, anticipating future inconveniences: long journeys, fatigue… Fortunately, he reassured the people of Concarneau by announcing that he would remain in place but would be assisted in his duties by a recruitment director.
The first steps of the “little Thumb” in league 2 will be very followed, the players will have one year to prove that they have their place in this division.
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