Lens in Ligue 1: 2014

2014 – the lead up to Lens Paris (Stade de france)

Lens had done it! Promotion to Ligue 1 had been achieved on the final day of the season  away to Bastia (2-0). This had been achieved despite losing 1-0 at home to Brest on the final day of the home season: unfortunately for Adrian and Alex who had made the trip over.

However, in true Lens tradition…it all went pear-shaped. What most people thought to be a routine meeting with football’s financial police, the DNCG, ended with Lens’ promotion being annulled and Sochaux promoted in their place. News of Mammodov centred on him being arrested, his finances frozen and eventually him disappearing from the public spotlight. Martel looked like a rabbit caught in headlights as he battled to save the club. His health deteriorated and things looked bleak. Goalkeeping sensation, Alphonse Areola hung on as long as he could but eventually had to accept a move to Bastia. Edgar Salli and Marcel Tisserand left as well to leave a weakened not strengthened club. Coach Kambouare went 'on strike' in protest at the financial situation but thankfully returned to lead the team in their Ligue 1 opener. Worse was to follow as the rock at the back Alaeddine Yahia’s contract ended and the club were unable to renew until the financial situation had been resolved.

There wasn’t even going to be the backing of the Stade Bollaert crowd as it was to be rebuilt in preparation for the looming 2016 European Championships. It had been decided that the cheapest way to carry these out would be to close the stadium and for the team to relocate to play at neighbouring grounds. In the past both Lille and Valenciennes had played at the Stade Bollaert when they had been in need so it was only natural that they would return the compliment….wasn’t it? In a disgraceful act of sang froid, both refused to allow Lens to play in their stadium. The Stade de l’Épopée in Calais was keen but eventually the Stade Licorne in Amiens was chosen to help out. So much for love thy fellow ch’ti.

It wasn’t until July 22^nd when an appeal to the French Olympic Committee was successful so that Lens fans could take their first breath of Ligue 1 air. However there was a condition….they weren’t allowed to sign anyone or renew contracts until €4million had been deposited by Mammadov in Lens’ bank account. Simple? Not likely.

Numerous reports appeared on the web that it had been paid yet the embargo on transfers remained. Reports that it had been paid into the wrong bank account (due to an ISBN error) filtered through as fans once again feared the worst. Two victories away to Lyon (1-0) and at home to Reims (4-2) lifted Lens’ fans’ hopes only for that hope to fade as the victories dried up.

Our anticipated first trip to the Stade de France to watch Lens play champions Paris arrived with Lens dropping into the bottom three….