Surprising leader of Ligue 1 at the break after 16 days, ahead of European champion Paris, RC Lens continues to climb the summits until finding itself at the top of ch’terril.
Enough to revive the pride of a territory which shares with its club the values of work and solidarity. Meeting with some of the most loyal Sang et Or supporters, between passion, pride but also humility and realism about the possibility of remaining at the top.
The quality of the game is unanimously praised
Hugo, a former young player for the Lens team, says he is “surprised by the first place that (we) occupy, but not at all by the game proposed this year, knowing the principles of Pierre Sage, his tactics and especially his management with his team and his staff”. This fine connoisseur also appreciates “the excellent transfer window from Jean-Louis Leca (sports director)who knew how to transmit the club’s values to newcomers.
An analysis shared by Barnabé, resident of Lens, who is “objectively not surprised” by this status of leader, and thanks the coach and his staff who brought “a fresh breath to the team, solid with good recruits, a state of mind, a pleasant atmosphere. »
“More than a club”
Another reason for pride, the (relatively) limited resources that the Artesian club benefits from compared to the big teams. “Seeing them first, battling with the 10th Ligue 1 budget against Paris and Marseille, that still leaves a little hope. We say to ourselves that sportsmanship can still beat the stars and money,” says Nicolas Szwanka, another very big fan of RC Lens.
Between the team and its supporters, the bond goes beyond football. RC Lens is “clearly more than a club,” continues Nicolas. It’s truly an institution, for which we feel a form of patriotism, which carries values, an identity, a history, a heritage.”
Nicolas’ passion is materialized by an impressive collection of jerseys. “I started when I was little, receiving jerseys for my birthday or when I did well at school. I now have 70 of them, from all periods, from the most recent to the oldest. »
His accommodation has even partly become a Blood and Gold sanctuary, like this plaque from the Bollaert-Delelis stadium, purchased and renamed in honor of his first match in the Lensois temple. An almost religious relationship with his club, he who experiences the matches as a real “pilgrimage”, with its ritual, this “pressure which builds before kick-off, like a footballer who is in the corridor”.
A craze that benefits the region
Such loyalty, among the Sang et Or people, is linked according to Nicolas to the “social past of the region”. The old kingdom of coal mines comes back to life with its club. And the entire region benefits from it. Éric, manager of the restaurant Le Pain de la bouche in Lens, has a front-row seat to observe the direct impact of these victories on the street.
“We are delighted, obviously. When we see the excitement around all that, it’s still nice. The restaurant is full all the time, he explains. When nine people want to come but there is a table of six left, they sit down anyway and talk about football non-stop. »
According to him, the Sang et Or jersey erases all social distinctions and instead recreates the unity of the mining area: “People are all dressed the same way. It’s as if they were in costume, so that’s funny. No business leaders, no doctors, no salespeople or workers…”
A positive dynamic that changes the perception of Lens beyond its borders. “People from Marseille and other big cities come here on purpose to see the club,” explains Éric. Families prefer to pay for match subscriptions rather than going on vacation. Today, it is no longer necessary to explain that Lens is 30 km from Lille… People know where Lens is, we are proud to say that we come from here. »
“If PSG plays at their level, first place will be very hard to keep”
It remains to be seen how long the Sang et Or will hold on to this leadership position. Nicolas thinks that the dynamic “can hold for a little while”, but remains realistic: “Will that mean that we will be able to be champions? Unfortunately, there is an X factor called Paris. If PSG plays at their level, first place will be very hard to maintain. »
But, before dreaming of a title, what matters is to “enjoy the moment when Lens is leader,” summarizes Barnabé, also a realistic fan. Nothing is done, all the return matches remain, which means that we will play Paris, Marseille and Lille… Nothing guarantees this first place in the ranking. » This first place, “it’s great, it’s a source of pride, so we’re taking advantage because we know that it’s probably not going to last,” says Nicolas. But the fervor of the “Corons”, chanted at each half-time in Bollaert, is not about to stop.
