For fans of Troyes Aube Champagne Sports Hope, or ESTAC as they’re known, following the team is like riding a rollercoaster – think the Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure. The highs and lows can be dizzying. One long-time observer, photographer Thierry Plumey, has captured this wild ride through his lens.
Plumey, an amateur photographer and retired teacher, spent two decades, from 2004 to 2024, documenting ESTAC’s journey. He witnessed five promotions to ligue 1, five relegations to Ligue 2, one promotion from and two relegations to the Championnat National. The most recent relegation, after the 2023-2024 season, was ultimately overturned due to Bordeaux’s financial issues, offering a reprieve.
Plumey has compiled these stories into a self-published book featuring 200 photos (available via [email protected]). from tens of thousands of images – I take an average of 300 photos per game, but for big matches, it can go up to 700 or 800
, he says – he focused on the unusual moments. The idea for this book started wiht one photo
, he explains, pointing to a snapshot of Brazilian player Demetrius Ferreira from the 2006-2007 season, seemingly being kicked by a background advertisement.
Nivet in Boxing Gear, Furlan Tossed in the Pool
That photo was just the beginning of a deep dive into two decades of emotions. I went back into my archives. Accept for one season where I lost almost everything during a file transfer, I kept everything.
Plumey initially considered an exhibition at the stadium, but decided a book would allow fans to revisit the memories at their own pace.
The book,titled “Footographies,” offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the club. It features Benjamin Nivet boxing in the stadium corridors before a Ligue 1 match, Stéphane Darbion bowling, coach Jean-Marc Furlan being thrown into a pool by players during an end-of-season barbecue, and Mounir Obbadi exploring the Trojan stadium. It’s like a sports version of “Remember the Titans,” capturing the camaraderie and unique moments that define a team.
Plumey ensured all players and coaches approved the publication of their photos. It sometimes took a while, especially because they had forgotten to answer, but they all ended up agreeing. Some weren’t even aware of these photos and wanted copies!
he recalls. Plumey has also authored books on the stadiums of Aube.
Supporters Immortalized
Plumey also includes the fans, capturing their passion and dedication. He recounts their pride when he told them they would be featured in the book. Everyone, at their level, has written the history of ESTAC.
While some photos are humorous, the 200 images in “Footographies” offer a unique perspective on the club from 2004 to 2024. As Zinedine Zidane might say, football has changed
over the years. But the passion of the players, coaches, and supporters remains, captured in every page of “Footographies” (€16).
plumey’s dedication offers a poignant reminder of the rollercoaster that is professional football,especially for a club like ESTAC.His work provides a valuable ancient record and a testament to the enduring power of sport and community. “Footographies” isn’t just a photo album; it is indeed an intimate portrait of a club’s fluctuating fortunes, the personalities that shaped it, and the unwavering support that sustained it through thick and thin.
ESTAC: A Rollercoaster of Promotions, Relegations, and Memorable Moments
ESTAC’s journey, vividly portrayed in “footographies,” showcases the inherent volatility of football in the French league system. Plumey’s lens captured the ecstasy of promotions and the heartbreak of demotions, the camaraderie, and the individual moments that collectively define a club’s character.This is a story worth telling and remembering, as emphasized by those he photographed–players, coaches, and fans alike.
To better understand the club’s trajectory, take a look at the key milestones documented in “Footographies”:
|
Season |
Highlight |
League |
Key Players/Coaches |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2004-2005 |
Plumey begins documenting ESTAC. |
Ligue 2 |
N/A |
|
2005-2006 |
Promotion to Ligue 1 |
Ligue 2 |
Coach: Jean-Marc Furlan |
|
2006-2007 |
Demetrius Ferreira photo incident; Relegation from Ligue 1. |
Ligue 1 |
Demetrius Ferreira |
|
2007-2008 |
Relegation to Championnat National |
Ligue 2 |
N/A |
|
2008-2009 |
Promotion from Championnat National to Ligue 2 |
Championnat National |
N/A |
|
2012-2013 |
Promotion to Ligue 1 |
Ligue 2 |
Coach: Jean-Marc Furlan, Benjamin Nivet |
|
2015-2016 |
Relegation from Ligue 1 |
Ligue 1 |
N/A |
|
2016-2017 |
Promotion to Ligue 1 |
Ligue 2 |
Coach: Jean-Louis Garcia |
|
2017-2018 |
Relegation from Ligue 1 |
Ligue 1 |
N/A |
|
2020-2021 |
Promotion to Ligue 1 |
Ligue 2 |
Coach: Laurent Battles |
|
2023-2024 |
Relegation to Ligue 2 (later overturned) |
Ligue 1 |
N/A |
This table, encapsulating ESTAC’s fluctuating presence over two decades, illuminates the club’s resilience. The rapid ascents and descents underscore the competitive nature of french football. The key players and coaches mentioned in the table contributed their skill and leadership during pivotal moments in ESTAC’s recent history, solidifying their roles within the club’s narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is “Footographies?”
“Footographies” is a self-published book by Thierry Plumey that chronicles two decades of ESTAC Troyes’s history through 200 photographs. It features behind-the-scenes moments,action shots,and portraits of players,coaches,and supporters,delivering a unique outlook on the club’s journey from 2004 to 2024.
How can I purchase “Footographies?”
You can purchase “Footographies” by contacting Thierry Plumey directly via email at [email protected].
What makes “Footographies” unique?
“Footographies” offers a rare, intimate look at ESTAC. Unlike standard match reports, it moves beyond the field to show the human side of the game–the camaraderie, the humor, the emotions, and the dedication of players, coaches, and fans. Plumey’s dedication to capturing these personal moments makes it a distinctive and invaluable piece of sports history. The book immortalizes these images,offering a tangible connection to ESTAC’s rich and often turbulent history.
Who is Thierry Plumey?
Thierry Plumey is an amateur photographer and retired teacher who spent two decades documenting ESTAC troyes.His passion for the club and his eye for capturing unusual moments have resulted in “Footographies,” a visual party of ESTAC’s history. Beyond “Footographies,” Plumey’s work demonstrates a profound understanding of the club and its importance, providing a unique archive for fans and historians alike.
What kind of moments are captured in “Footographies?”
The book captures a range of moments, from players celebrating victories to behind-the-scenes interactions in the stadium to the supporters cheering. It includes humorous and memorable shots, such as Benjamin nivet boxing in the stadium and coach Jean-Marc Furlan being tossed into a pool. Plumey expertly captured the heart and soul of ESTAC over two decades.
Worth a look
