Fifty years already of a great epic! Next Saturday, US Carcassonne will receive Albi in Domec in the National Dam. The opportunity to return to the glorious past of yellow and black. Just five decades ago, the Carcassonnais fifteen people wrote one of the most beautiful pages in their history.
On May 11, 1975 in the final in Condom in the Gers, US Carcassonne dominates Cognac (15-6) and won the title of champion of France in the second division. If since that date, the Canaries have experienced other moments of glory within French rugby, in group B and first division, two titles in Federal 2 against Arras in Montluçon (during the 2007-2008 season), then Federal 1 against St-Étienne (16-3) in Châteaurenard (Jean-Prat trophy in 2010), thirteen consecutive seasons in pro Top 14 lost in Nevers (24-12) on May 19, 2022, this 1974-1975 season leaves an indelible mark in the history of the club.
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It must be said that the road which brought to the title was dotted with pitfalls. From this qualification phase match against Rodez in St-Jacques (today Stade Jean-Claude Mazet) arrested prematurely due to repeated fights to this famous final in Condom to which the president of the FFR himself Albert Ferrasse assisted. Because the sanctions taken following the overflows of this USC-Rodez (lost match and three points withdrawn in the standings) were finally going to relegate the Canaries to the last qualifying place. And at the same time seriously complicated their backgrounds of final stages.
These heroes …
Jean-Claude, Mark Gademer, Mark Gademer Robert Malves. The team was trained by Louis Rouan.
On March 9, in 1/32nd in the Pont-Jumeaux stadium in Toulouse, first of all the condom of a certain Paul Barella stands. “”I had committed the first fault on him over the fifty meters in the corner, without thinking that he was going to try it but also and above all to investigate it “, recalls Marc Gademer, the 3rde Carcassonnais center line of the time. The USC is essential (10-6). Direction Figeac for 1/16th against the ogre of competition, Limoges.
One was called duck, for the rain, it was fine
“Limoges was first, almost undefeated, even invincible “, explains Jean Vidal, the Usceist right pillar. And Marc Gademer to camp the decor: “There was in their rank, the international Marcel Puget, the Cardebat pillar, two 2e Line, one called duck, for the rain it was fine, and the other Pouchan, two fellows of more than 2 meters. While it had not rained in the sector for a while, local leaders had decided to water to do good to the lawn. The problem is that he liked the next night! “
In the pouring rain and on a field transformed into a swimming pool, the USC makes a full match In front of the championship leader! Victory (12-6) and as a bonus the accession to group B for the troops of coach Loulou Rouan. On April 6 in 1/8th, the USC spreads from its Mauvezin route to St-Girons (9-6). On April 20, Castelsarrasin welcomed the quarter -final against Objat. “”It is the Match that marked me the most. Objat had a big package. We beat them in the open melee, but they in closed melee, they posed a lot of problems. ” Confidences Jean Vidal bluntly. Same story on Marc Gademer’s side: “It was pure me lhe most difficult match. We earn three points (15-12) against a team without a star, but during a more delicate match. “
On April 27 in Graulhet, the USC won its ticket for the final (11-6) before the consecration in the final in Condom against Cognac on May 11, 1975 (success 15-6). For the record, the points were marked by Jean-Louis Pujol (1 essay), Bernard Poujade (1 transformation) and Henry Raynaud (1 transformation, 2 drops). Meanwhile, on May 4, 1975 in Albi, the Canaries won the friendship challenge for the second consecutive time against Langon (30-18).
We discovered the principle of levitation
“It’s a moment that remains engraved for life in a career “, says Jeannot Vidal. “Then play with my brother, with a group of friends … There were also types like Bustaffa capable of exploits at any time, Bernard Poujade, Robert Malves … Types that could make the difference. Jean-Louis Pujol too, he was imperial in final stages. What had also surprised me, it was the people who had come to see the match. There were people everywhere.
And we finished the aligator in Cité 2 in the box 2
Jean-François Albiach held for his part “A large pack of forwards. A united group. Coach Loulou Rouan was a unifying, and our captain Jean-Louis Pujol a great player, decisive on matches. And behind it galloped. There was Daniel Bustaffa. The team was complete. Before the final, if I remember correctly, I think we had slept in Valence-d’Agen. Then, what I remember is evening when we arrived in Carcassonne. Even with the rain, there were people, music … “
When Marc Gademer concludes : “From the top of the boulevard Barbès to the Café des merchants, we discovered the principle of levitation. There was such a crowd … We were swept away. It was madness. And we finished the aligator in Cité 2.”
