the essential
Alain Demo, co-president of Avenir Valencian, accepted a final mission in Guyana before retiring, while remaining linked to his favorite club. An unforgettable human and professional adventure.
Alain Demo, co-president of Avenir valencien, has just experienced an exceptional adventure. On the eve of his retirement, the company which employs him entrusted him with a final mission, from October 19 to November 8, far from the usual Pyrenees, more than 10,000 kilometers from mainland France, in Guyana, on the border from Brazil. For the Valencian leader who gives himself tirelessly for his club, a question arose: should he give up going so far?
Arrived at the club in 1986
When you know the man, his professionalism and his generosity, we had no doubt: he was going to pack his suitcase.
“This is my last mission, end of career, and afterward, I will have more time for my loved ones, my activities, my projects and also to invest myself even more in Avenir Valencian, my adopted club, which has become my favorite club over the years. » He arrived in 1986 as a player and today, he has taken the next step by becoming a manager. Leaving his family, his friends, his fellow managers and his players was not easy.
Before leaving, he promised that he would stay in contact with the Valencian leaders on a day-to-day basis to participate in the life of the club, and he kept his promises.
Only the land was missing
“It was very hard, on the day of departure, to leave my loved ones, my daily life and the club I love. I went backwards, I admit. But on Monday, I started the project, I had to, and then, everything changed in the space of forty-eight hours… despite the distance and the separation, I took matters in hand like a n. 8 who brings his pack, the ball well in the feet, to the right, to the left and in the axis. Today, even if the project is not finished, I would have experienced a great human adventure with a successful mission at the end of my career. »
DDM – M.B.
Upon his arrival on the site, he got to know the two managers of the companies La Famille BTP and Mithieux during the first site meeting, and the connection went well. They, of course, talked about the mission, but they quickly branched off onto other subjects, notably rugby.
An envelope of 5,000 euros
“They saw that I had a rugby ball with me, it had not left my side since I left on the plane and today, it is here… it will have completed my entire mission. It went from there… We talked rugby and, of course, I came to talk about our club dear to our hearts. At the end, we concluded two partnerships for the 2024-25 season, it's a bit of pride to bring back an envelope of 5,000 euros in my luggage. When relations are at this level between a club and a partner, you can say that it is a success: relationships are important. »
During all these weeks, the Valencian leader did not cut off with the club, remaining in contact practically every week with the staff, the office, the co-presidents, not always in agreement but they exchanged, and even with the players with little words before and after matches.
In a few days, he will happily reunite with his loved ones and his club, Avenir Valencian. He will not be there tomorrow for the arrival of Lannemezan, but he will be there the following week, in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. He can't wait to see the team and its staff again, as well as the scent and atmosphere of the Sunday matches. His loved ones and his club, in his beloved city of Valencia, are impatiently awaiting him.
