Despite his sporting accession won for the Proligue, the leader of the federal group of Nationale 1M Dreux-Vernouillet, like his runner-up Annecy-le-Vieux, gives up going up a notch. Its leaders believe that the financial and organizational resources of the clubs do not make it possible to ensure secure promotion for the future. In 2023, Mulhouse made this same decision, objective without a doubt but what a source of disappointment for the supporters!
What does François Woum Woum, the manager of a US Saintes 3rd in the last championship, think? “Only the first two have the opportunity to join the Proligue. If these teams withdrew, we had the possibility of submitting a draft file. We did not want it because financially, we are not able to take on this increase. » And added, with a touch of bitterness: “This brings to mind a gradual closure of the NHL (the first division, Editor’s note) with regulations which do not authorize different economic models at these levels. Furthermore, from a sporting point of view, it also becomes almost impossible to access the D2 because the economic and institutional imperatives are too far from the standards of the N1. »
The 5th scorer in N1 has signed
This did not stop Fox from preparing for next season. “To date, our flagship team is complete because we have managed to keep the majority of our players,” indicates the former full-back, who has only three departures: “Souleymani Touré is still looking for a club. Nicolas Moutibé left for a PSG reserve team and David Garcia-Castrasena joined Boulogne-Billancourt. As for Léandre Bourdon, our mental trainer, he left us to reunite with family. »
“Théo Lebon is a very good finisher and a counter-attacker who has a lot of qualities”
Sébastien Chatillon, Noah Lenclume, Gory Bakary, Lassana Touré, captain Axel Rosier, Ilies Hakiki, Sébastien Chatillon and the two goalkeepers Aristide Ewe and Loïck Spady have renewed their contracts, as has coach Yannick Verdier. “Our squad is stable and has a new addition to the lineup with the arrival of Théo Lebon-Mannou, the former right winger from Dreux-Vernouillet and the 5th top scorer in the championship,” underlines François Woum Woum.
“Théo Lebon is a very good finisher and a counter-attacker who has a lot of qualities in his right winger position, even as a defender,” confirms Yannick Verdier. It should therefore bring us something more. The departure of Nicolas Moutibé will not be filled because there were already three to hold the left-back position. There is therefore very little chance that his replacement will be effective. »
Preseason
The friendly matches will begin on August 14 at Grand-Coudret against Libourne, promoted to N1. On August 17 and 18, a tournament will take place with Angers, Saint-Cyr and a team still to be defined. On August 20, the Fox will face Poitiers, then Sait-Cyr on the 23rd, still at home. They will then compete in the first round of the Coupe de France on August 31.
