1957, a contrasting year for the department’s athletes: Perpignan FC created the feat, eliminating USAP in the quarterfinals, the XIII Catalan champion! The archives, Hélène Legrais.
We start the year 1957 with the feat of Perpignan footballers.
Ranked however in the 2nd half of the table of their 2nd division championship, they pay a headliner in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France by defeating Marseille who nevertheless holds the record for victories in this competition! Journey to the end of the suspense in Sète where the match is played, dominated almost from start to finish by the Catalans who obtain the greatest number of clear chances, a domination that the score does not really reflect since 3 minutes from the At the end the two teams are tied at 1, a goal from Sinibaldi with a header in the 12th minute for Perpignan and an equalizer for Marseille on a harsh penalty in the 28th. Are we heading towards extensions? No, because 3 minutes from the end, on a cross from César, the Olympian defense cleared poorly and Sinibaldi, again, scorer and coach, recovered to score the winning goal which eliminated the Marseille ogre 2 to 1! President Sabaté is a fulfilled man. The PFC will not be able to repeat its feat in 8th in Montpellier against Bordeaux who play in the same division as them. The Girondins won 1-0. The dream is over… but the feat remains!
On the other hand, the quinzists Catalans are not celebrating…
Starting with René Monié and André Sanac, the USAP internationals because the 5 Nations Tournament turns into a disaster. While Sanac receives the gold medal of the French Rugby Federation from the hands of its president René Crabos, a medal which marks his 5th selection for the Blues, his teammate, the 3/4 center Monié, injured in Soustons, must postpone his great debut within the French team which faced Scotland without him… and lost at home, in Colombes, 6 to 0, then against Ireland 11 to 6. André Sanac, one of the best Frenchmen to Dublin still wants to believe it before facing England at Twickenham. The Blues and the USAP captain fought well but lost, narrowly, 9 to 5. A match during which Monié was finally lined up. The Tricolores drink the chalice to the dregs as they bow to finish in Colombes against Wales 19 to 13 and a final try from Sanac. Zero victory, the wooden spoon! For its part, USAP qualified for the round of 16 of the championship thanks to a difficult match against Toulon but, dominated in front, failed in the quarter against Graulhet 14 to 3. It was a little better in Du Manoir where the Catalans were only beaten in the ½ final by Dax with a score of 29 to 0.
On the other hand, the XIII Catalan is on the verge of achieving the double!
Finalist of the Cup and the championship, the people of Perpignan can indeed dream. A dream that the injuries to Moulis and Guasch… and Marseille are shattering. Marseille won 11-0 in Carcassonne and won the Cup. But the Catalans took their revenge on May 26 in Toulouse by beating Avignon 14 to 9 to win the championship. The first title of Puig Aubert, who nevertheless missed a lot of kicks, with the XIII Catalan… at 32 years old, it was time! And, icing on the cake, Perpignan and Pipette, imperial this time, take their revenge by winning the “match of champions” against Marseille 33 to 26.
During this match, a young man of 18, native of Torreillesmade his debut in the first team. He was also selected for the first time in the French junior team to face England. His name is Yvon Gourbal.
