“Memories engraved for life…” 20 years ago, FC Auch was crowned French Pro D2 champion for the first time in its history

We're talking about a time when a certain Antoine Dupont was only 7 years old… Twenty years (and wheelbarrows) already since FCAG was crowned French Pro D2 champion for the first time in its history. A consecration for the Gers prefecture acquired at the end of a “one-sided” meeting, and a success (26-9) against a team from Aviron Bayonnais, which had seen itself, perhaps, a little too beautiful. She who finished first in the season, tied with… Auch.

“There are incidents of play, there is a red card and so on, etc.,” Grégory Menkarska rewinds. “I watched the match again. The worst thing is that the soundtrack is out of step with the images, but it still gives you chills,” continues the current manager of RC Auch, former pillar of FCAG.

But then, on June 19, 2004, in a packed Hameau stadium in Pau, it was written that the “rikiki” trophy, no shield at the time, should go to the Gascons. A piece of metal and wood that was going to capsize the Place de la Libération in Auch in drunkenness. At nightfall, some 3,000 supporters of the “Rouge et Blanc”, as reported by “La Dépêche”, were gathered in front of the town hall to celebrate their heroes.

A welcome preceding a “bringue” until “late, late, late in the night or in the morning (laughs)… We went to Bernard Salam's house, then in his pajamas, but he came with us to town for yet another drink”, remembers, inevitably with a smile on his lips, “Greg” Menkarska.

“It’s unique”

Faces who wrote one of the most beautiful pages in the history of the club, which had been chasing a title since the aftermath of the Second World War (1947 to be precise), we immediately think of coach Henry Broncan, alias the “Gers sorcerer”, to captain “Greg” Patat, or even to the 3rd line Mickaël Lebel, without forgetting the New Zealand 2nd line Tao Tapasu…

Names which are still circulating, for the most part, on the lawns of the department and elsewhere. Still others, as if the FCA (today RCA) were anchored to their body, continue to give their time to restore the nobility of the current resident of N2. Is there really a need to cite them?

Still a youngster at the time of the coronation, “Greg” Menkarska has since gained ground, moving from the field to the bench, and has successfully taken on the role of manager of the Gers prefecture club. “I'm lucky because I won two titles as a coach, with the Espoirs and in Fédérale 3,” says the former pillar, who no less keeps an indelible memory of the Pro D2 title. “But it's not the same feeling (as winning as a player, editor's note). It doesn't replace all the fatigue that you store emotionally and physically throughout the season. The title of French Pro D2 champion is is the only one I have as a player, so it’s the most beautiful,” he assures.

And then, “it’s unique, because French Pro D2 champion, today, it’s utopian”, the Auscitain manager prefers to laugh. A return to reality. In twenty years, water has flowed under the bridges, French rugby has changed dimension. “It was the beginning of professionalism, so we could still compete. We were still active. There was a plumber, a municipal employee… facing professionals. It was another era and, yet, we had achieved this feat -there”, boasts the former pillar.

A situation which is, a sign of destiny, almost unmistakably similar to that in which Benjamin Magnoac's teammates will find themselves this Saturday at Fouroux, facing the “professional” Niort armada and its budget four times greater than that of Gers. .

But like 20 years ago, why not believe in the chances of the Auscitains, who, in a crazy scenario and in front of packed stands (let's bet!), would claim the leader's scalp. Like a nod to the past, before writing a new page in the history of RC Auch.