“Machines will stop running”
Gabay Allaigre has been the main attraction of Papeteries d'Espaly since the start of 2025. So much so that the company will adapt to the rhythm of the Coupe de France and review its organization, to allow employees to live as well as possible his 16th final.
“You really are a star Gabay,” says a colleague who passes him in the company’s aisles. “I announced a volley into the top corner in the 89th minute, I’ll let you choose which one,” says another of the 160 employees.
Difficult for Espaly's right piston to go unnoticed since the feat against Dijon. Previously, only Annie, installed in the office opposite his, assiduously followed his career. Now, “everyone is talking about it,” confirms the main person concerned. The latter is almost sorry to see his partner, Vincent, replacing him at the start of the week. The company had to review its entire organization for one evening.
“I think there are around thirty employees who have planned to travel to the Marcel-Michelin stadium. Which means that, exceptionally, we have to cut certain machines. Unfortunately, some will be forced to work night shifts and are disgusted at missing the match. »
Many colleagues therefore decided to take a day off to support the star of the moment. Concerning him, the Espaviot player obviously took a day too. But, yesterday, he was at work, before embarking with the group for a green trip to Clermont-Ferrand. “We made sure to provide him with lots of little problems so that he would want to let off steam afterwards,” jokes his boss, Patrice.
The footballer has gotten used to juggling between his professional activity and the field. “I start every morning at 7 a.m., in order to free myself in the afternoons and then be able to go to training. »
This frantic pace did not prevent him from climbing the ranks. After two years as a temporary worker operating the various machines in the factory, he was permanently hired and now works in the offices. “I’m a planner,” he explains. With Vincent, we take care of all the orders and make sure we can respect the dates imposed by the customers. There are two important phases to follow: the arrival of the paper reels, then their transformation into cardboard, after passing through the machines. »
For one evening, Gabay Allaigre will be able to distance himself from the daily life of an amateur player to concentrate on the most exciting match of his career. But he promised, as of Friday, he will be back at the Papeteries.
Thursday, he will hire from 6:30 a.m….
A versatile employee at Jourda in Brives, Kaïs Bendriss, works in a daily life that is fast-paced. And so that the young central defender can live his dream this evening, it is his manager who will replace him.
“I will quickly come down from my cloud. »
Thursday morning at 6:30 a.m., when Kaïs Bendriss takes up his post as a versatile agent at Jourda in Brives-Charensac, his return to reality risks being brutal and the memory of the Parisian stars will already be far away. At 21, the young central defender from Espaly is enjoying a well-paced life. At Jourda, he goes around the buildings every day to collect the containers and three times a week, he takes care of cleaning the greenway.
In the morning, he hires from 6:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. After an irremovable and obligatory nap to maintain a healthy lifestyle, he trains and returns to work until 9 p.m.
A daily life that is sometimes difficult to cope with. “When at the end of training, you see everyone going home, ready to sleep and you have to go back to work, it’s sometimes difficult,” admits the young man. Despite this, he is always faithful to the position whether at work or on the field. “In one year with us, he has never missed a single day,” notes his manager, Arnaud Bécuwe, proud of his employee. “Kaïs is a very nice person and a very good element in the company. This match is a golden opportunity not to be missed for him. » So not to miss this chance, Tuesday evening and Wednesday, he will be the one to replace Kaïs at work.
A natural arrangement for this sports fan. “With Arnaud, every Monday we talk about football,” laughs the Espaviot defender. A common passion which led his manager to support his employee against Dijon, in the previous round. “I surprised him by going to see him,” smiles Arnaud Bécuwe. Support that he will unfortunately not be able to repeat in Clermont since he will replace Kaïs. “I'm going to watch the match in front of the TV,” explains his boss, who is perhaps one of the only ones to be disappointed with the poster. “I’m a Lensois supporter, so I would have preferred Lens to win in the 32nd final,” he laughs.
Still, his employee will go and challenge the capital club and will be able to tell him about his experience on Thursday morning. Well, normally… “If we win, I might not be there very soon,” jokes Kaïs.
“I took two days off”
Employed in the town of Le Puy, goalkeeper coach Thierry Lager must combine two busy lives.
Deputy building manager in the town of Le Puy during the day and goalkeeper trainer in the evening. Thierry Lager's life is well-paced. After joining the Espaly staff more than five years ago, he now juggles between his two activities. A daily life that has become more difficult since the rise to National 3.
At the City, he takes care of, among other things, the maintenance of heritage, roads, fountains and parking… Added to all this is his role as goalkeeper trainer. “I finish at 5 p.m. in my office in Taulhac and the training sessions start at 5:30 p.m., so timing-wise, it’s very tight. And I do that three times a week,” explains Thierry Lager. We must also add Saturdays, where he must follow the team in the championship. “It is certain that the family part takes a hit,” admits Espaviot.
A difficult daily life in which he still managed to find a certain balance. “My wife tells me that if I stop playing football, I will become unbearable,” he laughs. And even for this Wednesday's meeting, we had to adapt. “I took two days off,” declared the City employee, who upon his return from vacation, Monday, January 6, became the attraction at his work. “Every person I meet talks to me about this match. People ask me for places or jerseys,” laughs Lionel Vaillant’s assistant. Among these colleagues, we find Christophe Volle. “I talk to him every day this round of 16 and I will be his first supporter,” he smiles. It’s a great pride for him, the club and everyone. »And if he will not go to the match, he is very admiring of the work of his colleague and his pace of life at 100 miles an hour.
“He is someone who is very involved, whether for his work or for football. I am very happy for him. »
Lucas Jacquet and Guillaume Chorin
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