The Colonial Club, the ancestor of Martinique clubs

In the popular neighborhoods of Texaco, Trenelle, Dillon, the exploits of the Colonial Club still echo. We are talking about a time that those under 20 have not known. The dean of Martinican football reigned on the fields of the island of flowers from 1919 to 1970. The sound of conch conch shells resounded in the stands of the Stade Achille. Attacking midfielder Victor Jean-Baptiste sent the ball into the air and hit it in the neck during the French Antilles Cup matches against Equinoxe de Petit Canal. A feat usually reserved for Brazilian virtuosos, Ronaldo and Neymar. Decades later, Paris Saint-Germain attackers delighted the Parisian public.

During the 1963-1964 season, the Colonial Club of Martinique became one of the first overseas representatives to compete in the 6^th round of the Coupe de France. The Clubists were beaten 0-3 by CA Montreuil (CFA).

CLUB COLONIAL, the oldest club in Martinique

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With 19 championship titles, six regional cups and six participations in the Coupe de France, the “white and black” have marked the history of Martinican football.

1964-1965 remained a prosperous season for club players, with two consecutive successes in the Antilles-Guyana championship. They also won the championship and the Théolade Cup. “Since the age of 11, the Colonial Club has remained my favorite club.” confides Foyalaise Nicaise Besube, now 76 years old. She had the most wonderful hours of glory. Graduated from the athletics section, she practices high jump and shot put. This loyal supporter is driven by a deep sense of belonging: “I followed all their matches! I also made trips to France. The club’s headquarters were located on the first floor above my father’s barbershop. I celebrated many victories in the café of former goalkeeper Jean Mardaye.”

Created in 1906, the Club Colonial is the oldest sports association in Martinique. The first stones of the foundation were laid in 1903. On the Savane of Fort-de-France, football enthusiasts created the Union Sportive. A union which quickly split into two: the Colonial Club and the Excelsior.

Psyché, Darbonnel, Duillet, Mathurin are the first leaders. The licensees are handpicked, you must have two sponsors within the club itself. In 1919, the first championship began with three teams: the Colonial Club, the Excelsior and the Combattante. A year later, four seasons of domination began with a successful quintuplet.

For several decades, players and managers have left their mark on the Foyalais club. This is the case of Albert Detournel, nicknamed “the ace of aces” for his incomparable qualities. Fast, powerful, dexterous, using both his head and both feet, he runs the 100m in 11 seconds and has a formidable ball strike. He is a complete athlete. The footballer also plays basketball, tennis and high jump.

Claude Cayol also remained an emblematic striker for Club Colonial and Martinique football from 1963 to 1980. A fine dribbler, this left-hander with powerful shots and devastating headers stood out for his technical and physical skills. He joined the first team at the age of 16 as a central defender.

Former striker for the Colonial Club and the Martinique selection, Ferriez Elisabeth has, for 38 years, presided over the destiny of the association. He was one of those who created the Regional Football League in 1952.

290 licensees, divided into seven teams ranging from youth to regional, are members of the football section. The sports association includes two other disciplines, athletics and table tennis. 40 athletes and 20 table tennis players wear the colors black and white. In total, this represents one of the largest numbers of licensees on the Island, to the great pride of the current president of the club, David Loetitia.

Martinique’s last championship title dates back to the 2010-2011 season. The final participation in the 64^e The final dates from 2018. Against ASM Belfort (Nat 2), the Foyalais lost 3 to 2.

The oldest club has gone through periods of turbulence. Relegated to honor promotion at the end of the 1988-1989 season, he went back and forth between promotion and the honor division. The club have not won a trophy since winning the French departmental Cup in 2017.

In 2020, 12th in the Regional 1 (R1) ranking, the association came close to relegation to R2. He was initially demoted and then drafted. He played in the R1 championship with 16 clubs. This season, the Foyalais club was eliminated in the first round of the Coupe de France.

On the occasion of his 80^e anniversary, in 1986, in front of 5,000 spectators, the Foyalais club hosted Paris Saint-Germain, champion of France. He lost 2-1 against the Parisians.

L’appellation “colonial” should disappear for the 120th anniversary of the Martinique club.

Listen to the president of the Colonial Club, David Loetitia:

ITW DAVID LOETITIAL PRESIDENT DU CLUB COLONIAL

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