Coupe de France (7th round). US Montagnarde (R1) – Tours FC (R1), this Saturday (6 p.m.)
“I still have videos of a match against Stade Brestois at the Mane-Braz stadium in 2015 (0-3 in the 7th round; November 14, 2015). I must have been 12 years old. I was in the kop, if you can call it a kop. We were singing the whole match! When you’re little, you tell yourself that it would be great to be in their place. And then, one day, it’s your turn,” remembers Louis Millote (21).
Between the US Montagnarde and the Coupe de France, the idyll continues over the decades. And in the environment of an amateur club which twice reached the round of 16 of the “Old Lady” (five times in the 16th final and ten times in the 32nd), the memories are legion. And this special relationship continues to inspire the young shoots of the club.
Souvenirs 2.0
Even forced to stay at home, covid-19 obliges, Nicolas Gallo (21 years old, central defender) thus made the last epic of the US Montagnarde (16th final against Saumur in 2020-2021; 3-3; 4-3 TAB) his best memory. “For me, it’s first the match against Saint-Brieuc (2020). As a supporter, we couldn’t go to the field. The matches were broadcast on a streaming platform, like against Saumur in the next round which I also watched. And then, Téléfoot broadcast a topic on La Montagne. We were Little Thumb that year. I also remember the penalty session when there was the elimination. It was weird seeing the guys we shared training with on TV during the week. We could also see some supporters who had made the trip despite the restrictions. They were not allowed to be in the compound. Finally, it was also good to enjoy it at home in a small group. We are experiencing the event well. »
“The qualifier in 16th against Saint-Brieuc was really incredible”
Goalkeeper Louis Millotte, who had the privilege of experiencing these crazy emotions from the bench, agrees. “The qualifier in the 16th against Saint-Brieuc at home was truly incredible! The only downside is that during the covid-19 period, there were no supporters. The match was tense, we won in the penos (1-1; 3-2 TAB) going through all the emotions. Stress, joy… Everything! »
These memories, 2.0 or not, continue to hold this club together, not quite like the others. And which has other advantages: “It’s a truly family club, with no group in the locker room. There is a lot of mutual aid, closeness with the leaders, many volunteers. For example, we both take care of young people… I think it’s rare now,” they say in unison, just as proudly as when they talk about the careers of their glorious elders.
In any case, as these two young Montagnards who have grown up still say together: “Now, it’s up to the little ones to encourage us!” “.
