Discover your favorites for 2024

The Normand Football Trophies 2024

To close the chapter for 2024, the FOOT NORMAND editorial staff asked you to elect your favorites of the year in six categories: hopeful, coach, player, player, goalkeeper and team. As we told you, it was not a question of comparing one division to another; Ligue 1 being, obviously, of a higher level than Ligue 2 or the National and the other federal championships (N2-N3), but to determine to what extent these different actors have influenced the course of their club, in their competitions respective. Proof of the enthusiasm generated by our regional football, we collected more than 8,500 votes in the space of a few days! Now it's time to see the results.

For these Trophies for the year 2024, we collected more than 8,500 votes in the space of a few days.

Lamine Sy, best hope

Designated revelation of the National championship during the 2023-2024 season, Lamine Sy (22 years old) exploded in the jersey of FC Rouen where he was on loan from Stade Malherbe. He left such an impression on the minds of observers that even his rupture of the cruciate ligaments contracted in May, the second already in his young career, did not prevent him from being elected Norman's best hope for the year 2024. His return to competition in the coming days is particularly awaited by SMC supporters; his training club where he is under contract until June 30, 2025. The right side or piston is a short head ahead of his partner in the “Red and Blue” colors: Noah Lebreton (20 years old) who established himself in the starting lineup under the direction of Nicolas Seube. Essential pillar of the HAC in Ligue 1, whether with Luka Elsner or Didier Digard, the versatile Joshua Casimir (23 years old) completes the podium.

Djillali Bekkar, best coach

This is the category that has generated the most enthusiasm. As best coach of the year 2024, you have crowned a rising talent from the regional benches in the person of Djillali Bekkar (43 years old). It must be said that the technician, first of all, contributed to the excellent 5^e place of FC Saint-Lô in National 3 during the 2023-2024 financial year before successfully taking over the reins of FC Dieppe this summer. While they occupy the leader's chair of group E in N3 at the Christmas break, will Djillali Bekkar be the coach who will bring the Herrings back up to National 2, seven years after their last stint at this level? Philippe Clement (53 years old), who helped qualify “his” SU Dives-Cabourg (N3) for the first time in its history in 1/16^e final of the Coupe de France, finished second. Maxime d'Ornano (44 years old) climbs to the third step of the podium; proof that the Rouen supporters do not have a short memory compared to everything that their ex-technician brought to the “Red Devils”.

Shirley Pigache, best player

This is the main surprise of these Trophies; proof, once again, that regional football still appeals to football lovers. You have designated the attacker Shirley Pigache (29 years old) best player of the year 2024. Through this vote, the entire QRM women's team, author of the cup (Normandy) – championship (promotion to D3) double, is rewarded. Currently both playing at Olympique Lyonnais, Maïwenn Olivier (17 years old), who spent a season at Stade Malherbe after having completed all his classes at ASPTT Caen, and Inès Benyahia (21 years old), the main architect of maintaining the HAC in D1 Arkema, complete the podium.

Hicham Benkaïd, best player

Since the departures of Farès Ghedjemis and Damien Loppy, he is the No. 1 offensive asset of an FCR which will not lack ambitions in 2025. Being one of the most decisive players in the National (six goals + one assist ), Hicham Benkaïd (34 years old) was voted best player of the year 2024. The Rouen striker finished ahead of another great scorer in the person ofAlexandre Mendy (30 years old), best goleador in the history of Stade Malherbe with 74 goals. Revelation of the federal championships, first with SU Dives-Cabourg (N3) then with US Avranches (N2), Idrissa Seydi (26 years old) perhaps makes an appointment with the future by placing third.

Xavier Gallien, best goalkeeper

It is a history of Norman football which has been acclaimed among goalkeepers with Xavier Gallien (28 years old). The goalkeeper of FC Saint-Lô (N3) is a short head ahead of another reference for the position: Paul Reulet (30 years old), so precious in the cages of a US Granville which will fight to save its skin in National 2. The fourth division, AF Virois of the excellent Louis Deschateaux (27 years old), third in this election, could taste it again next season.

FC Rouen, best team

It was a fantastic duel between the clubs of the Rouen area for the title of team of the year 2024. Quarter-finalist of the Coupe de France and author of a solid performance in the National championship this season. last despite a five-point penalty, the FC Rouen narrowly wins in front of the women's section of QRMpromoted to Division 3 and winner of the Normandy Cup. Having reached the National for the first time in its young history, theAS Villers completes the podium.