It’s a bit of the topic of the moment for RC Lens. The atmosphere of Bollaert-Delelis, known as incandescent, is no longer unanimous. Real problem, or just an impression from the outside? This is our debate of the day. Raphaël Nouet and William Tertrin give their opinion.
Yes, clearly
“There has been a real problem in the Bollaert-Delelis stands for quite some time. Since the return to Ligue 1 in 2020, very warm atmospheres have become rare in Lens. Certainly, the 2020-2021 season was special with COVID, as was part of the 2021-2022 season. In 2022-2023, it was obviously a separate exercise, with 2nd place at the end of the season. This team also greatly contributed to packing the stands. Afterwards, it got more complicated. Songs which quickly run out of steam, tensions in the stands, and sometimes not very exciting matches which fail to transcend the supporters.
Recently, we particularly mentioned the parking lots in Lille and Nantes which made themselves heard, which is quite rare for opposing supporters on artesian soil. But this reflects the real regression of the atmosphere in Bollaert. An atmosphere which, on the contrary, is excellent when traveling. The problem can also be explained by the gentrification of the stands, which expect much more in terms of team performance. We can also raise the problem of the supporters who fill the main kop in the Marek stand, often too many crossing their arms instead of singing. In any case, the problem must be quickly identified, so that Bollaert and his supporters do not lose their splendor. While knowing that a few kilometers further, in Lille, we note a real rise in power at this level…”.
William TERTRIN
It’s always been like this
“I went to Bollaert for the first time in 1998 and I have returned ten times since. My analysis is as follows: it is one of the best atmospheres in France but it is special. Like what happens in English speakers, to which Bollaert is often compared, there are moments when no one sings. In this case, we can actually hear the opposing supporters. La Marek is not like the kops from Marseille or Saint-Etienne, singing for 90 minutes. There are times when it goes very high, others when it goes quite low. I remember that in 1999, after Rolland Courbis’s famous comparison of the North and the penguins, I was disappointed by the atmosphere, which I expected to be warmer. It was the announcer who launched the chants of Marek, something unimaginable at OM, ASSE or even pre-Qatar PSG…
All this to say that in my opinion, the atmosphere in Bollaert has not fundamentally changed. It has always been like this, plugged into alternating current. There may be more tourists in the stands, but it is a phenomenon affecting all L1 stadiums since the end of the pandemic. Bollaert will always be like this. La Voix du Nord talks about the derby but the scenario of the meeting did not help the supporters to get excited. On the other hand, I think that the Sang et Or will find their voice again for the arrival of OM on Saturday. They will then have the opportunity to close this debate on their sound support for a while…”
Raphaël NOUET
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