Valenciennes

The club was founded in 1913. In the 2005-06 season, it competed in Ligue 2 (Division 2), with Francis Decourrière as general manager and Antoine Kombouaré as head coach. In 2006, they returned to the top flight after more than a decade's exile and maintained their Ligue 1 status at the end of this season.

HISTORY

Valenciennes FC was founded in 1913 by a group of young men, notably Mssrs Colson, Joly and Bouly. With the Great War in progress, the club made little impact at first. However, in 1916 another group of sportsmen made contact with the directors of the club with a view to creating the "Union Sportive Valenciennes-Anzin" (Valenciennes-Anzin Sports Union, known by its French initials USVA) under which name they then participated in the Escaut Département championships. Under the leadership of their president, M. Lélithouard, USVA attained professional status in 1933.
[edit] Timeline

    * 1913: Foundation of Valenciennes Football Club (FCV).
    * 1916: The club is renamed Union Sportive Valenciennes-Anzin (USVA), and retains this name until 1996.
    * 1933: Creation of a professional section.
    * 1993: Valenciennes and Marseille are involved in a match fixing scandal. Marseille chairman Bernard Tapie is believed to have bribed Valenciennes players to ensure a Marseille win so that the club could have more time to prepare for the UEFA Champions League final. Both clubs suffer a forced relegation as a result of this incident.
    * 1994: Valenciennes relegated to Division 3.
    * 1996: End of the professional section.
    * 1996: The club is renamed as "Valenciennes Football Club" .
    * 2005: Professional section refounded .
    * 2005: Valenciennes promoted to Ligue 2
    * 2006: Valenciennes promoted to Ligue 1