History is on the move for USM

After returning to the training grounds on June 28, things started to get serious for USM. But before facing Nevers in a first friendly match which will take place in Vichy, Friday evening, it was a question of welcoming, Tuesday evening, a whole parterre of sponsors gathered under the Valorem space in order to present them the workforce and the club’s plans for the new Pro D2 season. After showing a white leg, or rather health pass in due form at the entrance, the partners were able to settle in and discover what the USM version 2021-2022 would look like.

From the start, Jean-Claude Maillard, president of the club since the end of 2019, did not go by four ways. “My business is aero. And Covid obliges, my business is having a difficult time. But we will raise our heads. I will support you on a long-term basis in the Sapiac project”, assured the president of Figeac Aéro ( 2,000 employees in France, 1,100 in Figeac). After carrying out a capital increase of € 355,000, during the last week, and indicating that the DNACG (the financial policeman of professional rugby) is now asking for a deposit of € 2.4 million to be able to start the season, the strong man of the USM did not hide that, alone, he would not succeed. “In today’s rugby, there can be no lasting sporting results without strong finances. You provide that financial foundation.”

Jean-Claude Maillard thus dreams of a very ambitious project for Sapiac (Top 14 in the long term).

Faced with the partners whose resilience he praised during the past season, the president indicated that the stones of the edifice were gradually being put in place. He spoke about the creation of three front boxes which will be open at the Sapiac stadium for the start of the season. With a capacity of around fifteen people each, these modular units will be positioned in a bend. During the season, the leaders then intend to reduce by half the current press box to install a presidential box. Officials are also working on the creation of 16 boxes on the Bardot stand, and better, if demand is there, on a wall of boxes that could grow from the ground behind the in-goal. Estimated cost: 2.5 million €.

Beyond the reception and the infrastructures of Sapiac which “must be improved again this season”, the president of the USM evoked the launch of the Ramierou training center: dining room 400 m2 of surface dedicated to the bodybuilding, a synthetic field, a hybrid field, 3 grass fields, 13 changing rooms, 300 m2 of administrative and associative offices … An XXL project of around ten million € which will be supported by the community, including the opening could take place at the end of 2023 at the beginning of 2024.

Encouraging sign, Michel Weill, president of the departmental council and Axel de Labriolle, mayor of Montauban are now pushing in the same direction behind the USM and President Maillard. Invited to express themselves, the two elected officials did not seek to dodge the challenges of tomorrow either.

In turn, Daniel Bory, deputy mayor of Montauban, more particularly in charge of sports, will raise the applaudimeter under the Valorem space. Turning to the players, the former third line had these right words, rugby player’s words: “Here, we will forgive you everything except for not being brave. Be proud of these colors. We are counting on you.”