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More than 7,000 people gathered on Saturday at the Mosson stadium to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary. If the festivities are part of a rich history that began in 1974, the roots of the club go back much further, to the beginning of the 20th century. In 1914, a group of notable people from Montpellier created the Stade Olympique Montpellierain (SOM), an adventure suspended by the First World War before really beginning in 1919.
The club experienced ups and downs, titles in the lower division and a consecration in 1929 with the victory in the Coupe de France against FC Sète. The year 1974 marked a decisive turning point with the arrival of Louis Nicollin, visionary and emblematic figure, who laid the foundations of the Montpellier Payade Sport Club Littoral. The latter became the MHSC in 1989, proudly displaying its blue and orange colors. Under the leadership of historical figures like Laurent Blanc and Eric Cantona, the club quickly gravitated towards the top, culminating with its title of champion of France in 2012.
Laurent Nicollin
During the show, Laurent Nicollin, current president of the club, shared his thoughts on this milestone anniversary. He spoke of the emotion of seeing several generations of players gathered to celebrate the legacy of his father, Louis Nicollin. Laurent highlighted the family spirit that characterizes the MHSC, a key value transmitted over the decades. He also recalled the founding period of the 1970s and the memorable moments, notably the triumphant season of 2012. “The MHSC is a unique family saga, where the work of several generations comes together with passion and ambition,” he declared.
A show punctuated by unique testimonies
- Henri Bédimo, left side of the epic 2012, described “a team united like a family,” where altruism and talent were the drivers of success.
- Roland Courbis greeted “the incredible complementarity” historic leaders, Nicollin, Gasset, and Frêche, who shaped the unique identity of the club.
- Paul Mirabel, comedian and long-time supporter, recalled his first match in 2009, marked by the unforgettable rise to Ligue 1.
- Rene Girard did not hide his emotion when returning to La Mosson. “I come back regularly. I would almost say that tonight is like being at home. What we experienced was wonderful. What’s beautiful is what the public gives back to us, even those from 2012 who , perhaps, were still in the high chair We have a fabulous return. It really left its mark on the region and this club which… remains a family club, as we always say, and which always will be. “
- Grégory Lacombe, emblematic midfielder of 2012 evoked the magic of this historic season. “It’s the cohesion that we had, what we went for, what we managed to do. Because we were not programmed to seek or titillate this title of champion of France, clearly . “
To discover the entirety of this special program, which combines historical stories, sincere testimonies and moments of joy, we invite you to listen to the replay of the program.
What challenges did Montpellier Hérault Sport Club face during its early years?
Web Editor: Hello everyone and welcome to our special edition of World Today News, where we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Montpellier Hérault Sport Club (MHSC), a French football club with a rich history that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. We are honored to have Mr. Laurent Nicollin, the current president of the club, and a panel of distinguished guests: Mr. Henri Bédimo, a former player who was part of the epic 2012 team, and Mr. Roland Courbis, the current manager of the club.
Section 1: The Club’s Founding and Evolution
Web Editor: Mr. Nicollin, could you tell us more about the origins of MHSC and the challenges it faced during its early years? How did your father, Louis Nicollin, transform the club into the successful entity it is today?
Laurent Nicollin: Of course. The MHSC is a unique family saga where the work of several generations comes together with passion and ambition. The club was originally founded in 1914 as Stade Olympique Montpelliérain, and it experienced both ups and downs, titles in lower divisions, and a consecration in 1929 with the victory in the Coupe de France. However, it was my father, Louis Nicollin, who took over the club in 1974 and laid the foundation for what MHSC is today. He had a clear vision for the club and its potential, which we continue to uphold today.
Roland Courbis: Let me add to that, Laurent. Your father really was a visionary figure who helped shape the club’s unique identity. He brought in historical figures like Gabriel Gasset and René Eyraud Frêche who, together with him, forged the values that still hold true today - family spirit, hard work, and ambition. Without their efforts, we wouldn’t be celebrating this milestone anniversary today.
Henri Bédimo: Absolutely, Roland. The club has seen many highs and lows, but the family spirit that characterizes it has remained constant. I think that’s what made the 2012 season so special – we were like a family on that field, with players putting each other first and working together to achieve
