PORTRAIT. Roger Rudynski, ex-speaker of RC Lens, still as passionate as ever

Roger Rudynski, announcer of RC Lens between 1989 and 2012, has not let go of his club despite the cessation of its activities. He does not miss a game of the Sang et Or, authors of a superb season for their return to Ligue 1.

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No one has forgotten his voice or his face. Roger Rudynski was the voice of RC Lens for 23 years, from 1989 to 2012. Almost nine years later, he hasn’t lost any of his banter. Met in his living room this Sunday March 14, on the occasion of the 29th day of Ligue 1 between Lens and Metz, Roger thinks he is on a football field. “Is the whole Bollaert stadium hot?”, he shouts, with his particular style, inspired “boxing fights” in the USA. “I told myself that I was going to do the same with football. I was even taken over by others!”

Roger Rudynski has certainly gained a few years, he is nonetheless passionate. Accompanied by his son, he never misses a Blood and Gold match, of which he appreciates the state of mind.

“There is a collective spirit in this team. Comradeship prevails. It reminds me of 1998! We will not be champions of France, but we are able to finish in the top five and go to the European Cup. With everything the public with us, we might be third. “

He was almost fired three years after his debut

1998, his best memory of supporting RC Lens. The duel for the title of champion of France was tough with Metz, and the decision was made on the 34th and final day against Auxerre, May 9, 1998. Led 1-0 and virtually beaten by the Mosellans for the title, the Lensois had managed to equalize by Yoann Lachor. A draw sufficient to be titled. “In the streets of Lens, it was madness”, he remembers. Then there was the Champions League, the holy grail of European competitions. He quotes : “Bayern Munich, Milan AC, Dynamo Kiev, Arsenal..”

There are plenty of anecdotes within RC Lens. One marked him more than others: he did not go far from the door. We are in 1995, Tuesday April 11. Roger Rudynski hosts a signing session at an Etaples store with Philippe Brunel, Frédéric Meyrieu and Sébastien Dallet. The evening continues, the glasses of champagne are linked. “Dallet was ill in the middle of the Lens station, everyone saw him!”, comments more than 15 years after the speaker. Four days later, Lens welcomes Bastia to Bollaert. “The management told me “Roger, you’re fired!”” The match takes place, Lens leads 2-0 before Philippe Brunel, 22, entered in the 72nd minute and protagonist of the evening on Tuesday, unleashes a strike from 25 meters. His first goal in Ligue 1. “They told me : “You stay there Roger, you are not fired!”“

“I’m disappointed, but that’s how it is”

Back in 2021. Before the meeting against Metz, Roger wanted to be confident. And only wants one thing: his team to win. Lens scored twice. At each goal, it is a lyrical and physical flight as he gets up from the chair in which he was seated. Jonathan Clauss first, on a deflected free kick in the 13th minute. Metz equalized from the penalty spot in the 27th minute. “We’re going to score, we’re going to win, it’s not normal that they score from the penalty spot!” he plague. When Lens returns to the 36th (Cahuzac), he wants to be cautious. “There is nothing done!” he said to his son. He was right: Thomas Delaine equalized Metz side in the 57th minute: 2-2. Final score. “It’s not true, it’s not true, shit, we lost two points! I’m disappointed, but that’s how it is.” From the outset, he remobilizes: “We have to do our best in Strasbourg, we have to stay high, we are fine.” Sunday, Franck Haise’s men will go to La Meinau.

Roger Rudynski remains nostalgic for these 23 years as the voice of RC Lens – he recently officiated for the neighboring club Avion. “What do I want to go back!” Its formulas, “We are going to eat them tonight, we are going to eat them, we are going to put them on the ground”, – since banned by the animators charter – had become legendary. He has an impressive number of photos which he shares with his son: Zinédine Zidane, Roger Boli … During this period, he was an important figure in the life of the Lens club. When we meet him in the street, we “asking to sign autographs, I can’t believe it myself!” A Facebook page “For the return of Roger Rudynski as Speaker Number 1 of RC Lens” was even created in 2016 with 200 fans.

One thing is certain, Roger Rudynski will never let go of his lifelong club and will even pass on his passion to his son, already a supporter. He won’t need to preach a believer.