Resilient Supporters Rally to Save Union Sportive Bergerac Rugby Club

IThey took “a big wave in the face”, but the supporters of Union Sportive Bergerac (USB) Rugby are not ready to let go of their club. Five days after the meeting which formalized the club’s debt of 184,000 euros, the Gaston-Simounet stadium resonated with great fervor, Sunday October 8, during the match against the leader of Fédérale 1…

IThey took “a big wave in the face”, but the supporters of Union Sportive Bergerac (USB) Rugby are not ready to let go of their club. Five days after the meeting which formalized the club’s debt of 184,000 euros, the Gaston-Simounet stadium resonated with great fervor, Sunday October 8, during the match against the leader of Fédérale 1, Stade Nantais.

Certainly, only 661 people made the trip for this meeting which nevertheless gave victory to the Bergeracois. “It’s part of our culture, of our life,” believes Corine. My father was a sponsor, my grandfather sold lighters here in a caravan and my two sons play rugby here. » In the face of adversity, solidarity has awakened. “Many told us that they were ready to help us,” notes Corine.

“Want to move”

Moreover, Valérie Bournazel, the president of the club’s supporters, registered ten additional subscriber cards in a few days. “We appreciated that everything was put on the table clearly, we trust and we will always be there,” she summarizes. For Pascal, who was unable to come to the stadium for a year due to serious health problems, the latest news from the club “made him want to [se] to move “. “We will have to be behind the club. The problem is that it relied on one man and it can’t work,” notes the lifelong supporter.

Many aficionados regret that Alexandre Frontère, the president who resigned by surprise on Wednesday September 20, went “it alone”. “He took the club for a toy, it’s shameful,” says Jacques, a former player. But several others have not forgotten everything he has done for USB in ten years, notably by contributing to the club’s finances.

“It is better to agree to go down in order to come back up later”

“We talk too much about numbers and not enough about rugby,” says Philippe. Covid made us lose a lot of sponsors. Last year, I had already told the president that we had to agree to go to Federal 2. We must not be afraid to go back down. What is very important for me is the training of the youngest”

Towards relegation?

Moreover, Valérie Bournazel believes that, since the meeting on Tuesday October 3, the supporters have been preparing for relegation. Alain is of this opinion: “Instead of continuing in the sauerkraut, it is better to accept going down in order to come back up better afterwards. » “Especially since it can happen to any club,” adds Corine. Everyone remembers CA Périgueux relegated to Federal 3 in 2015 and which is now playing in National.

Bergerac leaders would have had some initial contacts with potential patrons. Promises which, if they turn into donations, will perhaps not prevent the National Directorate of Aid and Management Control, the rugby regulatory authority, from demoting the club. They also hope to bring the Bergeracois back to the stadium by offering them a “beautiful game”, like the match against Stade Nantais.

For their part, supporters plan to mobilize. They will organize a Beaujolais evening on Thursday November 16 at the clubhouse and should redo the calendars. “As a supporter told me just now, we don’t need money to be able to play,” says Valérie Bournazel.