“I insist on the word association, it is not a new supporters club“, insists Jean-Jacques Bourdin, president of the brand new group called “Grinta Club”. An association of supporters who clearly assumes to defend the new sporting and economic project of Nîmes Olympique, which is still playing in Ligue 2 this season. “The association will serve as a vector for the influence of the club. The objective is to give this club what it has lost for 20, 30 years: local, regional and national influence.“explains the president of the association. For the treasurer of the “Grinta Club”, Philippe Gas, the association “clearly affirms its support for Rani Assaf’s project“. Clear. The message couldn’t be clearer.
One membership and many benefits
“Better than a subscription“this is the slogan for joining the association. The card costs 20 euros a year. Supporters then benefit from several advantages: choosing their place in the stands, a preferential rate at the ticket office, discounts at the stadium and a representative on the club’s board of directors. In terms of preferential rates, a ticket in the North stand will cost 20 euros instead of 25, 10 euros in the South stand instead of 17.
The “Grinta Club” also puts forward a social objective by participating in the distribution of places for low incomes, as some fan clubs already do throughout France and Europe.
A supporters’ association, not a club
The nuance was hammered out a good ten times during the press conference. “It will replace neither the Némausus 2013, nor the Gadiators 1991, nor the Central Club, we do not have the purpose of hosting a forum” insists David Bracher, the vice-president of the association.
Since last season, the fan clubs have been in conflict with the management of Nîmes Olympique. For Cyril Roure, the president of the Némausus 2013this new association is “a masquerade“.
Tensions that are likely to continue this new season. Rani Assaf, the owner of the club, has again taken the decision to close the East weigh-in area until the demolition of the Costières stadium.
The Crocos will play their first match Saturday July 30 at home, against Caen.