The songs of the Yellow and Blue should resonate loudly this Tuesday evening at the Stade Charléty. At least 500 FC Sochaux Montbéliard supporters are expected in the visitor parking lot in Paris, for the first play-off match for accession to Ligue 1 against Paris FC. Nearly 200 should leave in three buses with the Supporter club, around sixty ultras will leave by coach on their side and around a hundred Parisians from Sochaux should also go to the Stadium.
Without counting those who will go to the capital on their own, as well as the expatriates on the spot who will go to support their favorite club, like Paul, 31 years old. He has already mobilized several of these friends, from North Franche-Comté, now residents of Paris. “It’s a real opportunity to regroup, to be behind our club forever. It’s a chance to be able to participate in this kind of historic match.”
A historic match for the youngest
It must be said that after going down to Ligue 2 in 2014, this is the first time that the FCSM has the opportunity to find the elite, even if the road is still long. In the event of victory against the Parisians, the Sochaliens will still have to travel to Auxerre, before a double confrontation against the 18th in Ligue 1.
But this hope, even meager, is enough to motivate many young people who have little or no memory of the glorious era of the FCSM. Many supporters in their twenties or less are preparing to make the trip to experience their first real thrillsas Fabrice, who goes to Paris with his 17-year-old son, explains: “For him it’s like a cup final. For young people, it’s the first moments of a cleaver match”.
For the moment, the outdoor parking lot of Paris FC is limited to 500 people but in the event of numerous requests, its capacity could be increased. Those making their way to the stadium on their own will only have to go to the visitors’ entrance, dressed in the colors yellow and blue, to receive their place for the match.