The Dijon metropolis is divided into two categories this week, on the occasion of the Saint-Apollinaire -DFCO derby, Saturday, November 13, 2021, for the 7th round of the Coupe de France. In this “Neighbours Day”, there are those who wish a victory for the favorite club, who dream of seeing the “Reds” (L2) go as far as possible in the competition, until they measure themselves against the Ligue 1 clubs. the romantics, those who would like to see the “little” club of “Saint-Apo” (N3) defy logic and rewrite the famous story of little Thumb who wins against the ogre. And then, in the middle, there is Florent Perraud. The former professional player, at the DFCO from 2004 to 2009, then from 2013 to 2015 (for 61 games played), sales manager of the club since 2016, is also a goalkeeper… of the ASC Saint-Apollinaire, as an amateur. This is trivially called “having your ass between two chairs”. Or rather between two clubs.
Not necessarily a pleasant week for him
When we meet him, Monday, November 8, the day after a weekend of defeat (1-0) in Ajaccio, it is precisely in the suit – blue-gray and well-cut, in the true sense of the word – of the sales manager of the DFCO. In an office at Stade Gaston Gérard, Florent Perraud announces: “I am unable to give a prognosis. Everyone has to go out with a smile, even if there will inevitably be a disappointment “. Over the course of the conversation, when he says “we”, it’s either red or green and white. “I have friends on both sides, so from there…”.
Impossible for him to choose, and we understand it. “I have a life project, with my wife and my children, thanks to the DFCO. The DFCO has given me a lot, it is my heart club, it is my employer. Opposite, it is a project to have fun, with friends, with friends. It is sure that the time of a match, the two will be together on the same ground, but you should not compare more than that “.
The DFCO has given me a lot, it’s my favorite club, it’s my employer.
The week promises to be long, until the end. “I keep getting roomed … but at the same time it’s normal because I like to room, he has fun. It’s good kid, so it’s cool “. Injured in the shoulder for more than a month and a match with Saint-Apo against the Sochaux reserve, he will not be on the lawn of Stade Gaston Gérard, Saturday. “Not too disappointed no, it wouldn’t have been easy to play it, so it might not be worse that I organize it but that I don’t play it “, he nuances.
“I never thought I would play as an amateur after my career”
How did he end up in this position, on one side of the ring road during the week and on the other at weekends? At the end of 2015, beginning of 2016, after almost 15 years of professional career, he took up a license in Saint-Apollinaire. “I thought I would rest, rest, I never thought of playing as an amateur after my career. These are two friends, the two coaches of Saint Apo, Lilian Massot and Pierre Paulin, who said to me ‘Come on, we are in DHR ‘. The adventure began thanks to this friendship, he relates. I didn’t think that a few years later I would be there again. The volunteering behind is exceptional, the club has grown. That’s why I’m making the pleasure last a little longer ”.
Football on the pitch, but also behind the scenes. Florent Perraud describes his position as DFCO sales manager: “I sell football to businesses. Visibility, media, events, VIP seats, communication packs, networking “.
“It’s the most total excitement”
One foot in each camp, Florent Perraud describes the state of mind of his teammates – who have just lost 5-0 at home against Jura Dolois. Paradoxically, it evokes a club “disappointed” Firstly. “At first it was not taken as the best draw”. In question, the prospect of the next round, played in Guadeloupe in case of success. A short-lived disappointment according to him. “Now it’s the most total excitement, for Saint-Apo it’s exceptional”.
He who knows this (his) N3 team perfectly, does he think amateurs have a chance against the pros? “Saint Apo wants to do what the magic of the Coupe de France brings to people. Of course, the probability is not very important, it is obvious, after that there is a round of cup with everything that it can represent, he explains. If there’s a tiny percentage of luck, they’re going to play that luck to the max. “. Especially with the removal of overtime.
In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time, it will go directly to the penalty shoot-out. “Of course, it is not made to benefit the biggest”, notes Florent Perraud. He remembers this DFCO – According togey (CFA2, the equivalent of N3), 8th round of the Coupe de France in 2008. 3-3 at the end of regulation time. Final score 6-3 for the DFCO, then in L2, after extra time. From the stands, Florent Perraud will see well on Saturday if the “party” turns into a trap for his employer. Or a feat for his friends.
- Saint-Apollinaire – DFCO, 7th round of the Coupe de France, to live with full commentary on France Bleu Bourgogne, with Adrien Beria and his consultant Youssef Oulahri, captain of “Saint-Apo”, suspended for the meeting.