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FC Gueugnon are a French football club from Gueugnon, Saône-et-Loire, currently (2008/9) playing in Championnat National.
[edit] History
Football Club de Gueugnon was founded in 1940, and won the French amateur title in 1947. Supported by the local steelworks (hence the nickname "Forgerons" meaning Blacksmiths), the club reached Ligue 2 in 1970-71.
In 1974, inspired by playmaker Casimir Nowotarski, the Gueugnonnais reached the play-offs for promotion to Ligue 1, but lost to FC Rouen. In 1979, they won the Ligue 2 championship with players such as Trivino, Berthommier, Duch, and Stropoli, but were not permitted to play in Ligue 1 due to their non-professional status. In the same season Gueugnon also enjoyed a cup run, eliminating AS Saint-Etienne. They were later knocked out by Auxerre in front of a crowd of 10 000. The 1980s steel crisis forced the club to turn pro, and after several seasons of struggles to prevent relegation, the tide turned in 1991 with a cup semi-final against Monaco, then in 1995 promotion to the top flight. This was to be short-lived and despite a valiant effort, the club slipped back into Ligue 2.
In 2000, the club progressed through to the Cup quarter-finals, losing to Nantes on penalties, but in an earlier round produced a major upset in eliminating Marseille 4-3 away from home. In the League Cup, the "Blacksmiths" made history, becoming the first Ligue 2 team to win the cup, against PSG 2-0 at Stade de France. At the end of the season, the club could not keep their best players, such as Sylvain Distin or Roda. The following season, the club played the UEFA Cup but lost against Iraklis Salonique (0-0 ; 0-1). After that season, the club has hovered mid-table and just barely avoided relegation in 2004 with a 5-0 win over Lorient on the road in the last game of the season. The 2007-2008 season proved disastrous, with FC Gueugnon remaining blocked in the last position during most of the competition. With only 5 wins overall, the "Forgerons" were relegated to National. In the 2008-2009 season, the club started at the third tier of French football for the first time in 38 years, an era during which FC Gueugnon has competed 37 times in Ligue 2, and one time in Ligue 1.
[edit] Current squad 2008/2009
As of June 17, 2009.
[edit] Notable players
For a complete list of FC Gueugnon players, see Category:FC Gueugnon players
[edit] Honours
- French Amateurs Champions 1947 and 1952
- French Division 2 1979
- League Cup Winner 2000
[edit] Managerial history
[1]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Nadir Belhadj
Alain Caveglia
Amara Traoré
Ali Boumnijel
Steven Mouyokolo
Francisc Dican
