Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2017 0:46:37 GMT
Hello Maidstone.
Although it has been some time since there was contact between our Clubs, I thought you might be interested to hear the tragic news that Calais Racing Union FC will be placed into liquidaton , by the Tribunal de Grande Instance (Commercial Court), on Thursday 21st September. How did we reach this point?
Our more recent difficulties began in March 2016, when it emerged that our then President was under investigation by both the DNCG and the French financial police for (alleged) financial irregularities (unaccounted for and unexplained payments, for example). That the Club appeared to have learned nothing, from the previous seven years, was the last straw for the Mairie and City Council - all Council funding to the Club was stopped. As the money ran out there followed the usual legal wrangles (from Club employees) about non-payment of wages. Many officials left the club, especially (and most damagingly) from our youth and education section (our 'social function' with youth players and schools was the most likely path to regaining our funding). Most other functions at the Club, such as the Official Website, ceased to operate. On the pitch, however, Djezon had performed his usual magic and kept us in the CFA. The off season saw the usual migration of players so that, once again, we began the new season with almost a 'scratch squad'.
Time, and fortune, caught up with us - the campaign was a struggle right from the off. With a season long relegation battle looming, the last thing we needed was the 'U19's debacle'...Following a Ligue enquiry, it emerged that not only had the U19 team management been fielding ineligible players, but had actually falsified match day team sheets when presented to the match officials.The FFF and DNCG took a (rightfully) dim view of events and deducted seven points from the First Team, all but ensuring our relegation to CFA2.
With the end of the season in sight, it was time for our annual appointment with the DNCG, with regard to the debt. The DNCG were, of course, particularly concerned that our main source of funding (and therefore of ever clearing the debt) had been lost.There were the usual rounds of negotiations between all sides - however, there was much surprise (to say the least) when it emerged that the Club Treasurer (accountant) had presented a set of accounts to the DNCG which purported to show that the Club was trading at a profit.The DNCG (and FFF) were having none of it, and refused to sign off the accounts - we were administratively relegated to Regionale 1 (previously the DH - one division below CFA2). This was to prove our undoing, as it took us away from the CFA and under the jurisdiction of the regional Ligue Nord Pas de Calais, who have always taken a much stronger line with regard to CRUFC than the senior Ligues.They placed two requirements upon the Club - firstly, to present a realistic set of accounts and , secondly, to demonstrate that we had suitable finance (effectively, that the Council would renew its support). We failed to comply with the first, and so the Mairie demanded the resignation of the Treasurer before any agreement on funding would be made.However, having resigned, the Board then immediately reappointed him (on the dubious grounds that they could find no-one else to do the job).Such defiance was about as misguided-a-strategy as you could come up with - the inevitable consequence was that the Mairie declared that there would be no funding for the Club.The Ligue, in consequence, administratively relegated us to Regionale 4 (the old PdL) - six divisions below where we were playing last season. The Club was left with no choice but to file for liquidation, at the Tribunal. It turned out that the Ligue, and DNCG, were right - the Club admitted (during the Court process) that it actually lost 70,000 Euros during the past season.
So there it is - 115 years of football history comes to an end on Thursday. There is little prospect of any revival (unlike what happened with yourselves), and so it is unlikely that Calais will see senior league football again. To be honest, we're all too stunned to know what to do next - so spare a thought for us on Thursday.
Allez Calais!!!
Although it has been some time since there was contact between our Clubs, I thought you might be interested to hear the tragic news that Calais Racing Union FC will be placed into liquidaton , by the Tribunal de Grande Instance (Commercial Court), on Thursday 21st September. How did we reach this point?
Our more recent difficulties began in March 2016, when it emerged that our then President was under investigation by both the DNCG and the French financial police for (alleged) financial irregularities (unaccounted for and unexplained payments, for example). That the Club appeared to have learned nothing, from the previous seven years, was the last straw for the Mairie and City Council - all Council funding to the Club was stopped. As the money ran out there followed the usual legal wrangles (from Club employees) about non-payment of wages. Many officials left the club, especially (and most damagingly) from our youth and education section (our 'social function' with youth players and schools was the most likely path to regaining our funding). Most other functions at the Club, such as the Official Website, ceased to operate. On the pitch, however, Djezon had performed his usual magic and kept us in the CFA. The off season saw the usual migration of players so that, once again, we began the new season with almost a 'scratch squad'.
Time, and fortune, caught up with us - the campaign was a struggle right from the off. With a season long relegation battle looming, the last thing we needed was the 'U19's debacle'...Following a Ligue enquiry, it emerged that not only had the U19 team management been fielding ineligible players, but had actually falsified match day team sheets when presented to the match officials.The FFF and DNCG took a (rightfully) dim view of events and deducted seven points from the First Team, all but ensuring our relegation to CFA2.
With the end of the season in sight, it was time for our annual appointment with the DNCG, with regard to the debt. The DNCG were, of course, particularly concerned that our main source of funding (and therefore of ever clearing the debt) had been lost.There were the usual rounds of negotiations between all sides - however, there was much surprise (to say the least) when it emerged that the Club Treasurer (accountant) had presented a set of accounts to the DNCG which purported to show that the Club was trading at a profit.The DNCG (and FFF) were having none of it, and refused to sign off the accounts - we were administratively relegated to Regionale 1 (previously the DH - one division below CFA2). This was to prove our undoing, as it took us away from the CFA and under the jurisdiction of the regional Ligue Nord Pas de Calais, who have always taken a much stronger line with regard to CRUFC than the senior Ligues.They placed two requirements upon the Club - firstly, to present a realistic set of accounts and , secondly, to demonstrate that we had suitable finance (effectively, that the Council would renew its support). We failed to comply with the first, and so the Mairie demanded the resignation of the Treasurer before any agreement on funding would be made.However, having resigned, the Board then immediately reappointed him (on the dubious grounds that they could find no-one else to do the job).Such defiance was about as misguided-a-strategy as you could come up with - the inevitable consequence was that the Mairie declared that there would be no funding for the Club.The Ligue, in consequence, administratively relegated us to Regionale 4 (the old PdL) - six divisions below where we were playing last season. The Club was left with no choice but to file for liquidation, at the Tribunal. It turned out that the Ligue, and DNCG, were right - the Club admitted (during the Court process) that it actually lost 70,000 Euros during the past season.
So there it is - 115 years of football history comes to an end on Thursday. There is little prospect of any revival (unlike what happened with yourselves), and so it is unlikely that Calais will see senior league football again. To be honest, we're all too stunned to know what to do next - so spare a thought for us on Thursday.
Allez Calais!!!
