Racing Club de France Football (French pronunciation:[ʁasiŋklœbdəfʁɑ̃s], also known as Racing Paris, RCF Paris, Matra Racing, Racing Club, or Racing) is a French association football club based in Colombes, a suburb of Paris.
Racing was founded in 1882 as a multi-discipline sports club, and is one of the oldest clubs in French football history. The team plays in the Championnat National 2, the fourth level of French football. Racing is managed by Guillaume Norbert and hosts its home matches at the Stade Lucien-Choine, a smaller stadium next to the Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir in Colombes.
Racing Club de France, founded in 1882, was a founding member of Ligue 1. The club has won one Ligue 1 title (in 1935–36) and five Coupe de France titles (currently the joint fourth-highest total). Racing also played in the Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques-sanctioned league, France's first championship league. The club debuted in the league in 1899 and won the championship in 1907 after finishing second in 1902 and 1903. The club holds the Ligue 1 record for most goals scored during a 38-match season with 118 goals in 1959–60.
Notable players include Roger Marche, Oscar Heisserer, Thadée Cisowski, Raoul Diagne, Luis Fernández, Maxime Bossis, David Ginola, Luís Sobrinho, Pierre Littbarski, Enzo Francescoli, Alfred Bloch, and Rubén Paz. Diagne spent a decade with the club (1930–1940) and, in 1931, was the first black player on the France national team. He played in the 1938 FIFA World Cup with Abdelkader Ben Bouali, his Racing teammate who was one of the first North African players on the national team. From 2009 to 2012, the club moved to nearby Levallois-Perret after reaching a financial agreement with the commune.
History
Racing (in dark jersey with horizontal stripes) playing Argentine Racing Club in Parc des Princes, 1950
During the 1900 Summer Olympics, Racing Club de France hosted the athletics events at Croix-Catelan Stadium (the club's previous home). Racing's zenith was the 1930s and 1940s, when the club won Ligue 1 in 1936 and the Coupe de France in 1936, 1939, 1940, 1945 and 1949. The club was also successful in the early 1960s, finishing second in the first division in 1961 and 1962. However, Racing was a focal point of the financial crisis affecting French football during the mid-1960s. The club's financial struggles resulted in its relegation to the lower divisions.
In 1982, businessman Jean-Luc Lagardère wanted to build a team of stars and invested in the club as a second major club in Paris (with Paris Saint-Germain). Although he considered a merger of Paris FC and Racing, the Racing management refused due to a lack of detailed information on PFC finances. Lagardère bought the Paris FC (incurring a debt of more than four million francs) and renamed it "Paris Racing 1". Lagardère invested in experienced players in 1982 and 1983.
Lagardère, determined to lead his club to the European Cup draws in 1987, hired Portuguese coach Artur Jorge after Jorge's victory in the European Cup with FC Porto. He completed the team with Gérard Buscher and Pascal Olmeta. However, the club fell on hard times and attendance declined. During the late 1980s, Racing lost 300 million francs.
The club, relegated to the amateur levels, sought firmer financial footing. In December 2008, Georgios Kintis tried unsuccessfully to buy the club. Before the 2009–10 season, Racing reached a financial agreement with the city of Levallois. The club's association and support from the commune resulted in a name change to Racing Club de France Levallois 92. Despite assistance from Levallois, Racing was relegated to the Championnat de France amateur 2 by the DNCG in July 2010 after it was determined that the club had a €500,000 debt. On 21 November 2010, Racing Levallois and UJA Alfortville announced plans to merge for the following season. In 2012, the club returned to Colombes as Racing Club de France Colombes 92. The club achieved promotion in the 2021–22 Championnat National 3 season to reach Championnat National 2 where they currently compete in Group A.
2022–present: Return in Championnat National 2
RC France celebrating a goal against AF Virois during the 2023–24 Championnat National 2 season at Stade Alphonse Le Gallo.
For the 2023–24 season, RC France will play their matches at Stade Alphonse Le Gallo due to the renovation of their original home ground, Stade Yves du Manoir.
Name changes
Turkey travel of Racing football players in the evening newspaper dated 30 June 1932Racing Club de France: (1896–1932, 1966–1981, 2005–2007)
Racing Club de Paris: (1932–1966, 1981–1987, 1999–2005)
Matra Racing: (1987–1989)
Racing Paris 1: (1989–1991)
Racing 92: (1991–1995)
Racing Club de France 92: (1995–1999)
Racing Club de France football 92: (2007–2009)
Racing Club de France Levallois 92: (2009–2012)
Racing Club de France Colombes 92: (2012–2018)
Racing Club de France Football: (2018–present)
Racing Paris is a professional soccer team based in Paris, France. The team was founded in 1896 and has a rich history of success in French football. Racing Paris competes in the top tier of French football, Ligue 1, and has a passionate fan base that supports them at their home stadium, the Stade Bauer.
The team's colors are blue and white, and their crest features a stylized depiction of the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing their connection to the city of Paris. Racing Paris has a reputation for playing an attacking style of football, with skilled players who are known for their technical ability and flair on the pitch.
Over the years, Racing Paris has won numerous domestic titles and has also competed in European competitions, showcasing their talent on an international stage. The team has produced many talented players who have gone on to represent the French national team, further solidifying their place in the country's footballing history.
Racing Paris continues to be a prominent force in French football, with a dedicated fan base and a commitment to success on the field. Their matches are always highly anticipated, as fans eagerly await the next chapter in the team's storied history.
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