“I posted videos of Flavio Roma on my Skyblog”
To display the systematic presence of many Monegasque supporters in outdoor parks, asmonaco.com is continuing its series dedicated to supporting the Red and White. For this seventh episode, discover Simon in Angers.
He was born in Angers, grew up there and still lives there. Yet Simon’s heart beats red and white. Aged 25, this communications officer and sponsorship manager at NDC Angers, whose pennant team plays in Regional 1, fell in love with AS Monaco by following the 2003-2004 epic in the Champions League. And since then, this passion has never left him, as he confided in this new episode of our series “Everywhere Always”.
My first memory “in real life” is when I saw them in Angers. It was a Coupe de la Ligue match against Nantes, but as it was during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the match had been relocated to Angers. I took the opportunity to go and it remains a great memory. In addition we were led 2-0 and we had won 3-2.
Supporter of AS Monaco
Hello Simon. How did you become a supporter of AS Monaco when you grew up in Angers?
It’s silly, but when I started football it was the period when Monaco played the Champions League, with the 2004 epic that I followed on TV. As it was broadcast in clear on TF1, these were the only matches I watched. So I started to follow Monaco and, one thing leading to another, I got attached to the Club. In addition, I liked red, and when you’re a child that’s sometimes enough (laughs). And then I admit that I gave the passion a little bit to everyone at home.
What is your first memory with AS Monaco?
My first memory “in real life” is when I saw them in Angers. It was a Coupe de la Ligue match against Nantes, but as it was during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the match had been relocated to Angers. I took the opportunity to go and it remains a great memory. In addition we were led 2-0 and we had won 3-2, thanks in particular to a double from Nenê and a goal from Serge Gakpé.
Comment do you live being a Monegasque supporter in Angers? Does it take a little bit of room?
It is true that I did not find many other Monegasque supporters. In addition, I am from a small village near Angers, where I started football, and we must have been two to love Monaco in the club. And the second must have been ten years older than me … My friends were supporters of Lyon or Marseille and sometimes it was a bit complicated, especially when we went down to Ligue 2. After, the advantage was that the less we did not lose any more matches against Lyon and Marseille so they left me alone (laughs)! In addition, it was the opportunity to come and see them play in Angers, which was also playing in Ligue 2 at the time. It was bad for the Club, but good for me.
I try to go to Nantes, depending on the date the match falls. In addition, La Beaujoire is also a sacred stadium, with a special atmosphere. It’s not very far and we’re not going to lie to each other, as Angevin, it’s always a pleasure to see Monaco beat Nantes (smile).
Supporter of AS Monaco
Despite the distance, have you ever been to Stade Louis-II?
Yes, my parents sent me back there during the holidays, during the 2013-2014 season, the first since coming back to Ligue 1. It was a match against Montpellier, which we won 4-1. It was in August, for the 2e championship day, and there were a lot of people in the stands. It was something magical and memorable for me who was a geographically distant supporter.
We imagine that you must take advantage of the large number of professional clubs in the West of France to go and see Monaco play away …
Yes, I try to go to Nantes, depending on the date the match falls. In addition, La Beaujoire is also a sacred stadium, with a special atmosphere. It’s not very far and we’re not going to lie to each other, as Angevin, it’s always a pleasure to see Monaco beat Nantes (smile). I have never been anywhere else, because after that there is still a lot of road to do.
Who is your favorite player in the history of AS Monaco?
When I was little, I played goalkeeper and I loved Flavio Roma. I had a Skyblog on AS Monaco and I posted videos of his saves which I found on YouTube. I really like him a lot. More recently, I also adored Radamel Falcao, an exemplary player who always has everything for the team. He really left a beautiful image in Monaco. And currently, Aurélien Tchouameni is really gaining momentum, he is impressive and it’s nice to see that.
When I was little I was not allowed to watch the games at night, so I recorded them on VHS and the next morning I got up earlier than usual and I stuck the recording on the end to see the result. . And when I got home from school, if it went well for Monaco, I watch the whole game.
Supporter of AS Monaco
Listening to you talk, we imagine that you have some swimsuits stamped with the Diagonal in your wardrobe …
I must have six or seven yes, but I do not flock them because you never really know how long the players will stay at the Club. The first one I got was an orange yellow jersey, which we wore outside in 2005-2006. This one, I wore it a very, very long time, I used it thoroughly. And then a jersey like this one in Angers, there are not two.
Do you remember a particular anecdote related to the Club?
Already, when I was little I was not allowed to watch the matches at night, so I recorded them on VHS and the next morning I got up earlier than usual and I stalled the recording at the end to see the result. And when I got home from school, if it went well for Monaco, I watch the whole game. When you think about it, it was a pretty cool time. And then the year of the title, I went with my family to see the match in Angers. My sister was not in the same grandstand as me and she went down to see the players get back on the bus after the game. She was able to take a photo with Benjamin Mendy, who was doing so many selfies that the Monaco bus started to leave without him!
Finally, how do you see this Wednesday match between Angers and Monaco?
I’m still positive, so I still hope Monaco wins. As a supporter, I feel it pretty well, even if it’s always difficult to come and make a result on the SCO lawn. But Monaco have won their last three games against Angers, so it’s going to pass. In any case, I think it will be a great match!