By Cedric,

Les Violettes, like their season, have won their way up the field in the most beautiful way. Here is the story of a climb, the story of a story. The last I was there for you this season 2021-2022.

Friday, 4:55 a.m. when the alarm clock rings. It brings back some memories. From Cap Ferret towards Bordeaux, before joining the city Rose, for this match. In the bus I have time to recap the last few months. So many matches to follow them, even in winter under a cold December at 8 p.m. for the reception of Léguevin. All that to get there. A last dance, in front of an audience present. The hype.

11:40 a.m. when I arrive near the Stadium. Early enough to know a few people telling me about the site, early enough to exchange a few words with former players. A look with the main people concerned, and I knew, at that moment, that the victory would be ours, theirs.

I find some well-known faces, and it’s nice. Composition of a point of view, Cimatti, Jumer, cricketsand many more, are injured. Sufi start in the cages, Lecocq is number 10, Roumiga and Redscorers in the first leg, are on the front line of the attack.

The debates begin in a rather calm way. Having made it 2-2 in Monaco, it’s up to the Monegasques to play the game to score, but the latter seem quite… dull. The Toulousaines gradually smoke the ascendancy in the game. Ettien performs a monster slaughter on the lawn, whileHedges hurts his opponent on his lane. On a harmless free kick half an hour into the game, the Violettes opened the scoring: center at the far post, delivery of the header, Roumiga makes a beautiful chisel. 1-0, under the encouragement of the kop “players outside the group”. A head and a foot and a half in D2.

Not much until the break. Under the eyes of professionals, Montanierand Comollicame to see the meeting before leaving for Navata, the break is whistled, 1-0.

If the first period was quite closed, the second was much less so. On the one hand, because Monaco had to come out one day or another, but also because Toulouse still shows itself well above. The kop intones”Red is on fire“. It speaks to us, we see that the message of our history has been heard.

We pick up the pace: Monaco hits the bar, then the Violettes respond. Grinfan note the little skylight, Lecocq find the bar, and Marine Garcia the pole. On the lawn the intensity goes up a notch with delayed tackles. Clem’ Dias Veloso also saves a ball on the line. Ines, although originally planned as a substitute (until training on Friday evening), comes out with a solid match marked by good outings. A small handful of Indians have also joined the edge of the lawn in the meantime.

The decision is now made, Monaco will not be able to return: Toulouse will be evaluated in D2 next year. A few last opportunities, and the referee whistles the end of the game. The players outside the group invade the lawn, the Indians light torches and smoke! 25 matches, for 125 goals scored in all competitions. An incredible season, to mark a return to D2 in the best way! Under the eyes of their parents, their relatives, their friends, their staff, and mine, the Violettes exceeded their goal.

A staff member offers me a hug. It’s beautiful, because I know that all the work done over the past three years is now bearing fruit: recognized by the whole group, and the Brice Taton pitch was full to support them. “Alone, on going faster, together, on going longer“. The only feeling that comes over me is a feeling of pride. I’m not on the pitch, I’m not part of the staff, I don’t have any cards in my hands, but I’m a simple guy, who follows one of his passions, a simple guy who lived his adventure on his side, with the U19s, the R1 and the R2.

Three years of following this group on a daily basis, three years of getting to know each person, a little more each day. The adventure has gone beyond the framework of the athlete, it has become a human adventure. The hardest part is yet to come, but I repair things at Cap Ferret with peace of mind, a sense of duty accomplished!

The entire editorial team wishes a good holiday to the Violets, and a good recovery to the injured (because there are a few of them, and a few ligaments fallen in battle)! Thank you all. Thank you for everything !