“Toulouse is very happy to come and help themselves from the peasants”
The leader of the friends of rugby, an association founded in 2009 which has around 420 members, Carlos Ferreira, evokes with passion Castres Olympique, a discreet club, which nevertheless remains a reference, even if in Toulouse we treat Castres of “peasants”…
Who has been the darling of the Castres public this season?
Wilfrid Hounkpatin. He is very nice, very approachable. We often meet him in town. He takes the time to chat with the supporters. If there is a need to take photos, autographs, no problem. He is also willing to donate. One day, the Friends of Rugby had organized a blood donation. He had been brought in as a godfather. I stop at Wilfrid, but all the players at the club have this good mentality. I’m not sure that in other big clubs, there is so much close contact with the players.
Carlos Ferreira and the CO, the antechamber of the Stade Toulousain
A controversy broke out in Castres when a referee (against the MHR) was whistled at the Pierre Fabre stadium…
Unfortunately, in stadiums, it can happen that this kind of thing happens with some. But it didn’t start from our south stand. Someone threw this from the north stand. It was picked up later. That didn’t bother me anymore. We did not give a good image of the club and the supporters that day.
I do a lot of traveling. We are seen well, however. We arrive, we sing, we set the mood. In Perpignan, we were insulted by some supporters. It will happen. But this kind of behavior should not become generalized and it should not become like the foot. Our president (Pierre-Yves Revol, Editor’s note) did well to put the kibosh. We were called by the president. In this case, we have all been put in the same basket.
“Toulouse is very happy to go and pick players from the peasants…”
Which coach is Pierre-Henry Broncan?
With him, players must really prove that they have fulfilled playing. He also has a hollow nose to unearth good pickaxes.
Who would have thought that Tom Staniforth would make such a season?
He also surprised many people by not playing Rory Kockott for his last match in Castres (against USAP). Many supporters did not understand. This is after he explained things and made it clear that a Fernandez deserved more to play. Broncan always prioritizes those who deliver 100%.
How does Castres always manage to rebuild its health from year to year by constantly having its best players plundered?
When we lost Antoine Dupont (in 2017, Editor’s note), we thought we were really going to miss him. On a fact with. Same when Anthony Jelonch left (in 2021, Editor’s note). Those who remain do the work.
What was the big revelation for the Castres public this year?
We saw Jérémy Fernandez more and more often. He showed up. The team is made up of good players like Vilimoni Botitu. It’s really the first year where we can also rely so much on the bench.
In the shadow of Toulouse, doesn’t this label finally motivate the Castres troops?
This position suits us well. They like to label us as small farmers. On the other hand, they are very content to come and help themselves from the peasants and have them sign in their clubs. But we are still here. Even in the media we don’t appear too much. Canal + has never been crazy about us. When we win, we quickly pass on the subject. Ugo Mola intervened by saying that we deserved a little more respect. But that we are talked about less after all does not bother us more than that. On made our way.