More than 15 years later, the Portuguese community of Villefranche recreated the Lusitanian Sports Federation, which will evolve into the fifth division this season. With the desire to “meet the chiefs again”.
This Thursday evening, at 8pm, the footballers of the Lusitanian Sports Federation will take to the field at the Tricot stadium. Training sessions have resumed and the new team must get used to them before starting the championship. The club has existed for a long time, but closed its doors in 2010.
“Let's get together”
After 15 years, it is the return of the Portuguese from Villefranche. This new adventure began at the beginning of the year with a simple discussion between friends in a bar. “We had this desire to recreate the club to bring it together,” says Bruno Ribeiro, one of the co-presidents. “We noticed that all the local villages had been able to create a big team for years, so we said why not do it. The Portuguese community is important in Villefranche.”
“Everyone was a little on their side, but it worked out,” adds co-chair José da Silva. “We quickly got the troops we needed. We did a good job of getting the administrative process started early so we could register for the tournament at the beginning of this school year.”
“Have a good time”
The club currently has 28 members. Only one team, made up of seniors, and the presidents have no ambition to go further. “We are not here to chase victory at all, but to have fun with friends, without any hassle,” the presidents stressed. The club no longer recruits players. “We have found our team. We have also made sure to open up to everyone, not just to Portuguese society.”
The next deadline is at the end of September, with the start of the fifth division championship, and the club will play at home at the Trico stadium. “It will be a great experience with the players,” looks forward to Antoine dos Santos, the team's coach.
