2023-06-16 04:00:07
The former president of ASSE André Laurent (85) has just released his memoirs, “Des buts à ma vie”, a book written during the Covid in which he looks back on his journey. He notably returned to his departure from the club, charging Jean-Michel Larqué …
But!: André, what was the genesis of your book?
André LAURENT: It was the Covid and I had this desire to write my memoirs for some time. I didn’t think of making a book out of it, at first it was more intended for my grandchildren with the idea of transmitting certain values. It’s kind of the story of my life. I mention in particular my childhood, during the war since I was born in 1938, the creation of my company and my ten years as president of ASSE.
What memories do you have of your youth?
It was in the countryside, with the family. I grew up in love and respect. I read a lot, I was Cyrano, D’Artagnan. My engineering degree, I got it at 31, to please my father. I had already created my company, with courage, driven by my determination and team spirit, the desire to share. You never do anything alone in life.
Your arrival as President of ASSE was not scheduled…
No ! I was a supporter, a subscriber, I had a box at the stadium. But the Mayor at the time, François Dubanchet, called me after the Caisse noire. ASSE was a dream at the time, it was the beacon of French football, but the club was in ruins, its structures were destroyed. When he asked me to take over the presidency, I told him: “Wait, I’m making bolts at La Ricamarie! “. But he made me understand that it was my duty and I accepted. On the Board of Directors, there were the Rocherists and the Buffarists who opposed each other. There was a need for a president who had neither of the two labels, so they appointed me. It lasted ten years. With ups and downs. But I have very good memories of it, especially from the early years.
The club had fallen to D2…
Yes. He was even 15th in D2 the first year, at the start of the season, but we finally failed in the play-offs, against Rennes, after a series of 27 matches without defeat. We did this series when the Cakes Rocher arrived as jersey sponsors. I went to canvass them in Roanne. ASSE no longer even had a jersey sponsor, you can imagine! No one trusted the club anymore. I had been advised to take a sponsor at a discount but I had refused. ASSE can’t be sold off! We had come back the second year. A wonderful human adventure.
“We had just made two semi-finals of the Coupe de France, with an iron defense around the Kastendeuch-Cyprien duo. This departure was a difficult period in my life. I think I had depression.
The end was harder…
Yes, with the Larqué episode, this interview with Téléfoot. It’s a wound that will never heal. When I landed, ASSE was on the rise. We had just made two semi-finals of the Coupe de France, with an iron defense around the Kastendeuch-Cyprien duo. This departure was a difficult period in my life. I think I had depression. During matches, I would walk in the woods with my dog.
You were then President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry…
it lasted ten years there too. At the CCI, I found a lot of acquaintances from ASSE, business leaders that I had gone to look for. At the time, there were no TV rights. The money coming in was the box office and the sponsors. I got up at 6 a.m. to go to my business but at 10 a.m. I met local entrepreneurs to carry out the project. Many have joined me and without them, ASSE would not have gotten back on track. I kept very good friendships, especially with Pierre Guichard. Casino had never sponsored the club before taking over from Cakes Rocher. It was the first time. Pierre and I were very close. I was there for his end of life. I held her hand.
The CCI, are they good memories too?
Of course. We had assembled a great team. There have been many actions and projects. It was around this time that I handed over to my son for my business. This book brought back a lot of memories. It allowed me to live rather well this episode of the Covid. I very much appreciated my collaboration with the editors, with Fabrice Audouard and with Pierre-Olivier Vérot. We worked in osmosis. It was nice.
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