Calais Racing Union: The amateur team that went to Coupe de France final

Calais Racing Union went to the Coupe de France final in 2000. The team was made up of shopkeepers, teachers and labourers. They played against Nantes. Football history is replete with Cinderella stories. Calais Racing's story is one of the greatest.

Calais Racing Union went to Coupe de France final in 2000. The team was made up of mostly low-paid workers. Their manager was a council foreman. The town of Calais was one of the most economically challenged in France. It had a high unemployment rate and half of its inhabitants earned less than £5,000 a year. Calais Racing had lost £200,00 the year before.

Calais Racing Union went to the Coupe de France final. They beat Lille, Langnon-Castets, Cannes and Strasbourg. The team won 3-1 in extra time against Bordeaux. Their fans travelled 65 miles to Lens to support them. The players received £10,000 each for their efforts. One of them, Lozano, suffered a heart attack. He received a call from Jacques Chirac. Calais-mania gripped France. It was all over TV channels, newspapers, bars and cafes. "All of France behind Calais!" declared Le Parisien.

Calais won the Coupe de France in 2000. They were the last team to win the competition. The club was liquidated in 2017. Calais' cup run was voted the best of all time by France Football magazine readers in 2018. Other clubs have followed in Calais’ footsteps. They include Amiens, Dijon, Nimes, Gazelec Ajaccio, Les Herbiers and Chambly. Quevilly reached the final in 2012. Les Herziers lost to Paris St-Germain in the 2018 final. A replay of the 2000 final was planned, but was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Calais Racing Union went to the Coupe de France final.