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Legendary AJ Auxerre coach Guy Roux and former striker Djibril Cissé spent a memorable day with the young players of AS Gurgy, a village club near Auxerre, as part of a grassroots initiative by the Ring brand, which sponsors amateur football in France. The event featured training sessions, photo opportunities, and lighthearted moments, leaving a lasting impression on the local community.
Excitement filled the air as the AS Gurgy youngsters spotted the iconic figure of Guy Roux approaching the stands, accompanied by Cissé.
Despite most of the children being too young to remember Roux’s illustrious coaching career, they enthusiastically chanted his name. “Guy Roux, Guy Roux,” they called out, greeted by the coach’s warm smile and a wave.
Meanwhile, Cissé, a celebrated striker who scored 90 goals for Auxerre during his playing days, quietly stepped aside, understanding that the day belonged to his mentor.
Supporting Amateur Clubs
The visit was part of Ring’s campaign, Ensemble, on va plus loin (“Together, we go further”), aimed at supporting 120 amateur clubs across France.
The initiative, run in partnership with Act for Sport, provides these clubs with equipment for players, coaches, and facilitators. Johan Desmedt, AS Gurgy’s vice-president and reserve team goalkeeper, explained the impact of this support.
“At the end of last season, we learned about Ring’s initiative to sponsor amateur football and decided to apply.
We were lucky to be selected, and they sent us kits for both youth and adult teams,” Desmedt said. The sponsorship comes as a welcome boost for clubs like AS Gurgy, which often face financial constraints.
Cissé expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “We’re here to spend time with the kids, thanks to Ring’s initiative.
It’s fantastic what they’re doing to help amateur clubs. Being back in the Auxerre region with Guy Roux makes it even more special.”
Fun and Wisdom on the Pitch
On the field at Gonio Stadium, Cissé worked with the youngsters on their finishing skills, sharing tips on composure and technique in front of goal.
Meanwhile, Guy Roux engaged with parents and children alike, signing autographs and posing for photos.
Despite the modern generation’s preference for jerseys of teams like Real Madrid or Manchester City over Auxerre, Roux’s charm remained undiminished.
Never one to miss a comedic moment, Roux quipped about the club’s new sponsor, Ring. “I’ve been told it’s the best surveillance tool on the market. If I’d had that in my day to monitor players, it would have been incredible!” he joked, drawing laughter from all.
Cissé added with a grin, “When I tell you that Guy Roux had his supervisors at the toll booth back then, it’s no myth!”
The day ended with smiles all around, as two icons of French football left an indelible mark on a small village club, showcasing the transformative power of grassroots support.
