Jerome Laurent is preparing to pack up. This summer, the president of US Briey will head to Toulouse (Haute-Garonne). “But I will continue to run the club remotely next season,” he says. This shows the loyalty he feels towards the football club, where he has been in charge for seven years. Even the abandonment of the new synthetic pitch project, confirmed by the new municipal team of Val de Briey, has not dampened his dedication. However, it does not mean that he is okay with this decision.
“It’s been three years that we have been promised a new field, and now we find out it won’t happen. It’s a blow.” Bitter, yes. Disappointed, as well. “The synthetic pitch is in a catastrophic state. The green field? No better. The locker rooms, the club-house, a pre-fabricated structure from thirty years ago… Anyone can see the neglect. The stadium is open to the elements, there are damages. We have over 400 members and some sports results. And yet, we decided to limit the number of members to 400, not because of the lack of educators, but because ultimately, we operate with only one field.”
The relegation of the synthetic pitch renovation project was communicated to Jerome Laurent by the mayor, Christophe Roos. However, the solutions presented by the mayor are not enough to alleviate the disappointment. For example: “Hiring a stadium caretaker to prevent intrusions and ensure maintenance? Who will want that job? Who will take on that workload?”
“I don’t even know who to blame, the old administration or the new one. But it’s getting worse and worse.” This sentiment is clearly shared. “I couldn’t find anyone to succeed me. That’s why I will continue next season. I don’t want to undo all the work done in the past seven years, especially for the youth.”
