1997 Paris Saint-Germain season

1997 #005599 #ffffff Super League Super League II 11th 6 0 16 362 572 Premiership Trophy preliminary Challenge Cup Fifth Round Peter Mulholland (until May)Andy Goodway (May – September) Pierre Chamorin Stade Sébastien Charléty 5,510 (Super League) 60,608 10,513 500 Phil Bergman (14) Matt O'Connor (26) Matt O'Connor (58) 1996 The 1997 Paris Saint-Germain rugby league season was the club's second and final season in the Super League. Although the overhauled squad produced a marginally improved record, the RFL remained dissatisfied with the organization's performance on and off the field, and opted to end its Paris presence at the end of the campaign. Off-season For the 1997 season, the club had originally envisioned a 13 million francs budget, but fell short by some 5 million francs. PSG Rugby League : saison 1997 http://www.paris-canalhistorique.com/psg-xiii-saison-1997-2/ paris-canalhistorique.com 5 February 2014 12 September 2017 In early January 1997, the team's chances of participating in the Challenge Cup and Super League were pegged by insiders at 5 and 50 percent, respectively, although the club maintained that it would be ready for both.Fitzpatrick Paul 14 January 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/260699936/ Paris rely on RFL rescue mission The Guardian London 21 Super League backer News Ltd. increased its support, securing the team's participation and announcing that it would pay for the players to stay full time in Paris, which was not the case the previous season. However, they still roomed at a sports resort just west of Paris.Irvine Christopher 11 March 1997 https://archive.org/details/NewsUK1997UKEnglish/Mar%2011%201997%252C%20The%20Times%252C%20%252365834%252C%20UK%20(en)/page/n47/mode/2up Cove leads from front in French crusade The Times London 50 15 March 1997 Paris problems mount up for coach https://www.newspapers.com/image/899786478/ Hull Daily Mail 42 While coach Mulholland praised the accommodations offered by the Forest Hill leisure group as first rate, many players still resented not being given a proper residence.Crawley Paul 13 July 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-psg-july-13/41320569/ Show some merci – get us out of here Sidney Morning Herald 114 To assuage logistical challenges, two RFL executives were embedded at the club for a provisional period of three months. Rob Elstone returned from the previous year, and was joined by another envoy from the league's headquarters, Rebecca Cove.Burke David 4 January 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/919918939/ Boxing day must be a rugby day Manchester Evening News 23 Two of the RFL's top administrators, Maurice Lindsay and Harry Jepson, joined PSG RL's six-man board of directors.Wilson Andy 4 November 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/260853018/ Paris in danger as Mariners flounder The Guardian London Sport6 In order to strengthen the struggling organization's finances, it was announced that two thirds of its shares would be put on sale, so that undisclosed foreign interests could take a participation.Fitzpatrick Paul 25 March 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/260779077/ Bulls may chase Wittenberg to limit Donougher damage The Guardian London 27 An overhaul of the team's business model was touted, with the need to increase sponsorships and a possible shift to a paid attendance model at the forefront of discussions. In the end, Lindsay claimed to have obtained a commitment from PSG to assist with the rugby league section's marketing and to better showcase it on sister TV channel Canal+. The free ticket policy was kept unchanged,Irvine Christopher 16 January 1997 https://archive.org/details/NewsUK1997UKEnglish/Jan%2016%201997%252C%20The%20Times%252C%20%252365788%252C%20UK%20(en)/page/n39/mode/2up Stadium snag fails to dampen Paris optimism The Times London 41Leybourn Ian 15 January 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/833131398/ St. Germain haded twin boost Hull Daily Mail PA Sport 19 which particularly enraged smaller clubs dependent on Murdoch's payments such as Widnes and Featherstone.Wilson Andy 18 May 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/258368451 Goodway to nurse Lindsay's baby The Observer London 6 Sport Keighley and Great Britain's Phil Larder had been named as an interested party in the coaching job at the end of the previous season, 24 August 1996 Around the Clubs https://www.newspapers.com/image/899789801 Hull Daily Mail 19 but the eventual choice was Peter Mulholland of Australia. News Ltd. allocated to the team a number of player contracts it had stockpiled during its war against the ARL.Mascord Steve 21 January 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/120626921 Change of accent for Super troopers The Sydney Morning Herald 41 The result was an opening roster consisting of 22 foreign players (21 Australians, one New Zealander), only two of which were present the previous season: Deon Bird and Jason Sands. Several had a connection with Mulholland from his former club the Western Reds.Burke David 12 April 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/920731801 Brett's pals in Paris match Manchester Evening News 54 The team had its main training camp in Australia and arrived in France at the end of January, slightly more than one week before its debut in the Challenge Cup. The club had few French players, with the only nationals holding significant roles being captain Pierre Chamorin, Fabien Devecchi and Pascal Bomati.https://www.totalrl.com/24-years-on-the-rise-and-fall-of-paris-saint-germain-told-by-the-people-involved/ 24 years on – The rise and fall of Paris Saint-Germain, told by the people involved Hope Ash 29 March 2020 totalrl.com May 29, 2023 French international Daniel Divet blamed the club's safe recruiting, believing that it would both hurt homegrown players and alienate Paris' fledgling fan base.Tingle Richard 8 February 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/899773459/ Paris fail to pass the French test Hull Daily Mail 15 According to coaching consultant John Kear, Mulholland did favor Australian players from the onset, which turned off some interested French talents. However, it was also pointed that the French federation, in a stunning about face, had banned players under its jurisdiction from joining PSG until the end of the French club championship (whose winter season overlapped with the beginning of the Super League campaign), further complicating matters. 5 April 1997 French star's switch is a real blow https://www.newspapers.com/image/899777423 Hull Daily Mail 28 Mulholland vowed to increase the number of nationals to eight after the end of the domestic competition.West Graeme 9 March 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/752105380/ Guide to how the Super League clubs shape up The Sunday Telegraph London 6S As a sign of goodwill, the Australasian imports were incited to learn French to better integrate, taking lessons twice a week. 13 March 1997 The Quotes https://www.newspapers.com/image/894567438 Heartland Evening News Nuneaton 27 Super League Season highlights Like in the previous season, PSG RL started with a 18–4 win over Sheffield Eagles, this time on away soil. Again, the opening day triumph was short-lived and the team soon embarked on an eight-game losing streak. 24 May 1997 Best of British needed in France https://www.newspapers.com/image/899740236/ Hull Daily Mail 10 French players (Pierre Chamorin and Fabien Devecchi) only made their first playing appearance in Round 5 against St Helens. 5 April 1997 Saints roar to top https://www.newspapers.com/image/916914042/ Liverpool Echo 21 Even after the end of the French championship, PSG struggled to sign more of them. The club even lost Pascal Bomati to rugby union's CA Brive, which Mulholland—joined by a growing number of pundits—again blamed on a lack of proactivity and support from the French game's establishment. To the frustration of the RFL, several French players also preferred to sign with other Super League clubs than PSG, as they were in a better financial situation. 18 January 1997 Around the Game https://www.newspapers.com/image/899797747/ Hull Daily Mail 24Fitzpatrick Paul 11 April 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/260798616 Wigan eager to play Wright from the start against Bulls The Guardian London 57 Lindsay encouraged English clubs to at least spare some French prospects, although Salford signee Gilles Gironella mentioned that he had chosen Salford because "Paris Saint-Germain only want[ed] experienced players".Burke David 11 January 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/919919608/ Salford go for French polish Manchester Evening News 54 PSG did find itself in a dispute with Halifax over one of the Blue Sox' multiple French hopefuls, Jérôme Guisset, but he ended up playing for neither team that season. 26 April 1997 Around the Game https://www.newspapers.com/image/899809523/ Hull Daily Mail London 28 Although the team was not helped by a rash of injuries, coach Mulholland was dismissed in early May.Irvine Christopher 8 May 1997 https://archive.org/details/NewsUK1997UKEnglish/May%2008%201997%252C%20The%20Times%252C%20%252365884%252C%20UK%20(en)/page/n43/mode/2up Struggling Paris show Mulholland the door The Times London 45 8 May 1997 Round-up: Rugby league https://www.newspapers.com/image/752109070/ The Daily Telegraph London 25 Fellow Australian John Monie was approached but proved less than enthusiastic about tackling Paris' challenge. 13 May 1997 Monie snub for Paris job https://www.newspapers.com/image/726424508/ Evening Standard London 67 The eventual replacement was Englishman Andy Goodway, who had been approached by the club prior to its inaugural campaign but had ultimately opted to remain at Oldham, from where he had just been let go.Dawson George 11 November 1995 https://www.newspapers.com/image/917551447 Andy Gets Paris Offer Manchester Evening News 7 Goodway had a francophone wife, which may have helped his decision. Rampant conflicts at the head of the club boiled over in July 1997 Administrative controversy, leading to a disruption in the distribution of tickets and causing attendance to fall to alarming levels for the home stand that followed.Robinson John 13 July 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/894975237/ Super League slaughter The People London 60 Embarrassed by off-the-field issues and dead last in the standings at that point, 12 July 1997 Paris plight https://www.newspapers.com/image/895443925/ Huddersfield Daily Examiner 45 the team against all odds produced its best result yet, overcoming a 14 point deficit in the last thirteen minutes to cap a stunning 30–28 upset of powerhouse Wigan, its first Super League home win of the season.Irvine Christopher 14 July 1997 https://archive.org/details/NewsUK1997UKEnglish/Jul%2014%201997%252C%20The%20Times%252C%20%252365941%252C%20UK%20(en)/page/n17/mode/2up Paris declare home rule The Times London 30 Masters Roy 14 July 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/120109160 Players break their silence Sydney Morning Herald 29Jeffreys Mark 13 July 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/752118535/ Wigan suffers defeat in Paris Sunday Telegraph S11 On 9 and 16 August, the team played two home games in southern cities, one in Narbonne against Halifax,Jeffreys Mark 10 August 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/752122999 Halifax crushed in France Sunday Telegraph London S11 and another in Bayonne against Warrington, which coincided with the Fêtes de Bayonne, a popular tourist attraction. 13 August 1997 Rugby League https://www.newspapers.com/image/900093873/ Hull Daily Mail 43 It had been decided in the off-season that the team would relocate two or three games to other markets, as August tends to be a slow business month in the French capital due to many residents spending their holidays in the provinces. Using the team as a touring attraction following the France Rugby League model was actually a goal of founder Jacques Fouroux from its inception.https://www.liberation.fr/sports/1995/08/10/fouroux-dans-l-en-but-du-rugby-professionnelcoup-d-envoi-ce-soir-de-la-competition-a-xiii-creee-par-_141807/ Fouroux dans l'en-but du rugby professionnel : Coup d'envoi ce soir de la compétition à XIII créée par l'ancien coach du XV de France. Villepreux Olivier 10 August 1995 Libération fr May 29, 2023 PSG eventually managed to avoid relegation in its last home game of the season against Oldham, Goodway's former employer. With three wins in its final six games, the team belatedly grew into a respectable force, with the Hull Daily Mail calling it "not too bad given all the difficulties".Whitaker Andrew 26 July 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/899833115/ Next year's opposition Hull Daily Mail 22 Nonetheless, it once again finished 11th (out of 12) in the standings, with a weak record of 6 wins in 22 games. Results +DateOpponentVenueScoreTriesGoalsAttendance16 March 1997Sheffield EaglesAway4–18Bergman, Sing, WallRobinson (3)4,21321 March 1997LeedsHome18–28Keough, Olejnik, SingRobinson (3)10,51328 March 1997London BroncosAway10–28Hyde, OlejnikWall5,29331 March 1997SalfordAway26–28Bergman (3), Bird (2)Robinson (3)3,1955 April 1997St. HelensHome6–44ChamorinWall8,54213 April 1997OldhamAway18–19Lomax, Olejnik, WallRobinson (3)3,39618 April 1997BradfordHome18–30Olejnik (2), Robinson, WallWall9,74527 April 1997WarringtonAway34–37Martin (2), Olejnik (2), Chamorin, Robinson (3)4,5765 May 1997LeedsAway2–30n/aO'Connor11,02311 May 1997CastlefordAway11–8Bergman, O'DonnellRobinson (2), O'Connor3,09817 May 1997SheffieldHome16–32Garcia (2), Carr, McAllister, PinkeyAston (6)6,78826 May 1997London BroncosHome16–20Bergman (2), OlejnikBird (2)4,93430 May 1997WiganAway30–58Bird, Eade, MartinO'Connor (4)7,54129 June 1997HalifaxAway14–12Evans, O'ConnorO'Connor (3)3,9032 July 1997SalfordHome16–24Bird (2), EvansO'Connor, Robinson5005 July 1997CastlefordHome8–20EvansO'Connor, Robinson1,02012 July 1997WiganHome30–28Bergman (2), Eade, Evans, TaylorO'Connor (3), Robinson (2)2,5609 August 1997HalifaxHome32–0Bergman (3), Eade, Evans, HancockO'Connor (4)7,74316 August 1997WarringtonHome10–17BirdO'Connor (3)1,54922 August 1997BradfordAway0–68n/an/a17,12826 August 1997OldhamHome23–12Evans (2), Eade, O'DonnellO'Connor (4)6,71431 August 1997St. HelensAway14–26Evans, TaylorO'Connor (3)5,652 The dates of the Salford home and away match were switched as Stade Charléty was unavailable on Eastern Monday. 30 January 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/929704529/ Scrum down Salford Advertiser 64 Table PSG Challenge Cup In February, the team made its debut in the Challenge Cup knockout competition (which it had bypassed the previous year), winning against second-tier Batley before bowing out to fellow SL members Salford in the next round. It played both cup games on U.K. ground as Stade Charléty was not yet available (a permanent move out of the venue was considered before it could be secured for the remainder of the season).Fitzpatrick Paul 16 January 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/260702362/ Paris eyes set on cup success The Guardian London 23 In both Challenge Cup games, PSG did not field a single French player.Walker Nick 1 March 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/916945610/ Rugby League Liverpool Echo 23 +DateRoundOpponentVenueScoreTriesGoalsAttendance9 February 19974thBatley Away38–4O'Donnell (2), Bird, Evans, Keough, Olejnik, PetersRobinson (5)1,25223 February 19975thSalford Away4–8n/aRobinson (2)5,275 World Club Championship Round robin PSG also took part in the 1997 World Club Championship. It started its campaign on a relative high, leading against Australian side Hunter Mariners before succumbing,Hadfield Dave 9 June 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/719916938/ Castleford and Paris denied taste of glory The Independent London S17 then thrashing the team several Paris players used to represent, the Western Reds (24–0). 23 June 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/120102572 Red-faced Perth plastered by Paris outfit Sidney Morning Herald 27 The away part of the schedule proved less flattering, yet the team's lone win was enough to advance to the playoffs, amidst the European clubs' abysmal showing in the event. +DateOpponentVenueScoreTriesGoalsAttendance8 June 1997HunterHome12–28Bird, DevecchiO'Connor (2)3,50021 June 1997Western Reds Home24–0Eade (2), Bergman, Bird, LomaxO'Connor (2)2,50027 July 1997HunterAway0–32n/an/a2,1101 August 1997Western RedsAway12–30Bergman, MartinO'Connor (2)5,690 Playoffs For its WCC playoff appearance, coach Goodway opted to rest key players to focus on the primary objective of avoiding relegation in the Super League.Whalley John 30 August 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/752121134/ Broncos lifted by Beazley signing The Daily Telegraph London 27 +DateRoundOpponentVenueScoreTriesGoalsAttendance13 August 1997Prelim.St. Helens Away4–44Mahonyn/a3,641 Premiership Trophy PSG's Premiership Trophy appearance on 7 September 1997 was the team's final fixture. The team's last ever try was scored by Frenchman Fabien Devecchi.Fisher Michael 8 September 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/752120454/ Paris left exhausted after slog of a season The Daily Telegraph London 37 +DateRoundOpponentVenueScoreTriesGoalsAttendance7 September 1997Prelim.SalfordAway6–48DevecchiHyde2,045 Administrative controversy The club's ill-conceived operational plan, which had already seen the hasty departure of founder Jacques Fouroux in season one, devolved into another leadership struggle around May 1997. Increasingly disenchanted with the French federation's perceived lack of commitment to the Super League project, the RFL opted to withdraw several staff members it had dispatched to Paris. Fearing the tarnishing of its brand, umbrella organization PSG Omnisports banned the team from using its name, forcing it to operate as just "Paris Rugby League". The ban was rescinded in late June.https://rugbyxiii.blogspot.com/2009/03/psg-xiii.html Quand le PSG jouait au rugby March 2009 Blog Rugby à XIII fr April 2, 2023Mascord Steve 11 July 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/120107997 Lindsay to face police over visas The Sydney Morning Herald 43 In July, the press became aware of the conflict between PSG RL and brothers Laurent and Nicolas Dabe of promotional agency Évènemenent 1, who had been brought in by Fouroux in the early days of France Rugby League.Kent Simon 22 January 1995 The union rebel at the crossroads https://www.newspapers.com/image/120362920 Sydney Morning Herald 77 Claiming unpaid monies and threatening a lawsuit if the team closed up shop, they leaked documents to the French authorities, which showed that a large contingent of its Oceanian players had been contracted in the U.K. to dodge French employer taxes, and stayed in Paris on tourist visas instead.Whalley John 8 July 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/752114482/ Robinson angered by 'smear' tactics The Daily Telegraph London 33 The brothers also asserted that two thirds of PSG RL's shares were in fact owned by the RFL, potentially making it liable in the matter. The RFL strenuously denied that claim, arguing that its two executives sat on the club's board purely as goodwill advisors, and assured the press that it would work with the French federation to clarify any contractual issues.Fitzpatrick Paul 11 July 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/260743730 Paris hit back after reports of police probe into visas The Guardian 10 Sport In all, the RFL had to cover £200,000 worth of PSG RL's expenses that season. Maurice Lindsay also accused the Dabes of having acted out of spite, due to mounting criticism of their work on behalf of the team. 12 July 1997 Lindsay blasts fraud claim https://www.newspapers.com/image/916892962/? Liverpool Echo (Football Echo) 43 (3)Wilson Andy Booth John 13 July 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/258392203/ Why mud-splattered Mo must go; Lindsay denies Paris claims The Observer London Sport 2, 12 Disbanding In early September 1997, coach Andy Goodway met with French federation officials to discuss a potential return to the team in 1998. His demands focused on better availability of French players and more games played in the rugby heartlands of the south. 9 September 1998 Rugby League https://www.newspapers.com/image/899831038/ Hull Daily Mail 51 However, during the Super League's end-of-season meeting, spokesman Peter Rowe acknowledged that "the future of Paris is causing some concern". Maurice Lindsay said that a demotion to the second tier, which he felt would be more in line with the Paris market's short-term prospects, would be considered.Jeffreys Mark 5 October 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/752125934 Five-try Renouf inspire Broncos Sunday Telegraph London 10S A rumor had circulated during the season that the RFL, which had long desired a club in Newcastle, would solve both problems by moving PSG there in 1998.Robinson John 13 July 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/894975237 Super League Slaughter The People London 60 That did not prove to be the case and in early November 1997, it was announced that second tier runners-up Huddersfield had been promoted to Super League, while PSG would be disbanded due to the financial burden it represented for the British clubs and poor interactions with French rugby league authorities.Irvine Christopher 4 November 1997 https://archive.org/details/NewsUK1997UKEnglish/Nov%2004%201997%2C%20The%20Times%2C%20%2366038%2C%20UK%20%28en%29/page/n47/mode/2up Giants to profit from fall of Paris The Times London 48Wilson Andy 4 November 1997 https://www.newspapers.com/image/260885264 Huddersfield in, Paris out The Guardian London 25 At its worst, the club had been hemorrhaging £50,000 a week. According Lindsay, had it not been for the British clubs' decision, the French federation would have eagerly entered Paris for a third Super League campaign. Squad Statistics include appearances and points in the Super League. NoBailey Richard Webb Matthew Paris St Germain http://www.rugby-league-world.com/1997/results/StonesSL/Paris.html rugby-league-world.com 31 July 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20081204145419/http://www.rugby-league-world.com/1997/Results/StonesSL/Paris.html 4 December 2008 deadPlayerAppsTriesGoalsDGsPoints 1 Dion Bird2162028 2 Shaun Mahony50000 3 Jamie Olejnik 1180032 5 Fabien Devecchi90000 6 Jeremy Robinson Jeremy Robinson (rugby league)13121046 7 Jason Martin Jason Martin (rugby league)1730012 8 Joe Taylor Joe Taylor (rugby league, born 1975)142008 9 David O'Donnell David O'Donnell (rugby league)2130012 10 Tony Priddle1830012 11 Wayne Sing192008 12 Pierre Chamorin152008 13 David Lomax211004 14 Troy Bellamy150000 15 James Durkin James Durkin (rugby league)50000 16 Craig Menkins90000 17 Michael Hogue120000 18 Anthony Hancock Anthony Hancock (rugby league)141004 19 Phillipe Ricard10000 20 Jason Eade940012 21 Jason Sands110000 22 Paul Evans Paul Evans (rugby league)1880032 23 Phil Bergman21140056 24 Alex Couttet10000 25 Matt O'Connor Matt O'Connor (rugby league)15126258 26 Nicholas Hyde Nicholas Hyde (rugby league)101004 27 Adam Peters Adam Peters (rugby league)190000 28 Anthony Wall Anthony Wall (rugby league)933018 29 Didier Cabestany60000 30 Abderazak El Halouki10000 32 Romain Sort10000 33 Jerome Azema10000 34 Nicolas Couttet10000Pascal Jampy10000Jason Keough21004Frédéric Teixido10000 References External links Paris St Germain - Rugby League Project Category:Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League Paris Saint-Germain Category:French rugby league club seasons