US Boulogne - Stade De Liberation

US Boulogne

Stade De Liberation

Boulevard Eurvin

62200 Boulogne-sur-Mer

France

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Ground Number: 1406

Friday 21st March 2025

US Boulogne 2-1 Nimes Olympique

Championnat National 1

US BOULOGNE - A BRIEF HISTORY

The club was established in 1898, their full name is Union Sportive de Boulogne-sur-Mer Côte d'Opale. They are also known as UBSCO or simply Boulogne. Early achievements include winning the Maritime Championship three years in a row from 1904 to 1906. They moved to the Northern Championship in 1925 and turned professional in 1935. The move paid dividends, as two years later, they reached the Coupe De France Semi-Final. After the war, Boulogne reverted to amateur status – and only decided to become a professional team again in 1957, when they were re-elected into Division Two. They stayed comfortably in Division Two for 22 years but then plummeted through the divisions – suffering consecutive relegations. They stabilised in the 4th tier, spending 91-92 in the third. However, financial issues in 1994 and were wound up.

A new club was established soon after. A couple of notable runs in the Coupe De France came, reaching the last 16 in 1997.  They earned a home tie against Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille, losing 1–0. On 17 March 1999, the club marked their centenary by hosting Liverpool – managed by Gérard Houllier of nearby Thérouanne – in a friendly and winning 2–1. In 2004, Boulogne hired Philippe Montanier in his first job in senior management. He won promotion to the Championnat National in his first season and to Ligue 2 in  2007. Boulogne stayed up on the last day of the 2007–08 Ligue 2 season with a last-second win over Chamois Niortais F.C., who needed a draw to avoid the drop themselves. In 2009, they won promotion to Ligue 1 to complete a remarkable turnaround. However, 2009/10 would be their sole season in the top flight. Relegation from Ligue 2 followed in 2012 and despite a Coupe De France Quarter Final in 2015, it was the last time they would play in the top two tiers, They missed out on promotion in 2020 due to Covid and would suffer further relegation to the fourth tier in 2022. It looked as if another relegation would follow in 2023 but a recovery in the second half of the season saved them. Last season saw them win the Championnat National 2 to return to the third tier of French Football for this season.

MY VISIT 

Just like Ireland, France had been put off several times due to awkward kickoff times and logistical reasons with flights. I had considered it several times but always turned it down as it was hard to make a weekend of it. The ideal opportunity, or so I thought, came this weekend in Ypres when I'd finally get France done. But options were limited. What looked like it was going to be a beautiful stadium at US Pays De Cassell was moved to a dull 3G pitch. In the end, Bolougne on Friday night looked like the best option, but it would require a bit of luck with changing the ferry. 

From my game at Faringdon. I left at 9.15 with Wycombe 1-0 down at Rotherham. I set it up so I could listen to the commentary on the way home, and I was happy when we ended up winning 3-2. I was back home at 10.20 and being wide awake still, had time to get my blog up before I went to bed. It was a nice easy day on Wednesday, although we were no further towards deciding where we were going this weekend, due to a change of venue for one of our games. I had to wait two days for a response as to whether we were going to manage Bolougne on Friday and despite an amicable video call on Thursday night, we were no closer to deciding. Thankfully, the hotel I was looking at played a fair game, not jacking up their prices on the day, at least based on my checking the prices for that night. My only concern was getting tickets for the game as we could only decide on the day once we found out whether we could catch an earlier ferry or change our destination to Calais. Wednesday and Thursday were nice days at work and payday was most welcome with me running out of cash. I also booked a trip to Norway for June, thankfully only paying for the flights upfront. It was a productive afternoon with me booking a room in Sturminster Newton to kick off the South West Easter Hop.

I had a couple of cans to help relax and got my usual early night. As with every day, my body clock woke me up early and I watched TV in bed for a bit. After getting up, I got freshened up and made my way to Colin's. I had hardly any time to wait for him and his Dad and we were off by 5.50. It was a nice journey with us at the port in Dover two hours later. It was a huge relief when DFDS changed us onto an earlier ferry that went to Calais instead of a late one to Dunkerque. A reasonable fry-up with a fruit juice was just £5.95. A complete contrast to the scum at P&O who were in the news for sacking a load of staff with ten minutes' notice in favour of cheaper labour. I had already purchased hotel (£21 each for a twin, a match ticket (£8.40 each) and tomorrow's train (£17.60 each). All very reasonable aside from Trainline's £1.69 booking fee, but I was too happy to care. The only irritant was a load of noisy kids on the boat and the lack of decent cider or Kriek beer in the Cafe. We went to a shop of varying prices. Some of the stuff was well overpriced but 4 litres of branded spirits were £40, a real bargain and something to consider on the way back. I treated myself to some dark chocolate salted caramel popcorn. A bit pricey at £3.95 but utterly delicious and I'd not seen it elsewhere. I also had a Bulmers and some crisps from the bar.

 

We were in Calais at 12, allowing for the time difference. Colin's Dad kindly dropped us in Boulogne at 12.45 and with time to kill, we headed to the Carrefour. There was a ton of cider and beer that I liked, but I was limited to two larger bottles of cider and a can of Rouge beer. I also got crisps, chocolate and some apples, all of which were completely different to those in the UK. We then had a look around the shopping centre before heading to our hotel, checking in at 1.40. The Ibis Budget was the usual pleasant and clean hotel you'd expect from this chain and superb value at £42 a night for the twin room. It was a shame that hotels were not as economical in a lot of the hotels in the UK. The cider also compared excellently to the UK too, even the cheapo  2 Euro stuff was great with a very high juice content compared the generic stuff in the UK. A nice strawberry beer called Grimberge Rouge Intense finished off the afternoon whilst I completed my blog. We left at 5.50 and headed out for food. Grizzly Smash Burger did the job, with Maya Lamb burger, fries with Algerian sauce and a Leffe Ruby for £13. They were super helpful and the food was brilliant, well recommended. I did try a couple of cash machines, but the greedy operators wanted 6 Euros to withdraw 20. All the more reason to abolish the inconvenience of cash. It was 30 minutes walk to the ground where I got a small pennant for £2.52, great value and no issue with card payment. From there, if was a relaxed stroll around the ground before taking our seats on halfway.

 

US Boulogne were 3rd in the table whilst Nimes Olympique were third bottom. Bolougne had won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five. Last time, they had drawn 1-1 at US Orleans. Nimes were in similar form, their last game saw them cut the mustard as they drew 1-1 with Dijon. Bolougne bossed the game and took the lead on five minutes when Jean Veycrusse headed home a left sided corner. They continued to be on top. Nimes Olympique equalised right on half time, a penalty awarded for a trip was converted by Oussama Abdeldjelli. It was reward for the over 1000km journey that they took to get here, 13 hours on Google Maps if you avoid Toll roads. Nimes had chances on the break, but Bolougne were always on top. A low shot by Corentin Fatou put them ahead on 83 minutes.

 

THE GROUND 

STADE DE LIBÉRATION is an excellent venue despite the running track. With it only being a few lanes due to athletics being tinpot, the sight lines are not badly affected. With no official areas behind the goal there is one large stand called the Ribery on one side. On the other, a medium-sized covered stand, plus a smaller covered area to the left and a an even smaller uncovered stand to the right. The place has a temporary feel which adds to its charm. The ground is 25 minutes from the main part of Bolougne. Food at the ground looked tasty and well priced, though a bigger choice is available in town. Merch and entry is well priced too, with good service. Parking is minimal, with most using the surrounding streets. The atmosphere was excellent too, overall a great experience.