Boulogne

US Boulogne – Stade de la Liberation – Capacity: 15,004

About Stade de la Liberation
Boulevard Eurvin 62000, Boulogne-sur-Mer
Home to US Boulogne since 1952 as a homley 6,000 capacity stadium, the current ground has been significantly expanded as the team has risen up the table to the current 15,000+ limit. The ground has four covered stands, with unobstructed views although a few temporary stands have been erected for this season.

About US Boulogne
Union Sportive de Boulogne-sur-Mer Côte d’Opale is a French football team that played the Ligue 2 of the French league for the 2008–2009 season winning promotion to Ligue 1 for the 2009-2010 season. The club was founded in 1898.

While they mainly focussed originally on athletic events, they moved into the football industry and made a decent job in their first few years as a football club. Boulogne won the Maritime Championship three years running between 1904 and 1906. They next won the Championship in 1909 and their final victory of this division was in 1922. In 1924, Boulogne moved to the Northern Championship and fared well. The team also did well in the Coupe de France – reaching the quarter-finals in 1929 and the last 16 three times.

In 1926, Boulogne won the Northern League and only six years later, they became a professional club. In 1935, under chairman Marcel Lacroix, the team joined the professional leagues. However, they played averagely in Division Two but there were a few bright sparks in the team. The Coupe de France 1937 competition saw Boulogne make the semi-finals, but they were convincingly beaten by FC Sochaux 6-0. After the war, Boulogne reverted back to amateur status – and only became a professional team again in 1957 when they were re-elected into Division Two. They stayed in Division Two for 22 years but plummeted through the divisions – suffering consecutive relegations. The Coupe de France competition only provided little restbite, as the team made the last 16 three times.

Robert Senechal arrived in 1983 and stabilised the club in Division Four. They missed out on promotion by a narrow margin in 1984 – but were promoted in 1991. However, it was short-lived and they were relegated once again from whence they came. In June 1994, it was announced that Boulogne were in serious debt – owing ₣3 million. However, mayor and billionaire John Muselet intervened to save the club and appointed Jacques Wattez as chairman. Under the leadership of Wattez, the club adopted a new name – Union Sportive Boulogne Côte d’Opale – in July 1994. The debts of the club were wiped and Boulogne – although still struggling in Division Four – reached the last sixteen of the Coupe de France again in 1997. They earned a home tie against Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille. Although, Boulogne battled their way through the match, they narrowly lost 1-0.

Boulogne were slowly building their team in the Championnat National and under manager Philippe Montanier, the club clinched promotion to Ligue 2 with a tense 2-1 victory over SC Toulon. However, Boulogne were initally blocked from playing in Ligue 2 due to financial problems but after hard work, they were given the green light to play in that league for the 2007-2008 season. They struggled that season and on the final day, they were occupying the final relegation spot, one point from safety. Boulogne played at home to Chamois Niortais FC, who were one place above Boulogne. A tense game saw Boulogne win the match in the 95th minute through defender Damien Perrinelle and it kept Boulogne up whilst sending Niort down to the Championnat National.

The 2008-09 season saw Boulogne do the opposite from last season and win promotion on the final day of the season after beating SC Amiens 4-0, replacing Strasbourg in the final promotion spot.

How to get to the Stade de la Liberation
The stadium is very centrally located in the port town, literally just behind the Chateau Musee, no more than a 15 minute walk from the port. If you are coming off a ferry then come out of the ferry port, cross the river to the old town and follow Grande Rue until you reach the Notre Dame. The stadium is down Boulevard Eurvin which is the next right hand turn.

From the Eurotunnel terminal at Sandgatte, follow the signs for the A16/E402 towards Boulogne. Follow this until you reach the junction with the N42. Follow signs for Boulogne onto the D341 which becomes the Rue de St Omer. After you have passed the hospital on your left hand side, take the next left into Rue Dinghen and the stadium is just after the cemetary.

How to get a ticket for Stade de la Liveration
Obviously tickets for most games this season have been hard to get, especially when the likes of PSG, Marseille or Lens have been in town. Tickets can be purchased online here. Ticket prices range from €18 in the Mareyage Tribune behind the goal to €31 in the covered main stand – aka Tribune d’Honner.