Poitiers FC prepares for life in CFA2

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After winning the Ligue Centre-Ouest's Division D' Honneur with room to spare, Poitiers FC are looking forward to playing their football on a national level next season.

Last week's comprehensive 3-0 victory over Chauray sealed their place in CFA2 next season, the fifth tier of French football.

According to club president Alain Proust, their first objective will be to stay in the division, something that teams from Ligue Centre-Ouest have struggled with in the past.  He feels that in two years the club ought to be aiming for further promotion to CFA.

To help the club stay in CFA2, Alain Proust says that the club needs to find an additional 200,000€ (total budget of 435,000€) to help them compete on a national level.  80% of clubs in CFA2 have a full time coach, and most have a budget of at least 600,000€.  Finding money won't be easy in the current financial climate, but local government agencies are likely to increase their subsidies, and the club will look to private sponsors to make up the difference.

Manager Philippe Leclerc will soon start the task of building a squad for next year, and he believes that he needs around five new players in key positions.  The club plans to try and tempt young players who have failed to make the grade at professional level.

Poitiers FC play their football at Stade Pépinière, a 9,000 capacity stadium with 4,000 seats.  You can visit their website by clicking here.

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