This Sunday, the players of the “70s Decade” were honored at the Café des Aiglons. Seventeen players were present as well as Bertrand Tremel, author of the book “The Fabulous 70s Decade”, for a signing session. Supporters of the Gym, as usual, turned out in large numbers.
“A pleasure to be honored,” this phrase comes from Dario Grava, defender of the Gym from 1973 to 1977, and sums up this special 70s morning. Gathered from 11 a.m. at the club’s initiative, the former players of the 1970s posed for a team family photo with the president of OGC Nice, Jean-Pierre Rivère.
“You made me love this club and the beautiful game, it was a magical period. I hope to relive such moments. I thank you for being present today. This club is your club,” concluded President Rivère.
For the occasion, the club gathered Roger Jouve, Charly Marchetti, Thierry Massa, Claude Quittet, Marco Molitor, Maurice Serrus, Toko, Henri Zambelli, Dominique Baratelli, René Bocchi, Francis Camerini, Bernard Castellani, Dario Grava, Christian Damiano, Jean-Marc Guillou, René Fiorini, and Jean-Noël Huck.
“There are players I haven’t seen for 30 years, it’s a great pleasure to reunite. OGC Nice thinks of its former players, it’s a great idea to bring us together,” smiled Dominique Baratelli, Nice goalkeeper from 1966 to 1967 and then from 1971 to 1978.
Highlighted in Bertrand Tremel’s book “The Fabulous 70s Decade,” they participated in a one-hour signing session at the Café des Aiglons before heading to the stadium’s official store. There was a crowd before the Café opened. Supporters, books under their arms, eagerly awaited the go-ahead to meet their past idols. A new testament to the strong bond between the club, its supporters, and its history.
“This generation has given so much to the people of Nice, it was necessary to pay tribute to them. It’s a pride to bring them together in such a convivial place that blends history and modernity,” appreciated Bertrand Tremel, author of the book.
To conclude this day, a little ten minutes before the start of the Nice – Saint-Etienne match, the “70s Decade” was warmly applauded by the Allianz Rivera audience during a lap of honor. Francis Camerini, defender of OGC Nice from 1971 to 1976, then gave the ceremonial kick-off before taking his place in the stands. No victory at the end of the 90 minutes but an emotional tribute-filled day.
Photo credit and more information at www.ogcnice.com
