In our previous articles, we mentioned that the climate within Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur had not been the most serene for the past few months, and the resignation of its iconic President, Christian Baldacchino (who had been in position for about twenty years), along with many other members of the board of directors, will not help matters. This comes as yet another potential buyer, Philippe Deffins, an entrepreneur from Montpellier in the construction industry, former sponsor, leader, and brief president of the city’s club for 23 days and previously close to the Béziers club, emerges with a proposed budget without having yet proven its actual existence.
What to say about this new salad well niçoise?
Without giving it an ideological interpretation, one might find lessons from comrade Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (better known as Lenin) who theorized in his work “State and Revolution” that “active minorities make history.”
This is more or less what happened on the Arboras side!
The only positive shadow on this rather grim picture is the last installment of the extraordinary municipal subsidy, which had been sorely missed by the club’s treasury over the summer and had led to some players adopting a syndical attitude. This subsidy has now been deposited, and the players can once again receive their previously frozen salaries.
Asphyxiating for better rule
Since this happened in the aftermath of Philippe Deffins taking power, how can one not see in this act a sign of the Municipality’s behavior, which was evidently opposed to Christian Baldacchino remaining at the helm of the club?
In these cases, to give oneself a good conscience, people always try to mask partisan intentions by referring to the “invisible hand” as an expression of the general interest, except that, in this case, the “hand” was quite “visible.”
Otherwise, how to explain, as former president Baldacchino said, that on the eve of the club’s hearing by the DNAGC, it received a letter from the Sports Services of the Nice Municipality, indicating that no commitment had been made to increase the club’s annual subsidy?
The scenario set up for several months, in which all the actors played their roles perfectly, has finally come to its conclusion, and we can bet that we will soon see the silhouettes of some actors who acted in the shadows return to the Arboras stands.
A revolution in governance
Thus, “Balda” and key figures essential to the smooth running of the association such as Didier Arena and Serge Patuano, one of the main architects of the success of the rugby school, one of the best in France, have left.
It was, on the whole, the management team that had managed the club since the establishment of Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur, resulting from the merger between the NUC and the Racing Rugby Club of Nice (with the parenthesis of Paul White’s whimsical SASP, a pure example of “mala gestio” due to the poor use of the significant financial contribution from the Anglo-Monegasque businessman).
A very dedicated team but probably somewhat worn out, weakened by a glaring lack of capacity to meet budgetary needs through internal and commercial means.
All resigning, but why? The answer being, in fact, for whom?
After the first two potential buyers of the Nice club who, by their own account, had been discouraged by the Municipality during informal contacts, a new candidate enters Philippe Deffins, who seemingly arrives with the blessing of the Mayor of Nice and his Sports Deputy (who hastened to welcome his arrival in a local newspaper interview) with a project aiming for a promotion to Pro D2 within the next three years and then the Top 14 within the following three years, with an initial budget of over 2 million euros to reach 4 to 5 million if the objectives are met.
The new head of Nice rugby would be accompanied by a group of investors, including Andrew Knox, former general manager France of the now-defunct outfitter Canterbury.
In his presentation to the Board of Directors, which motivated the resignation of those in governance who didn’t want to hinder a better future for the club, Mr. Deffins detailed the financial aspect for the current season: 500,000 euros would come from his professional networks and 600,000 from other investors, a guarantee attesting to the seriousness of the proposal.
What future?
The club will be restructured with a SASP having Philippe Deffins as president, while the association (where following the massive resignation of the majority representatives, the former minority has become… majority!) will be presided over by Patrice Prévot, former head of the rugby school accompanied by Tony Catoni in the position of the new strongman.
Furthermore, these are the two men who, along with a few other minor figures, had opposed Christian Baldacchino’s direction for months with all possible means, today reaping the fruit of their persistent commitment. In truth, while their action proved effective, one cannot say the same for their style.
The sporting side
Mr. Deffins will have by his side as sports director, Jean-François Tordo (the same who, in two press interviews, had heavily criticized Christian Baldacchino, claiming to be on a mission from the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi) whose return to the management of his training club is to be welcomed, and to whom we wish better sporting success than in his previous experiences at Bourgoin and Poitiers. Meanwhile, the existing technical staff (Philippe Buchet and Christian Panzavolta), who managed recruitment and preparation thus far, has been replaced a week before the championship begins.
The imminent appointment of Jean Anturville (formerly of Béziers), whom Mr. Deffins already had in his plans, is expected soon. In addition, some players might be part of the same journey as the new coach.
Project or storytelling?
The project looks magnificent on paper, but this shouldn’t surprise anyone as Mr. Deffins is ambitious.
During his time at the head of Montpellier in December 2009, he announced the recruitment of certain stars of the time, notably the captain of the French national team Nallet, and the magical objective of contesting the French championship title within three years… (unfortunately, for the club and for history, Mr. Deffins resigned three weeks later) but is this “serious” or a stage-set made of cardboard?
Announcing the arrival of a 600,000 euros guarantee for the next day, and then, a week later, nothing concrete has yet been recorded in the club’s coffers, is certainly not a good foreboding sign.
For the moment, we would not bet much on the fate of Nice rugby which goes from one twist to another, as capricious as the bounces of its ball.
Conclusion and moral
While we await the facts that will tell us the truth, we can take comfort in comrade Mao’s pronouncement: “the present is dark, but the future will be bright!”
Now that the games seem set, let’s get to play!
