RC Lens: training centre renamed in tribute to former club president Gervais Martel

RC Lens (Ligue 1 McDonald's) has renamed its training centre, the Centre Technique et Sportif La Gaillette (Avion, near Lens, Pas-de-Calais), "CTS La Gaillette Gervais Martel" in tribute to the man who was president of the club from 1988 to 2018, announced the French club on 04/12/2024.

A native of Oignies (20km from Lens) Gervais Martel "was one of the main architects of the 1998 French league title, the club's first qualification for the Champions League, the 1999 Coupe de la Ligue victory and the 2000 UEFA Cup triumph. A visionary with a passion for football, he also initiated the project to build the CTS, which was inaugurated on 10/10/2002. The renaming, unveiled by president Joseph Oughourlian at the club's traditional gala, is part of a drive to pass on the legacy. So, after the inauguration of the Daniel Leclercq (former player, coach and technical director) and Arnold Sowinski (former player and coach) pitches, and the Éric Sikora (former player and coach) dome, it is now La Gaillette's turn to bear the name of a legendary figure from Racing Club."

"With the CTS La…