Loulou's biography, the Pailladin spirit, the desire to surpass themselves on Sunday against OM: the MHSC made the event this Wednesday at the Foire expo

Le clan du MHSC a pris la pose avec ses supporters ce mercredi sur le stand Midi Libre de la Foire expo de Montpellier. Midi Libre – MICHAEL ESDOURRUBAILH

Laurent Nicollin, accompagné de plusieurs joueurs (Savanier, Chotard…), a présenté la biographie de son père Loulou à l’occasion des 50 ans du MHSC.

Great people on the balcony. After the visit at the beginning of the week of the MHB and the BLMA to the Midi Libre stand at the Exhibition Fair, it was the turn of the MHSC this Wednesday, who came in large numbers around its president Laurent Nicollin, in a relaxed mood four days before the clash against Olympique de Marseille, Sunday evening at La Mosson (8:45 p.m.).

OM, a match on all the minds of the Pailladins, never trivial, even less so in the relegation position in which the Hérault club finds itself. “It's a special match but, in accounting terms, it's worth three points like the others. The stadium will be full, we will be keen to show that we have the level and to surpass ourselves", believes Olympic medallist Joris Chotard, when Téji Savanier, a slightly superstitious child of the club, prefers "not to speak before". This did not prevent the captain of Montpellier from expressing his "pride in belonging to the Paillade family", an allusion to the 50th anniversary of the MHSC, celebrated as it should be in a biography "Louis Nicollin, le football en héritage".

Esprit de famille

The opportunity for his son Laurent, book in hand, to pay tribute to the founding president: "During his lifetime, my father always refused to participate in a biography. Thanks to the club's anniversary, he is remembered as the iconic president of Montpellier." Facing the boss, assistant coach Pascal Baills could only agree: "MSCH is practically a life."A euphemism for the former full-back with 429 appearances for Hérault. Speaking of collector's jerseys, the club has unveiled the one that the players will wear during the “heroes' match”, scheduled for Saturday, November 16 (3 p.m.). A sacred rendezvous for those nostalgic for Julio Cesar, Valderamma, Hilton and other former glories of the club.

Some were present yesterday at the expo fair, such as Hoda Lattaf, the embodiment of women's football at MHSC, a pioneering club in the field that was the first in France to create a training center for girls. Laurent Nicollin's plea for “the other” flagship team: “Our women's team is very important to the club and to me. Even though we've reduced the size of the team this season for financial reasons, we're counting on our excellent training center.” Family spirit guaranteed.

It wasn't the time for big speeches, but we'll have understood that as the time approaches to challenge Marseille, the Pailladins will soon return to their bubble. Yesterday, in a departure from their typical week, they made themselves available one last time in front of the hundred or so fans present on site. An autograph session and a short quiz closed the session… on a humorous note. “Name a player who was crowned French champion in 2012 ?” “Benzéma”, replied a child. Some still have a few lessons to revise in order to master their Little MHSC illustrated.