When we last spoke at the end of April, Clisson, with its 470 registered players and a budget of 360,000 euros, had just secured its Fédérale 3 status. President Jean-Michel Bonnet is savouring it: his squad hit its target a season ahead of the club’s plan. Interview.

A successful season, a year ahead of schedule

Five months ago, the season wasn’t over but the job was already done…

We still had two games left, including Guenrouët and Cholet. We wanted to keep going without easing off. We could have saved ourselves a little for the end of the season, but no, the lads wanted to enjoy themselves and keep the momentum. It went well, for the first team and the reserves alike. It was a great season, a joy for the fans, the partners, the volunteers, the players… And our U16s and U19s reached the regional final, like almost every year. But we lost to Saint-Nazaire / La Baule.

Even so, you got five teams into regional finals and won a title…

Yes, our U18 girls reached the regional final and won it. They saved face by bringing home their shield! It really was a great year.

And on top of that, a year ahead of your plan…

Yes, I gave the first-team players a bit of stick, telling them they hadn’t followed instructions (laughs).

Hellfest, Clisson’s other team

Despite the heatwave, Hellfest went well in June. Your club and the festival are linked…

Yes! For Hellfest, 50 club volunteers helped put up and take down the crash barriers in front of the stage. We’ve been doing it for several years. The Hellfest people like us because, when there’s waiting around, we play rugby while we wait for instructions. Hellfest is also a partner of SACC. We’re two organisations attached to our area.

Recruitment and the West pool: focus on the new season

You’re now preparing for the new season. Any signings?

Yes. As well as our young U19s moving up, they come from other clubs, because naturally, when you go up a level, you attract players who want to play a step above Régionale 1. And since the club has a good reputation, players are drawn to the project. They come from the Nantes area, the surrounding towns, and the Stade Nantais academy. We’re also benefiting from a trickle-down effect thanks to the Pays de la Loire regional league’s elite centre being set up. It’s good for the clubs and for the region. And we also have a Spanish player, a prop, who is joining us to give it a go.

That Spanish signing has since been confirmed: José Garrigós, who arrives from La Vila Rugby Club in the Spanish top flight. The prop already knows France, having played for Céret Sportif and FC Lourdais in Fédérale 1 and Fédérale 2, and has also played in the Portuguese and Dutch leagues.

You’ve followed the restructuring of the competitions. Does it affect you?

Let’s say we went up in just the right year, because I think in future seasons it’s going to be hard for our friends in R1 to go up. For now, we’re not affected because we play in the West pool. But it will change our opponents and our travel: Quimper, Concarneau, Auray, Saint-Nazaire, Trignac… The lads really want a change of scenery, to face new opposition. We’re really excited to take on teams we don’t know and that will help us grow. It’s going to be a great adventure.