Troyes have had an up and down existence, featuring promotions and relegations aplenty, as well as a taste of European football and a name change caused by a French supermarket. On top of that, the club's youth system contributed two players to France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad - ligue1.com gives you the lowdown.
History
In it's current incarnation since 1986, Troyes enjoyed some success in the 1950s as Association Sportive Troyes Sainte-Savine, reaching the Coupe de France final in 1956 and playing in the top division from 1954-56 and in 1960-1961. The club was dissolved in 1967 but Troyes reemerged in 1970 as Troyes Aube Football, enjoying four top-flight seasons before being relegated in 1978.
Troyes' modern history really begins in 1993 when Alain Perrin was appointed coach. In 1996 Perrin secured promotion to the second tier and the Champagne club climbed into the elite division in 1999, going on to achieve record seventh-placed finishes in 2001 and 2002. That success led to European football with Troyes winning the now defunct Intertoto Cup in 2001 - beating Newcastle along the way - and reaching the second round of the UEFA Cup in 2002, losing to Leeds. Relegated in 2003, Troyes have since been a yo-yo club, enjoying five promotions to Ligue 1 Uber Eats. On the last three occasions the top division sojourn has lasted but a single season. Part of the City Football Group since September 2020, Troyes will be attempting to stay up un 2021-2022 under coach Laurent Batlles.
Club colours
At home, Troyes play in their traditional blue shirts, blue shorts and blue socks. Away, the shirt is white with blue trim.
Club icon: Benjamin Nivet
The gifted playmaker had two productive spells at Troyes, from 2002 to 2007 and then from 2012 to 2019, eventually hanging up his boots at the age of 42. Nivet made a club record 430 appearances and is also the club's record goalscorer with 84.
Stadium: Stade de l'Aube
Capacity: 20,400
Constructed in 1924 by industrialist Marcel Vitoux, the stadium was acquired by the city of Troyes in 1961. Major construction work started in 1998 and work was completed in 2004 with the inaugural match being between France's Under-21s and their Ireland counterparts.
Famous former players
World Cup winners Blaise Matuidi and Djibril Sidibé both came through the club's youth system, as did French Under-21s international goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni. Matuidi became the first ESTAC youth product to play for France when he made his Les Bleus debut in 2010. More recently, Corentin Jean and Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo spent their formative years at Troyes.
Did you know?
In 1986 the club reformed as Association Troyes Aube Champagne (ATAC). After rising from the fifth tier, Troyes changed their name as a top division club in 2000 because a supermarket in France was also called ATAC. Thus was born ESTAC (l'Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne).
