Lens
Racing Club de Lens, commonly known as RC Lens or simply Lens, is a French professional football club founded in 1906 and based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. The club plays at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis and competes in Ligue 1, France's top division. Known by the nickname Les Sang et Or (The Blood and Gold) due to their traditional red and gold colors, Lens achieved their greatest triumph by winning the Division 1 title in the 1997-98 season and has finished as runner-up on five occasions, most recently in 2022-23. The club maintains a strong rivalry with neighbors Lille OSC in the Derby du Nord.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Racing Club de Lens was established in 1906 by local students who enjoyed playing football on the city's Place Verte. The club's name was chosen as a reference to Racing Club de Roubaix and Racing Club de France, both popular clubs at the time. The founding students' parents formed the first board of directors, and the club originally wore green and black colors to represent their home pitch and the local coal mining industry.
Most recent season and achievements
In the 2022-23 season, Lens achieved remarkable success by finishing second in Ligue 1, qualifying for the Champions League for the third time in their history. The team won 10 consecutive home games during the first half of the season and notably defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 on January 1, 2023, becoming the first team to beat PSG that season. They secured their Champions League qualification with a 3-0 victory against Ajaccio on May 27.
History
Early years
The club faced numerous challenges in its early years, being forced to change home grounds twice between 1907 and 1912 before settling at the Parc des Glissoires. World War I halted all activities until 1919, when the team resumed playing in sky blue colors. The iconic red and gold colors first appeared in 1924, with legends suggesting they were chosen either as a tribute to Spanish heritage or to represent the blood of miners and the valuable coal of the region.
Successful period
Lens experienced their first taste of success in the 1930s and 1940s. In 1937, they gained access to the first division after finishing first in the second division. The club's most remarkable individual achievement came in 1942 when Stefan Dembicki scored 17 goals in a single Coupe de France match, a world record that still stands today. In 1943, Lens won the first division of the Northern Zone, with Dembicki scoring 43 goals in 30 games.
Crisis and recovery
The closure of Lens' mines in 1962 threatened the club's existence, as most players were miners by profession. By 1969, the mine administrators rescinded their ownership, forcing Lens to become an amateur club. However, salvation came through Mayor André Delelis and future president Jean Bondoux, who mobilized community support to save the club. The 1970s saw gradual improvement, including Coupe de France finals in 1975 and notable European campaigns.
Current period
Under Gervais Martel's ownership from 1988, Lens reached new heights. The pinnacle came in 1998 under coach Daniel Leclercq when they won their only Ligue 1 title. They followed this with the Coupe de la Ligue victory in 1999. After periods of relegation and financial difficulties, including a controversial promotion block in 2014, Lens returned to Ligue 1 in 2020 and has since established themselves as a competitive force, culminating in their 2022-23 second-place finish.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Lens has achieved significant domestic success throughout their history. Their crowning achievement remains the Ligue 1 title won in 1997-98, complemented by five runner-up finishes in 1955-56, 1956-57, 1976-77, 2001-02, and 2022-23. In Ligue 2, they have been champions four times and runners-up twice. The club has also claimed the Coupe de la Ligue once in 1998-99 and reached three Coupe de France finals, though they have yet to win the prestigious cup. Additionally, they have won the Coupe Drago three times and the youth Coupe Gambardella on three occasions.
Continental and global competitions
On the European stage, Lens reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1999-2000, marking their best continental performance. They have also won the UEFA Intertoto Cup twice, in 2005 and 2007. Notable European exploits include their famous 6-0 victory over Lazio in 1977 and becoming the only club to defeat Arsenal at Wembley Stadium during their Champions League campaign in 1999.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
While the source material does not provide detailed information about the club's logo evolution, Lens has maintained consistent visual identity centered around their distinctive red and gold color scheme that has defined the club since 1924.
Traditional home and away kits colors
Lens is renowned for their distinctive red and gold colors, earning them the nickname Les Sang et Or (The Blood and Gold). These colors were adopted in 1924, replacing the original green and black of their founding years and the sky blue worn after World War I. The red and gold combination has become synonymous with the club's identity and represents either the Spanish heritage of the region or the blood of miners and valuable coal.
Traditional club anthem
The source material does not contain specific information about RC Lens' traditional club anthem.
Traditional Rivals
Lille OSC
RC Lens maintains a strong rivalry with neighbors Lille OSC, with whom they contest the Derby du Nord. This regional rivalry represents one of the most significant fixtures for both clubs, reflecting the geographical proximity and competitive history between the two northern French teams.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
The source material does not provide detailed information about current or historical sponsorship arrangements for RC Lens.
Nicknames
The club is universally known by the nickname Les Sang et Or, which translates to "The Blood and Gold" in English. This nickname directly references their traditional colors and has become an integral part of the club's identity since the adoption of the red and gold color scheme in 1924.
Ownership and finances
Gervais Martel, a wealthy local businessman, bought control of the club in August 1988 with the help of Serge Doré. Martel's ownership spanning multiple periods has been crucial to the club's development. The club faced significant financial challenges in 2014 when their promotion to Ligue 1 was initially blocked due to irregularities involving a €10 million payment from major shareholder Hafiz Mammadov. Currently, Joseph Oughourlian serves as president since 2017.
Traditions and culture
Lens has retired two numbers in honor of significant contributions to the club. Number 12 is reserved for the club supporters, recognizing them as the 12th man, while number 17 was posthumously retired for Marc-Vivien Foé, the midfielder who played for the club from 1994 to 1999. The club has a strong connection to its mining heritage and working-class roots, which continues to influence its culture and fan base.
Stadium
RC Lens plays at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, which was inaugurated in 1932 as Stade Félix Bollaert. The stadium was later renamed to honor former mayor André Delelis. The venue has witnessed the club's greatest moments, including their historic Ligue 1 title celebration. The stadium was renovated for UEFA Euro 2016, during which time Lens temporarily played at the Stade de la Licorne in Amiens and the Stade de France. The highest recorded attendance at the stadium was 48,912 for a match against Marseille in February 1992, which Lens won 2-1.
Lens
Club Information
Official Name
Lens
Short Name
LEN
Founding Year
1906
Tactical Formation
4-3-3
Market Value
€133.50m
Stadium Information
Stadium Name
Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Capacity
38.223
Address
83, rue Maurice-Carton
City
Lens, Pháp
Surface
grass
Key Personnel
Captain
Brice Samba
Captain's Stats
187cm, 79kg
Head Coach
Pierre Sage
Head Coach Age
47 Age
Coach Nationality
FR
Coach Contract
01/07/2025 - 30/06/2028
Recent Honours
| Season | Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | VĐQG Pháp | 🏆 2 |
| 2022-2023 | VĐQG Pháp | 🏆 2 |
| 2019-2020 | Hạng Hai Pháp | 🏆 2 |
| 2013-2014 | Hạng Hai Pháp | 🏆 2 |
| 2008-2009 | Hạng Hai Pháp | 🏆 1 |
Current Season Stats
| Competition | Rank | Matches | W-D-L | Points |
|---|
Goal Statistics
Ligue 1 (FRA)
66 Scored - 35 Conceded
Ligue 1 (FRA)
42 Scored - 39 Conceded
Champions League (UEFA)
6 Scored - 11 Conceded
Ligue 1 (FRA)
45 Scored - 37 Conceded
Ligue 1 (FRA)
68 Scored - 29 Conceded