The encounter between Nice – Toulouse will be dedicated to Henriette, doyenne of the Gym’s female supporters, who passed away in January at the age of 96 years old. 

She saw everything in the Red and Black’s history. Or almost. Henriette was born in Hanoi, Vietnam - at the heart of French Indochina -, on 26 August 1922. Forced to leave her birthplace as a prisoner during the War of Independence, the lady who gave birth to eight sons moved to Cagnes-sur-mer on 13 August 1954. “And with eight sons, how could she not speak about football?”, joked Thierry, one of her sons.  

Football was something Henriette got into at a very young age, “thanks to a cousin who played with the ball.” On the Côte and under the sunshine, a passion developed for the most beautiful colours in the world. She went to her first match at the Ray in the 60s, a big victory over the immense Stade de Reims (4-0). First in the Populaire, with all of her family and the people from her area - “her favourite stand” - then in the Seconde Haute, she missed nothing of the life of the Aiglons, not the glory moments, not the turbulent times, nor the tense times. She delighted in the exploits of “Jouve, Huck” and the other giants. Her sons adopted the same love, the same path and followed the players from across borders.

The Allianz, Europe, Mario 

Despite the state of her health, Henriette, like her club, migrated to the Plaine du Var in 2013. She celebrated at that first win over Valenciennes (4-0 victory on 22 September), with a new flamboyant squad with artists that took her back through the decades. “Ben Arfa, Belhanda and Balotelli“ all made her proud. The Europa League too.

This season, despite the fact that her health began to decline, she attended the games against Strasbourg, Vitesse, and followed the rest from home. Always with a cross in her hand, so that her Gym would continue to play under His watchful eye. 

Her 8 sons, 22 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter born on 28 December, will all be present at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday, to pay tribute to the doyenne of the supporters. 

A tribute associated with OGC Nice, her forever club. And this time, it will be the club that prays for her...

C.D.

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