History of Stade Rennais F.C.

Key players of the Stade Rennais in 1903 were Martin Peter, Langelier Montouan, Mr. Duchesne, Guilbert Ghis, Mr. Marcel, Mr. Leroy, Mr. Audren, and Mr. Jamin.

US Servannaise's domination continued for the next four years as they won five titles on the run, with each time the Stade Rennais UC second, less than five points behind the champions.

The final, played in Paris against FC Lyon, was delayed several times, but in the end, the Rouge et Noirs became Interfederal Champions of France thanks to a 7–1 win.

The President of the Stade Rennais, Isidore Odorico, brought several foreign players to the club (Lothka, Szabo, Nico...), but the side remained unable to win the Western Division, and President Odorico's attitude towards both amateurism and restrictions on foreign players conflicted with the Western Division's direction.

When the second World War started in 1939, the French football league was disbanded, and the Stade Rennais Université Club reverted to amateur status.

The club began to play with young players from its youth academy, such as Sylvain Wiltord, Jocelyn Gourvennec, Ulrich Le Pen and Laurent Huard, and were able to return to Division 1.

Rennais bought stars at a high price such as South-American Lucas Severino (140 millions of French franc),[7] Mario Hector Turdo for the Division 1 2000-01 but these players were all failures.

[9][10] In the Ligue 1 2004–05 campaign, Rennes managed to finish in a commendable fourth place in the final standings, their best ever position, securing them automatic qualification for the UEFA Cup.

After having done a huge recruitment (Jérôme Leroy, Sylvain Wiltord, Mickael Pagis, Rod Fanni), Rennes was considered as a challenger for this 2007–08 season.

The match, a Breton derby, was played at Stade de France in Paris on 10 May, but Rennes missed its chance by losing 1–2.

An agreement to transfer Moussa Sow to Lille OSC was completed in June and the arrival of Georges Mandjeck, Onyekachi Apam, Victor Hugo Montano and Johann Carrasso was confirmed the same month.

For the price of €6,5 Million, the successful Colombian forward Víctor Montaño was also drafted from Montpellier HSC, expected to add significant offensive strength.

[12] The Swedish defender Petter Hansson and the forward Jimmy Briand with 102 and 169 matches played for Stade Rennais, were sold to AS Monaco and Lyon respectively.