Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Guest(s)
Release Date
9 November 2023
Duration
57 min
In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney revisit one of the most romantic underdog stories in football history — the incredible Calais Racing Union Football Club (RUFC) and their unforgettable 1999–2000 Coupe de France run.
A modest club from northern France, Calais were composed entirely of part-time players — teachers, dockworkers, and local tradesmen. Competing in the fourth tier of French football, they were never meant to challenge the giants of Ligue 1. Yet, through a combination of determination, teamwork, and belief, they carved out one of the most improbable cup runs ever seen in Europe.
Under the guidance of coach Ladislas Lozano, Calais swept aside professional opposition with fearless attacking football and unbreakable spirit. They defeated Lille, Strasbourg, and Bordeaux — all top-flight teams — on their way to the Coupe de France final, a stage no amateur team had ever reached before.
Played at the Stade de France before 80,000 spectators, Calais faced FC Nantes, a powerhouse of French football. Against all odds, they took the lead through Jérôme Dutitre, before falling 2–1 to a late penalty. Though they didn’t lift the trophy, Calais lifted the nation’s heart — embodying the pure magic of football’s unpredictability.
The episode explores not only the matches themselves but also the human stories behind the miracle — the players returning to their day jobs the next morning, the fans’ astonishing devotion, and how this fairytale moment captured France’s imagination at the turn of the millennium.
Calais RUFC 1999–2000 weren’t just a team — they were a reminder of why football still matters.
Takeaways
Calais RUFC’s run remains one of football’s greatest underdog tales.
The Coupe de France’s open format keeps football’s romantic spirit alive.
The team’s humility and unity captivated the entire nation.
Their run highlighted the deep emotional power of amateur football.
Calais’s legacy endures as a symbol of hope for every small club.
Calais RUFC 1999–2000: The Cup Run That Stopped France
In 2000, France witnessed one of the most astonishing football stories of all time. Calais RUFC, a team of amateurs from the fourth tier, went on a fairytale run in the Coupe de France, defeating professional clubs and capturing the imagination of an entire nation.
Under manager Ladislas Lozano, Calais balanced discipline with heart. Their victories over Lille, Strasbourg, and Bordeaux were achieved through hard work, team unity, and a belief that transcended status. Against all odds, they reached the Coupe de France final, facing giants FC Nantes at the Stade de France before 80,000 fans.
Amazingly, Calais took the lead through Jérôme Dutitre, sending shockwaves through French football. But in the closing minutes, Nantes scored twice — the winner from a late penalty — to deny the dream. Yet, even in defeat, Calais achieved immortality.
The following morning, many of their players returned to their day jobs — as teachers, dockworkers, and office clerks. But for one glorious night, they stood as equals to the elite. Their humility and passion reminded the world why football’s greatest stories aren’t always written by millionaires, but by dreamers.
The Calais story is the essence of the cup’s magic — the improbable, the emotional, the human.
Calais 1999–2000 weren’t just giant-killers. They were the heart of French football.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Calais RUFC’s origins and amateur status
The structure of the Coupe de France and its open format
Key victories against Lille, Strasbourg, and Bordeaux
The 2000 Coupe de France final vs FC Nantes
The cultural and emotional legacy of Calais’s cup run
Defeating Ligue 1 sides Lille, Strasbourg, and Bordeaux
Reaching the Coupe de France final as a fourth-tier club
Jérôme Dutitre’s opening goal in the final vs Nantes
The emotional support from neutral fans across France
Losing 2–1 in heartbreak but earning national admiration
Players returning to work the next day after the final
Notable Manager
Ladislas Lozano
Notable Players
Cédric Schille, Réginald Becque, Jérôme Dutitre, Mickaël Gerard, Pascal Cygan, Frédéric Adam, Christophe Hogard, Frédéric Darras, Laurent Croci, Ludovic Bourgeois, Nicolas Paquet
Style of Play
4-4-2 Formation, Compact Defence, Counter-Attacking, High Work Rate, Team Cohesion, Cup Specialists
Calais RUFC’s success in 1999–2000 was built on discipline, unity, and a sense of shared purpose. Despite being part-time players, they operated with the tactical intelligence and work ethic of professionals. Ladislas Lozano favoured a structured 4-4-2, compact in defence but always ready to strike on the counter.
Calais played with high intensity and organisation. The back line, led by Réginald Becque and Laurent Croci, was disciplined and well-drilled, relying on positional awareness rather than pace. In midfield, the tireless Mickaël Gerard and Frédéric Darras provided energy and pressing, while on the flanks, Calais sought to exploit spaces left by more adventurous opponents.
The real magic came in transition. Calais counter-attacked with direct passing and fearless intent, often catching professional sides by surprise. Jérôme Dutitre, the hero of the final, epitomised their spirit — technically modest but brave, opportunistic, and willing to seize his moment.
What defined Calais wasn’t individual brilliance, but collective belief. Every player understood his role. Every tackle, pass, and clearance carried the weight of shared ambition. When they beat Bordeaux in the semi-final, it wasn’t luck — it was organisation meeting destiny.
In an era dominated by money, Calais 1999–2000 were football’s purest antidote — a reminder that strategy, spirit, and solidarity can overcome any financial divide.
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