Éric Roy: Stade Brestois prepare a lasting tribute

Stade Brestois will turn its next home match into a lasting tribute to Éric Roy, whose death has left a deep absence around the club. The former coach died on June 17 from pancreatic cancer, and his family, players and supporters will gather at Francis-Le Blé to remember him.

Roy’s wife, Loëtitia, and their two children will attend the ceremony. She and club president Denis Le Saint are due to place flowers beside the mural dedicated to Roy at the stadium entrance. A tribute film will be shown, while his daughter Victoria-Rose is expected to speak before a minute of applause. Brest’s players will warm up in “King Eric” shirts and wear a special kit featuring a crown and the word “King”. They will also enter to U2’s “Magnificent”, one of Roy’s favourite songs.

The tribute was delayed until this occasion after the LFP declined to suspend the punishment affecting the Ultras’ stand for Brest’s first home match against Toulouse on August 29. Ludovic Ajorque and Hugo Magnetti have described Roy’s influence on the squad, while successor Julien Lachuer has urged the team to honour him through its performance.

Brest sit sixth in Ligue 1 after taking one point from their opening match, a 2-2 draw, with two goals scored and two conceded. Their recent record is three defeats and two draws. The next fixture is at home to Paris Saint-Germain on September 13.