October 1997 – N°29 – Cities – ENGLISH

Three years ago, a few eyebrows were raised when Lens was revealed as being one of the ten World Cup venues alongside far larger cities. And it’s true that Lens is the smallest city ever to host games in World Cup history. It’s also true, however, that the city of Lens presides over a surrounding area with a population of well over 350,000. And above all, around here, football has always been followed with a positively religious fervour. Just look at our local team, the Racing Club of Lens, whose supporters are generally recognised as the most loyal in the country.

For lovers of the game, myself included, the World Cup is a lot more than just another big event. All our efforts to make football synonymous with our city, notably at municipal level, have well and truly paid off. And after being on the world stage next June, the city of Lens will be internationally recognised from here on in. What more could we ask for? It’s a dream come true.

How are preparations coming along to welcome the thousands of supporters expected for the matches at Félix Bollaert?

The people of Lens are well-known for their friendliness and hospitality, and we are determined to make the World Cup in Lens a memorable occasion, full of gaiety and typically local colour. Fans from around the world will be able to soak up the big match atmosphere in what amounts to a brand new stadium. After two years of refurbishment, Félix Bollaert now provides comfort as well as spectator safety. The new all-seater stands, which include extra office space and better changing room facilities, have given the stadium a new look without it losing its unique identity: the distinctly “British” feel around the ground remains as strong as ever.

This year the Lens Fair, which has just finished, was organised around a football theme. How are businesses in the region responding to the idea of the World Cup?

Everybody will be rallying around to promote a positive image of the area, and to refute the completely erroneous clichés that still prevail about this former coal-mining region. Industries and business in the region really intend to show off their skills and get-up-and-go to the whole world. A fine example of this is the “Union Commerciale de Lens”, a group which has been working with the municipality for a number of years, so that a series of entertainments can be staged during the competition.

The buoyant mood in the Stade Félix Bollaert during the France vs South Africa friendly match was a foretaste of what’s in store for us during the World Cup. And next June, Lens’ reputation as a warm and welcoming city will be more glittering than ever!