France with its own drama, if that is the word. Second division, still divided into two groups, was reshaped the prvious season and the same was following the end of 1979-80. Reasons are not clear, but again almost the whole Group A was moved to Group B and, correspondingly, the members of Group B – to Group A. Only Besancon and Angouleme remained in Group A and FC Paris and Thionville in Group B. Strange, but not new, and in any case the changes were for the next season. As for 1979-80, there was not much exciting chase in Group A. Three clubs ended far above the rest. At the bottom of the table was more interesting – the teams were relatively equal, but at the end ECAC Chaumont (18th) and Amicale Luce (17th) were relegated. Two relegated in this group, but three in the other – again, strange, and even more so – because of the following reshaping, two were relegated, but three promoted to Group A – and the other way around in Group B. But the top of the league mattered much more. RCFC Besancon finished 4th with 39 points. Those immediately above Besancon finished with 46 points, however.
En Avant Guingamp ended 3rd on worse goal-difference, it seems. It seems, because the second placed team is recorded with the same number of points and goal-difference must have been the dividing point.
Stade Rennes ended 2nd, but… they had 20 wins, 7 ties, and 6 losses. This makes 47 points, not 46. There is no indication for some penalty deducting a point from their record, so the only other reason would be a statistical mistake. Confusing that, for Rennes ended with better goal-difference than Guingamp and whether the points were real or not, they finished above Guingamp. But it was not important, because only one team was getting promoted and Rennes was not exactly a contender.
The group winners finished with comfortable lead of 5 points. 22 wins, 7 ties, 5 losses, 51 points. FC Tours reigned supreme this season. Much more than that actually: Tours won promotion for the first time – they never played top league in their history, so it was historic victory.
Their logo gives 1951 as founding year, but the club was much older – founded in 1919, although under different name. Which they changed, and then changed again to their present name. The city of Tours has Celtic roots and the name comes from the name of the settlers, belonging to the tribe or clan Turon. Hence the motto of the club, borrowed from the city’s motto. Sounds brave and proud, but the club was modest and remained modest. At last a victory.
A historic squad in terms of the club, but otherwise nothing much. Quite normal for second division club, which never played higher than that and not blessed with money. Excellent performance, perhaps helped by weak season of others, but this was not a squad strong enough to survive among the best. It was clear that new players were needed for the next year, so some of the heroes may stay only as second division heroes. Despite that, this was the greatest achievement of Tours to date.