The day OM made history
It was just after 10.10pm on26 May 1993 in Munich. Olympique de Marseille had just won the Champions League against AC Milan thanks to a goal from Basile Boli. The whole of Marseille was overjoyed, the city was jubilant and thousands of Marseillais rushed to the Vieux-Port to celebrate this victory, which was both a source of pride and a symbol. Olympique de Marseille became the first French club to win a European football cup. The victory gave rise to a non-verbal expression so dear to the people of Marseille: “A jamais les premiers!
Who would have thought on 31 August 1899, when Olympique de Marseille was founded by a 23-year-old lad from the Ardennes, that OM would become one of the jewels in the crown of the city of Marseille? Who would have thought that René Dufaure de Montmirail would forever be part of our city’s history? This wonderful story, which has just celebrated its 120th anniversary, is just like Marseille itself. OM has seen some great years, but it has also had some more complicated seasons. With 10 French league titles (11 if you count the amateur title in 1929), 10 French Cups, 3 League Cups, 3 Champions Trophies and the famous Champions League won in 1993, OM has the most impressive record in French football and has left an indelible mark on the game.
What does Olympique de Marseille represent today? Although its results have been up and down, OM has an incomparable aura not only in its home town but throughout France. The famous phrase “L’OM c’est nous” (OM is us), often proclaimed by Marseille supporters, shows that OM is much more than just a football club. OM is a friend, a relative, a boyfriend, we love it for what it is, it can make us completely ‘fadas’ as well as making us extremely proud. OM plays an important role in Marseille because, as well as uniting a whole population around the same passion, it regulates the general atmosphere of the city. Many foreign players who have played for some of the biggest clubs, including OM, are still proud to have worn the white shirt, and continue to follow the progress of our favourite club.
OM has the ability to unite people around a common interest. During matches at the Stade Vélodrome, ‘the temple’, people forget everything and get behind their team for 90 minutes. It’s a festival that the people of Marseille celebrate together, a festival during which the various supporters’ groups are particularly inventive in coming up with new ‘tifos’* and new songs, a festival that shows that attachment to the club is passed on from one generation to the next.
OM is an integral part of Marseille’s vernacular heritage : this beautiful love story that has lasted for 120 years is one of its many riches.
*Tifo: visual and vocal entertainment in the stands, organised by supporters of a particular team.
