Louis Cler
 Cler | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 30 December 1905 | ||
| Place of birth | Saint-Raphaël, France | ||
| Date of death | 15 December 1950 (aged 44) | ||
| Place of death | Villejuif, France | ||
| Height | 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1927–1938 | Cannes | ||
| 1938–1939 | Antibes | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Louis Cler (30 December 1905 – 15 December 1950) was a French footballer who played as a midfielder for Cannes in the early 1930s.
Career
[edit]Born on 30 December 1905 in Saint-Raphaël,[1] Cler joined the ranks of AS Cannes in 1919, aged 14,[2] and made his debut with the first team around 1926.[1][3] In 1933, he was described by the local press as having "remarkable qualities of skill and relaxation", which earned him several caps for both France B and the South-East selection.[4]
Cler went on to established himself as the team's captain, playing a crucial role, together with Pierre Fechino, Billy Aitken, and Charles Bardot, in helping Cannes win the Coupe de France in 1932, scoring the only goal of the final to seal a 1–0 victory over RC Roubaix, and then achieve a runner-up finish in the inaugural edition of the French professional league, losing the final 4–3 to Olympique Lillois.[1][5][6] The following day, the journalists of the French newspaper L'Auto (currently L'Équipe) stated that he "played a dazzling game, giving his all".[7]
- 1932 Coupe de France final
-
The Cannes group on its way to the Cup final. -
Louis Cler shaking hands with Paul Doumer after winning the final. -
Louis Cler carrying the Coupe de France trophy.
Cler stayed at Cannes for over a decade, from 1927 until 1938, when he joined Antibes, where he retired in 1939, aged 34.[1] In total, he scored 12 goals in 163 Ligue 1 matches.[1]
Later life and death
[edit]During the Second World War, Cler was taken prisoner and remained as such for nearly the entire conflict.[2] Weakened upon his return, he eventually fell seriously ill, after which he was financially supported by his former teammates, who organized a tribute match between AS Cannes and OGC Nice in December 1950, with the proceeds being donated to him. A few days later, however, he died at the Villejuif hospital on 15 December 1950, aged 44.[2][3]
Honours
[edit]- AS Cannes
- Coupe de France
- Champions: 1932
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Louis Cler - Fiche de stats du joueur de football" [Louis Cler - Football Player Stats Sheet]. www.pari-et-gagne.com (in French). Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "A... poteaux rompus" [A... broken posts]. gallica.bnf.fr (in French). Midi olympique. 19 December 1950. p. 4. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Louis Cler est mort cette nuit" [Louis Cler died last night]. gallica.bnf.fr (in French). France-soir. 16 December 1950. p. 9. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "En vue de la partie Sochaux-Oannes" [In view of the Sochaux-Oannes match]. gallica.bnf.fr (in French). L'Éclair comtois. 27 April 1933. p. 5. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "Grandes Equipes AS Cannes" [Great Teams AS Cannes]. www.pari-et-gagne.com (in French). Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "Saison 1931-1932 Cannes Vainqueur" [1931-1932 Season Cannes Winner]. www.om4ever.com (in French). Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "La victoire de l'A.S. Cannes sur le Racing de Roubaix en finale de la Couse de France" [AS Cannes' victory over Racing de Roubaix in the final of the French Championship]. gallica.bnf.fr (in French). L'Auto. 25 April 1932. p. 5. Retrieved 1 May 2025.