RENE BLIARD
(1932 – 2009)
Red Star : 1959-1960 :
Back : Penverne, Bruat, Allart, Moreira, Nungesser, Loubières
Front : Desruisseaux, Bliard, Bourbotte, Fernandez, Chicha
RENE BLIARD
Born 18th October 1932 in Dizy, died 28th September 2009
Played the majority of his career with Reims before two spells at Red Star (1959 -1960 & 1961-1964) then with Rouen.
A career blighted by injury, of which the most serious denied him the right to take part in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
One mans' pain is another mans' gain and the man to bloom during this World Cup was Just Fontaine, top scorer in 1958 with thirteen goals, a record unlikely to be broken.
Playing for Reims, René Bliard won two Champion de France medals in 1955 & 1958 as well as taking part in two European Cup Finals (1955 & 1959), a final of the Coupe Latine (1955), top goalscorer in the first division (30 goals), in 1955.
Capped seven times for his country, France (1955 – 1958), never finding the net but nevertheless enjoying victories over Spain, England and a draw against the Soviet Union.
René Bliard joined Red Star, in 1959, in D 2 at that time, along with Armand Penverne and other Rémois.
A season that ended in confusion with Red Star being excluded from the second divison.
René Bliard finished his career at Saint-Ouen before settling down to live in the Val de Marne.
The footbal world has lost a great striker and a charming personality.
At Reims : Just Fontaine, Albert Batteux, René Bliard, Robert Jonquet & Armand Penverne, in August 1957 (collection GT Valck)
From Miroir-Sprint, in 1959 : © Photo Jean Jaffré – Miroir Sprint
Left, Red Stars sporting director, M. Curien show off the Stade de Paris to Maouche, Penverne, Bliard & Desruisseaux
René Bliard at Saint-Ouen alongside Gérard Bourbotte, in 1959-1960
René Bliard training at the Stade de Saint-Ouen (document Gilles Saillant)