That cautious strategy, Parrot says, is rooted within the membership’s function because the standard-bearer for a former mining heartland.
“As a membership which has its roots within the mining firms, and relies in an space with a social housing price of 60%, we have now a accountability to be financially affordable,” the director outlines. “I believe it is a historic facet that we must always respect.”
“The membership positively performs a socio-economic function,” Parrot continues, notably pointing to the native donations it makes by way of its basis. “We’re in a area the place the unemployment price is the very best within the nation and the median wage is among the many lowest, so we attempt to do our bit.”
Whereas the city itself solely has a inhabitants of simply over 30,000, its sizable catchment space throughout the Artois area of the north of France means it has no situation filling out the 38,000-capacity Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Given the financial downturn the world suffered when the mines closed, it is easy to attract a parallel with golf equipment throughout the Channel that are additionally primarily based in former industrial heartlands.
“It units us aside,” Parrot explains. “Our stadium is constructed on prime of two former mines and is known as after the director of the city’s mining firm.
“After we signal a participant, we give them a miner’s lamp. It is a symbolic act; we clarify how the lamp was used again within the day, and the way it now guides Lens gamers.”
Each residence match, the followers greet their gamers’ return for the second half with a rendition of “Les Corons”, a Eighties pop music paying tribute to the world’s mining heritage.
This 12 months, followers unfurled an in depth tifo show marking the a hundred and twentieth anniversary of the Courrieres mine catastrophe, Europe’s deadliest accident of its variety, which killed 1099 native miners.
The membership additionally celebrates Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners, by sporting a commemorative shirt yearly throughout an early-December residence match.
This 12 months’s Sainte-Barbe fixture, a 2-0 win over Good, got here within the midst of an eight-match profitable streak.
Former Celtic and Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard, Lens’ prime scorer this season, headed in two near-identical objectives, each assisted by left-back Matthieu Udol.
A lot of the inventive drive on this 12 months’s Lens crew has additionally come from summer time signing Florian Thauvin. With 10 objectives and 7 assists in all competitions, the previous Newcastle man is even contending for a spot in France’s World Cup squad.
“He is the marquee participant that we wanted this season,” Parrot says of the 33-year-old.
“We would not have the monetary leverage, however we will put ahead different elements corresponding to the arrogance we put in them and our ardour. These arguments can solely go thus far, although, so his success will assist.”
Whereas a derby defeat to Lille final weekend did see them lose floor on PSG, Lens stay probably the most credible challenger to the league leaders heading into this season’s closing straight.
Going toe-to-toe with the Parisians over the long run, although, stays a tall order for a membership which has readily embraced its underdog standing.
