The Toulouse Football Club is one of the most popular institutions of French women's football. Semi-finalist of the Champions League thirteen years ago; won four consecutive D1 champion titles between 1998 and 2002; the TFC is now 5th in the women's D2 pool. An inconstant journey for a club always in search of its former glory which has as ambition to reconnect with its history.

"The club hopes for a quick return to D1, and despite the big competition in this group, we will try to be as close as possible to the first place, the championship will be intense until the last day." Sylvain Delgado, TFC coach, did not hide his intention and goals for this year 2015-2016 during an interview given to the official website of the purple club early in the season. Today the situation is different since the TFC is fifth after 10 days, thirteen points behind the leader, Olympique Marseille. An uncomfortable situation for a club accustomed to success in the past but struggling to find the elite (3rd consecutive season in D2). After an ambitious summer transfer window (Editor's note: six recruits) and especially the signatures of four players from D1 clubs, the purples hoped logically to be closer to the first two places in the pool.

TFC

"We have to be consistent throughout the season, we have to learn the lessons from last season when, against teams within our reach, we have not managed to materialize", for the Toulouse coach the lesson was seem to have been retained by his group. Yet, again this season the violets have lost valuable points against teams of bottom of table as Nivolet (2-0), red lantern of group C, or against the Véore Montoison during the 10th day (1-3). As the away matches end for the TFC with the reception of Nivolas on December 6, should quickly begin to look behind since Le Puy (7th), the first relegation after the reform of the second French division, is only four small dots ...

First French club in the Champions League semi-final

The Toulousaines did not always have the same difficulties. Indeed, the TFC is one of the most popular clubs in France. It was in the 2000s that the club of the pink city had its glory years. At first in 1998 with his first title of champion of France of D1. It was in 2002 that the TFC really made history in French women's football by reaching the semi-finals of the brand new Champions League (a first for a tricolor club). There followed a long descent into hell, progressive and slender to the second division. But even today, no one at the club has forgotten this glorious past. Supporters and leaders, who have the hope to participate again in the most prestigious European competitions. It will first go up among the elite as quickly as possible, an objective assumed therefore but still far from being realized. However, let's hope that Toulouse one day regains its past glory.

Photo credits: www.tfc.info