Born in Rodez, this thirty-year-old has lived in Montpellier for twelve years, where he is commercial director of Connect Occitanie, a group that has several brands in the region. Paco is also a big soccer fan. A player for ten seasons with the Ruthenian club, he then embarked on the collection of Monaco shirts, after being worn. The museum has more than 400 of him! He was “like crazy” after the draw for the Coupe de France.
What is the difference between a worn jersey and a replica? François Fernandez masters: “The label is already different, also the material and the logo is not embroidered but a bit in 3D. It’s quite obvious and then I know the sizes of the players.” He also talks about a personal experience: “I was teased only once! In 2006 I bought a shirt of the Italian Christian Vieri but it came in size M….”.
He is clueless on the matter. And for good reason, given that, after a certain Julien, who lives in Burgundy, François Fernandez is the second French collector of Monaco shirts! All used up. He has more than 400 in his house in the Hérault, which has gradually been transformed into a museum.
He was born in Rodez in 1986, halfway between his parents’ two cities of origin, Millau for his mother and Decazeville for his father. With his S-series baccalaureate in his pocket, won at the François-d’Estaing high school, he chose to move into commerce: EGC at the CCI in Rodez, then Bordeaux, where he obtained his diploma but also his first job. He spent three years at Orange before settling in Montpellier twelve years ago. He is the commercial director of Connect Occitanie, a group that has several Darty, SFR, Fnac connect stores (including the one in Rodez) and whose headquarters are in Balaruc, near Sète.
If he is “rather sedentary” in his professional activity, he is not at all in his passion. The one with the round ball. He put on crampons at the age of 8, when he attended Saint-Paul primary school, near the Paul-Lignon stadium, encouraged by his friend Clément Loubière. Thus he defended the Ruthenian colors until his departure to study in the Pink City, savoring, in particular, the jousts in 15 National years.
The only one of this generation to have made it to the seniors is Loïc Tulsa, who played in the CFA under Raf. He is also still “a loyal supporter” of Ligue 2 residents: “I follow all the results closely, I watch the matches on TV, I went to see them in Nîmes and I come four or five times every year to the Paul-Lignon. It is my club forever”.
Behind Monaco to the four corners of Europe
But, for just over a quarter of a century, there has therefore been a second one, Monaco in this case. He gladly confirms: “I’m an unconditional fan. Even in Ligue 2 I never let them go. In fifteen years I must have missed ten games. I’ll see them in Italy, Germany, England.”
He was present on 26 May 2004, in Gelsenkirchen, for the Champions League final against José Mourinho’s Porto. He hasn’t forgotten: “It was a fortnight before my high school diploma. I left by night train for Paris, then by bus, with a group of fans, for Germany. To make it 3-0!”. His love for Monaco is … the tunic. Much stronger than the simple green rectangle. It all started in 1997, the year of Rock’s sixth men’s title. Ali Benarbia was her first idol.
“I then got into the habit of visiting the players in the hotel on the morning of the matches and waiting for them at their coach after the matches,” explains the interested party. Since I speak Spanish, I was able to discuss with South Americans and Spaniards”. The first shirt collected was that of the Colombian Juan Pablo Pino, impressed with the number 20. His collection has gradually grown, thanks also to his two friends Ronny Rodelin and Laurent Bessière, as well as at auctions.
“This fever has become an addiction!”, he admits, with a dazzling smile. He loves them all but has “a very special affection” for those of Lilian Thuram, Kylian Mbappé, Thierry Henry, Rui Barros or even Manuel Amoros. If his museum caught fire, he would save those of Marcelo Gallardo (he has seven) and Fernando Morientes.
During the draw for the 32nd Coupe de France final on Monday, François Fernandez was “like crazy” when the innocent hand offered a Monaco – Rodez match in early January. “Paco” will certainly be “torn” but he couldn’t have dreamed of anything better: “I especially want a shirt!”.
