A return in Style

A family story

Born in the Saint-Brieuc area, on July 5th 1982, Julien Féret started his footballing career at US Langueux, before joining the neighbouring big club Stade Briochin, In the 1970’s, his father Daniel played there in third division, before his brother Nicolas followed the way. Indeed, the latter played for the club on the Légué banks in the CFA2 division, before continuing his career in Langueux, then at CS Plédran (in the local divisions), as a coach and player.

In Saint-Brieuc, the young Julien’s qualities were being widely spotted, and he soon joined the U17 National Division team, notably alongside his mate Frédéric Marquet (from Plouasne). Then, during the 1999-2000 season, he received an early introduction to the senior team, He received his first start in the CFA2 division through Pierre-Yves David, then the Stade briochin coach, during a game on the road against Stade Lavallois’ Reserve (0-0). He would play such a good game on that night, that Pierre-Yves David would reckon after the game that he “already had the required ability” to play with the first team.
A talented ball provided to the club’s striker Franck Loas, Féret didn’t miss his introduction to the senior level. On the same year, he also scored against Vannes in the sixth round of the Gambardella Cup, although he was unable to avoid a heavy defeat for his team (1-6). Not long after, he scored his first CFA2 goal during the fourteenth league game week against La Flèche (3-2).

Saint-Brieuc were fighting for promotion to the CFA, and « Féfé » did it again the following week-end in Plabennec (1-2), and again a week later against AS Vitré (2-2). Only 18 years old, he was already in contention for a starting eleven position with Rachid Sadraoui and Jérôme Le Solleu, the “kids from Balzac”, both born in the same district in the Cotes d’Armor city. At the time, Julien Féret was spending always more time on the pitch at the Stade Fred-Aubert. A few weeks later, Saint-Brieuc would win in Lamballe by three goals to two in a local derby followed by 2000 spectators, which allowed the Stade Briochin to reach the second place in the division’s standings.
A pure product of the youth teams at Stade briochin, Féret was the club’s revelation. In the national U15 and U17 divisions, Julien came across some wonderkids such as Nantes’ Marama Vahirua and Hassan Ahamada, who had already tasted professional football with the FC Nantes. For the last game of the season, Julien scored again, but Saint-Brieuc had to settle for a draw against La Montagnarde (3-3). The Stade Briochin eventually ended up on a disappointing fourth place and didn’t gain promotion to the CFA

A difficult intermede in Rennes

Repaired by the Stade Rennais, he joined the well-famed Academy from the Breton capital in 2000, although he was also targeted by En Avant de Guingamp. He would spend three seasons there and sign a trainee contract, without managing to earn his place in the professional squad. The change of scenery proved tricky for the man from Saint-Brieuc. Indeed, he went from two weekly training sessions to nine, and experienced difficulties getting used to his new club.
He would most of his playing time with the Reserve in the CFA division (46 games, 3 goals), under Landry Chauvin’s management, but eventually failed to receive a professional contract, despite his clear ability. The club Breton decided not to keep him on board, mainly due to what they perceive as a lack of character they considered a stumbling block for a player this age to break through at Ligue 1 level. “I remember a very likeable young man, Rampillon explained in November last year. He was simply missing something to become a professional. He didn’t show enough certainties. A slight lack of character, of personality and metal ability I guess. We probably gave him a hand by letting him go to toughen up in the National or in Ligue 2, where he really built his character”.

With his career in a complete blur, Julien Féret didn’t know where to stand and even considered giving up on his footballer’s dream. He only received a proposition from Loudéac (DRH) and considered a career as a sports teacher. Finally, during the same summer 2003, Patrice Garande (now Franck Dumas’ assistant at Stade Malherbe de Caen), the Cherbourg manager decided to give him a chance and brought him to join his team in the National division. Recruited as a playmaker, the new Cherbourg player managed a very good 2003-2004 season, playing thirty six games and scoring three goals in the process.
A particularly shy young man, Julien transformed himself into a true team leader in the Manche. His talent was truly revealed, and the Chamois Niortais, then in Ligue 2, proposed him a professional contract in 2004. « Féfé »’s season proved rather satisfying (31 games, 2 goals), but Niort was eventually relegated to the National at the end of the season.

Despite a two years contract tying to the club from the Deux-Sèvres, Féret moved again and joined the ambitious Stade de Reims in summer 2005. Under Thierry Froger’s orders, the lanky Reims number 10 evolved into one of the best players in Ligue 2. Alongside the experienced Cédric Fauré, the midfielder from the Cotes d’Armor blossomed in the second tier of French football during three seasons, between 2005 and 2008, playing 95 games for sixteen goals scored with the club from Champagne.
Julien Féret had completely transformed, and he imposed his magnificent touch of the ball in Champagne. « Féfé » had also improved a lot both in terms of physical ability and endurance, allowing him to favour movement over the physical challenge of his opponents, and make up for his lack of weight. Despite his many assists, the club couldn’t avoid the drop in 2008. During the summer, AS Nancy-Lorraine were quick to agree on terms with the player, offering him a three-year contract at the dawn of the 2008-2009 season. Aged 26, Julien Féret was about to discover Ligue 1.

The French national team on target

The club from Lorraine had found a jewel and they would soon thank their lucky stars for recruiting him. A slow-maturing player, a bit like Mickaël Pagis, Julien Féret played his first game in the top flight on 9th August 2008 against Lille (0-0) at the Stade Marcel-Picot. Féret soon stood out in the AS Nancy-Lorraine squad and became an essential starter at midfield for his first season in Ligue 1 (31 matches, 4 goals). He was also accessory in the club’s good run in the UEFA Cup, playing five games and scoring twice.
His first season wearing the Nancy shirt was a true success, since he also delivered seven assists in the league. Having become an entire part of Pablo Correa’s tactics, he showed great technical qualities which made him one of the “key players” in the team from Lorraine. He also surprised with his excellent vision and finally revealed himself as one of the very best midfielders in the country.

During his second season in Nancy, Pablo Correa’s team experienced difficulties at the beginning of the season, which didn’t prevent Julien Féret managing beautiful performances as an attacking midfielder playing on the wing. At this position, Féret displayed his technique, but his lack of speed was also clearly exposed. He managed a really good 2008-2009 season however, playing mostly on a flank but also sometimes as a central playmaker, his favourite position.
An intelligent player with an ability to play efficiently with both feet, Julien Féret shines through his capacity to play equally as well behind the strikers or on the wings, where is capability to eliminate and disconcert his opponents, his passing and his crossing could create the difference at any time.

In september 2010, he received a pre-selection to take part in France’s national team gathering before the Euro 2012 qualification games against Romania and Luxembourg. A “pre-invitation” which was repeated before the friendly games against England and Brazil. The former Cherbourg player had entered the restricted circle of players likely to wear the Blue shirt.
A reward for all the hard work put on by the Breton midfielder since his debuts. With 6 goals to his tally (for 36 games played) during his third and last season in Lorraine, Julien Féret will return to Stade Rennes in 2011-2012, after scoring his last goal for Nancy against… Rennes, on May 21st at the Route de Lorient. In three good seasons in Lorraine, Julien Féret played 145 goals for 23 goals scored.

His career, in short :

US Langueux
Stade briochin
Stade rennais FC (2000-2003)
AS Cherbourg (2003-2004)
Chamois niortais FC (2004-2005)
Stade de Reims (2005-2008)
AS Nancy-Lorraine (2008-2011)

Sources :
- Archives Ouest France
- www.wikimanche.fr
- www.asnl.net

- Photo : supporters-stade-de-reims.com