Alain PHILIPPE

Alain Philippe was a native of Saint-Brieuc, and started his footballing career as a youth with local clubs, Stade Lamballais and then CO Briochin. A talented midfielder, he was recruited in 1972 by Stade Rennais. In his first season with the Red and Blacks, he would only see action with the Reserves, and Philippe turned professional the following season. He became a first-team starter at the heart of the Rennes midfield as of matchday 11 in the 1973/1974 season, and his good performances helped him to get a call up to the French U21s on 8th September 1974, for his only cap. This was due, unfortunately, to a knee injury which happened during his lone appearance for the national side, and which kept his out of action for four long months. That meant that he didn't get much game-time in the ill-fated 1974/1975 season, which saw Rennes relegated to the Second Division. In the 1975/1976 season, he was converted to the position of right-back, and it worked out well for him and for Rennes, as Rennes were promoted back to the top flight at the end of it. Back in the First Division for the 1976/1977 season, he was once more limited in game-time when his injury woes returned, injured on the other knee this time, which meant 6 months on the sidelines. Rennes were relegated yet again at the end of that season, and Philippe ended his stay at Rennes with another season in the Second Division, making 18 appearances. He then moved on to Troyes in 1978, who were - alas - relegated at the end of the season to the the Third Division. Despite being courted by Guy Roux at Auxerre, he chose to sign for Lucé in Division Two for the 1979/1980 season. That decision would prove to be a costly mistake, and he decided to hang up his boots as a professional footballer in 1980. He continued to play football as an amateur with AS Brestoise in the Third Division from 1980-1987, mainly as a sweeper. At the same time, he reconverted into a car salesman.