Bernard SAMSON

Bernard Samson was born in the Côtes d'Armor region of Brittany, in Plancoët, where he would begin his playing days, until he joined Saint Brieuc in 1974. In 1980, this defensive midfielder was spotted by Stade Rennais, who signed him. He spent the first two seasons there playing in the Reserves, winning the title in the French Fourth Division in the process. On 27th February 1981, he finally made his debut with the professionals in a match against Rouen, playing in the Second Division, but it wasn't until the 1982/1983 season that he really became a part of the First Team set-up. Frustrated by competition for places in midfield, he tried his hand as right-back as the season wore on. In 1983, he would finish Division 2 Champions with Rennes, and gained access to the First Division the following season. During the 1983/1984 season, he would go on to make over thirty appearances in the top flight, but the Red and Blacks were relegated at the end of that year. Rennes bounced back the following season, but Samson wasn't retained by the club, who preferred to loan him out to Abbeville in the Second Division for the 1985/1986 season. A year later, he left Rennes to sign for Guingamp, where he would finish his professional playing days in 1987. He then dropped down in to amateur football at St Pol de Léon until 1993, when he hung up his boots to manage several teams in his native region.