Daniel THOIRAIN

Born in Reims, Daniel Thoirain was a midfielder who naturally began his footballing career in his hometown. In 1964, aged 18, he began his first match for the Champagne region club, and within a season, he would get to experience the First Division. He would go on to remain five seasons at the club before being scouted by Bastia, a club who were habitually in the top flight, and signed Thoirain in 1969. During his year and a half in Corsica, he would make over 40 appearances. He then left for a brief spell of a few months with Alès before joining Troyes in 1971. He would go on to become a key man in the Troyes side during his 5 seasons with the club, playing in over 120 matches, of which a handful were in the First Division. In 1976, he moved on to Angoulême, playing in the Second Division at the time, for a two-year stint. He then signed for Stade Rennais in 1978, spending a solitary year in Brittany. He was first-choice for the Red and Blacks, playing 28 matches, scoring 3 goals in that time. He would end his professional playing days after his spell at Rennes, but continued to play amateur football in the Fourth Division with Cholet.