Dominique MARAIS

Dominique Marais was born in Lyon, and - naturally - started his professional career at Olympique Lyonnais in 1976, after having completing his apprenticeship over several years in the club's youth set-up. This very good central defender went on to play 127 games in the top flight with Lyon, over five seasons, before leaving to join Tours in 1981. As a player who had earned his spurs in the First Division, Marais easily imposed himself as first choice over two seasons, making 89 appearances, between 1981 and 1983. At the end of this spell, he was recruited by Stade Rennais who, as a newly promoted side, were looking for a versatile experienced defender to bolster their rearguard. In his first season with the Red and Blacks, he played in virtually every match, but was helpless to prevent his team from being relegated tot he Second Division. After that, he would play both in the First Division (93 matches) and Second Division (48 matches) with the Breton club. Used in several defensive roles, he would become a first-choice player with Rennes throughout the five seasons spent at the club, with the exception of his last season, where he suffered from competition for places. He finished with 163 appearances for Rennes, scoring two goals. In 1988, he left Brittany to return to his native region, where he finished his playing career at Villeurbanne, retiring from the game in 1989.