Franz PLEYER

Born in Vienna, Austrian defender Franz Pleyer began with AC Brigittenauer in the 1920s. Discrete and remarkable as a player, he signed for Stade Rennais in 1933. An energetic player, he would rapidly become a lynchpin in the Rennes defence, playing in a 2-3-5 formation. He would often be picked on the left, and he would be an outstanding defender for the Red and Blacks. In 1935, he would reach the French Cup Final with his team, only to lose out (0-3) to Marseille in the big game. He fell in love with France, and - indeed - with Brittany, and requested naturalisation as a French citizen, which was accepted in December 1936. Franz then became known as François. In 1939, he signed up for the French Army, in the 41st Infantry Regiment, where he got picked for the French Military Football Team. During the Second World War, he was forced to put his football career on hold, as he would spend much of the conflict as a prisoner of war. In 1945, he returned to Stade Rennais as Player/Manager, a role which he would occupy for seven seasons, including three very good ones. On 27th May 1951, he would take part in his last encounter for the club in a Red and Black shirt, on the last day of the First Division season in 1951, playing in a 2-1 win over Marseille. It would make him the second oldest player, in the club's history, to take part in a match for Stade Rennais, aged 40 at the time.