Hervé GUERMEUR

Born in the Finistère region of Brittany, Hervé Guermeur started his playing days as a youngster with the club Phalange d'Armor in Quimper. In 1967, the striker Guermeur, who mostly figured as a winger, signed for Stade Rennais, aged 18. He was given his chance to play in the First Team with the professionals by Jean Prouff, who was the club's Manager at the time, making three consecutive appearances in the process. He would struggle, however, to become a first-choice member of the team in the four seasons that followed, having to content himself with a dozen appearances per season. He played a very minor role in the Cup run ending in a French Cup victory in 1971, playing in the return leg of the Quarter Final against Monaco, and even scored one of Rennes four goals in the victory. It wasn't until the 1972/1973 season that he eventually made the breakthrough as a regular starter, and he proved to be a clinical finisher, finishing the club's top scorer two seasons in a row. He was even named captain for a few matches in his final season at the club in 1976/1977. The Red and Blacks, who were in dire financial straits and struggling on the field, would end up relegated to the Second Division, and were forced to sell off their key players, including Guermeur, to reduce the wage bill considerably. In total, he made 242 appearances for Rennes, scoring 58 goals for the club. He left to join Lucé in the Second Division for the 1977/1978 season, and then finished his career with Quimper, where he would experience the club's best years, in the Second Division over three seasons. He subsequently went into football management in his native Finistère, taking over the role of First Team Manager at US Pont l'Abbé, and then at Stade Quimpérois. He would also, at the same time, take on the responsibility for the sports facilities in his home town.