Jacky PAILLARD

Born in Laval, Jacky Paillard began his career in 1978 with his hometown club at Youth Team level. This talented defensive midfielder made his professional debut in the First Team in 1982 under Michel Le Millinaire. From that day on, he went on to become a long-term first team regular, scoring five goals in a total of 139 appearances during his five seasons with the club. He also played his part in his team's European odyssey in 1983-1984, including the amazing feat of eliminating Dynamo Kiev, one of the biggest clubs in Europe at the time. In 1987, he attracted the interest of several First Division clubs, and chose to head to Toulouse, where he stayed for three seasons, making 113 appearances, finding the net on 9 occasions in that time. With his wealth of experience in the top flight, Stade Rennais saw him as the right person to bolster their squad as they had just been promoted back to the First Division, and Paillard signed a four-year deal with the club. Unfortunately, his experience at Rennes would turn rather sour, missing the majority of the first season through injury. He still managed to play 26 matches, but was powerless to stop his team being relegated back down to the Second Division. At the end of the season, he was contacted by the Paris Saint Germain President, who was determined to sign him, but on the condition that they didn't have to pay Rennes any fees, which Stade Rennais refused categorically to accept (as Paillard was still under contract). Rather than use strong-arm tactics, he decided to simply rip up his contract with Rennes. Unfortunately for him, Paris had reneged on their original offer after getting a promise on a player exchange with Marseille a day before Paillard was due to sign for Paris; leaving him without a club. Finally, in 1991, Racing Club Strasbourg in the Second Division offered him a way out. Seduced by the project, he joined the Alsatian club, and spent three seasons there, playing 99 matches and scoring 5 goals in that time. In 1992, Strasbourg qualified for the First Division Promotion Play-Offs. Ironically, he found himself up against Stade Rennais in this two-legged affair. He was to prove to be the black cat for this former team, scoring twice over the two legs, condemning Rennes to relegation to the Second Division. In 1994, he returned to Toulouse for two seasons which proved to be a nightmare for him, and he finally decided to hang up his boots in 1996.