Jean GONDOUIN

Jean Gondouin was born in Normandy, and began his professional playing career, in 1947, with Le Havre, playing in the Second Division. In the early days, he was used sparingly, and it was from 1950 that he began to obtain more gametime for the club, following their promotion back to the First Division. He was a midfielder by trade, but was capable of playing in attack too. He would be signed up by Toulouse in 1952, but loaned straight back out to Nancy, just a couple of months after arriving, in November 1952. He would then be sent back out on loan for the 1953/1954 season to Stade Rennais. Initially employed as a midfield playmaker, he finished the league season playing up front. That season would prove to be the most prolific of his career in terms of goals scored. He netted ten times in 37 appearances, including three braces, against Toulon, Angers and Lyon. Back at Toulouse for a season, he would subsequently find himself released from his contract, and he joined Red Star in 1955, and would go on to finish his playing days there. He passed away, aged 80, on 13th March 2009.