Jean MANKOWSKI

Born in the Pas-de-Calais region in the North of France, Jean Mankowski (nicknamed "Manko") would make a name for himself with the small club of Auchel, and then RC Lens, where he would start his career as a professional footballer in 1946. With the Red and Golds, he would experience relegation in 1947, but also a French Cup Final in 1948, alas a 2-3 defeat against local rivals Lille. Striker of Polish extraction, he was the father of Pierre Mankowski (who was a player and coach in France). Having spent two seasons in the North, he moved to Brittany to sign for Stade Rennais. He would spend a single season in Red and Black, playing 20 matches in the First Divsion, for four goals scored. Having played in the opening match of the 1949/1950 championship, he left the banks of the River Vilaine to sign for Second Division team Valenciennes. He would only stay there for a season, moving on to play for Amiens AC at the end of the campaign. He would wear Amiens' colours for ten years, between 1950 and 1960. In 1952, Amiens abandoned their professional status, but Mankowski decided to stay at the club. Whilst at Amiens, he captured the record of the most goals scored by a player in a French Cup fixture, with six goals in the match against Boulogne Cheminots (Railwaymen) on 24th October 1954, where Amiens would run out 9-2 winners. He would also go on to take on the role of Manager for the 1959/1960 season. In parallel with this career with Amiens, he also managed the amateur team, l'Avenir de l'Etoile between September 1955 and June 1962. A couple of years later, he would pass away at the tragically tender age of just 38 years old.