Jean-Marc MITON

The famous moustachioed Stade Rennais player, Jean-Marc Miton started his playing days in 1970 as a youth at Saint Brieuc playing left-back. This very good defender had a successful trial with Stade Lavallois aged 18, and his professional career was launched there. In the first two seasons, he contented himself with a role in the Reserve team to earn his stripes. As of 1980, he soon earned himself a place in the starting line-up of the First Team. At that time, Laval was a well-established club in the First Division, and Jean-Marc went on to make 307 First Team appearances at that level. He experienced several complete seasons, but also some less fulfilling one, which were blighted by injuries. He did, however, play an active role in the club's European cup-run in the 1983-84 season, even having the luxury of scoring a goal against Austria Vienna during this UEFA Cup campaign. He was to finish with a total of 11 goals in 336 appearances in a Laval shirt, When the "Tangos" of Laval were relegated to the Second Division in 1989, Miton decided to join Stade Rennais that year. He played his first season in the Second Division, helping his new club to achieve promotion at the end of that campaign (Rennes finished top of their group with the best defence.) The 1990-1991 season, on the other hand, was a real struggle. Rennes finished bottom of the table, and Miton only played 7 matches. In total, he made 45 appearances for Rennes, scoring one solitary goal in his two seasons at the club. After such a difficult season, he chose to retire from professional football aged 32, after 13 seasons at the top of French football..