René IZQUIERDO

Born in Villeurbanne, René Izquierdo began his playing career in Lyon in the 1969/1970 season. This athletic centre-back would only make the odd appearance with the club from the Rhone, but nonetheless played once in the First Division, and two matches in the French Cup. In 1970, he signed for Entente Bagneaux-Fontainebleau-Nemours, who at the time had just been promoted to the Second Division. He would be first-choice for four seasons, making over 100 appearances, and having a fair amount of success in front of goal, scoring more than 20 goals in that time. He left to join Parisian outfit Red Star in 1974, where he would suffer from a lack of game-time. He left Red Star after four seasons, the first of which was spent in the top flight. In 1978, he was recruited by Stade Rennais, where he would become a cornerstone of the Red and Blacks' defence, alongside Jean-Yves Kerjean for three seasons. He brought his professional career to an end after a final season in the First Division in Laval in 1981/1982. After an honourable playing career, he became manager of La Bouëxière, an amateur club situated in Ille-et-Vilaine, just outside of Rennes, spending four years in that role. René Izquierdo would remain a fervent supporter of the Red and Blacks, as - in 2014 - he became one of the co-founders of the Stade Rennais History Club, and association which brings together former Rennes players.