René MERCIER

Born in the Côte d'Or region of France, René Mercier began his playing days with Lyon, and then Villeurbanne. The professional career of this excellent goalkeeper really began in earnest at Nancy in 1937, playing in the Second Division at the time. Having spent a year in the East of France, he joined Stade Rennais in 1938 as understudy to Jules Miramond. He would play in precious few games, and had to settle for a few pre-season friendlies over the course of two seasons. In 1941, he was put in the amateur side's squad, before returning to the professional set-up the following year. In the 1942/1943 season, he would play the whole of the second half of the campaign, despite Stade Rennais having three other goalkeeper on their books. In 1943, he returned to the role of understudy to De Montmarin, and hung up his gloves and boots for good in 1944.