ASSSE was founded in 1933 and quickly became the flagship club of the city of Saint-Étienne. But, before finding success, the club will be in trouble during World War II. From 1940, the Vichy regime, hostile to its existence and favorable to amateur sport, implemented a policy aimed at gradually suppressing professional sport.
In June 1943, professional football was reformed by Colonel Pascot, Commissioner General for Sport (equivalent to the Minister for Sports today). The national championship, for the 1943-1944 season, is played by academy teams. That of Lyonnais will therefore be represented.
A team called Lyon-Lyonnais
But you should only choose one and only team between Lyon and Saint-Étienne. The capital of the academy is chosen, like everywhere else. The team is called Lyon-Lyonnais (the name of the academy is appended to that of the host city) which will represent the departments of Ain, Rhône and Loire.
The squad is made up of the best selected players. Some Stéphanois agree to play there. Others refuse. These are written off and suspended. ASSE no longer exists except in the junior and amateur divisions. The club and the City are angry. Pierre Guichard resigns. Players leave.
City council protests
On July 13, 1943, the city council voted to protest “that the professional football team in Saint-Étienne be maintained or that a regional team be created in this city”.
In vain, ASSE no longer has a professional football club. This strong protest remains as one of the rare examples of resistance, if not visible opposition, to the Vichy regime and signifies the importance, already, of football in Saint-Étienne.
Therefore, this academy championship is played only one season, until the Liberation. In the fall of 1944, ASSE regained its rank and in 1950, Olympique Lyonnais was founded.