When the song "1950 our club was born" rings out, it's the birth of OL that resonates. "1950 our club was born" celebrates the founding of Olympique Lyonnais, a pivotal moment in the history of Lyon football.
Sung with historical pride, this Lyon anthem, OL, anchors the club in its founding year. Discover how 1950 marked the beginning of the Gones' epic journey at the Stade de Gerland and later at the Groupama Stadium.
August 3, 1950: Historic merger
On August 3, 1950, Olympique Lyonnais was officially formed from the merger of LOU Football (the football section of Lyon Olympique Universitaire) and AS Villeurbanne. This union created the club that would henceforth represent Lyon in professional football.
This pivotal date marks a turning point: Lyon finally has a unified club capable of competing with other major French cities. The chant "1950 our club was born" immortalizes this moment when the people of Lyon decided to unite.
The installation at the Gerland Stadium
From 1950, OL moved to the Stade de Gerland , a work by the architect Tony Garnier inaugurated in 1926. The club would remain there for 65 years, until 2015. Gerland became the temple of Lyon football for more than half a century.
This installation creates an inseparable link between OL and Gerland. For generations born between 1950 and 2015, OL = Gerland. The chant "1950" is a reminder that it all began there, at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon's 7th arrondissement.
Lyrics from "1950 Our Club Was Born"
Words :
1950,
Our club was born,
Go OL!
For eternity!
Listen to "1950 Our club was born"
1950 Our club was born - OL
"For eternity": the immortal OL
The chant proclaims that OL was born "for eternity." This phrasing makes the club an immortal entity. Born in 1950, OL will never die. It will exist as long as there are Gones (Lyon's nickname) to support it.
This enduring quality reassures the fans. Regardless of sporting or financial crises, OL will survive. Its founding date of 1950 guarantees historical legitimacy: the club has existed for over 70 years and will not disappear tomorrow.
The early years (1950-1960)
OL's early years were modest . The club played in Division 2, struggling for financial and sporting stability. These difficult beginnings forged the club's character: nothing was given, everything was patiently built.
This humble history makes the current pride all the more legitimate. OL is not a recent club created by investors; it is a 74-year-old institution that has climbed every rung of the ladder since 1950. The chant celebrates this gradual ascent.
The seven consecutive titles (2002-2008)
From 2002 to 2008, OL dominated Ligue 1 with seven consecutive French league titles . This glorious period, 52 to 58 years after its founding, proves that the club, established in 1950, had reached absolute excellence.
These seven titles retrospectively validate the 1950 merger. Without this creation, there would have been no domination in the 2000s. The chant "1950" takes on its full meaning: that year was born the machine that would dominate French football half a century later.
2016: A new era at Groupama Stadium
In January 2016, 66 years after its creation, Olympique Lyonnais (OL) inaugurated the Groupama Stadium in Décines-Charpieu . This new 59,186-seat stadium marked a new chapter in the history that began in 1950.
The chant "1950" now echoes at the Groupama Stadium, creating a link between Gerland and Décines. The club is changing stadiums but retaining its identity forged in 1950. 74 years of history accompany OL to its new, modern home.
The transmission of the sacred date
For a young Lyon fan, learning "1950" means integrating the club's historical consciousness . They are taught: OL was born in 1950, this date is sacred, it establishes our legitimacy, our pride, our identity as Lyon fans.
This transmission ensures continuity. Each generation of supporters must know 1950, the club's founding year. The Groupama Stadium becomes a place for learning Lyon's history through the chants that perpetuate collective memory.
A song of historical legitimacy
"1950" is fundamentally a song of legitimacy . Compared to recently created clubs founded by investors, OL can claim 74 years of authentic history. This long history creates a legitimacy that money cannot buy.
This historical claim sets OL apart in modern football. The club is not a recent financial project; it is an institution deeply rooted in Lyon's history since 1950. The chant at Groupama Stadium is a reminder of this fundamental difference.
The legacy of LOU and Villeurbanne
By singing "1950", the Gones also honor the legacy of LOU Football and AS Villeurbanne . These two clubs merged to create OL, sacrificing their individual existence for the collective good of Lyon.
This merger is a reminder that OL is a club of unity, not division. The people of Lyon were able to put aside their differences in 1950 to create a single club. This founding unity still inspires the Gones at Groupama Stadium today.
74 years of uninterrupted passion
From 1950 to 2024, that's 74 years of Lyon passion . Three generations of supporters have succeeded one another, passing on the love of OL from father to son, from mother to daughter. The chant "1950" celebrates this unbroken tradition.
This 74-year continuity has created a robust tradition. OL is not a fleeting phenomenon; it is a lasting institution that has spanned decades. The chant assures us that this longevity will continue: born in 1950 for eternity, OL will live on for another 74 years and more.
1950, the year of birth
Celebrate OL's history with SoundKop music magnets. Our club was founded in 1950!
FAQ – Our club was founded in 1950
When was OL created?
On August 3, 1950, Olympique Lyonnais was officially formed from the merger of LOU Football (the football section of Lyon Olympique Universitaire) and AS Villeurbanne. This union created the unified club that would represent Lyon in professional football. This founding date is celebrated in song.
Where did OL settle in 1950?
From 1950, OL moved to the Stade de Gerland, a work by the architect Tony Garnier inaugurated in 1926. The club would remain there for 65 years, until 2015. This installation created an indissoluble link between OL and Gerland for generations of supporters until the move to Groupama Stadium.
What was OL's golden age?
From 2002 to 2008, Olympique Lyonnais dominated Ligue 1 with seven consecutive French league titles. This glorious period, 52 to 58 years after its founding, proves that the club, established in 1950, had reached absolute excellence. These seven titles retrospectively validated the 1950 merger.
What does "for eternity" mean?
The chant proclaims that OL was born "for eternity," making the club an immortal entity. Born in 1950, OL will never die. This eternal dimension is reassuring: no matter the crises, OL will survive. The year 1950 guarantees a historical legitimacy of 74 years of existence at Groupama Stadium.