When "Sing like Dépé, never giving up" is released, it's a whole legend resurrected. "Sing like Dépé" pays tribute to Patrice de Peretti, a mythical figure of Marseille supporters who passed away in 2000.
Sung in memory of the founder of Marseille Trop Puissant (MTP), this Marseille OM chant celebrates unconditional loyalty and boundless passion. Discover Dépé's story and how his name still resonates at the Vélodrome 25 years after his passing.
Patrice de Peretti: birth of a legend
Patrice de Peretti, known as "Dépé", founded the Marseille Trop Puissant (MTP) supporters' group in 1994 with his group of friends. At the time, OM was going through a difficult period: the VA-OM affair had just broken, and the club was relegated to the second division.
But Dépé and the MTP don't give up. During away matches in the second division, the group quickly gains notoriety. Their motto: to support OM unconditionally, in victory and in adversity. This absolute loyalty becomes their trademark.
Dépé embodies a certain idea of fandom: passionate, loyal, and boundless. He sings at every match, travels all over France, and lives for OM. For him, being a fan isn't a hobby, it's a way of life.
2000: A disappearance that leaves its mark on the Vélodrome
In 2000, Patrice de Peretti died suddenly. The news devastated the Vélodrome. The North Stand lost its charismatic leader , the one who embodied the MTP spirit, the one who never gave up.
The club and supporters then decided on an exceptional honor: the North Stand was renamed the "Patrice de Peretti Stand." It is extremely rare for a stadium to be named after a supporter. This recognition demonstrates Dépé's impact on Marseille's culture.
But beyond this official christening, it is in the chants that Dépé becomes immortal. “Sing like Dépé” ensures that his name will resonate eternally in the stands, passed down from generation to generation.
"Never giving up": Dépé's motto
This sentence sums up Patrice de Peretti's entire philosophy. Never give up : not in defeats, not in scandals, not in relegation. Remain loyal through thick and thin.
This tenacity has become the DNA of the MTP and, by extension, of all Marseille supporters. At the Vélodrome, they never give up. Even when the team is losing 3-0, they keep singing. It's Dépé's legacy.
Full lyrics to "Sing like Dépé"
Words :
Singing like Dépé,
Without ever giving up,
Our love for the jersey,
Come on, come on, oh!
Listen to "Sing like Dépé"
Sing like Dépé - OM
The Patrice de Peretti turn
Since 2000, the North Stand has officially borne the name of Patrice de Peretti. Every match, thousands of supporters sing in his honor . This constant presence keeps his memory alive.
New fans arriving at the Vélodrome discover this name without necessarily knowing the story. But quickly, they hear about Dépé, his passion, his commitment. And they understand that they are walking in the footsteps of a legend.
"Our love for the jersey"
This expression captures the essence of fandom. Not "our love of victories" or "our love of the players," but our love of the jersey . The blue and white jersey transcends the individuals who wear it.
Players come and go, coaches change, presidents succeed one another. But the jersey remains. It's what we love unconditionally. This philosophy ensures the continuity of passion through the ages.
A model of fandom for future generations
By singing "Sing like Dépé", the supporters establish a model to follow . Dépé becomes the reference, the ideal of the perfect supporter: passionate, loyal, vocal, committed.
The young ultras of the MTP grow up with this guiding figure. They know they are perpetuating his legacy, that they must live up to his example. This transmission creates a lineage, a spiritual continuity.
Oral transmission of the legend
25 years after his death, many current fans never knew Dépé. But his story is passed down orally , from old supporter to new supporter, now his living legend.
In the bars around the Vélodrome, on the bus rides to away games, the older generation tells the younger ones about Dépé. How he sang, how he galvanized the fans in the stands, how he embodied Marseille loyalty. The legend grows richer with each passing down of the story.
Depé's legacy at home
Keep Dépé's passion alive with SoundKop music magnets. Legendary Marseilles songs.
FAQ – Singing like Depeche
Who was Patrice de Peretti?
Patrice de Peretti, known as "Dépé," founded the Marseille Trop Puissant (MTP) supporters' group in 1994. A charismatic figure in the North Stand, he embodied unconditional loyalty to OM. After his death in 2000, the North Stand was renamed "Virage Patrice de Peretti" in his honor.
What does "never giving up" mean?
This motto sums up Dépé's philosophy: to remain loyal to OM in all circumstances, victories and defeats alike. This tenacity has become the very essence of Marseille fandom. At the Vélodrome, we never give up; it's a direct legacy of Dépé.
Why is a bend named after him?
It is an exceptional honor for a stadium to bear the name of a supporter. This recognition demonstrates Dépé's impact on Marseille's culture. The North Stand has been officially named "Virage Patrice de Peretti" since 2000, ensuring that his memory lives on at every match.
How is his legend passed down?
25 years after his death, his story is once again being passed down orally from former supporter to former fan. In bars and on away trips, the old-timers recount how Dépé sang, galvanized the fans in the stands, and embodied loyalty. The chant "Sing like Dépé" ensures that his name will resonate forever.
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