VIOLETTE ATHLETIC CLUB: 100 YEARS OF FOOTBALL AND FAIR PLAY!
The Violette Athletic Club
Birth of the VAC
On May 18, 1918, at Bel-Air, more precisely on rue du Dr Aubry, the Violette Athletic Club (VAC) was born. Its founders - Félix
Lafond, François Hérard, Ludovic Blain, the Avin brothers to name but a few - gathered at the home of the Moscova family had
the idea of creating a space dedicated to the development of young people, allowing them to flourish. while training them to become
future responsible citizens. To achieve this goal, they decide to use sport as a platform.
A motto as a guide: Honor and Fair Play!
The principles that were important to the founding fathers of the VAC are in particular: respect for the adversary, success at the
end of the effort, team spirit, a sense of discipline and civic responsibility, effort and honesty. They had also emphasized hard work
to win, not victory at all costs.
Like a big family, all the members are one: leaders, fans, players, technical staff thanks to the Spirit created by the founding
fathers. Fair Play allows you to accept defeats, analyze your behavior and assume your responsibilities to do better each time. All
this, with full respect for the opponent.
These values have guided all the generations who have frequented the Violette. Thanks to them, the members of this group were
able to maintain a family spirit, practice the inclusion of all social classes of the Haitian community and cultivate bonds of
friendship.
Achievements over the past 100 years.
The VAC has accumulated many achievements, it is worth highlighting:
- The famous formation of 1952, which marked its entry into the competition by winning the Haitian Cup tournament, against the
Aigle-Noir team, thanks to the 'incredible goal from Gérald Haig (Ti Haig), against the goalkeeper Fedherbe Mevs. The
controversy generated by the magic of this goal was not resolved until the publication of the photo of the goal captured through
Chaton Roy's camera lens.
VIOLETTE ATHLETIC CLUB IN 1966.
Crouching from left to right: Phillipe Vorbe, Jules, Ti Nĕnĕ, Marc Antoine, Calixte, Gabriel Fleury
Standing from left to right: Serge Blain, Felix Bayonne, Romane Paul, Emmanuel Desinces, Lahens, Emmanuel Joseph. Jacky
Benjamin. Coll. Hugo valcin
- The coronation of the VAC in the championship baptized Pradel Cup in 1968, 1973 and in September 1975 when it won the
Pepsi-Cola tournament by beating King Pelé's New-York Cosmos at Sylvio Cator Stadium (2-1). In 1976, the VIOLETTE AC
won the Pradel and inter-regional cup before triumphing again in the Pradel Cup in the 78-79. However, after having embarked on
a semi-professionalism, the Old Tiger would extend his domination on an international scale with the supreme title of CONCACAF
under his claws thanks to a generation provided with great talents who could even represent HAITI, to them alone. As such, we can
cite: Jean JOSEPH Mathelier, Tchaly Eliazar, Monuma Constant, Wilner Piquant, Fritz André, Josué Constant, Gilbert and
Michel Leys, Pierre Richard Legagneur, James Bolté, Carlo Brévil, Édouard Vorbe, Jean Robert Cadet,
We must also mention the names of some players who marked the history of the most popular club in Haiti (VAC) particularly
during the tournament of 1968. They are, among others: Marc Antoine (ti Marc), Reynold St Surin, Emmanuel Georges, Wilfrid
Soray, Gérard Dossous, Paul Romane, Papache.
In the same year, in May, the first stone was laid, on a field of Violette which was a donation from Jean Vorbe in gratitude to the
club which symbolized all these universal human values that he cherished and practiced.
Several generations of players as talented, if not more than those of previous years have succeeded. However, they won nothing
until the last coronation of the blue and white during the 1998-1999 season of the national championship. The club also won the
last Cup of the century delivered in a friendly league on December 27, 1999, in Jacmel, against Don Bosco from PV.
Exceptional players and members
Some names have marked their time at the club, such as: Georges Jean-Louis, Jean Verna, Alix Pasquet, Evan Léger, Gérald Haig,
Joseph Beaulieu, Guy Claude, Pierre Phelps (first left-hander to play as an extreme right, in Haiti), Ti Jacques, Dorcéan, Philippe
Thybulle, Bob Bouillon, Gabriel Fleury, Gerard Delpèche, Raphaël Pierre, Adilas Charles, Jacques Jean Louis, Paul Maxi, Jean-
Marie Jean-Baptiste, Lesly Thébaud, Philippe Vorbe, Ernest Jean- Joseph, Pierre Bayonne, Frantzy Mathieu, Oscar Montironi,
Ritaco, Charles Vorbe, Carlo Brévil, Aly Laguerre, Serge Chrispin.
Le Violette also remembers the winners of the last national championship in 1998/1999: Webens Prinsime (Itala), Jean-Roland
Dartiguenave, Louis Germain (Ti Johnny), John Cutil (Ti Cocha), Peterson Jackson (Sonson), Pierre Sala, Lalas, Wedner Dorcé
(Pélé), Marcus Dorcé, David St Cius, Woody Cajuste, Rams Despinasse (Ti Bob), Jocelyn Duogene, Ronald Beauplan, Jimmy
Jaboin, Nixon Donis, Rosario Lauture, Johnny Descolines, Gary Beauvil led by the duo du technical staff Emmanuel Georges and
Georges Dieujuste.
And the names that will follow, occupy a princely place in the pantheon of Haitian football. They are:
- Georges Jean-Louis (from the team of the 1920s), whose son, Martial, was a living reference for the history of the VAC. His
daughter Maryse Jean-Louis Jumelle was the club's godmother and her granddaughter, Anne Daphné Lemoine, today plays this
role admirably. For his part, Fritz Berrouët, player and coach of the VAC, left behind the memory of the rigor and the sense of
work, of discipline within the team. While Jean Verna was the man with the powerful shot from both feet and the head. So well,
that more than one still remembers his prowess on the land of Haiti.
For their part, Alix Pasquet, the superb and talented striker, pushed all his teammates to surpass themselves and improve, as Evans
Léger and Gérald Haig (Ti Haig) did. The latter was at the same time a fighter, a fine dribbler but also, a champion of the high
jump, scoring anthology goals, in Haiti, in Europe and in North Africa (Algeria).
Several other players shone under the colors of the VAC such as: Joseph Beaulieu who was technically very strong and who played
for more than 10 years at the VAC as a midfielder like Guy Claude, Fritz Blanchard, Ti Jacques. It was said of the latter that he
ran so fast that he could even fly away if a propeller was attached to his forehead. They were decisive elements within the 1952
team.Philippe Thybulle, Gérard Delpêche and Vans Impérial were of this dream generation. An attacking trio that all VAC coaches
dreamed of.
With a vertical trigger unlike any other, Reynold St Surin was nicknamed the golden head of VAC by a journalist from the highly
regarded Haitian daily “Le Nouvelliste” for scoring 13 header goals in a tournament. the Pradel Cup, at the beginning of the 70s.
As for Philippe Vorbe, in 1971, he was elected best player of a CONCACAF tournament and had even achieved an extremely rare
event, 113 successful passes in 1973, during a friendly international against Chile, as a prelude to the 1974 world championship
which was played in Germany.
He was going to be talked about again by delivering this time, a bright pass (to the millimeter) to the late Emmanuel Sanon who,
after beating speed an Italian central back, "erased" the famous goalkeeper of Juventus of Turin "Dino Zoff ”who remained at the
time, on 19 clean-sheets, before registering the first Haitian goal in this final phase of the World Cup. Philippe was also trainer and
Technical Director of the VAC for more than 25 years. CONCACAF recently honored him by placing him in the Hall of Fame for
football players.
It will take a long time to find a central back as elegant as Ernest Jean-Joseph who played as libero. He combined tempo and
control of the ball, the sense of the game with hard-hitting rises in attack. Tines handled the round ball with class and offered an
admirable spectacle to all his matches. Well inspired, too, Pierre Bayonne was the man who played equally well in attack, in the
middle or in defense, and could even help out as a goalkeeper. Ti Pierre was a wonderful player who played the notes without
forcing.
Charles Vorbe, equally at ease in attack, in the middle, as in defense. Ponpon was an example to emulate because, when he was
very young, he played alongside the heroes of the VAC of the 70s. Having become a coach after his playing career, he is known to
be extremely rigorous, he is also identified among the purists of Haitian football.
1970s
The current president of the Haitian table tennis federation, Ralph Kernizan said ti Ralph, very young, had also been launched into
the deep end alongside several virtuosos of the VAC, such as Tinès Jean-Joseph, Philippe Vorbe, Pierre Bayonne . He is known for
his rigor and his commitment to the game. As a physical trainer, ti Ralph is the one who pushed his studies as far as possible in
Haiti and who attached great importance to the psychological aspect in the preparation of the player.
1972
1973
Webens Prinsimé (Itala), a reference as a player. Very respectful and crowned with one of the finest careers of his generation, Itala
was promoted to coach and specialized in academic football within SHANA FC, a major partner of VAC.
Celebration of the centenary of the VAC.
Although the actual creation date of the club is May 18, under the presidency of Sténio Vincent, it was decided to advance the
celebration of the anniversary of the VAC to May 15. This is to allow young people to take part in the various activities relating to
the Fête du Drapeau. Also, this year, a Thanksgiving celebration chaired by Monsignor Max Leroy Mesidor assisted by Fathers
Chancy, Saturné, Anicette, Désir, Grandoit and Alex fils, took place on May 15 at the Saint-Pierre Church in Pétion-Ville.
followed by a lunch and a member decoration ceremony at the Hotel Karibe.
A second celebration was held on May 18 at the Provisional Cathedral of Port-au-Prince. Fathers Alex Jr. and Frantz Grandoit
celebrated together this Mass of Consecration of VAC at Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours. This ceremony was followed by a
football party at the Sylvio Cator stadium bringing together young people from 8 to 18 years old. This was coordinated by the
SHANA football school.
However, the celebration of the centenary of VAC will run throughout the year.
Commonly called the dean of Haitian sports clubs, the Violette originated at Bel-Air in the salons of Ms. Pétion Moscowa. This
lady was staying in a school that she ran at the time located at the corner of Rue Dr Aubry. Among the founding members of this
club, we retain the names of the Avin brothers (Maurice and François) and François Hérard to name just a few. With a whole host
of great footballers of the time, the Violette, from its foundation, quickly became a very popular club. These aces of the round ball
responded to the names of: Jojo Beaulieu, Michel Oreste "Sonson" Alert (defector of Victory), Évans Léger, Faidherbe Mews, Alix
Pasquet, Gérald Haig, André Mathurin, Antoine Smith (goalkeeper) etc ... The generation of the 60s saw the emergence of Alix
Paul Roc (libero), the stopper Ralph Kernizan, Philippe Vorbe, the formidable center-forward Reynold Saint-Surin, etc ... Those
nostalgic for the good old days will not forget the 70s of this solid generation made up of full holders in the national team: Henri
Francillon, Ernst-Jean-Joseph, Pierre Bayonne, Roger Saint-Vil, Guy François among others. Le Violette, it should be noted, was
one of the first clubs in the history of Haitian football to become semi-professional, with the automobile brand LANCIA as a
sponsor. Just seeing this Violette team evolve will quickly make you join the supporters' club. And it's a shame that this team led
by the “old fox” Antoine Tassy (Zoupim) has only had Pradel Cup championship titles to its credit. This generation of VAC which,
in a tournament sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, thwarted the New York Cosmos, led by the Pelés, Chinaglia, Miflin, etc ... in a bitterly
disputed final won by the “blue and white” 2 -1. A reminder of the players who marked this generation: goalkeeper Edner Charles,
this pair of central backs formed by Ernst Jean-Joseph and Frantz Mathieu, Pierre Bayonne (capable of evolving in all positions),
the Vorbe brothers (Philippe and Charles ), Jean-Mary Jean-Baptiste, Adilas Charles, Xavier Célestin, Édouard Jean-Baptiste, not
to forget the Argentines including the Oscars (Montironi and Barionuevo), Rogelio Ricato and the Brazilian Pio Da Silva to name
a few . But the violettists had to wait for the year 1984 to see their dream, cherished for a long time, come true in beautifully
awarding the precious CONCACAF clubs trophy with Charles Vorbe as trainer and Ralph Kernizan as physical trainer. Among
these stars, we must cite goalkeeper Wilner Piquant, Édouard "Pépé" Vorbe, Gilbert Léis, Henry-Claude Charmant, James Bolté,
to name only those who would mark the history of the "old tiger". the latter and its eternal rival, the Haitian Racing Club (viuex
lion) remain and remain the most successful clubs in the history of Haitian football with the title of CONCACF club champion. It
is a shame nowadays to witness a descent into hell of the club which we expect very quickly the "rise" in the upper division next
year, question of celebrating in all beauty its 100 years of existence. Édouard “Pépé” Vorbe, Gilbert Léis, Henry-Claude
Charmant, James Bolté, to name a few who would mark the history of the “old tiger”. the latter and its eternal rival, the Haitian
Racing Club (viuex lion) remain and remain the most successful clubs in the history of Haitian football with the title of
CONCACF club champion. It is a shame nowadays to witness a descent into hell of the club, which we expect very quickly the
"rise" in the upper division next year, question of celebrating in all beauty its 100 years of existence. Édouard “Pépé” Vorbe,
Gilbert Léis, Henry-Claude Charmant, James Bolté, to name a few who would mark the history of the “old tiger”. the latter and its
eternal rival, the Haitian Racing Club (viuex lion) remain and remain the most successful clubs in the history of Haitian football
with the title of CONCACF club champion. It is a shame nowadays to witness a descent into hell of the club, which we expect very
quickly the "rise" in the upper division next year, question of celebrating in all beauty its 100 years of existence. the Haitian Racing
Club (viuex lion) remain and remain the most successful clubs in the history of Haitian football with the title of CONCACF club
champion. It is a shame nowadays to witness a descent into hell of the club, which we expect very quickly the "rise" in the upper
division next year, question of celebrating in all beauty its 100 years of existence. the Haitian Racing Club (viuex lion) remain and
remain the most successful clubs in the history of Haitian football with the title of CONCACF club champion. It is a shame
nowadays to witness a descent into hell of the club, which we expect very quickly the "rise" in the upper division next year,
question of celebrating in all beauty its 100 years of existence.
Racing Club Haitien
Football team founded on March 23, 1923 at the Petit Séminaire Collège St Marc by a group of priests. Its motto "Towards
greater glory in honor and fair play" Champion of the Concacaf Champions in 1963.
