Football Club de Gueugnon was founded in 1940, and won the French amateur title in 1947. Supported by the local steelworks (hence the nickname "Forgerons" meaning Blacksmiths), the club reached Ligue 2 in 1970-71.
In 1974, inspired by playmaker Casimir Nowotarski, the Gueugnonnais reached the play-offs for promotion to Ligue 1, but lost to FC Rouen. In 1979, they won the Ligue 2 championship with players such as Trivino, Berthommier, Duch, and Stropoli, but were not permitted to play in Ligue 1 due to their non-professional status. In the same season Gueugnon also enjoyed a cup run, eliminating AS Saint-Etienne. They were later knocked out by Auxerre in front of a crowd of 10 000. The 1980s steel crisis forced the club to turn pro, and after several seasons of struggles to prevent relegation, the tide turned in 1991 with a cup semi-final against Monaco, then in 1995 promotion to the top flight. This was to be short-lived and despite a valiant effort, the club slipped back into Ligue 2.
In 2000, the club progressed through to the Cup quarter-finals, losing to Nantes on penalties, but in an earlier round produced a major upset in eliminating Marseille 4-3 away from home. In the League Cup, the "Blacksmiths" made history, becoming the first Ligue 2 team to win the cup, against PSG 2-0 at Stade de France. At the end of the season, the club couldn't keep their best players, such as Sylvain Distin or Roda. The following season, the club played the UEFA Cup but lost against Iraklis Salonique (0-0 ; 0-1). Since that season, the club has hovered mid-table and just barely avoided relegation in 2004 with a 5-0 win over Lorient on the road in the last game of the season.
Current squad 2007/2008
As of February 15, 2008. Nationality given from place of birth
Nadir Belhadj
Alain Caveglia
Amara Traoré
Ali Boumnijel
