To Michael,
We dreaded it. I dreaded it. And we learned about it on March 26 in the afternoon. Michel Hidalgo left us. An incessant stream of memories come back. They arise at the whim of thought. We are helpless in the face of the news, especially since we know that we will not be able to accompany him to his new haven of peace.
Michel, it's so many memories.
He has been very committed since the emergence of the Union of Professional Players created at the end of 1961 by Just FONTAINE (whom we believe strongly), Eugène NJO-LEA and my father, Jacques BERTRAND.
He was then the favorite player of my mother who collaborated so actively in the early years of this union which is now essential in the world of professional football.
It was only natural that he was brought to the Presidency in 1964 before handing over to the indestructible Phillipe Piat in 1969.
In 1968, through the events that France was going through, he was able to impress the place of the UNFP, going with my father to the headquarters of the FFF, occupied by amateur footballers, not hesitating to appear on the balcony. behind the famous banner "Le Football aux Footballeurs". These events will lead to the abolition of the life contract of footballers then in force throughout the world to make way for what was then called the time contract (the beginnings of the name of the fixed-term contract which did not will have a legislative existence only in 1979)!
Then, with my father and while I myself became active, we accompanied him in different episodes of his rich professional life.
He was still questioning me some time ago.
Today, I wanted in all humility to bow with respect before this gentleman and to show his wife, all his relatives and friends, all the gratitude that I owe him. He is one of those who cannot be forgotten.
He called me "my little" he who was so big.
Jean Jacques Bertrand
