Bernard Laporte-Fray
Bernard Laporte-Fray | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 May 1956 Uzos, France |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | President of Pau FC |
| Children | 2, including Yann |
Bernard Laporte-Fray (born 6 May 1956) is a French entrepreneur and football executive. He is the current president of Pau FC, a role he has held since 2010, after having saved the club from liquidation in 1995.[1][2][3]
In 2021, together with former Croatian international Dado Pršo, he acquired Demba Diop FC, a second-division football club in Senegal.[4]
His son, Yann Laporte-Fray, is the commercial, marketing, and communications director of Pau FC.[5]
Early life and playing career
Laporte-Fray grew up in Uzos, where his father worked as a factory employee for Turbomeca.[6] His father was also president of the local club ASCUR, which later merged with Mazères-Lezons to form ASMUR.
Educated at Immaculée Conception in Pau, he was a schoolmate of Bernard Pontneau, later president of Section Paloise. Initially interested in playing rugby union, he instead pursued football as a goalkeeper.
In 1978, he joined FC Pau under president Pierre Clède, alongside midfielder Joël Lopez.[7] He was the starting goalkeeper when the club won promotion to the third division in 1983. After losing his starting place to Jean-Paul Sesma, he returned to amateur football with Union Jurançonnaise, where he later became coach in 1986.[8]
President of Pau FC
In 1995, after the liquidation of FC Pau, Laporte-Fray and Lopez took over the club, stabilising its finances.[9][10]
Outside football, he invested in two retirement homes in his native Béarn, Le Beau Manoir in Uzos and Les Chênes in Artix.[11] He also developed strong ties with Senegal, recruiting several Senegalese players for Pau FC.
Despite a temporary ban from sporting activities in the 2000s, Laporte-Fray remained majority shareholder of Pau FC and later resumed the presidency, guiding the club to professional status and financial stability.[12]
Controversies
In 2001, Laporte-Fray and Pau FC sporting director Richard Allenda were convicted of cocaine possession and received suspended prison sentences.[13][14] He stepped aside temporarily, with Jacques Le Coadou and later Joël Lopez assuming the presidency.
Laporte-Fray subsequently spent two years in Senegal before returning to Pau FC leadership.[15]
References
- ^ "Coronavirus: Le président de Pau entre le foot et l'Ehpad". Franceinfo (in French). 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Football : "Nous sommes attachés à préparer la suite"". Europe 1 (in French).
- ^ "Bernard Laporte-Fray: « Pour connaître la Ligue 2, il faudrait déjà rester en National »". La République des Pyrénées (in French).
- ^ "Football : Bernard Laporte-Fray achète un club au Sénégal". La République des Pyrénées (in French). 19 July 2021.
- ^ "Pau FC : Yann Laporte-Fray, en son nom". La République des Pyrénées (in French). 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Une âme de bâtisseur". La République des Pyrénées (in French). 26 June 1998.
- ^ "Derrière Laporte-Fray". La République des Pyrénées (in French). 29 January 2020.
- ^ "Laporte-Fray entrainera l'Union jurançonnaise". La République des Pyrénées (in French). 13 June 1986.
- ^ "FC Pau en liquidation judiciaire". Libération (in French). 8 February 1995.
- ^ "Une équipe de repreneurs tient la corde à Pau". Sud Ouest (in French). 11 February 1995. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ^ "Entre le FC Pau et ses Ehpad, Bernard Laporte-Fray est sur tous les fronts". L'Équipe (in French).
- ^ "Un projet pour la Ligue 2". La République des Pyrénées (in French). 16 October 2007.
- ^ "Le président et le directeur du Pau FC en prison". Sud Ouest (in French). 20 November 2001. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ^ "Les trois hommes écroués". La République des Pyrénées (in French). 20 November 2001.
- ^ "Derrière Laporte-Fray". La République des Pyrénées (in French). 29 January 2020.
