Envision a sports manager. He is also an industrialist. His name is Henri Jooris. This obelisk stands as a tribute to him. The Monument Henri Jooris commemorates a significant figure in Lille’s history. He was not just any man. Henri Jooris was a businessman and sports manager. He was a key person in Nord football in the early 20th century.
Henri Jooris held many roles. He was president of Olympique Lillois from 1919 to 1932. Also, he was president of the Northern Football Association League. This was from 1919 to 1924. Further, he served as vice-president of the French Football Federation. This was also from 1919 to 1924. Jooris was a benefactor to many sports companies. He influenced French football significantly.
Under Jooris the LNFA thrived. It became a leading league in France. It had over 20000 members and nearly 600 clubs. Olympique Lillois became a great club during his leadership. They won the LNFA four times. In 1932 they won the first French professional championship. Jooris proposed this championship in a letter to Jules Rimet in 1929.
The Olympique Lillois stadium was named after him. It hosted a quarter-final in the 1938 World Cup. Jooris was also a successful businessman. He was called the first baker of France. He was a prominent figure in northern France between the wars.
Henri Jooris was born in Lille on April 23 1879. His father owned a grocery store. Jooris challenged the Olympique Lillois president André Billy in 1910. He disagreed with Billy’s ideas. Billy resigned in 1912. Then Jooris became the club’s vice-president.
Olympique Lillois won its first title in 1911. It won the USFSA Northern Championship. Jooris recruited talented players. He sought players from outside the USFSA. He also hired English coaches. He also modernized the Victor Boucquey stadium.
These efforts paid off for Henri Jooris. Olympique Lillois won more championships. They won the USFSA Football Championship in 1914. The club competed in the Trophée de France. They won the semifinals and the final. Pierre de Coubertin donated this trophy.
With many international players Olympique Lillois became a leading club. This was before World War I. Jooris also created the Lions des Flandres team in 1912. It included top players from northern France. The Lions des Flandres won against Paris in 1914. Jooris was the secretary of this team.
During this time, the Olympique Lillois stadium hosted France’s match against Belgium. Northern football was the best in France then. But World War I interrupted activities. Many players died including Alphonse Six.
After the war, Henri Jooris helped rebuild northern football. He became president of the LNFA in 1919. In 1920, he obtained funds for war widows. He also worked to restore damaged sports facilities. The LNFA held weekly meetings. These meetings set regulations and managed disputes. Jooris created the Division of Honor of the North. Olympique Lillois won this division four times.
Under Jooris the LNFA grew. By 1922, it was the second-largest league in France. He was re-elected in 1922. However, Jooris had to resign in 1924. This was due to issues with brown amateurism. This involved the illegal payment of amateur athletes.
Henri Jooris was suspended from official duties until 1927. Despite this, he played a role in the advent of professionalism. He regained trust within his club. He was re-elected president of the Northern League in 1929. In 1929, he proposed a National Championship. This was to include top teams from each league.
When French football turned professional in 1932 Jooris welcomed it. But he also had concerns about financial risks. He resigned from Olympique Lillois in 1932. But he remained influential. Olympique Lillois won the first French championship in 1933.
Jooris also held positions in other sports. He was vice-president of the FFF. He was president of the pre-Olympic Commission. Jooris received the Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1922. Henri Jooris died in Cannes on March 29 1940. The stadium was named after him in 1942. In 1944, Olympique Lillois merged with SC Fives. This established Lille OSC.
The Monument Henri Jooris stands. It is a reminder of his contributions. He was a visionary leader. He helped shape French football.