French football's pioneering British champions
French giants Paris Saint-Germain secured a 14th league title last week to continue their recent Ligue 1 domination.In contrast, of the 12 founding members of the English football league, only one –- Accrington, who folded in the 19th century -- is not currently a professional league team.
Paris Saint-Germain's South Korean midfielder #19 Lee Kang-in (C) lifts the French Ligue 1 trophy as he celebrates alongside teammates after winning the championship ahead of the French L1 football match between Paris FC and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris on May 17, 2026. (Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD) French giants Paris Saint-Germain secured a 14th league title last week to continue their recent Ligue 1 domination. But tucked away in the nearby Meudon forest, just outside Paris, nestled between oaks and chestnuts, are the very first French football champions, Standard Athletic Club -- still thriving today as a private sports club.
Back in May 1894, Standard defeated the "formidable" White Rovers to become the first team recognised as French champions, by the Union of French Athletic Sports Societies (USFSA). A club set up by mostly Englishmen ruled France, by beating a team of Scots. The next year, Standard lifted the sparkling new Gordon Bennett trophy -- donated by the owner of the New York Herald newspaper -- by outclassing the White Rovers again.
It is a far cry from the football played at Standard today, where a motley crew of enthusiasts ranging from 17 years old to 60 turns out on Sunday mornings to play friendlies against familiar foes. But the club is very proud of its illustrious past, which is not merely confined to its late 19th century results. It also has links to the British royal family –- the club's badge is the Royal Standard -- and lent its name to Belgium's Standard Liege, and its red and black striped shirts to Italian giants AC Milan.
Standard also provided most of the France team that played in the only ever Olympic cricket match, back in 1900, losing to Great Britain in the final. "What made the name of this club is being the first ever champions of France in football," club president Richard Parkin told AFP on a sunny Sunday morning. "There's a quiet pride, but it's a little bit tongue in cheek," he added, pointing to the five stars emblazoned on the club jersey and worn by young, old, dashing and portly alike.
Continue to the original source for the full article.