Valenciennes Football Club, commonly known as Valenciennes, is a French professional football club based in the city of Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and has a rich history in French football. Valenciennes has primarily competed in the top two tiers of French football, with occasional spells in the lower divisions. The club's major accomplishments include winning the Coupe de France in 1951 and finishing as runners-up in 1956. Valenciennes has also had success in the second division, winning the Ligue 2 title in 1972 and 2006. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the Stade du Hainaut, which has a seating capacity of around 25,000 spectators. The club's nickname is "Les Athéniens," which refers to the city's historical association with ancient Greece. An interesting fact about Valenciennes is that the club has a strong youth academy, which has produced several talented players who have gone on to play for top clubs in France and abroad.