For everyone, Norbert Siri is the AS Monaco historian. Being its true fan from the very start, Norbert Siri is simply passionate about them. A literature teacher by trade, he embodies the living memory of the club. In 1998, with his son Julien, he co-authored the AS Monaco encyclopedia to be updated in 2025. Norbert Siri has also just published a 200-page work telling some small and big stories about the “Red and White” team from whom they keep no secrets. “The 100 years of AS Monaco” is the fruit of six months of research and hard work. Written by a Monegasque, this book has been coveted by all the supporters ever since its publication.
HM: How did it all start for you with AS Monaco?
Norbert Siri: In 1960, I was ten years old when AS Monaco won their first French Cup trophy. Since that day, I have never stopped being passionate and following them. Invariably bad at football, I am an ardent supporter. From 1988 to 1993, I thus chaired the supporters’ club. AS Monaco was then coached by Arsène Wenger who propelled the club to the European level.
HM: Did you have another professional activity on the side?
NS: I am a qualified French teacher. A specialist in literature, I’d been teaching it before taking on the principal job at the Collège Charles III. My interest in football was no secret to anyone. When the training centre opened, I was invited to give private lessons to young players. It’s true, they were not too much into studying… This appointment had been a bit of a surprise but in the end it all went well. I helped them as best I could and we became friends with such great players as Jean-Luc Ettori, Claude Puel, Manuel Amoros and Bruno Bellone…
In 1998, six players, four of them trained at the Monaco centre, represented France at the World Championship. And yes, it’s true, Lilian Thuram, Emmanuel Petit, David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry were all there when the French team won the Cup!
HM: Nowadays AS Monaco is one of the most famous clubs internationally…
NS: And for a reason! AS Monaco has one of the finest records among the French clubs. Thirty times it has finished on the French championship podium, among the Top-3. That’s a record indeed! Since 1960, the Monaco team has won eight French championship titles, five French cups and one League Cup.
HM: How was the training you were involved in organized?
NS: The general secretary asked us to ensure the young players’ supervision. The atmosphere was really family-like. We would have coffee together or go to the Condamine market… And the budget was but modest. When a blackboard was needed, a student would cut out a piece of cardboard and paint it black. This kind of surface was obviously not perfect for writing in chalk. Outside of training, we were teaching the players different subjects for them to acquire a certain general knowledge. I also encouraged informal meetings between supporters and players, and we easily made friends. These days, I wouldn’t be able to do that. Everything has become more controlled, technical, scientifically approached. The players are highly supervised. Alongside with basketball, football, however, remains the most popular sport in Monaco. Even if Formula 1 also greatly contributes to the Principality’s reputation. We have our own Monegasque racer, Charles Leclerc.
HM: What was Prince Rainier’s III role in the club’s history? Was the princely family involved?
NS: Nothing would have happened if it hadn’t been for Prince Rainier’s support of professional football in 1949 when he ascended the throne. He was the very first supporter! In 1960, when Monaco won the first French Cup, the players were wearing the old striped jersey. It was Princess Grace who designed the new AS Monaco jersey that we know today. Still red and white, of course, but diagonal. As for Prince Albert, he is perpetuating the tradition with his unwavering support of AS Monaco.
AS Monaco has one of the finest records among the French clubs. Thirty times it has finished on the French championship podium, among the Top-3.
Alongside with basketball, football, however, remains the most popular sport in Monaco
Key Dates in the AS Monaco History
• August 23, 1924 : AS Monaco is founded
• 1933–1934 : 1st professional experience
• 1939 : Official opening of the former Louis-II Stadium
• 1948 : Going professional and debuting in D2
• 1952 : The Monaco Supporters Club (CSM) is founded
• 1953–54 : 1st season in Division 1
• September 13, 1953 : 1st victory in Division 1 (4:1 against Le Havre)
• 1960 : 1st French Cup
• 1960 : The diagonal jersey is designed
• 1961 : 1st French champion title
• September 5, 1961 : 1st European match (European Champions Cup, against Glasgow Rangers)
• 1962 : 1st Gambardella Cup
• 1963 : Historic Cup/Championship double
• 1972 : 2nd Gambardella Cup
• 1975 : The Training Centre is structured
• 1978 : The 3rd French champion title
• 1980 : The 3rd French Cup
• 1981 : The Training Centre’s official opening in La Turbie
• 1982 : The 4th French champion title
• 1985 : The new Louis-II stadium opening
• 1985 : The 4th French Cup
• 1988 : The 5th French champion title
• 1991 : The 5th French Cup
• 1997 : The 6th French champion title
• 2000 : The 7th French champion title
• 2003 : The League Cup victory
• 2004 : AS Monaco vice-champion of Europe
• 2011 : The 3rd Gambardella Cup
• 2013 : The Ligue 2 French Champion
• 2016 : The 4th Gambardella Cup
• 2017 : The 8th French champion title
• September 13, 2020 : the 1000th victory in Ligue 1 (2:1 against Nantes)
• 2022 : La Turbie Performance Centre opening
• 2022 : The new Academy building “La Diagonale” is opened
• 2023 : The 5th Gambardella Cup
• 2024 : AS Monaco Centenary
