Founded in 1910, AC Ajaccio first used to play on sand quarries and rubbish dumps before moving into the Stade Jean Lluis – their home until their current François-Coty venue, named after a former mayor, was opened in 1969. They are one of the three traditional powers on the island of Corsica, along with SC Bastia and Gazélac Ajaccio, and won the regional Corsican League eight times before turning professional under the direction of an ambitious team of officials in 1965.
They have never won a major honour but were crowned Ligue 2 champions in 1967 and 2002, since when they have remained in the top flight despite a tiny budget and being consistently threatened with relegation. Their highest finish in Ligue 1 was sixth place in 1970-71, and their most famous players down the years include Dominique Baratelli, Marius Trésor, François M'Pelé, Dado Prso and current Coach Rolland Courbis.
The club symbol is a white bear and the fans count themselves as some of the most passionate in France, often drawing on their rebel status as the Corsican independence movement continues to push for political separation from the mainland.
