In their present incarnation, Lille Olympique Sporting Club have only existed since 1944, when Olympique Lillois merged with SC Fives to create the most dominant force in French football in the immediate post-war period. However, their roots go all the way back to 1902, when 'OL' came into being and set about becoming the major power in the north under President Henri Jooris.
The team had already turned professional and earned their nickname 'les Dogues' (the mastiffs) when the fusion came about, but from 1944-55 they were a different proposition altogether, winning four Coupes de France and two Ligue 1 titles. The newspapers dubbed them "the war machine", but financial problems ended their reign and, by 1969, they had been relegated to the third division.
The local authorities took over the running of the club in the early 1970s, and succeeded in balancing the books. Results did not follow, though, and LOSC were privatised in 1997, since when the club have twice qualified for the Champions' League against the odds. Current President Michel Seydoux is determined to give the city the successful team it warrants, but objections from local residents over a new stadium threaten to hold back any progress.
