That cautious approach, Parrot says, is rooted in the club’s role as the standard-bearer for a former mining heartland.
“As a club which has its roots in the mining companies, and is based in an area with a social housing rate of 60%, we have a responsibility to be financially reasonable,” the director outlines. “I think it’s a historical aspect that we should respect.”
“The club definitely plays a socio-economic role,” Parrot continues, notably pointing to the local donations it makes through its foundation. “We’re in a region where the unemployment rate is the highest in the country and the median salary is among the lowest, so we try to do our bit.”
While the town itself only has a population of just over 30,000, its sizable catchment area within the Artois region of the north of France means it has no issue filling out the 38,000-capacity Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Given the economic downturn the area suffered when the mines closed, it’s easy to draw a parallel with clubs across the Channel which are also based in former industrial heartlands.
“It sets us apart,” Parrot explains. “Our stadium is built on top of two former mines and is named after the director of the town’s mining company.
“When we sign a player, we give them a miner’s lamp. It’s a symbolic act; we explain how the lamp was used back in the day, and how it now guides Lens players.”
Every home match, the fans greet their players’ return for the second half with a rendition of “Les Corons”, a 1980s pop song paying tribute to the area’s mining heritage.
This year, fans unfurled an extensive tifo display marking the 120th anniversary of the Courrieres mine disaster, Europe’s deadliest accident of its kind, which killed 1099 local miners.
The club also celebrates Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners, by wearing a commemorative shirt every year during an early-December home match.
This year’s Sainte-Barbe fixture, a 2-0 win over Nice, came in the midst of an eight-match winning streak.
Former Celtic and Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard, Lens’ top scorer this season, headed in two near-identical goals, both assisted by left-back Matthieu Udol.
Much of the creative drive in this year’s Lens team has also come from summer signing Florian Thauvin. With 10 goals and seven assists in all competitions, the former Newcastle man is even contending for a spot in France’s World Cup squad.
“He’s the marquee player that we needed this season,” Parrot says of the 33-year-old.
“We might not have the financial leverage, but we can put forward other factors such as the confidence we put in them and our passion. Those arguments can only go so far, though, so his success will help.”
While a derby defeat to Lille last weekend did see them lose ground on PSG, Lens remain the most credible challenger to the league leaders heading into this season’s final straight.
Going toe-to-toe with the Parisians over the long term, though, remains a tall order for a club which has readily embraced its underdog status.
