1. Overview
Dominique Dropsy (Dominique DropsyDominique DropsyFrench; 9 December 1951 - 7 October 2015) was a French professional footballer who gained renown as a goalkeeper. He had a distinguished career spanning 17 seasons in Ligue 1, during which he played 596 matches, a record that stood for several years. He secured three national championships, with two of these titles achieved during his tenure at Bordeaux. Dropsy also represented the France national team, participating in the 1978 FIFA World Cup. He passed away on 7 October 2015, after a battle with leukemia.
2. Early life and background
Dominique Dropsy was born on 9 December 1951 in Leuze, a commune located in the Aisne department of the Picardy region of France.
3. Career and achievements
Dominique Dropsy's professional football career was marked by consistent performance as a starting goalkeeper and significant team successes, including multiple league and cup titles. After his retirement as a player, he transitioned into coaching, continuing his involvement with the sport.
3.1. Club career
Dropsy began his senior career with Valenciennes FC. During the 1971-72 season, he made 19 appearances, contributing to the club's return to Ligue 1 and their victory in the Ligue 2 championship, which was Valenciennes' first title in that division. He played for Valenciennes from 1970 to 1973, making a total of 57 appearances.
In the summer of 1973, Dropsy signed with RC Strasbourg Alsace. He spent 11 years at the Stade de la Meinau, consistently maintaining his position as the first-choice goalkeeper. Throughout his time there, he never played fewer than 31 matches in a season. A notable achievement came in the 1978-79 campaign, where he featured in all 38 league matches, helping Strasbourg secure their first-ever domestic league title. With Strasbourg, he also won the Ligue 2 title in the 1976-77 season. From 1973 to 1984, he made 406 appearances for the club.
At the age of 34, Dropsy moved to FC Girondins de Bordeaux in 1984, where he remained until his retirement in 1990. He continued to be the first-choice goalkeeper throughout his six seasons with Bordeaux. During this period, he added two more national championships to his accolades, winning Ligue 1 in the 1984-85 and 1986-87 seasons. He also secured two Coupe de France titles in 1986 and 1987. After retiring as a player, Dropsy continued his association with Bordeaux, working as a goalkeeper coach.
Across his entire career, Dominique Dropsy played a total of 596 matches in Ligue 1, a record that stood for several years.
| Club | Years | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Valenciennes FC | 1970-1973 | 57 |
| RC Strasbourg Alsace | 1973-1984 | 406 |
| FC Girondins de Bordeaux | 1984-1990 | 186 |
3.2. International career
Dominique Dropsy earned 17 caps for the France national team over a period of three years, from 1971 to 1981. He was included in the squad for the 1978 FIFA World Cup as an uncapped player. His inclusion was facilitated by an injury to his former Strasbourg teammate, André Rey. Dropsy made his World Cup debut in the final group stage fixture against Hungary in Mar del Plata. France secured a 3-1 victory in this match, although both teams had already been eliminated from the tournament. His last international appearance was in May 1981, in a match against Brazil.
4. Personal life
Dominique Dropsy's son, Damien Dropsy, born in 1983, also pursued a career in football as a goalkeeper. Although Damien did not play professionally, his most notable achievement in the sport was signing a short-term contract with Bordeaux in 2006, serving as the club's fourth-choice goalkeeper. Beyond football, Damien Dropsy also ventured into acting. In 2012, he played the role of a footballer in the motion picture Les Seigneurs (also known as The Dream Team), directed by Olivier Dahan.
5. Health problems and death
Dominique Dropsy experienced significant health challenges in his later years. In 2005, he suffered an aneurysm. Subsequent medical examinations in March 2011 revealed that he had been diagnosed with leukemia. After undergoing treatment, he initially recovered the following year, in 2012. However, his health deteriorated, and he passed away in Bordeaux, Aquitaine, on 7 October 2015, at the age of 63.