FC Istres was founded in 1920 by Édouard Guizonnier as SS Istréenne. In 1969, SS Istréenne was merged into the more general sports club Istres Sports, who chose to keep Istréenne's distinctive purple and black colours. In 1977 the club made young entrepreneur Michel Aviet the club's president and ex-Yugoslav goalkeeper Georges Korac the club's manager. During the Aviet-Korac years, the club advanced from France's lower amateur regional divisions all the way up to Ligue 2.
In the 2004–05 season, the club reached Ligue 1 for the first time in its history but finished last and was relegated to Ligue 2. Istres returned to Ligue 2 in the 2009–10 season after winning the Championnat National 2008–09. On 23 June 2009, the DNCG initially barred Arles-Avignon from participating in Ligue 2 due to financial irregularities, despite their promotion from the Championnat National. However, this decision was reversed on appeal on 3 July, allowing Arles-Avignon to retain their Ligue 2 status.[1] On 3 July, following an appeal, the DNCG reversed its decision reinstating Arles' Ligue 2 status.[2] Istres were relegated from Ligue 2 at the end of the 2013–14 season after a 4–2 loss to Dijon FCO.[3] They were briefly readmitted to Ligue 2 when Luzenac was denied promotion due to stadium requirements. However, on 11 July 2014, following the reversal of a ruling against Valenciennes, Istres' relegation was confirmed, and they returned to the Championnat National.
In July 2015, the club was relegated to the seventh tier due to financial issues. On 12 March 2016, it was renamed Istres Football Club, with President Alain Christmann explaining, "The entity 'Ouest Provence' no longer exists, so this change is more logical. It's not a revolution, but it needed to be done."[4] Successive promotions in 2017 and 2018 elevated the club to the Championnat National 3, with another promotion to the Championnat National 2 in 2024.
Naming history
SS Istréenne (1920–1969)
Istres Sports (1969–1990)
FC Istres Ville Nouvelle (1990–2004)
FC Istres Ouest Provence (2004–2016)
Players
Current squad
As of 14 October 2024
None of the players have a fixed/assigned shirt number by the club.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
