About

Racing Club de Lens (founded in 1906), based in Lens, France, competes in Ligue 1, and the club’s red and gold shirts are sought after by collectors and fans alike; Walkouts presents a curated selection of signed football shirts and framed pieces that celebrate those colours and moments.

The team plays its home fixtures at the historic Stade Bollaert-Delelis, a ground long associated with the club’s proud supporters and with the famous 1997-98 Ligue 1 title, followed by the 1998-99 Champions League debut that raised its international profile.

Lens history is marked by intense local fixtures such as the Derby du Nord, memorable Champions League nights and domestic highs, and the club is currently ranked 282 by IFFHS, a concise indicator of its standing among global sides. The stadium, the derby name and European nights are all frequent provenance cues for collectors when verifying shirts.

Anniversary releases are a recognised collector focus, notably the Centenary 2006 recreation that marked 100 years of Racing Club lensois and used a commemorative crest variant; limited runs from that release are often identified by special patches and numbered labels, which make them distinct in fanshop catalogues.

Seasonal magnets drive demand, with shirts from the 1997-98 title season, the 1998-99 Champions League campaign and the modern 2022-23 runners-up push repeatedly chased because they tie to pivotal matches, squad lists and photographic records that authenticate provenance.

One iconic collectors’ thread is the 1998-99 white away set, linked to European away nights and decisive fixtures in continental competition; away kits from that campaign appear in auction catalogues and private sales with match-reference notes, making colourway and competition links key identifiers.

Fans seek both match-worn and signed retail shirts, yet it is important to note that signed fanshop pieces are widely collected, especially early runs, player-issue variants and region-specific releases; many items are sold with a COA or photographic evidence and are cross-referenced with matchday imagery and club archives, so provenance and supplier-era detail remain central. Collectors most often target scarves and shirts from 1997-98, 1998-99 and 2022-23 seasons as anchor pieces, and items available via Walkouts are described with fixture context and authentication cues to aid confident purchase.

Collector Highlights

Iconic home kits

  • 1997–98 Red/yellow Ligue 1 champions
  • 1998–99 Red/yellow UCL debut
  • 2022–23 Red/yellow Ligue 1 runners-up

Iconic away kits

  • 1998–99 White UCL away set
  • 2023–24 Black UCL away nights

Anniversary shirts

  • 2006 Centenary 1906–2006 crest

Collector seasons

  • 1997–98 Ligue 1 title
  • 1998–99 Champions League debut
  • 2022–23 Ligue 1 2nd place

Honours

RC Lens have built a competitive honours record in France, crowned by their French top-flight triumph in Division 1 during 1997-98. That landmark campaign sits alongside a series of near misses, with the club recording five runner-up finishes in the top division, the most recent arriving in the 2022-23 season. European competition has also featured in the club's story, with participation in the UEFA Champions League following their title, debuting in 1998-99 and returning in 2023-24 to underline their modern credentials. The sustained presence in Ligue 1 and periodic qualification for continental tournaments reflect a side that has repeatedly challenged at the summit of French football. Lens's standing is further recognised by an IFFHS club world ranking of 282 with 82 points, a neutral indicator of international regard. While the club's silverware cabinet is led by that top-flight crown, the consistency and resilience shown across eras remain central to its identity.

Legends & Leadership

Eric Sikora is celebrated as a legend player from the 1990s, embodying loyalty and resilience that resonated with Lens supporters and helping set the standards for later generations.

Guillaume Warmuz stands out as a legend player of the late 1990s, remembered for commanding performances and leadership that anchored the team during high-stakes domestic campaigns.

Raphaël Varane grew into a recent key player in the early 2010s, emerging with poise beyond his years and offering the kind of assured presence that signalled Lens's commitment to developing elite talent.

Stadium

Stade Bollaert-Delelis is the unmistakable home of RC Lens in the northern city of Lens, Pas-de-Calais, and a stage where the club's red and gold colours fill the stands on matchdays. The ground welcomes Ligue 1 fixtures and memorable European visitors, with a reputation for a fervent, community-driven atmosphere that reflects the club's deep roots in the region. The stadium's identity is strongly tied to the supporters, whose songs and tifos create an immersive experience for home and away fans alike. Few occasions match the intensity of the Derby du Nord against Lille, when the noise level and spectacle rise another notch. Known formally as Stade Bollaert-Delelis, it remains a landmark venue where the Sang et Or spirit is on full display from the first whistle to the last.

Capacity
38223
Local derby
Derby du Nord Lille fierce

Authentication & Provenance

  • Verification LFP/UEFA patches authenticate
  • Suppliers Umbro/Nike/Macron eras
  • Provenance 97–98 title shirts premium

FAQ

Q: Which league do RC Lens play in?A: As of the 2024-25 season, Lens compete in Ligue 1, France's top tier.

Q: What is the club's nickname and traditional colours?A: Supporters know Lens as Les Sang et Or, meaning The Blood and Gold, a nod to the team's red and gold colours.

Q: What major honours have Lens achieved?A: The club has one French top-flight title, winning Division 1 in 1997-98, and has finished runners-up five times, most recently in the 2022-23 season.

Q: Who are Lens's main rivals?A: Lens contest the fiercely supported Derby du Nord against neighbours Lille OSC.

Q: How do you verify authenticity of signed items or matchworn shirts?A: Every signed item is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, and where applicable we reference official league or UEFA patching and photo-matched details. Free worldwide shipping.