At the beginning of the group stands the Kop Jean Bouin. This brings together the rowdiest fans of OL, in the Jean Bouin stand, while the club is in the second division. Some rustic stadiums surely still remember these lively visitors who accompanied Olympique Lyonnais back then.
Shortly after promotion to Division 1 in 1989, the group abandoned the Jean Bouin stand and its sometimes flying benches for the North Stand and its larger spaces.
The group is very diverse, with some “travelers” less interested in displays, and others inspired by the Italian model. But it’s not really the displays that stand out for the group during those years. The North Stand is a true territory, fiercely defended by its occupants. We remember some very violent clashes with law enforcement, who were sometimes simply pushed out of the stand. A famous Lyon-Caen match in 1991 degenerated into a riot in the stand and spilled into the surrounding streets. Result: hospitalization for about ten riot police! This event was commemorated by creating a banner “Section 24/08,” referring to the date of the clashes.
Fights are routine with the few opposing supporters who come to visit. The Marseille fans probably have some good memories, certainly better than the Saint-Étienne fans who then play the role of punching bag.
The police closely monitor the actions of what are quickly called “Lyon hooligans”. They wait for the last straw. It comes from a few young people around the group who, in September 1992, triggered a wave of harsh repression with a despicable anti-Semitic act. Undercover detectives replace riot police, the pressure increases, and above all, the reputation of the North Stand takes a big hit: Gerland immediately becomes much less attractive. Many parents forbid their children from attending matches, and the group sees its numbers dwindle. About a hundred die-hards remain.
It takes until October 1995 for another significant event in the group’s life to occur. This time, OL travels to Lazio in the UEFA Cup. 80 Bad Gones take to the streets of Rome on a trip that will be remembered by the group.
Moving to the South Stand during construction to replace our stand with a brand-new one for the World Cup, the group is nearing its end. Alongside the surviving Bad Gones, a much younger core persists despite constant police pressure. A nucleus forms to revive the group, without great ambitions. It will almost reluctantly inherit the responsibilities of stand animators from 1997, the date of the group’s return to its new North Stand.
The beginnings are not very exciting; our stand having seen its population completely renewed. The young people show no real willingness to get involved, and the core group is not very interested in the display aspect. Yet, by hanging up the BG banner again, the group’s leaders want to incorporate all BG components (the Ultras, the hooligans, the old-timers, the tourists). In the end, some great achievements come to reward the work done.
During the 1998-1999 season, the Bad Gones mobilized for unforgettable European trips, notably to Bruges and Bologna. By the 1999-2000 season, the group had 1,500 members: this meant the need for a new organization and streamlining of activities. This evolution was accompanied by a difficult transition period. The old leaders had already given too much, and the new generation struggled to assert itself: the group stagnated. Criticisms about the group’s development didn’t help. The Bad Gones found it hard to get motivated for trips, and the atmosphere at Gerland Stadium was often disappointing. The results didn’t help either, especially the disappointing performances in the 1999-2000 season and the two shocking eliminations against Maribor and then Werder Bremen.
In 2001, many preferred to leave the group for good, which then operated with a minimal number of members. Once again, the Bad Gones came close to the end. The perseverance of some finally paid off, and a new generation emerged capable of revitalizing the group. Many young people got involved, showing great enthusiasm and authentic mentality. The group started anew, now relying on hard-earned experience, fresh blood, and solid unity.
Having passed the adolescence stage, the group is aware that it operates in an environment less and less tolerant of the enthusiasm that drives supporter groups. The context requires a good deal of maturity, solidarity, and above all, a lot of tenacity.
The 2001-2002 season marked a significant development, as all fans from the North Stand gathered under the KOP VIRAGE NORD banner. The scale of the group encouraged this evolution. The term “Bad Gones” continued to designate the most active, motivated, and loyal members of the group. Some remarkable achievements in the North Stand and promising trips accompanied the nail-biting capture of the first French championship title. While some trips were largely ignored, others mobilized a lot, especially towards the end of the season: Auxerre, Strasbourg, and Bordeaux notably. The atmosphere at Gerland Stadium kept improving. The sporting results and the arrival of this new generation undoubtedly injected new energy into the group.
After many tough seasons, the group approached the 2002-2003 season much more optimistically. On December 1st, the group celebrated its 15th anniversary at Gerland during the match against Strasbourg. The pitch was invaded by about thirty representative BGs carrying a historic banner, followed by the lighting of more than 50 torches and a magnificent tifo with sails. It was also a time for terrible commemoration evenings, properly celebrated.
Furthermore, Jean-Michel Aulas’s commercial policy and ultra-liberal discourse continued to bear fruit on the club’s sporting and economic results. Although aware of his success and grateful for the work done by the OL president, the Kop Virage Nord still made sure to communicate its view of contemporary football and did not intend to lose its critical sense. Throughout the season, several actions aimed to assert a different vision of football, one more popular and less commercial.
The same spirit drove the group concerning the club’s sporting results. When bad scores piled up, as at the end of 2002, the training center was visited by a few dozen BGs. The group hadn’t lost its old reflexes. In this regard, some trips also offered beautiful nostalgic moments to the older members.
The second title (2002-2003) was won in Montpellier in front of 5,000 enthusiastic Lyon fans. A few days later, Sonny Anderson announced his departure. Like Florent Laville, Alain Caveglia, and Gregory Coupet, he belonged to those players who, in their own way, had become true companions for the group. Juninho then took over in the hearts of the Bad Gones.
In the mid-2000s, ambitious tifos followed one after another, and the animation group had a blast, thanks to increasing involvement and improving skills year after year. Unforgettable trips accompanied the European adventures, culminating in the presence of 10,000 Lyon fans in Milan for the Champions League quarter-final in 2006. Throughout the 2000s, the group continued to grow and could rely on a large core of motivated members. At Gerland, the frenzy was contagious, and the entire stadium was regularly lifted by the enthusiasm of the North Stand.
In 2007, the Bad Gones celebrated their 20th anniversary. Parties, matches between BGs as a prelude on the Gerland pitch, Sonny Anderson in the stands, and various activities contributed to the pleasure of several generations of Bad Gones. Evoking everyone’s memories was an opportunity to measure the progress made, from Louhans-Cuiseaux to Madrid, from Brest to Munich. It was also a time to think of those who, too many, had left us. Today, new motivated gones are getting involved, offering hope for a bright future. All that remains for them is to embrace their status as Bad Gones and thus drive the Kop Virage Nord forward.
Bad Gones Lyon are known as one of the most influential ultras groups in France, often conflicts with Saint Etienna fans were on the agenda. December 5, 2015 marked a special moment for all Lyon supporters. Namely, on that day, the last match was played at the Stade Gerland, which had been the home of their club for decades. The atmosphere was charged with emotions, the stadium was packed, and the fans made sure that this historic match was appropriately celebrated.
Through an impressive choreography and a spectacular pyroshow, Bad Gones bid farewell to their beloved stadium, sending it into history. Memories of that day remain deeply ingrained in the hearts of all who were present. It was a moment where past and future emotions collided, symbolizing the transition to a new era in the club’s life.
Parc Olympique Lyonnais, one of the 12 new stadiums built for Euro 2016 in France, has now become Lyon’s new home. The stadium has a capacity of 59,186 seats. Lyon played their first match at this stadium against Troyes on January 9, 2016, with an exceptional atmosphere created by the fans.
In 2017, Bad Gones celebrated its 30th anniversary at the match against Marseille. Before that match, Bad Gones also organized a spectacular show in the city with fireworks and flares.
Throughout that year, Bad Gones performed choreographies at almost every match in honor of their 30th anniversary. When they were away, they traveled with a simple old-fashioned banner “BG 87“.
At the match against Marseille, they prepared two choreographies, and at the end of the match, the players walked towards the Bad Gones’ stand with a banner and a few flares. An excellent gesture by the players!
The club also added the Bad Gones logo to the official shirt for that match.
In the match between Lyon and Nice on November 11, 2022, the Bad Gones celebrated their 35th anniversary with a fantastic celebration. They presented several different choreographies and put on a great pyroshow.
Additionally, friends from Ultras Sur (Real Madrid) also attended this match.