Élodie

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The club was forged in 1990 under the name Montpellier-Le-Crès, born from the merger of two local sides: Racing Club de Paillade and Entente Cressoise. In 2001, the women's team became the official women's section of Montpellier HSC. Under that banner, the side captured the Division 1 Féminine title twice in 2004 and 2005, and lifted the Challenge de France three times (2006, 2007, 2009), cementing its status as one of French women's football's most decorated clubs. On the European stage, Montpellier reached the semi-finals of the 2005–06 UEFA Women's Cup and, in the 2009–10 season, advanced to the quarter-finals of the inaugural UEFA Women's Champions League, falling to Swedish powerhouse Umeå on away goals. The club has been a proving ground for French internationals. Hoda Lattaf, still with the first team, was a linchpin of the national side during her ten-year stint from 1997 to 2007, amassing 112 caps and 31 goals. Other stars who wore the Montpellier crest include Sonia Bompastor and Camille Abily, both of whom later plied their trade in the United States' WPS, as well as Louisa Necib, Élodie Thomis, and Laure Lepailleur, who all moved on to Olympique Lyonnais. In October 2025, Crux Football—a newly formed women-centric multi-club investment group—acquired 100% ownership of Montpellier HSC Féminines, splitting the women's side from the parent club and making it an independent entity. Paul Bouffard was appointed president to provide local leadership. The acquisition, Crux's first investment, is intended as a flagship model for building a European women's football portfolio. Club captain Sonia Ouchene voiced support, calling the move an evolution for women's football in France that would help maintain high standards and fuel the club's ambitions.

In Their Own Story

The club was formed in 1990 under the name Montpellier-Le-Crès following the fusion of local clubs Racing Club de Paillade and Entente Cressoise. In 2001, the women's club became the women's section of the football club Montpellier HSC. Since joining Montpellier, the women's section has won the Division 1 Féminine twice in 2004 and 2005 and the Challenge de France three times in 2006, 2007, and 2009, making the club one of the most successful women's football clubs in French football. Montpellier reached the semi-finals of the 2005–06 edition of the UEFA Women's Cup and, during the 2009–10 season, reached the quarter-finals of the inaugural edition of the UEFA Women's Champions League, losing to Swedish club Umeå on the away goals rule. Montpellier has produced several well-known players that have played for the France women's national football team. Hoda Lattaf is a current member of the Montpellier first-team and was one of the leading players of the national team during her ten-year stint from 1997 to 2007. Lattaf finished her international career with 112 appearances and 31 goals. Current internationals and former players include Sonia Bompastor and Camille Abily who are both players abroad in the WPS in the United States. Internationals Louisa Necib, Élodie Thomis, and Laure Lepailleur all played for Montpellier before joining Olympique Lyonnais. In October 2025, Crux Football, a newly established women-centric multi-club investment group, acquired 100% ownership of Montpellier HSC Féminines from Montpellier HSC. The transaction separated the women's section from the parent club's structure, making it an independent entity under the Crux umbrella. As part of the new governance, Paul Bouffard was appointed president of Montpellier Féminines to provide local leadership and experience. The acquisition is Crux Football's first investment and is intended to serve as a flagship model in building a portfolio of European women's football clubs. Club captain Sonia Ouchene expressed support, stating that the move represented an evolution for women's football in France and would help maintain high standards and achieve the club's ambitions.

Reader's Guide

Name: Montpellier Hérault Sport Club Féminines Founded: 1990 Location: Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, a commune in the arrondissement of Montpellier League: Première Ligue Manager: Frédéric Mendy Home stadium: Stade Joseph-Blanc, a 1,000-capacity stadium situated in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone. The club also hosts matches at the Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, where the men's team plays. Honours: Division 1 Féminine (Champions of France): Winners (2): 2004, 2005; Runners-up (4): 2006, 2007, 2009, 2017 Coupe de France: Winners (3): 2006, 2007, 2009; Runners-up (6): 2003, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016 Pyrénées Cup: Winners (2): 2008, 2010

Notable former players: Hoda Lattaf (112 appearances and 31 goals for France from 1997 to 2007), Sonia Bompastor, Camille Abily, Louisa Necib, Élodie Thomis, Laure Lepailleur

Current squad: As of 10 July 2026 Current staff: As of 10 March 2024

In October 2025, Crux Football acquired 100% ownership of Montpellier HSC Féminines from Montpellier HSC, separating the women's section from the parent club. Paul Bouffard was appointed president. Club captain Sonia Ouchene expressed support for the move.

Did You Know?

• The club was founded in 1990 under the name Montpellier-Le-Crès, following the merger of Racing Club de Paillade and Entente Cressoise.
• Montpellier has won the Division 1 Féminine twice (2004, 2005) and the Challenge de France three times (2006, 2007, 2009).
• Hoda Lattaf finished her international career with 112 appearances and 31 goals for France from 1997 to 2007.
• In October 2025, Crux Football acquired 100% ownership of the club, making it an independent entity from Montpellier HSC.