Stade Brestois reissues iconic 'King Eric' cap to support oncology unit

Stade Brestois announced on Friday the reissue of the ‘King Eric’ cap in tribute to Éric Roy, who died of cancer on June 17 at the age of 58. All proceeds from sales will be donated entirely to INNOVEO, the endowment fund of Brest University Hospital, to benefit the oncology department.

The former Brestois manager wore this cap throughout the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season, seeking to conceal the effects of his treatment. Until the end, he insisted on keeping his illness secret, both from his players and the general public. This discreet choice gave the accessory a symbolic dimension far beyond simple apparel.

In launching this new edition, the Breton club also intends to “thank and salute all the teams in the oncology department for their support, their dedication and their commitment to patients,” as was the case for their manager. The initiative thus combines sporting memory with concrete support for research and care.

A prominent figure in French football, Éric Roy led Stade Brestois to the UEFA Champions League in the 2024-2025 season, an unprecedented achievement in the club’s history. His cap, which became one of the symbols of this epic, now embodies both his courage in the face of illness and his successes on the bench.

With this reissue, SB29 transforms an everyday object into a gesture of solidarity, perpetuating the memory of the man supporters nicknamed ‘King Eric’.