Rino Della Negra

Della Negra was born in Vimy, France to Italian parents, and grew up in nearby Argenteuil.^[1] Playing as a goalkeeper or right winger, he began his football career with local club Argenteuil, before joining Red Star Olympique in mid-1942.^[1] Combining his playing career while working in a factory, Della Negra became active in the French Resistance in October 1942, and went into hiding in February 1943.^[1] Della Negra, a Communist,^[2] was a member of the Manouchian Group; he was wounded in an attack in November 1943, and he was executed by firing squad in February 1944.^[1][3] His execution, along with twenty two fellow résistants is the subject of the famous propaganda poster, l'"Affiche rouge". Before he died, Della Negra wrote a letter to his brother saying "hello and goodbye to Red Star."^[1][3] His brother was present on 21 February 2004 as the club revealed a plaque in his honour.^[2]