The French Division 4 was the fourth tier in the French football pyramid from 1978 to 1993. Above it were the Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3. Although it was succeeded by the Championnat National 3, the introduction of the Championnat National meant that the Championnat National 2 became the new fourth division.

History Before the introduction of Division 4, the Division d'Honneur of regional leagues was the fourth tier in France. Against the advice of these regional divisions, the French Football Federation introduced the D4 in 1978.

In 1993, the Championnat National 3 replaced Division 4. However, the Championnat National 2 became the new fourth tier in the French football league system.

Format Division 4 followed the same system of being an "open" league as Division 3, mixing together amateur clubs and reserve sides of professional clubs. The 112 teams were split into 8 geographic groups of 14 teams. At the end of the season, the best team from each respective group was promoted to Division 3. The champion of each regional Division d'Honneur was promoted to D4, while the bottom three of each group in D4 were relegated.

To determine a winner of the league, Division 4 included a play-off phase at the end of the season, in which the 8 group winners participated. A group stage with 2 groups of 4 teams was followed by a final to crown a winner.

Performances by team +Division 4 winners by teamTeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-upToulouse B111992–931980–81Abbeville11978–79Meaux11979–80Rennes B11980–81AS Strasbourg11981–8211982–83INF Vichy B11983–84Auxerre ReservesSecond reserve side of Auxerre.11984–85La Rochelle11985–86Créteil11986–8711987–88Bastia B11988–89Rouen B11989–90Fréjus11990–91Bourges B11991–92Montélimar11978–79Clermont11979–80Reims B11981–82Saint-Raphaël11982–83Lorient11983–84Grenoble11984–85Versailles11985–86Le Touquet11986–87RC Strasbourg B11987–88Paris FC11988–89Blagnac11989–90Thouars11990–91Saint-Malo11991–92Schiltigheim11992–93

See also

French Division 3 (1971–1993)

Notes

References

Bibliography Championnat de France Division 4, FFF, 1993