Club president Franco Sensi born 90 years ago today

Thursday 29 July 1926. It was the height of summer and average temperatures across Italy were topping 30°C. It was a particularly intense period and not only because of the weather: Italy had been under Fascist rule for about a year.

That day an event of great significance took place in Rome: a baby boy called Francesco was born, the son of Silvio Sensi.

Silvio Sensi was a successful businessman with an extraordinary passion for football. A passion he would soon hand down to his son Francesco, who, in turn, would make it his raison d’être.

Seventy-five years later, in 2001, Francesco Sensi was known to everyone in Rome as Franco and he was the president of Italian champions Roma. The Giallorossi had just won their first league title in 18 years, but for Franco it was more than just a sporting achievement.

“I have to think of my parents and especially my father Silvio,” Sensi told La Roma magazine in the summer of 2001.

“Life is a series of memories. For us mountain folk, our past is also our present. Dad was one of the founders and now that we've won this Scudetto I want to dedicate it to him. He was a decent footballer too. I played a bit myself but I wasn't really tall enough or skilful enough. But the shirt was always yellow and red.”

Franco's bond with Roma was formed in the fifties.

“I was vice-president when we won the Fairs Cup. Back then the fans' contribution was vital as gate receipts were the only source of income. Back then you ran the club and got nothing back. There were none of the financial resources available today and it stayed that way until the '80s.

"I'd also like to say a word for Dino Viola, who did a magnificent job working in those conditions. He managed to run the club and win the Scudetto without racking up losses."

Sensi won the title eight years after becoming president. He initially took over the club with Pietro Mezzaroma but became the sole owner just a few months later.

“There wasn't a club when I arrived. Lots of people would sit around all day with their feet up. I acquired Roma when it was on the verge of bankruptcy, paying 20 billion lira [approximately €10 million] only to then discover debts of 100 billion. […]

“I had to rebuild Roma in three stages. When it was two points for a win I needed a coach who could keep us in Serie A. That's why I went for [Carlo] Mazzone, a wonderful person and a friend whose name I'm only too happy to recall.

"Then we needed to move up a level and I made a mistake by bringing in Carlos Bianchi. He was a good coach but he didn't fit in. […]

"We took that step up, in the second stage, thanks to [Zdenek] Zeman. He built a very good team, although his record in the derby was hard to stomach. Then he made accusations about doping elsewhere and it affected him. After two excellent seasons he wanted to dismantle the team. I didn't feel I could support him in that as the financial consequences would have been disastrous. So I went for [Fabio] Capello instead.

“Capello was a winner. We strengthened the team but we didn't have many options on the bench. Then we suffered lots of injuries and that was that. Bringing in Massimo Neri as fitness coach proved to be the turning point. And [Gabriel] Batistuta was the cherry on top.”

Rome was turned yellow and red when Roma grabbed the title from rivals Lazio.

“The whole city exploded in emotion. The celebrations went on and on – in Borgio Pio, Parioli, Testaccio, Trastevere, Garbatella… All very civilised. If there was any uncivilised behaviour it wasn't from Roma fans.”

Directed by Franco Sensi, born on that Thursday 29 July 1926, ninety years ago today.

Happy birthday, president.