Athletic Club Bilbao
Athletic Club Bilbao is a football (soccer) club from Spain.
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Athletic Club, commonly known as Athletic Bilbao in English language, is a football (soccer) club from Bilbao in Biscay, Basque Country (greater region), Spain. Athletic Club Bilbao has played in the
Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions. In the historical classification of La Liga took 3rd place behind Real Madrid and Barcelona. Athletic Club Bilbao also has a women's team, which has won 4 championships in the Spanish Superliga.
They are known as the
Los Leones (the lions) because their stadium was built near a church called
San Mamés (Saint Mammes). Mammes was an early Christian thrown to the lions by the Roman Empire. The lions refused to eat Mames and he was later made a saint.
The San Mames Stadium is hence nicknamed "the football cathedral".
Athletic Club Bilbao is known for its cantera policy of bringing young Basque people players through the ranks, as well as recruiting top Basque players from other clubs (like Joseba Etxeberria or Javi Martínez). Athletic only signs professional players native to one of the seven Basque provinces: Biscay, Guipúzcoa and Álava, Navarre; and Labourd, Soule and Lower Navarre in France, although in recent times some players born in Cantabria and La Rioja (Spain), close to the Basque Country (greater region) have played for the team. This has gained Athletic both admirers and critics. Athletic Club Bilbao has been praised for promoting home grown players and club loyalty. On the other hand, is one of only four professional clubs in Spain, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Osasuna, which is not a sports corporation, so that ownership of Athletic Club Bilbao lies in its partners.
History
Bilbao FC, Athletic Club and Team Bizkaia
Football was introduced to Bilbao by two distinct groups of players, both with United Kingdom connections; British steel and shipyard workers and Basque students returning from schools in Britain.
In the late 1800s Bilbao was a leading port at the heart of an important industrial area with iron mines and shipyards nearby. It was the driving force of the Spanish economy and as a result attracted many migrant workers. Among them were miners from the north-east of England, and shipyard workers from Sunderland, Southampton and Portsmouth. The British workers brought with them (as to so many other parts of the world) the game of football. In the early 1890s these workers came together and formed
Bilbao Football Club.
Meanwhile, sons of the Basque people educated classes had made the opposite journey and went to United Kingdom to complete their studies in civil engineering and commerce. While in the United Kingdom these students developed an interest in football and on their return to Bilbao they began to arrange games with British workers. In 1898 students belonging to the
Gymnasium Zamacois founded the
Athletic Club, using the English spelling. In 1901 a meeting was held in the Cafe Garcia which established more formal rules and regulations.
In 1902 the two Bilbao clubs formed a combined team, known as
Club Vizcaya, in the first Copa del Rey. They returned with the trophy after defeating FC Barcelona in the final. This would lead to the eventual merger of the two clubs as
Athletic Club de Bilbao in 1903. In the same year Basque students also formed
Athletic Club de Madrid. This club later evolved into Atlético Madrid. The club's foundation date is a subject of debate among football historians. Athletic Club Bilbao itself declares 1898, but others claim 1901 is the true founding year. There is also a strong case for 1903.
Club colours
Equally debated, is the origin of Athletic Club Bilbao colours. Although their first colours were blue and white stripes, in 1910 they switched to red and white stripes. There are three schools of thought about why this occurred. The most common theory is that they were changed out of deference to Sunderland A.F.C. and Southampton FC, cities where the original British founders were from.
Los Colchoneros - the mattress makers.
Athletic were one of the last major clubs who did not have the logo of an official sponsor emblazoned on their kit.
In the UEFA cup and the
Copa del Rey of 2004-2005, the shirt sported the word "Euskadi" in green in exchange for hundreds of thousands of euros from the Basque Government (red, white and green are the Ikurriña).
This policy was changed for the three seasons starting from 2008, with Athletic playing with the logo of the Biscay-based Petronor oil company on their shirts in exchange for over 2 million euros.
Copa del Rey
Athletic Club Bilbao featured prominently in early Copa del Rey competitions. Following the inaugural win by
Club Vizcaya, the newly formed Athletic Bilbao won it again in 1903. In 1904 they were declared winners after their opponents, Club Español de Madrid, failed to turn up. In 1907 they revived the name
Club Vizcaya after entering a combined team with
Union Vizcaino. After a brief lull they won the competition again in 1911 and then won it three times in a row between 1914 and 1916. The star of this team was Pichichi (footballer), a prolific goalscorer who scored the very first goal in the San Mamés stadium, on August 21, 1913 and a hat-trick in the 1915 final. Today the La Liga top-scorer is declared the The Pichichi Trophy in his honour.
The First La Liga
Athletic were not the only Basque team represented in the 1920 squad. Other clubs such as Real Unión, Arenas Club de Getxo and Real Sociedad also provided players. These four clubs were all founding members of La Liga in 1928 and by 1930 they were joined by Deportivo Alaves. This meant that five of the ten clubs in the
Primera División of Spain’s national league were from the Basque Country (greater region). The saying
Con cantera y afición, no hace falta importación, translated as
With home-grown teams and supporters, there is no need for imports made sense during these early days.
El Bombín
In 1921 a new coach, Fred Pentland arrived from Racing Santander. In 1923 he led Athletic Club Bilbao to victory in the Copa del Rey. He revolutionised the way Athletic played, favouring the short-passing game. In 1927 he left Athletic and coached Atlético Madrid, Real Oviedo and Spain national football team. In 1929 he rejoined Athletic and he subsequently led Athletic to La Liga/Copa del Rey doubles in 1930 and 1931. Athletic Club Bilbao won the Copa del Rey four times in a row between 1930 and 1933 and they were also La Liga runners-up in 1932 and 1933. In 1931 Athletic also defeated FC Barcelona 12-1, the latter’s worst ever defeat.
Atlético Bilbao
In 1941 Athletic Club Bilbao changed its name to
Atlético Bilbao, following Language politics in Francoist Spain, banning the use of non-Spanish language names and refuting the policy of only letting Basque-born players in Athletic Club Bilbao (see origins of the "grandparent rule"). The same year also saw Telmo Zarraonaindía make his debut. Over the next thirteen seasons he went on to score 294 goals in all competitions for Atletico, plus another 20 for Spain national football team in as many games. His 38 goals in the 1950/51 season still stands as a record. Another great player from this era was José Luis Lopez Panizo. In the 1943 Athletic Club Bilbao won a La Liga/Copa del Rey double and they subsequently retained the Copa del Rey in both 1944 and 1945.
During the early 1950s Athletic Club Bilbao featured the legendary forward line of Telmo Zarraonaindía, José Luis Lopez Panizo, Rafa Iriondo, Venancio and Agustín Gaínza. They helped Athletic Club Bilbao win another Copa del Rey in 1950. The arrival of coach Ferdinand Daučík improved Athletic Club Bilbao's fortunes further. He led Athletic Club Bilbao to another double in 1956 and to further Copa del Rey victories in 1955 and 1958. In 1956 Athletic Club Bilbao also made their debut in the European Cup 1956–57, eventually been knocked out by Manchester United F.C..
What helped Athletic Club Bilbao succeed in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s were the strict limits imposed on foreign players. In most cases clubs could only have three foreign players in its squad, meaning that at least eight local players had to play in every game. While Real Madrid C.F. and FC Barcelona circumnavigated these rules by playing dual citizens such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, José Santamaria and Ladislao Kubala, Athletic adhered strictly to their cantera policy, showing little or no flexibility. The 1960s, however were dominated by Real Madrid C.F. and
Atlético Bilbao only had a single Copa del Rey win in 1969.
Like international teams, Athletic Club Bilbao has used the
grandparent rule, allowing the recruitment of some players of Basque descent. This enabled Barcelona-born Armando Merodio to play for the club. However during 1960s other players such as Jesus María Pereda, Miguel Jones, and José Eulogio Gárate were overlooked. Although none of them were Basques by birth, all three grew up in the Basque Country (greater region) and could be classified as naturalised Basques. Gárate even had Basque parents.
On a positive note the 1960s saw the emergence of an Athletic legend José Ángel Iribar. The 1970s were not much better with only another single Copa del Rey win in 1973. In December 1975, before a game against Real Sociedad, Iribar and the Real captain Ignacio Kortabarria, carried out the Ikurriña, the Basque Country (greater region) flag and placed it ceremonially on the centre-circle. This was the first public display of the flag since the death of Francisco Franco. In 1977 Athletic Club Bilbao reached the UEFA Cup final, only losing on away goals to Juventus F.C.. By now Athletic Club Bilbao had reverted to using the name
Athletic Bilbao.
The Clemente Era
In 1981 Athletic Club Bilbao appointed Javier Clemente as manager. He soon set about putting together one of the most successful Athletic Bilbao teams in the clubs history. Young players from the cantera such as Santiago Urkiaga, Miguel De Andres, Ismael Urtubi, Estanislao Argote and Andoni Zubizarreta joined veterans Daniel Ruiz Bazán and Andoni Goikoetxea Olaskoaga. In his first season in charge, Clemente led Athletic Club Bilbao to 4th place in La Liga. In 1983 Athletic Club Bilbao won La Liga and in 1984 they won a La Liga/Copa del Rey double. In 1985 and 1986 Athletic finished 3rd and 4th respectively. Clemente’s Athletic acquired notoriety for its aggressive style of play, personified by hard man Andoni Goikoetxea Olaskoaga. He favoured two defensive midfielders playing in front of twin centre backs and a sweeper and as a result critics regarded his teams as dour but effective.
Athletic Bilbao has failed to win a major trophy since the success of the Clemente era. A succession of coaches including José Ángel Iribar, Howard Kendall, Jupp Heynckes and Javier Irureta and even a returning Clemente failed to reproduce his success.
The Fernández Era
The most successful Athletic coach since Clemente has been Luis Fernández, appointed in 1996. In 1998 he led Athletic Club Bilbao to second in La Liga and UEFA Champions League 1998-99 qualification. Fernandez benefited from Athletic Club Bilbao adopting a more flexible approach to the cantera. Now anybody could play for Athletic, just as long as they acquired their skills in the Basque Country (greater region). Thus Patxi Ferreira from Salamanca and Biurrun, a Brazilian-born player who immigrated to the region at a young age, played for Athletic Club Bilbao in the late 1980s. Despite this new approach, their definition of a Basque is still open to interpretation, with both Roberto López Ufarte and Benjamín Zarandona being overlooked despite having Basque parents.
Fernandez signed Bixente Lizarazu, the first France-born Basque to join the club, Ismael Urzaiz and José Mari.
Athletic also began to recruit players from the canteras of other Basque Country (greater region) clubs, leading to allegations of poaching. In 1995 Athletic signed Joseba Etxeberria from regional rivals Real Sociedad, causing considerable bad feeling between the two clubs. Although Bixente Lizarazu left after one season, Ismael Urzaiz, José Mari Garcia Lafuente and Joseba Etxeberria, were prominent members of the 1997/98 squad along with Rafael Alkorta, Julen Guerrero and Patxi Ferreira.
Recent events
In recent seasons Athletic Bilbao have languished in mid-table and Athletic Club Bilbao was embroiled in a relegation battle during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons. In 2006 top-flight survival was ensured on the 37th match day when Deportivo de la Coruña were beaten at Riazor 2-1. Javier Clemente began his third spell as club coach in 2005, at a time when Athletic Club Bilbao were last in the table. He is widely acknowledged to have brought defensive stability to the team, and so is also credited with having saved Athletic Club Bilbao from relegation, despite this he was not left in charge for the 2006-2007 season. The 2006-2007 season has been the worst in Athletic Club Bilbao's history, top-flight survival was ensured on the last match day when Levante were beaten at San Mamés 2-0. In December 2008 Spanish media claimed that this match had been fixed and that some of Levante UD players accepted a bribe from the Basque club. Despite the lack of on-field success, a majority of Athletic Club Bilbao's supporters think Athletic Club Bilbao's identity is more important than winning trophies. According to an
El Mundo (Spain) survey in the 1990s, 76% of Athletic fans would rather see Athletic Club Bilbao relegated than give up the cantera policy. The most successful Athletic team of recent times has been the women’s football team who have won the Superliga Femenina four times between 2003 and 2007.
Copa del Rey Finalists
In the 2008-2009 season Athletic again achieved unspectacular results and finished in mid-table, though they ensured safety from relegation earlier than in the previous campaigns. In the Copa del Rey however Athletic Club Bilbao maneged to pull through some tough ties including local rivals Osasuna and the strong Sevilla side to reach their first final in the competition in 24 years. The final in Valencia against Barcelona was a great occasion for the fans, and though they lost 4-1 the result was no disgrace, as the expensively Barcelona side of that season also proved unbeatable in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Athletic's reward for their efforts was a place in the 'new' UEFA Europa League for the following 2009-2010 campaign.
Players
The numbers are established according to the official website:
Update July 24, 2009-
The players with dorsal over 25 belong to the subsidiary with appearances in the first team. Player records
Pichichi Trophy
In Spanish football, the Pichichi is the trophy awarded by Spanish sports newspaper Marca to the top goalscorer for each league season.
- (R) = Record.
Ricardo Zamora Trophy
The Ricardo Zamora Trophy is a football (soccer) award, established by Spanish newspaper MARCA in 1958. The award goes to the goalkeeper who has the lowest "goals-to-games" ratio.
All-time top scorers
Honours
Men’s Football
National tournaments
La Liga
Copa del Rey
Supercopa de España
Copa Eva Duarte
International tournaments
UEFA Europa League
Friendly tournaments
Morocco Summer Cup
Trofeo Ramón de Carranza
Trofeo Colombino
Trofeo Costa del Sol
Trofeo Teresa Herrera
Trofeo Villa de Gijón
Trofeo Ibérico
Trofeo Lasesarre
Trofeo Ciudad de Vigo
Copa Latina
Regional tournaments
Basque Country (greater region) Cup
Northern Championship / Biscay Championship
Women’s Football
Superliga Femenina
History
- 4
Participations in the
UEFA Champions League- 17
Participations in the
UEFA Europa League- 78
seasons (All) in
La Liga!
: 77 (all).
- Most goals scored in one match home: Athletic 12 - FC Barcelona 1 (1930-31).
- Most goals scored in one match away: Osasuna 1 - Athletic 8 (1958-59).
- Most goals scored in one match in Copa del Rey: Athletic 12 - Celta de Vigo 1 (1946-47)
- Most goals scored in one match in European competitions: Standard Liège 1 - Athletic 7 (2004-05).
- Best position in La Liga: 1st (8 times)
- Worst position in La Liga: 17th (06-07).
- Historical position in the ranking of La Liga: 3rd
- Participations in UEFA Europa League: 17
- Best position in UEFA Europa League: Runner-up.
- Participations in UEFA Champions League: 4
- Best position in UEFA Champions League: Quarter final.
Records
- It is with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona the only team to have contested all editions of La Liga, without having ever fallen category.
- In the 1929-30 season, finished the league unbeaten.
- Has the record for the biggest win in La Liga (12-1 to FC Barcelona, in 1931).
- Has the record for the biggest win in Copa del Rey (12-1 to Celta de Vigo, in 1947).
- Has the highest win record at Real Madrid as a visitor (0-6 in Santiago Bernabéu).
- Zarra is the only player in the history of La Liga which was 6 times top scorer of this tournament.
- Zarra holds the record for goals in the history of La Liga (252 goals).
- Zarra holds the record for goals in a single season (38 goals, in 30 matches).
- Zarra is the top scorer in the history of Copa del Rey (81 goals).
- Gainza has the record of highest scorer in a single match of La Liga (8 goals).
- Zarra holds the record for goals in a Copa del Rey final (4 goals).
- Bata is the player with the best average scorer in La Liga (0,92 goals per match played).
Stadium information
(Athletic Club 2 - Levante UD 0)
- Name - San Mamés Stadium
- City - Bilbao
- Capacity - 39,750
- Inauguration - 1913
- Pitch size - 103 x 68 m
- Sports Facilities: Lezama
Future Stadium
- Name - New San Mamés Stadium
- Approximate capacity - 53.000
- Beginning construction - 2009 / 2010
- End construction (forecast) - 2014
Lezama facilities
The Lezama facility is the complex where all of the categories of Athletic train. Opened in the 1971-72 season. At present, facilities include, inter alia, five natural grass fields, a gymnasium, a pediment, a medical center and a residence for young players.
Related pages
Almería, Athletic Club Bilbao, Atlético Madrid, Deportivo La Coruña, Espanyol, FC Barcelona, Getafe CF, Málaga CF, Mallorca, Numancia, Osasuna, Racing Santander, Real Betis, Real Madrid, Recreativo Huelva, Sevilla FC, Sporting Gijón, Valencia CF, Valladolid, Villarreal CF