1930s Golden Era

The dominant force of 1930s Spanish football.

Athletic Bilbao dominated the early years of La Liga, winning four titles in the 1930s.

Quick Facts

Honours won

4 La Liga Titles (1929–30, 1930-31, 1933-34, 1935-36) and 4 Copa del Rey Titles (1930, 1931, 1932, 1933)

Key figure

Bata (Agustín Sauto Arana)
José Iraragorri
and Guillermo Gorostiza

Lore & Background

Although Barcelona won the first Liga in 1929 and Ricardo Zamora's Real Madrid won their first titles in 1932 and 1933, it was Athletic Bilbao that set the early pace winning La Liga in 1930, 1931, 1934 and 1936 (in addition to four Copa trophies), and they also achieved the biggest win in La Liga history by beating Barcelona 12–1. This team, coached by Fred Pentland, is known by the nickname First historic squad, notably forming an attacking partnership with Bata, Guillermo Gorostiza, José Iraragorri, Chirri II and Lafuente.