The Basque League Years (1904-1929)

Lore & Background

Athletic Club won its first Copa del Rey in 1903. In 1904, holders Athletic were declared winners of the trophy after their opponents failed to turn up. In 1907, they revived the name Club Vizcaya after entering a combined team with La Union and were beaten in the Copa final. After a brief lull, they won again in 1910. The club won the Copa del Rey three times in a row between 1914 and 1916, with Billy Barnes as coach. Between 1917 and 1919, the club went through a period of institutional crisis and during that time did not participate in the Copa del Rey. In 1921, Athletic won the Copa del Rey again. In 1923, under English coach Fred Pentland, the club won the Copa del Rey. The club won the Copa del Rey four times in a row between 1930 and 1933.

Reader's Guide

Athletic Club is known for its cantera policy of bringing young Basque players through the ranks, as well as recruiting players from other Basque clubs. The club's official policy is to sign players native to or trained in football in the greater Basque Country. Since 1911, Athletic has played exclusively with players meeting its own criteria to be deemed Basque. The rule does not apply to coaching staff. The club is owned by its members, who elect the president. The president cannot invest his own money.

Did You Know?

• Athletic Club won seven Copa del Rey titles before La Liga began in 1929.
• The club's stadium, San Mamés, was built near a church named after Saint Mammes, an early Christian thrown to the lions by the Romans.
• Athletic's main rivals are Real Sociedad, against whom it contests the Basque derby, and Real Madrid, due to sporting and political identity.