Joan Gamper

Lore & Background

Gamper was the eldest son and third of five children born to August Gamper and Rosine Emma Haessig. He was a co-founder of FC Zürich. He founded Barcelona in 1899, served as its first captain between 1899 and 1903, netting over 100 goals in just 48 matches, and captained the side to victory in the Copa Macaya in 1902, the club's first title. He served as president on five occasions between 1908 and 1925. One of his main achievements was getting funds for the construction of the Camp de la Indústria in 1909.

Reader's Guide

Gamper's playing career at Barcelona: 55 games, 126 goals. He scored nine goals in a match three times for Barça, including a 9-goal haul against X Sporting Club in the Copa Barcelona on 1 February 1903. He also scored in the first-ever El Clásico in 1902, a 3–1 win over Madrid FC. Under his presidency, Barcelona won eleven Championat de Catalunya, six Copa del Rey, and four Pyrenees Cup.

Did You Know?

• Gamper was a keen cyclist and runner; in 1898 he held Swiss records over 800m and 1600m.
• He organized the first international athletics competition in Zürich in 1898, now known as Weltklasse Zürich.
• Gamper's first football club was Excelsior Zürich, which played in red and blue, the same colours as later Barcelona.
• He played rugby for Athletique Union in Lyon in 1897.