Sevilla FC

Lore & Background

Sevilla are the most successful football club in Andalusia in terms of titles, with eighteen Andalusian Cups, one La Liga title in 1945–46, five Spanish Cup titles (1935, 1939, 1948, 2007 and 2010), one Spanish Super Cup (2007), a record seven UEFA Cups / UEFA Europa Leagues (2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2023) and one UEFA Super Cup (2006). They were also designated by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics as the World's Best Club in 2006 and 2007, thus being the first club to achieve this distinction in two consecutive years. The reserve team Sevilla Atlético, founded in 1958, currently play in . Other clubs related to Sevilla FC include their women's team. The rowing team that defends its crest in the yearly Sevilla-Betis boat race is not a section of the club but a call-up of registered-as-supporters professional rowers from the various rowing clubs of Seville. The club's home ground is the 43,883-seat Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium. It is located in the neighborhood of Nervión, Seville, and is named after Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, who was the president of Sevilla for 17 years. Sevilla has a long-standing rivalry with cross-city rival Real Betis, and matches between the pair are the Seville derby.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Benito Villamarín is thick with humidity and anticipation. It's late afternoon, and the sun casts long shadows over the pitch where the green and white stripes of Betis contrast sharply against the red and white of their neighbors. In the stands, a grandfather tightens his scarf around his neck, eyes fixed on the field where a legendary striker from years past once danced through this very defense. Today, the city holds its breath again, for in Seville, nothing matters more than the result of this match.

Reader's Guide

The practice of football was introduced in Seville at the end of the 19th century by the large British expatriate population in the city. Sevilla Fútbol Club was founded on Burns Night 25 January 1890 as Sevilla Foot-ball Club. The club's first president was the Scot Edward Farquharson Johnston. Hugh MacColl, a Scottish marine engineer, was their first captain. Isaias White junior was the club's first secretary. The first official match ever played in Spain took place on 8 March 1890, with Sevilla FC winning 2–0. In 1907, Sevilla Balompíe was founded, followed by Betis Football Club in 1909. From 1915 to 1940, the Campeonato Regional Sur was organized; Sevilla FC won 17 of 20 championships. In 1917, Sevilla FC became the first Andalusian team to reach the final round of the Copa de España. In 1935, they won the Copa for the first time. The 1945–46 season was the first and only time Sevilla FC were League champions. The club's stadium, the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, was inaugurated in 1958 and has a current capacity of 45,000 spectators.

Did You Know?

• Sevilla FC was founded on Burns Night, 25 January 1890, by a group of young British, mainly Scots, along with Spanish residents.
• The club's first president, Edward Farquharson Johnston, was the British vice-consul in Seville.
• Sevilla FC won the first official football match ever played in Spain, beating Huelva Recreation Club 2–0 on 8 March 1890.
• Sevilla have won a record seven UEFA Cups / UEFA Europa Leagues, more than any other club.
• The club's stadium is named after Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, who served as president for 17 years.

Origins and Identity

Real Betis Balompié traces its roots to the Roman name Baetis, referring to the Guadalquivir river flowing through Seville. The club's official history begins in 1907 with the formation of España Balompié by local students, though a split from rivals Sevilla FC eventually led to the creation of Betis Football Club. These entities merged in 1914, coinciding with royal patronage from King Alfonso XIII that granted the 'Real' title. The club's iconic green and white vertical stripes originated when founder Manuel Ramos Asensio sourced fabric from Celtic FC during his studies in Scotland, adapting their horizontal hoops to a unique Spanish design. While fans historically called themselves Los Balompedistas, the term Béticos became standard by the 1930s. Despite political shifts during the Second Republic temporarily removing royal patronage, the club's identity remained resilient, anchored by its deep connection to Andalusian culture and the river that gave it life.

The 1935 Championship and Turbulent Years

Under Irish manager Patrick O'Connell, Real Betis achieved a historic milestone on April 28, 1935, by winning La Liga. They secured the title by a single point over Madrid FC, marking the first time an Andalusian club topped Spain's premier division. However, economic instability and the onset of the Civil War quickly dismantled this championship squad; within fifteen months, only two original players remained. The league suspended operations during the war years, and upon its return in 1939–40, Betis had already begun a steep decline that led to relegation just five years after their triumph. This era defined the club's motto, ¡Viva el Betis manque pierda!, reflecting a spirit of loyalty despite frequent struggles. The team faced further hardships in the late 1940s, hitting an all-time low by dropping to the Tercera División in 1947, where they spent a decade that many supporters consider central to the club's soul and identity.

Stadium Legacy and Cup Triumphs

The appointment of Benito Villamarín as president marked a transformative era for the club. He guided Betis back to La Liga in 1958–59 and oversaw the purchase of Estadio Heliópolis in 1961, which was renamed in his honor. Although the club experienced volatility with frequent promotions and relegations following his departure, stability returned by the mid-1970s. A defining moment occurred on June 25, 1977, when Betis claimed their first Copa del Rey title against Athletic Bilbao. The final ended in a dramatic 2–2 draw, resolved by an unprecedented 21 penalties where Betis prevailed 8–7. This victory qualified them for the European Cup Winners' Cup, where they notably eliminated AC Milan before falling to Dynamo Moscow. Despite this European success, domestic league form wavered, leading to another relegation shortly after their cup glory.

Modern Achievements and Home Ground

Real Betis has cemented its status as a major force in Spanish football with multiple Copa del Rey victories, including titles in 2005 and 2022. The club's traditional home, Estadio Benito Villamarín, has long been the fortress for their passionate supporters known for the 'Green March' at away games. However, significant changes occurred recently to accommodate a massive €262 million redevelopment project of this historic venue. Since 2025, the team has temporarily relocated their home matches to the larger Estadio de La Cartuja, which boasts a capacity of 70,000 seats. This temporary move ensures continuity while the iconic Benito Villamarín undergoes modernization. Throughout its tumultuous history involving numerous relegations and financial challenges, Betis remains a symbol of Andalusian pride, balancing past glories with ambitious future infrastructure plans.

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