Athletic Club de Bilbao
Crest
about the team
Founded by locals and British migrant workers travelling to the region in the late 19th century, Athletic Club have maintained this link through their Anglicised name and team colours, inspired by Sunderland and Southampton's red and white stripes.
Also fiercely proud of their Basque identity, the team forms an integral part of Spanish football history and has constantly maintained strong links with the unique language and culture of the region through a 'cantera' policy of only signing players with links to the area.
Recognised as one of the most significant teams in Spanish football history, Athletic Club are fourth in La Liga's all-time standards based on trophies won. They also have the honour of being one of only three teams to have never been relegated from the Spanish top flight, alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Honours
La Liga: 8 titles - 1929-30, 1930-31, 1933-34, 1935-36, 1942-43, 1955-56, 1982-83, 1983-84
Copa Del Ray: 24 victories - 1901-02, 1902-03, 1903-04, 1909-10, 1910-11, 1913-14, 1914-15, 1915-16, 1920-21, 1922-23, 1929-30, 1930-31, 1931-32, 1932-33, 1942-43, 1943-44, 1944-45, 1949-50, 1954-55, 1955-56, 1957-58, 1968-69, 1972-73, 1983-84
Spanish Super Cup: 1985
UEFA Cup Runners Up: 1977
Finest Hours
Athletic Club's finest moments came during the early 1930s: they finished the 1929/30 season unbeaten, won the double in 1930 and 1931, and secured the biggest ever win in La Liga's history with a 12-1 victory over Barcelona in 1931.
Since then, the club have had other periods of success, such as in the early 1980s, winning another double in 1984, and they can stand proud of their constant presence in Spain's top division since its formation.
Folk Heroes
Telmo Zarra is not only Athletic Club's top scorer, but the man behind the most goals ever scored in La Liga, with 252 goals in league fixtures. The award for the most goals scored by a Spanish player in La Liga is named The Zarra Trophy in his honour.
The award for the most goals scored overall in La Liga is also named after a Bilbao legend. The Pinchichi Trophy is named after Rafael 'Pinchini' Moreno, who played for the club in the 1910s.
Other legendary names amongst the Athletic Club fans include goalkeeper José 'El Chopo' Iribar, who played a record 614 games for the club between 1962 to 1980, and modern favourite Joseba Etxeberría, who recently completed over 500 appearances for the club.
All Time Best XI
José Iribar, José Orúe, Aitor Larrazábel, Andoni Goikoetxea, Aitor Karanka, Fran Yeste, Javier Clemente, Julen Guerrero, Telmo Zarra, Rafael Moreno, Joseba Etxeberría
facts
Founded:
1898
Nickname:
Les Leones - The Lions
Ground:
San Mam�s
Manager:
Joaqu�n Caparr�s
League:
La Liga
Top Goal Scorer:
Telmo Zarra
Kit:
Red and white striped shirts, black shorts
Motto:
Zu Zara Nagusia - 'You are the best'
