A fine tradition ends. Atletico Bilbao sell their soul.

[Dodge]

Apolgies for the typing....

And footballwise there is a famous Madrid club for comparison, which always helps.

And of course, that Madrid team were originally set up as an off shoot if the Bilbao team.

[superfrank]

There are football fans in Ireland (none on this thread) which dislikes the romanticism that many Europeans hold for England.

It's totally understandable. They gave us the game.

Left to our own devices, we came up with something that's nowhere near.

[Stevo Da Gull]

Probably cause they dont like the spannish...?

I know that was merely pointing out that Sociadads transfer policy has more to do with shunning the Spanish than it does with helping football in the Basque country or anything like that. I just respect Bilbao's policy more. And their league record is incredible considering.

On the subject of sponsors, money talks. I do feel that more could be made of Barca and Villa do but whether or not enough people will give a hoot is another thing.

[HarpoJoyce]

And of course, that Madrid team were originally set up as an offshoot of the Bilbao team.

I wasn't aware of that, I assumed they began/remained separate. (this isn't a belief that all students/tradesmen are the same everywhere, is it?)

[Billsthoughts]

am lost eh what dodge said about he "o" thing.
My mate is from San Sebastien itself. He is a big real(he says nobody calls them socieadad) fan. obviously his opinion is subjective and not the final word on all things basque. incidentally he said athletic never had a sponsor in the uefa cup that they had the basque country name Euskadi on their shirts. For this I think they got money form local government.

[Dodge]

am lost eh what dodge said about he "o" thing.

The club is called Athletic. They absolutely hate people calling them Atletico

harpo, Atletico madrid were set up by a group of basque students and wore the same kit as Athletic (blue and white at the time). Various incidents over their history have changed them though

[Billsthoughts]

The club is called Athletic. They absolutely hate people calling them Atletico

sorry that should have read...Im lost(re what harpo was sayin). and what dodge said about the o thing is correct.

[Dodge]

ah right ted...

[Mr Maroon]

When I read the title I thought they'd signed a non-Basque player! This isn't as big a deal IMO.

[Over the post]

Hats off to Athletic keeping up a proud tradition although in fairness, their definition of Basque can be extended to include anyone half decent from Navarre, La Rioja. I seem to recall being told that even if you're not Basque born, if you received your footballing education in the Basque country you're also eligible. The appearance of a black lad in their youth team caused raised eyebrows recently, although he is Basque born.