Sporting de Gijón

Sporting Gijón
logo
Full name Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D.
Nickname(s) Rojiblancos (Red-and-Whites)
Founded 1905 (as Sporting Gijonés)
Ground El Molinón,
Gijón, Asturias,
Spain
(Capacity: 25,855)
Chairman Manuel Vega-Arango
Manager Manuel Preciado
League La Liga
2009-10 La Liga, 15th
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
Current season

Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club from Gijón, Asturias. Founded in 1 June 1905, it currently plays in Spanish first division.

Known as Rojiblancos because of their red and white striped jerseys, their home field is El Molinón stadium, the oldest professional football field in Spain, in use since at least 1908.

Sporting de Gijón is chronologically the sixth-oldest club in La Liga 2010-11. The club ranks 15th in the official All-Time La Liga table and is one out of nine clubs in Spanish football to have never played below the second tier.

Contents

History

The club was established in 1905 with the name Sporting Gijonés, Anselmo López being the first president. King Alfonso XIII accepted the Royal patronage of the club for the Spanish crown in 1912, introducing the term "Real" (Spanish for "Royal") to its name, becoming Real Sporting Club Gijonés. In 1916 a new change took place to adopt today's denomination, Real Sporting de Gijón. From 1941 until the 1970s, due to a temporary law forbidding the use of foreign words in football club names, the team's official denomination was Real Gijón.

In 1944, the club was promoted into First Division for the first time, and played thereafter in both the first and second divisions, achieving greatest success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, competing for league and national cup titles and laying the groundwork for a 21-year continuous stretch in La Liga. During this period, Sporting competed in the UEFA Cup six times, losing in the Round of 32 four times, and the Round of 16 twice, most recently in 1991-92.

Football players celebrate with their fans the club's return to top-flight, 15th of June 2008

Following a disastrous 1998 campaign, the club was relegated to Second Division, where they played for a ten seasons stretch. On 15 June 2008, the club secured promotion back to Primera for the 2008-09 season. In the 08-09 season their best victories have came against Valencia (2-3) and Sevilla (1-0). In their first five games of the 08-09 season, they conceded 20 goals. The 08-09 season also saw them break La Liga record of 29 consecutive games without a draw. They played 33 games before their only draw of the season, 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao on 3 May 2009.

Club colours and crest

Flag of Gijón

Sporting de Gijón have worn red and white striped jerseys since their inception, being the first spanish actual first division's team to wear red & white, as both Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid wore blue and white until 1909. The colors are those of the official flag of Gijón, which itself is based on the flag of the maritime province of Gijón, established in 1845.[1]

Like most old football clubs, Sporting de Gijón did not initially have any badge displayed on their shirts. Their first official badge was introduced in the 1920s. It consisted of a traditionally shaped shield split into three sections, representing the club and the city.

From 1931 to 1936, during the Spanish Second Republic, the badge consisted of a circular shield and had the royal crown in the top replaced by a mural crown.

The club's badge is a triangle with red and white vertical stripes with 'S' (for Sporting) and 'G' (for Gijón) intertwined, in gold, across them. A crown in the top symbolizes the royal patronage.[2]

Real Sporting de Gijón's flag.

Flag

The official flag of Sporting de Gijón consist of, in a rectangular field with ratio 2:3, nine equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white. The logo of the club is displayed in the centre.

Kit manufacturers and Shirt sponsors

Period Kit Manufacturer Shirt Sponsors
1985-86 Adidas none
1986-89 Cajastur
1989-92 Rasán
1992-95 Lotto
1995-97 Joma
1997-02 Astore Gijón City Council
2002- Gijón City Council

Government of the Principality of Asturias

Stadium information

Mareo facilities

The Escuela de Fútbol de Mareo is the training ground and academy base of Sporting de Gijón. It was opened on March 28, 1978.

Located just 7 km away from the city center and covering 112.000 m2 it is used for training and youth teams matches. At present, facilities include, inter alia, 8 pitches, one service building (including team catering areas), gymnasium and medical center.

Supporters

Sporting de Gijón - Athletic de Bilbao, 2008-09

During most home matches the majority of the seats in the stadium are occupied by season ticket holders, or socios ("associates"), of which there are 21,000.[3] In addition to socios, the club has more than 240 peñas (official, club-affiliated supporters' groups) in Spain and abroad.[4] During the season 2008-09, Sporting de Gijón had the tenth-highest average attendance in the league, 21,491, and the fifth-highest average percentage, 84% of the total stadium capacity.[5]

Sporting de Gijón supporters commonly call themselves Sportinguistas in order to show their dedication to the club.[6] Sportinguistas are widely regarded as one of the most loyal, traveler and cheerful supporter groups in La Liga,[7][8][9] providing one of the best atmospheres in the competition.[10] When following their team in large groups through the country, they are referred to as La Mareona, Spanish for The Big Tide.

About 300,000 fans showed up when Sporting's latest promotion was celebrated in June 2008.[11]

Rivalries

The team's historic rival is Real Oviedo. When both teams play in the same division, they compete in the Asturian derby. This derby is currently on hold as Oviedo are playing in third level. However, Sporting's B team and Oviedo are in the Segunda División B Group 2, and will face off twice during the 09-10 season.

Honours

National titles

Individual Honours

Pichichi Trophy
Zamora Trophy

Seasons

Recent seasons

Season Pos. PI W D L GS GA P Manager Notes
1999-00 2D 9 42 17 9 16 54 48 60 Spain Pedro Braojos / Spain Ciriaco Cano
2000-01 2D 7 42 17 13 12 55 49 63 Chile Vicente Cantatore / Spain José María M. Acebal
2001-02 2D 6 42 17 13 12 47 57 64 Spain José María M. Acebal
2002-03 2D 10 42 11 20 11 44 41 53 Spain José María M. Acebal / Spain Antonio Maceda
2003-04 2D 5 42 20 10 12 58 40 70 Spain Marcelino García Toral
2004-05 2D 9 42 15 12 15 41 39 57 Spain Marcelino García Toral
2005-06 2D 9 42 13 17 12 41 34 56 Spain Ciriaco Cano
2006-07 2D 13 42 16 8 18 53 53 56 Spain Manuel Preciado
2007-08 2D 3 42 20 12 10 61 40 72 Spain Manuel Preciado Promoted
2008-09 1D 14 38 14 1 23 47 79 43 Spain Manuel Preciado
2009-10 1D 15 38 9 13 16 36 51 40 Spain Manuel Preciado

Season to season

Season Division Pos. Significant Events
1929 Segunda División 4
1929-30 Segunda División 2
1930-31 Segunda División 4
1931-32 Segunda División 3
1932-33 Segunda División 6
1933-34 Segunda División 6
1934-35 Segunda División 3
1935-36 Segunda División 3
Spanish Civil War
1939-40 Segunda División 3
1940-41 Segunda División 3
1941-42 Segunda División 1 Promotion Playoff
1942-43 Segunda División 1 Promotion Playoff
1943-44 Segunda División 1 Promoted
1944-45 La Liga 7
1945-46 La Liga 9
1946-47 La Liga 10
1947-48 La Liga 14 Relegated
1948-49 Segunda División 6
1949-50 Segunda División 3
1950-51 Segunda División 1 Promoted
1951-52 La Liga 13
1952-53 La Liga 7
Season Division Pos. Significant Events
1953-54 La Liga 16 Relegated
1954-55 Segunda División 4
1955-56 Segunda División 7
1956-57 Segunda División 1 Promoted
1957-58 La Liga 12
1958-59 La Liga 15 Relegated
1959-60 Segunda División 5
1960-61 Segunda División 13
1961-62 Segunda División 13
1962-63 Segunda División 5
1963-64 Segunda División 2 Promotion Playoff
1964-65 Segunda División 3
1965-66 Segunda División 3
1966-67 Segunda División 2 Promotion Playoff
1967-68 Segunda División 5
1968-69 Segunda División 5
1969-70 Segunda División 1 Promoted
1970-71 La Liga 12
1971-72 La Liga 11
1972-73 La Liga 14
1973-74 La Liga 13
1974-75 La Liga 14
1975-76 La Liga 18 Relegated
Season Division Pos. Significant Events
1976-77 Segunda División 1 Promoted
1977-78 La Liga 5
1978-79 La Liga 2 Runners-up

Played UEFA Cup

1979-80 La Liga 3 Played UEFA Cup
1980-81 La Liga 7 Spanish Cup Runners-up

Played UEFA Cup

1981-82 La Liga 14 Spanish Cup Runners-up
1982-83 La Liga 8
1983-84 La Liga 13
1984-85 La Liga 4
1985-86 La Liga 6 Played UEFA Cup
1986-87 La Liga 4
1987-88 La Liga 9 Played UEFA Cup
1988-89 La Liga 13
1989-90 La Liga 13
1990-91 La Liga 5
1991-92 La Liga 8 Played UEFA Cup
1992-93 La Liga 12
Season Division Pos. Significant Events
1993-94 La Liga 14
1994-95 La Liga 18 Relegation Playoff
1995-96 La Liga 18
1996-97 La Liga 15
1997-98 La Liga 20 Relegated
1998-99 Segunda División 9
1999-00 Segunda División 9
2000-01 Segunda División 7
2001-02 Segunda División 6
2002-03 Segunda División 10
2003-04 Segunda División 5
2004-05 Segunda División 11
2005-06 Segunda División 9
2006-07 Segunda División 13
2007-08 Segunda División 3 Promoted
2008-09 La Liga 14
2009-10 La Liga 15
2010-11 La Liga

Players

Current squad

As of 5 August 2010 Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Spain GK Juan Pablo
2 Spain DF Alberto Botía
3 Spain DF José Ángel
4 Spain DF Jorge (vice-captain)
5 Spain MF Alberto Rivera
6 Spain MF Carmelo
7 Spain MF Ayoze
8 Argentina FW Gastón Sangoy
9 Croatia FW Mate Bilić
10 Spain FW Nacho Novo
11 Spain DF Alberto Lora
12 France DF Grégory Arnolin
13 Spain GK Iván Cuéllar
No. Position Player
14 Spain DF Iván Hernández
15 Spain DF Roberto Canella (vice-captain)
16 Spain MF Cristian Portilla
17 Spain MF Diego Castro (vice-captain)
18 Spain FW Luis Morán
19 Uruguay MF Sebastián Eguren
20 Spain MF Miguel de las Cuevas
21 Spain MF Marcos Landeira
22 Spain DF Rafel Sastre (captain)
23 Spain FW David Barral (vice-captain)
24 Spain MF Sergio Matabuena
-- Spain FW Carlinos
-- Spain MF Javi Poves

Squad changes in 2010–11

As of 6 August 2010

In

Out

Winter Transfer Window

Summer Transfer Window

From reserve team

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
-- Spain GK Raúl Domínguez
-- Spain GK Dani Laviana
-- Spain DF Pedro Orfila
-- Spain MF Sergio Álvarez
No. Position Player
-- Spain MF Juan Muñiz
-- Spain MF Guillermo
-- Spain FW Borja Navarro

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player

Personnel

Current Technical Staff

Manuel Preciado
Position Staff
Manager Spain Manuel Preciado
Assistant Manager Spain Iñaki Tejada
Goalkeeping Coach Spain Isidro Fernández
Physical Fitness Coach Spain Gerardo Ruiz
Director of Football Spain Emilio de Dios
Academy Director Spain José María M. Acebal
Head Coach Reserve Team Spain Javier Vidales

Last updated: January 2010
Source: Sporting de Gijón Official Website

Presidents

Current Board of Directors

Office Name
President Spain Manuel Vega-Arango Alvaré
Vice-president Spain Antonio Veiga Suarez
Counselor Spain Amador Yenes Argüelles
Counselor Spain Mariano Fernández Prendes
Counsel Secretary Spain Carlos Barcia Alonso
General Manager Spain Alfredo García Amado

Last updated: 1 September 2009
Source: Sporting de Gijón Official Website

See also

References

  1. "Las Banderas del Club" (in Spanish). RealSporting.com. http://www.realsporting.com/webrsg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&Itemid=87. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  2. "Los Escudos" (in Spanish). RealSporting.com. http://www.realsporting.com/webrsg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=89. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  3. "El Sporting alcanza los 21.000 socios" (in Spanish). La Nueva España. http://www.lne.es/deportes/2009/10/08/sporting-alcanza--21000-socios/818289.html. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  4. "Premio para el consejero Mariano Fernández" (in Spanish). La Nueva España. http://mas.lne.es/sporting/index.php?id=4059&seccion=noticia. Retrieved 2010-01-20. 
  5. Attendances - Liga BBVA 2008-2009
  6. PortalSportinguista.com
  7. "Sporting Gijon To Take 4,000 Fans To Valladolid". Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/05/21/1278611/sporting-gijon-to-take-4000-fans-to-valladolid. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  8. "Spanish Inquisition: Sporting de Gijón, the darlings of Spain". Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2009/05/21/1278919/spanish-inquisition-sporting-de-gijon-the-darlings-of-spain. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  9. Lowe, Sid (2008-09-22). "Even the result can't spoil Real Sporting de Gijón's party". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/sep/22/sportinggijon.barcelona. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  10. "Spanish Debate: The Best Stadium In La Liga". Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2008/11/10/957600/spanish-debate-the-best-stadium-in-la-liga. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  11. "Gijón está de fiesta 10 años después" (in Spanish). Marca. http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/2a_division/sporting/es/desarrollo/1135323.html. Retrieved 2009-10-08. 
  12. Spain - Final Table 1978-79
  13. Spain - Cup 1981
  14. Spain - Cup 1982

External links

Official websites
News sites