| Británico de Madrid | |
|---|---|
| Clubname | F.C. Británico de Madrid |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Ground | Instalación Básica Las Cocheras |
| Manager | Neil Moran |
| League | Tercera de Aficionados |
| 2010–11 | Tercera de Aficionados, 8th |
| Website | http://www.fcbritanico.com |
F.C. Británico de Madrid is a Spanish football club, based in Madrid, Spain. The club consists of two teams, one squad which competes in La Liga Regional in the Tercera Categoría de Aficionados de la Comunidad de Madrid. The other squad competes in La Liga Bunwer, one of the most competitive amateur leagues.
In 1972 a few people in the British Embassy led by Mike Birkett along with friends who were working in businesses in Madrid got together for a kick around one Saturday morning. As interest grew, an official team called F.C. Británico was formed and in 1976 became original and founder members of an amateur league what is now called La Liga Santillana. In those early years the club played matches in Pozuelo till the late 1970's until Pozo del Tio Raimundo became the permanent home ground of the club. Many retired players will always refer to this ground as simply Pozo and the club is fondly remembered by locals in the area. Sadly in 2001 the owners couldn't maintain the ground and it lay in ruins for a few years until the local Council took over and refurbished the complex into a modernised complex with much in demand artificial grass.
The ultimate success of winning the league has always eluded the club but have often finished in the top half of the league. The highest position was 2nd in season 1982-83 when it came down to the last game of the season. The club also finished 3rd on a few occasions including season 2005-06. The current team continues to maintain this tradition and is getting used to being in the top half on a regular basis. The club continued to develop and in 2005 started a second league team. For a few seasons prior to this, there had been a friendly team, which went one step further and became members of La Liga Bunver playing most of their matches at El Pardo on the northern outskirts of Madrid. In its first season the team finished a very creditable 7th out of 15 teams. The team has steadily improved and in 2008 finished as Runners Up. 2008 also saw the emergence of a third team playing in a League Cup Competition form Spring to Summer which then went on to be league champions in the newly formed Mivam league. From that success, the Mivam team together with key members of the Bunwer team, amalgamated to enjoy yet another fresh new challenge. For season 2009-10, the club decided to move forward by affialiating to the Federación de Futbol de Madrid, where the club will now feature amongst other barrio teams within the South Eastern area of Madrid.
The club represents Great Britain when they are invited to take part in the Mundialito a tournament for the various immigrant populations in Madrid. The Mundialito is a competition for the immigrant population of Madrid. It is organised by the Football Federation and the Local Government in Madrid with the principal sponsor la Caixa, a Spanish bank. It is played in June and July and most of the countries taking part are from South America, Africa and Eastern Europe. Great Britain first entered in 2005, the initial tournament having started 3 years prior to this. F.C. Británico have the honour of representing the British, although 5 non Brits are permitted in a squad of 22 players.