Racing de Santander

Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators.

History

Racing de Santander played its first match on 23 February 1913, losing 1–2 to neighbouring Strong. It was officially founded on 14 June, as Santander Racing Club, appearing in its first tournament during that summer (Luis Redonet Trophy) and being admitted to the Northern Federation on 14 November, eventually merging with Santander Foot-ball Club.

In 1929, Racing first reached La Liga, lasting nine consecutive seasons in the category - finishing in second position in its third year - and fluctuating between the first and the second divisions (with four participations in the third) in the following 30 years. In 1949–50, the Cantabrians returned to the top flight after a 10-year absence, scoring 99 goals in only 30 games.

During the period of Francoist Spain, the club was renamed Real Santander in 1941, because of the prohibition of non-Spanish names. The name was restored in 1973 as the team returned to the first division one year after nearly relegating, under young manager José María Maguregui.

Racing de Santander was immediately relegated, going on to spend the following years again bouncing between divisions one and two, also being crowned champions in Segunda División B (the new third level, created in 1977) in 1991. Veteran Quique Setién returned to his main club the following year, helping it return to the top flight, and scoring in the 1994–95 season against FC Barcelona, in an historic 5–0 home win.

In the 2000's, Racing only played one season in the second division, winning promotion with Setién as manager. In 2007–08, under Marcelino García Toral, it finished in sixth position, thus qualifying to the UEFA Cup for the first time ever; additionally the club reached the semifinals of the Copa del Rey twice during this decade, being ousted by eventual runners-up Getafe CF and Atlético Madrid in 2008 and 2010, respectively.

On 22 January 2011, Indian business tycoon Ahsan Ali Syed, founder and chairman of Western Gulf Advisory, an investment company, purchased Racing de Santander, immediately firing coach Miguel Ángel Portugal.^[1]

Seasons

Recent seasons

Season		Pos.	Pl.	W	D	L	GS	GA	P	Cup	Notes
1997–98	1D	14	38	12	9	17	46	55	45	3rd round
1998–99	1D	15	38	10	12	16	41	53	42	Quarterfinals
1999–00	1D	15	38	10	16	12	52	50	46
2000–01	1D	19	38	10	9	19	48	62	39	Quarterfinals	Relegated
1 season in Segunda División
2002–03	1D	16	38	13	5	20	54	64	44	1st round
2003–04	1D	17	38	11	10	17	48	63	43	3rd round
2004–05	1D	16	38	12	8	18	41	58	44	3rd round
2005–06	1D	17	38	9	13	16	36	49	40	3rd round
2006–07	1D	10	38	12	14	12	42	48	50	2nd round
2007–08	1D	6	38	17	9	12	42	41	60	Semifinals
2008–09	1D	12	38	12	10	16	49	48	46	Round of 16
2009–10	1D	16	38	9	12	17	42	59	39	Semifinals

Season to season

• 44 seasons in La Liga
• 32 seasons in Segunda División
• 1 seasons in Segunda División B
• 4 seasons in Tercera División

Current squad

As of 26 August 2011

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

From Racing B

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

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.

Notable former players

Notable former coaches

• Fred Pentland (1920–21)
• Patrick O'Connell (1922–29, 1947–49)
• Gustavo Benítez (1999−01)
• Marcos Alonso (1996–98)
• Marcelino (2007–08, 2011)
• Andoni Goikoetxea (2000–01)
• Javier Irureta (1993–94)
• Juan Muñiz (2008–09)
• Juan Carlos Mandiá (2009)
• Miguel Ángel Portugal (2006–07, 2009–11)
• Nando Yosu (1977–79, 1996, 1998–99, 2005, 2006)

see also Category:Racing de Santander managers

See also

• Racing de Santander B - Racing's B team

References

External links

• Official website (Spanish)
• Futbolme team profile (Spanish)
• El Sardinero Google view