SEVILLA FC: 131 YEARS OF NEVER SURRENDERING

25/01/2021
Throughout their 131 year history, Sevilla FC has lived through critical moments, some that even threatened the survival of the Club, but they were always able to overcome these crises through the support of the loyal Sevillistas

Happy birthday, Sevilla Fútbol Club. 131 years ago, on 25 January 1890, a group of young men, half of them British and the other Spanish, led by Edward Johnston, Isaias White and Hugo MacColl, set up Sevilla FC as reported by the British newspaper 'The Dundee Courier' in their edition on 17 March 1890. The publication came just after the newly created Sevilla FC played Recreativo de Huelva, the oldest Spanish football club, on 8 March.

A history of footballing success and greatness began in the 19th century that has perhaps seen its best moment in this current century. However, the path of the Nervionenses has not always been a bed of roses. Throughout their 131 year history, Sevilla FC has lived through critical moments, some that even threatened the survival of the Club, but they were always able to overcome these crises through the support of the loyal Sevillistas, impregnating the Club with its current DNA of Never Surrender.

 

Up to 1940, Sevilla FC had won 18 Andalusian Cups and they won La Liga in 1946

In its first decades, Sevilla FC had a golden age that consolidated the Club as the biggest team in the south of Spain. Between 1915 and 1940, they won 18 of the 21 Andalusian Cups that took place. The team began life in the league in the Second Division and won promotion to La Liga in 1933/34. That season was a watershed moment for the Club that allowed it to win three Cups and one league trophy in the following years. The league trophy was no fluke as the team finished in second place on four other occasions.

However, in the second half of the last century, a phase of decadence began that coincided with the construction of a new stadium that bears the name of the most important president in the Club's history: Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Sevilla FC found themselves in a delicate financial situation and ended up in the Second Division at the end of the 60s, the first relegation of the Club's history. A period of mediocrity followed bar the odd qualification for European competitions. Sevilla FC found support in the pride of its supporters and their attitude to Never Surrender, even in the most adverse conditions. And this perseverance would have its reward in the 21st century.

The Nervionenses won their next title 58 years later in May 2006, their first UEFA Cup

Sevilla started the 21st century in the Second Division, with Roberto Alés as president. His calmness was key in dealing with those troubled times, as well as his intuition to appoint Monchi as Sporting Director and Joaquín Caparrós as manager. That was the foundation of the great Sevilla that would soon arrive with José María del Nido in charge, who gave the push needed for the Club to recover the greatness they had lost. In May 2006, Sevilla would win their first title in 58 years, their first UEFA Cup. What would have been enough for other clubs, was only an incentive for Sevilla to keep growing, thanks to the limitless ambition that characterises their fans.

Since the night that changed the Club's history in Eindhoven, Sevilla have gone on to achieve more success and lift more trophies under the presidency of José Castro. In his seven years as president, he has consolidated the Blanquirrojos as the Kings of the Europa League and a regular feature in the Champions League. Sevilla FC look to the future with the determination to consolidate theirselves on the global scene as one of the main Spanish and European clubs. In the current century, they have won the third most titles and European qualifications in Spain, but not even that is enough for a club that, if it has shown anything in its history, it is its spirit of constant overcoming, making the impossible possible. As difficult as it may seem, if anyone can... Sevilla FC can.