Athletic club Bilbao

[Sydney_Iron]

Spent some time in Bilbao, lovely city in northern Spain, got to know a few fans at a local bar and thought the set-up of this club was quite unique and something they are rightly proud of, shame we don't have similar in England or West Ham had this type of model.

The club has about 44,000 members and they are the owners, so it's a fan owned club as i think Barca and Real Madrid are but the set up in Bilbao is more for local fans the other 2 are more interested in "rich" members rather than local? Then to play for the club you have either got to be born in the Basque region of Spain or come through the ranks of the club from junior level, they don't sign anyone who doesn't fit the criteria, basically everyone who plays for the club grew up supporting the club.

Only 1 of 3 clubs in Spain who have never been relegated from the top division and the 4th most successful club in Spain, apparently founded by the English! Dockers and sailors about 140 years ago bought the game to Bilbao and it went from there.

Will now be my club of choice in Spain, not that i really support anyone else but West Ham 

[Danish Hammer]

Great place, Mad Dog.

Café Iruña is still great – over 100 years old. Still plenty of locals in there.

At the central square Victor Montes is the best and most expensive tapas bar, but at least go there for a glass or eight.

[Sydney_Iron]

Learning Spanish at the moment and the wife suggested me and the boy (doing Spanish at school) pop over there at some point to have a bit of practice. 

so im Off to bilbao an san sebastian in a couple of weeks.  Taking in a real sociedad game.

Looking forward to it

Anything you recommend in bilbao?

Only there for a few days but its just a nice city to just chill and stroll around especially the old town which comes alive in the early evening, nice walk along the river to the Guggenheim from the old town as well, never went in though, modern art isnt my thing nor is Picaso, personally find it all a bit shit but plenty of people rave about it but i think thats what you do when you want to make out your an Arty type  the floral dog outside gets plenty of Pics and Mrs Sydders was totally in awe of it but a bit Meh for me, i preferred the local bars and beer and chatting with the locals in pidgin English.

You can get a funicular up into the hills which is nice and plenty of good food in the restaurants and bars, make sure you try the Basque cheesecake its delicious.

The stadium is pretty accessible so if Athletic have a home game try and get to that.  

[Hammer and Pickle]

It’s off season for mass tourism; you’ll be fine. My rather dramatic warning is for the summer months and because I remember it as a different place.

[Mad Dog]

Well that's the first I've ever heard of anyone that's slated san sebastian.

I'll stick with the notion that every single other person. Including the Spanish people i work with, I've spoken to said its a beautiful town with great food.

Still like most things you get out what you want.  I'm looking forward to a few days speaking Spanish with my son and watching nice game of football.  If it's anything at all like when we saw barcelona play 6 years ago it will be fine.
I've already worked out a bar that will be showing the man u game.  (Bit gutted as its the first league game home or away ive missed this season) Gonna watch that, pop back to the hotel and off to see sociedad.

Seeing as I'm not a miserable fuck, I'm sure it will be a decent few days and I can't wait

[chevy chase]

Apparently they copied Southampton’s shirt.  Same as Juventus & Notts County.

[goose]

The food was crap?? Forgive me for not taking the word of a man who went to Italy for a “traditional spaghetti bolognese”.

[Hammer and Pickle]

Donastia/San Sebastian used to be lovely 15 years ago. Last time we were there in 2019 I think, the only good thing about it was a Basque singing flash-mob type event we happened to come across. Oh and swimming at the peerless beach. The rest - food, logistics and relaxation value was proper crap.

Stay away.

[stubbo-admin]

Love San Seb. Especially their festival week in August. There and Cadiz my favourite bits of Spain.

[Mad Dog]

I can bond with the sociedad fans over my hatred for the dour jock cսnt

[,]

Dog, it’s a lovely area and the pintxo bars, in Donastia particularly, are well worth snacking in. When there though don’t mention David Moyes.

In Bilbo take in the Guggenheim.

[Mad Dog]

Learning Spanish at the moment and the wife suggested me and the boy (doing Spanish at school) pop over there at some point to have a bit of practice. 

so im Off to bilbao an san sebastian in a couple of weeks.  Taking in a real sociedad game.

Looking forward to it

Anything you recommend in bilbao?

[ludo21]

As you say set up by the English hence why it is 'Athletic' rather than Athletico.

[goose]

Yes, Barca and Madrid are the same, owned by the members. I think I'm right to say Arnold Hills tried his best to set up West Ham as a team owned by the supporters. It was a limited company and Arnold tried to get supporters to own the club, he had 50% buying a share for every share that was sold to friends, family and supporters, but he left the running of the club to other share holders. However, that changed as his shares passed to others. Then it became more people trying to concentrate the control or ownership with the shares, rather than trying to distribute ownership to the supporters. I understand it was like that until the Icelanders bought the club. Not sure how that could have worked. Did they find the descendants of all the original share owners?

Arnold Hills pissed off a load of people in the late 19th century by employing some black people...... which only goes to show how old Goose is, being around then and old enough to vent his feelings at the club.

What in the world are you talking about you weirdo?

[Mike Oxsaw]

Yes, Barca and Madrid are the same, owned by the members. I think I'm right to say Arnold Hills tried his best to set up West Ham as a team owned by the supporters. It was a limited company and Arnold tried to get supporters to own the club, he had 50% buying a share for every share that was sold to friends, family and supporters, but he left the running of the club to other share holders. However, that changed as his shares passed to others. Then it became more people trying to concentrate the control or ownership with the shares, rather than trying to distribute ownership to the supporters. I understand it was like that until the Icelanders bought the club. Not sure how that could have worked. Did they find the descendants of all the original share owners?

Arnold Hills pissed off a load of people in the late 19th century by employing some black people...... which only goes to show how old Goose is, being around then and old enough to vent his feelings at the club.

Being OLD is great. Do you have a better alternative?

[Mad Ferret]

www.dago-online.net

[One Sunny Day]

Yes, Barca and Madrid are the same, owned by the members. I think I'm right to say Arnold Hills tried his best to set up West Ham as a team owned by the supporters. It was a limited company and Arnold tried to get supporters to own the club, he had 50% buying a share for every share that was sold to friends, family and supporters, but he left the running of the club to other share holders. However, that changed as his shares passed to others. Then it became more people trying to concentrate the control or ownership with the shares, rather than trying to distribute ownership to the supporters. I understand it was like that until the Icelanders bought the club. Not sure how that could have worked. Did they find the descendants of all the original share owners?

Arnold Hills pissed off a load of people in the late 19th century by employing some black people...... which only goes to show how old Goose is, being around then and old enough to vent his feelings at the club.

[the coming of gary]

This seasons Europa league final will be played there (2025)
.
 

[goose]

To be fair, it’s incredible what they’ve done and over such a time period with such a small pool of players.

[Mex Martillo]

Yes, Barca and Madrid are the same, owned by the members. I think I'm right to say Arnold Hills tried his best to set up West Ham as a team owned by the supporters. It was a limited company and Arnold tried to get supporters to own the club, he had 50% buying a share for every share that was sold to friends, family and supporters, but he left the running of the club to other share holders. However, that changed as his shares passed to others. Then it became more people trying to concentrate the control or ownership with the shares, rather than trying to distribute ownership to the supporters. I understand it was like that until the Icelanders bought the club. Not sure how that could have worked. Did they find the descendants of all the original share owners?

[Manuel]

Well done Sydders you made it to Spain and spoke to some people.

Fair play though, most expats on trips back just go to the UK and that's it, man of my own heart.

[Pub Bigot]

Wasn’t there, never watched it, but did they make Julian Dicks testimonial interesting?