Jesús María Duñabeitia has died

Former Athletic Club President Jesús María Duñabeitia passed away this Tuesday, 26 November. He was Athletic Club President from 1977 to 1982. Before becoming Athletic Club president he was a Board member with José Antonio Eguidazu. Subsequently he became president and it can very well be said that with his arrival so arrive democracy at Athletic Club. Inspired by his motto “one member, on vote”, after obtaining the endorsement of the associate members he called elections and, in the absence of other candidates, he was proclaimed president.

Under his mandate, women became fully-pledged members for the first time in 1978, the ‘ikurriña’ was hoisted for the first time in San Mamés on 8 August 1977 and La Catedral lived its last great reform which was an indispensable requirement facing the fact of being one of the 1982 World Cup venues.

In the sporting aspect, he inherited the team that was runner-up in the 1977 UEFA Cup and left the foundations of the champion team in the Eighties of last century, for example with the appointment of Javier Clemente as Manager. Also, Alexanco was transferred to FC Barcelona for 100 million pesetas at the time, about 600,000 € at present.

The son of rojiblanco champion in 1923, Alberto Duñabeitia, also had the honour of being Mayor of Bilbao in 1990. May he rest in peace.