Athletic Club supporters’ club is set up in New York

After several months of work, we are pleased to announce the constitution of the “New York” Athletic Club de Bilbao Supporters’ Club. The “New York” supporters’ club becomes the fourth official Athletic supporters’ club in the United States, joining the existing ones in the states of Florida, Tennessee and Idaho.

In addition to the traditional aims of official Athletic Club supporters’ clubs, such as the defence of and unconditional support for the club and dissemination and promotion of its historical and traditional values, among the main objectives of the “New York” supporters’ club is to serve as a meeting point for all members and fans of Athletic visiting the city of New York, who are there either temporarily or permanently.

The supporters’ club has been organised by Lorenzo Parro, Diego Recondo and Ander Caballero, three natives from Bilbao who live and work permanently in the city of New York. From now on, Lorenzo, Diego and Ander will act, respectively, as president, vice president and secretary of the supporters’ club. Txemi Parra and Pablo Fano complete the governing committee.

Lorenzo Parro, the president, said:
“This is a dream come true. Ten years in New York watching matches alone is too many. Now I’ll be able to look around me and see Athletic shirts in New York. It’s amazing. Ander, Diego, Txemi and I are going to the final of the Copa del Rey to watch Athletic win, representing our supporters’ club, which is a source of pride that cannot be expressed in words”.

Diego Recondo, Vice President added:
“Since I started my second period in New York two years ago, I have thought about setting up an official Athletic supporters’ club. Although the distance prevents me from going to San Mamés on Sundays, I am sure that the supporters’ club will serve as a meeting point every weekend for all Athletic fans who are visiting or living in New York to enjoy watching the team together. Finally my group of friends in Bilbao and my family will believe that this business about the supporters’ club was not a bilbainada (an exaggeration)”

Ander Caballero, the secretary, stated:
“Athletic Club had to have a supporters’ club in the iconic city of New York. Not only because other teams such as Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have supporters’ clubs here and because “soccer” is becoming increasingly popular, but also because of the historical connection between Bilbao and the United States and to make Bilbao better known throughout the world.”

For the time being, the “New York” supporters’ club will hold their meetings and get fans together for Athletic matches in the “Sala One Nine” bar/restaurant, located at 35 W 19th St., near the Flatiron building in Manhattan.

The supporters’ club will also hold its opening ceremony on Thursday, May 21 at “Sala One Nine”, starting at 6:00 p.m. local time. From here, we invite all Athletic fans and other fans who are in New York, as well as any media interested in covering the event, to come along and join us on this special occasion.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
Twitter: @AthleticClubNYC
Facebook: www.facebook.com/athleticclubnyc