At 104 years of age, José Díez chairs the 75th anniversary of members

Every success in the history of the Athletic Club can be said to keep an iconic image with which it identifies itself in the red-and-white imaginary. The 1944 Cup is celebrated with all the team on the turf of Montjuic Stadium and Captain Oceja holding the trophy over the Arqueta’s head.

The lions won an unexpected Cup after a year of suffering, where injuries of the young and burgeoning Zarra and Gainza left the team blunt and bottom of the classification into the month of November and after suffering a resounding defeat in Sarriá. It was then when the timely and spectacular figure of Rafa Escudero emerged, key to redirect the season linking 7 consecutive wins, including in the Bernabéu, Atotxa and Barcelona in San Mamés.

Past memories saved in the history books, but present and unforgettable for those who then began their relationship with Athletic. Memories that this Saturday return to the remembrance for the 24 members that, from that 1943-44 season, have turned 75 years in the Club and that will receive their plaque and their recognition in the Main Box, from where besides they will witness the fixture against Eibar. They will be able to share their experiences with José Diez, who at 104 years of age – and almost 80 of them as a member of our Club – comes invited as the oldest member we have today in the Athletic Club.

Giro, Vuelta… and Itzulia

Hero of the terrible Italian Mount Zoncolan and unforgettable winner in Bilbao’s Gran Via, Igor Antón will also be in San Mamés. Weeks after finishing his professional career, the ‘txirrindulari’ of Galdakao has been the star of the preliminary against Eibar. His images pedaling by San Mamés accompanied by Dani García and Mikel Balenziaga, recall his magnificent triumph in Bilbao and indicate the goal for this Saturday at 08:45 p.m. against José Luis Mendilibar’s team.

Igor will receive a souvenir from José Ángel Iribar before starting the match. Then he will be in a box that will also gain a cyclist aroma with the presence of a representation of Basque Cycling Organisations. Those in charge of bringing the Itzulia or the Classic of San Sebastian to a good port can boast of keeping alive the strong link between the town and the world of the pedal from the old Eibarresa Bicycle or the extinct Euskal Bizikleta, to the present day. They go with their president Julián Eraso and their vice-president Javier Riaño to the head of a delegation.

Tribute to Inocencio Alonso

Today, Friday, marks the first anniversary of the death of Inocencio Alonso, the ertzaina who passed away in the run-up to the UEFA Europa League match against Spartak Moscow. The Athletic Club wanted to remember the figure of Ino, faithful zuri-gorri follower. The president Aitor Elizegi will be in charge of a representation of the Club in the homage that Alonso will receive this Saturday morning in the esplanade of San Mamés.

His relatives have been invited to watch the match against Eibar in the Main Box. In addition, a video will be shown in his memory on the scoreboard during the break.

There will also be a representation of the Biscayan Second B clubs, with Iñaki Bahillo del Barakaldo, Javier Landeta del Leioa, Josu Ocariz del Arenas, Koldo Zabala del Gernika, Jon Larrea del Amorebieta and Jon Andoni Bengoetxea from La Cultural.

There will be a municipal derby with the mayors Juan Mari Aburto and Miguel de los Toyos, Iñaki Arriola will be in his day alderman from Eibar and today Councillor for the Environment. After both clubs sign the agreement with Basque Team, the Culture Councillor, Bingen Zupiria, will attend and with them will be the Sports Director of the Basque Government, Jon Redondo. The former Athletic players will be represented by Mitxel Etxaniz and Ismael Urzaiz and the Peñas that will visit us will come from Málaga, Bailén, Peña Andoni Goikoetxea, Peña Athletic Txapeldun, Sorginetxe de Agurain, Torosto de Berriz, Trauko’s and the Trokozaleak from San Adrián.