125th anniversary gift for opponents
125th anniversary gift for opponents
Osasuna was the first of around 500 clubs to receive a commemorative gift in 2023 as a sign of gratitude and recognition
The 125th anniversary celebrations continue at the start of 2023. Osasuna, the first side to visit San Mames in this year of celebration, received a commemorative gift for being one of the more than 500 clubs Athletic have faced throughout our history.
Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte presented Luis Sabalza, his Osasuna counterpart, with this present as a sign of gratitude and recognition.
The gift is a print - personalised for each club - of Jose Arrue's 1915 artwork "Equipo del Athletic Club" (Athletic Club's Team), which currently resides in the AC Museum. Each exclusive print includes the 125th anniversary logo, together with Athletic's crest and that of the opponent being honoured, as well as the following friendly phrase: "Futbolarekiko grinak batzen gaitu / La pasión por el fútbol nos une" (Our passion for football unites us).
The same painting given to Osasuna will be posted to all the still-active teams (a good number of these clubs have disappeared over time) Athletic Club have played against over the last 125 years. When it comes to clubs from abroad, the poster will include a translation into the language of the country they are based in as well as the original phrase in Basque and Spanish.
Finally, Athletic Club will also share the commemorative hashtag #Athletic125 with each of these teams, with the hope they will in turn share it with their respective fans, so that no one forgets what unites us: a passion for football.