Euskal Non-League Day: SD Indautxu

Location: Bilbao
Ground: Campo de Iparralde
Division: División de Honor (Sixth tier)
Match: SD Indautxu vs Dinamo San Juan (Sept 9. 11:00 CEST)

Sociedad Deportiva Indautxu's significance throughout Athletic Club's 125 years of existence is reflected in an extraordinary statistic: at least 44 footballers have played for both clubs. An outstanding figure that includes current Lion, Adu Ares.

Founded in 1924, several Zurigorri legends have turned out for the Bilbao-based outfit: Telmo Zarra, Rafael Iriondo, Jose Luis Panizo, Ignacio Uribe, José Larrauri, Jose Maria Argoitia... and the fabled Rafa Escudero, the last great amateur player to play for Athletic.

And it's not just Athletic where their stars have ended up, SD Indautxu have produced a plethora of excellent footballers, who, for a variety of reasons, never lined up for Los Leones: Chus Pereda (FC Barcelona), José Eulogio Garate and Miguel Jones (Atlético Madrid), Santiago Isasi (Real Zaragoza) and Eusebio Ríos (Real Betis). In short, a prolific feeder club which currently has 23 age-groups teams, including a women's side competing in the regional leagues.

This Saturday morning, SD Indautxu's men's team will face Dinamo San Juan at Campo Iparralde in Bilbao (kick-off is at 11:30). Don't forget that, among those in attendance, SD Indautxu will give away two Athletic first team shirts and double VIP tickets for the Zurigorri's clash with Cadiz CF at San Mames.

Approaching their centenary year

With 99 years of football under their belt, SD Indautxu boast a rich history with great triumphs. After the early years, in which the club combined football with other sports such as boxing, swimming and hockey, SD Indautxu experienced their golden age from 1940 onwards. This was mostly thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of illustrious figures such as Jaime Olaso and the Escudero brothers.

In fact, Rafa Escudero, amateur champion and four-time runner-up with Indautxu, made a significant impression at Athletic during his one and only season playing for the club.

Despite being an Athletic Club Member, Rafa was against the professionalism of football, which is why he refused to sign for the club he loved. However, in the 1943-44 season, when Athletic needed him most, Escudero stepped up to the plate and dazzled San Mames with some spectacular performances. 

In November 1943, after seven league games, Athletic were bottom of a 14-team table with just four points. The outlook was dire and to make matters worse star players Piru Gainza and Zarra were struggling with injuries.

But Escudero's whirlwind arrival put Athletic back on track, with Los Leones going on to win seven LaLiga matches in a row. He also led the Zurigorri to Copa success. Rafa eventually bowed out with 14 goals in 23 games - and never played for Athletic again.

Indautxu's golden era came between 1955 and 1969, a period in which they played 13 seasons in the Segunda División. Their first campaign in the second tier was extraordinary. Coached by Rafa Iriondo, the squad contained the likes of Zarra and Panizo.

From the 1970s onwards, Indautxu suffered a slump and haven't competed in the Segunda since, yo-yoing between the Tercera and regional leagues. Until the rise of Adu Ares, the most recent Lions to pass through Indautxu were Iñigo Lizarralde, Rafa Alkorta, Andoni Ayarza and Andoni Lakabeg.