Euskal Non-League Day: SD Leioa & Leioako Emakumeak

Location: Leioa
Ground: Campo de Sarriena
Division: 3rd RFEF (Fifth tier)
Match: SD Leioa vs Touring KE (Sept 10. 17:30 CEST)

SD Leioa are the only club who will have both their men's and women's senior teams taking part in Euskal Non-League. Founded in 1925, the Azulgranas are a true representation of grassroots football in Bizkaia, their Lagun Artea Football Academy having around 700 footballers on its books.

The origins of Basque football are closely linked to the town of Leioa, with the first matches in the country being played on the pitches in Lamiako towards the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

Lamiako was SD Leioa's first home ground when the club was founded in 1925. During that first decade they played in the regional leagues. However, the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War caused the outfit to disappear until 1949.

Their progress in the lower leagues had its various ups and downs (and a new hiatus between 1965 and 1974) until 2008, when they achieved promotion to the Tercera División for the first time.

Once Leioa were fully established at Sarriena, they enjoyed the most successful period in their history and, under the guidance of head coach David Movilla, reached the Segunda División B in 2014/15.

Last season, 2022-23, Leioa fought until the last moment for promotion to the 2nd RFEF, losing the play-off final in extra time to San Fernando from the Canary Islands.

On Euskal Non-League Day, Leioako Emakumeak (SD Leioa Women) will face Pauldarrak FKT at 15:30 CEST while Leioa will face Touring de Renteria at 17:30 CEST - both taking place at Sarriena.

As with all the Euskal Non-league Day fixtures, Leioa will raffle off Athletic Club first-team jerseys and double VIP tickets for Los Leones' match against Cádiz CF at San Mames the following weekend.

Among the historic players who have worn SD Leioa and Athletic Club colours are Plácido Bilbao, Sabino Bilbao, Jonás Ramalho and Borja Agirretxu.

Women’s football in Leioa

Division: Liga Vasca (Fifth tier)
Match: Leioako Emakumeak vs Pauldarrak FKT (Sept 10. 15:30 CEST)

Leioa ET, led by Iñigo Juaristi, were one of the most important women's clubs in Basque football, and the precursor to Athletic Club Women.

The town of Leioa and the neighbouring town of Sondika, were two decisive places in the growth of women's football at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. The vast majority of Athletic Club's 2002/03 players previously lined up for Leioa.

In their first campaign in the elite, Athletic won the Superliga title. 17 players for red and white history: Arantza Andrés, Irantzu Castrillo, Silvia del Val, Eba Ferreira, Izaskun Gaztelu, Jessica Gómez, Ana Belén Nuñez, Saioa Gónzalez, Julene Guarrotxena, Iraia Iturregi, Uguzne Mezo, Nerea Onaindia, Arrate Orueta, Vanessa Rodriguez, Lorena Sánchez, Aitziber Juaristi and Nerea Uriagareka.

Although Leioa ET were independent of SD Leioa, their influence in the subsequent creation of SD Leioa Women in 2003 is undeniable. Youth development continues to be a key feature at this academy club, where they've produced Athletic Women players such as Naiara Beristain, Eider Hidalgo, Joana Flaviano, Eztizen Etxebarria, Ane Landa, Andere Leguina and Garazi Unibaso, a current Athletic Club director.