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Stocky Bilbao: Athletic Club's Merseyside Mascots

Stocky Bilbao: Athletic Club's Merseyside Mascots

Several children from Stocky Bilbao, a kids' side inspired by Athletic, attended our under-21s match against Liverpool FC. We inteviewed their founder, Stephen Lally, to find out more about Stocky

The similarities between Bilbao/Bizkaia and Liverpool/Merseyside are numerous: a historical attachment to the sea, an emphasis on community values and a down-to-earth population with a strong work ethic. 

Over the past couple of months, the connections between Bilbao and Liverpool have grown even stronger thanks to a group of raucous Athletic fans, none of whom are older than 11.

Stocky Bilbao and their passionate support have seen them become rockstars among the Athletic fanbase. Images of the children at our Under-21s' match against Everton in November went viral and Athletic Club decided to suprise the Stocky kids with a few suprises on our return to Liverpool for Wednesday night's 1-3 victory in the Premier League International Cup.


After the match, the Stocky little ones met our Under-21 players, who, along with club president Jon Uriarte, handed out gifts such as badges, team photos and small flags.

What's more, the Merseyside club recieved two strips signed by our respective men's and women's first teams, while Athletic have invited Stephen Lally - the founder of Stocky - and his coaches to come and take part in our 'Coaches Experience' programme at Lezama at no cost.

Athletic Club spoke to 'Ste' (as he prefers to be called) about the club and what the last couple of months have meant for the kids at Stocky and himself.

When did you found Stocky Bilbao and why?

I formed the club in 2021 after the Covid lockdown as my son was suffering with a bit of social anxiety and wouldn't get involved with another team. Since then, his confidence has come on massively thanks to the club. We have given kids in the community a chance to fall in love with football in an amazing environment that allows them to flourish.

Why did you settle on the name Stocky Bilbao? What's your connection to Athletic?

I grew up an Everton fan and have always followed LaLiga football, with a keen eye on Athletic! I was drawn to Athletic as I found a lot of similarities between them and Everton, both fantastic clubs with a rich history and an emphasis on community. It's easy to follow a big club, but there's something about the underdog that has always ignited a flame in me. It means so much more for clubs like Everton and Athletic to win things.

As I got older, I became more aware of Athletic's academy and the wonderful players that it produces year after year as well as the opportunities it provides to children from the Basque region. I like to think that we provide similar opportunities to the children in our community, albeit on a much smaller scale.

You brought the kids to our Under-21s' matches in Liverpool, against Everton and LFC? How was it for them to see Athletic players live?

The kids have absolutely loved getting to watch the Under-21s live! It has given them a chance to show support for the team they have grown to love and will have an affiliation with for the rest of their lives. It has also inspired them and showed them what is required to be on the pathway to becoming a professional footballer.

We had some gifts for them after the Liverpool game. How did the kids react?

They were overjoyed to receive them and were all so thankful. My own son slept with the Athletic emblem hanging from his bed. And the signed shirts just topped off an unbelievable evening! We're going to get them framed and keep them for life.

We've invited you to Lezama to spend sometime with our coaches and staff. What are you hoping to learn from the experience?

The chance to come to Lezama is beyond anything I could have imagined when I first started Stocky Bilbao! It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that without the amazing staff at Athletic would never be possible. It will be an honour for me and my coaches to come and learn from some of the best coaches in the world and see the amazing facilities Athletic have. We hope to learn how the academies there differ from English academies and take everything on board and bring it back to our sessions at Stocky.