Merton FC – Non-League Day 2024

This feature is part of a series of articles about seven of Athletic Club's past English opponents that are currently playing Non-League football. These clubs not only played a pivotal role in Athletic's early years, but also in helping football become a global sport.

Merton FC, founded in 1910 and the oldest amateur club in its borough, faced Athletic Club at Jolaseta on 25 March 1913.

Merton lost 3-1 to an Athletic-Racing Club de Irun combined XI just a couple days after the Basque sides had fought each other for the 1912/13 Copa de Rey trophy, which Racing Irun won 3-2 on aggregate over two legs.

The Londoners travelled to Bilbao with a 12-man party: JB. Boulden, W. Reeves, A.H. Adams, E.W. Beecroft, F. B.Garner, G. Williamson, W.H. Clark, T.J. Brockwell, E. Cooper Smith, W. Davis, L.A. Barrett and H.J Nickel.

On the 24th, Merton drew 1-1 against fellow Londoners Ilford FC at Club Deportivo Bilbao’s ground in a match refereed by Athletic forward Ramón Belauste. It was the first known fixture between two official English sides in the Spanish state.

Ilford were in the city to face Club Deportivo Bilbao and as Athletic struggled getting back to the Basque Country after the Copa final in Madrid, the two English sides hastily arranged a clash at CD Bilbao's ground.

The main event took place on Tuesday 25th and Athletic lined up as such: Ibarreche, Hurtado, Solaún, San Bartolomé, Iceta, Eguia, Gastañaga, Moleres, Patricio, Pichichi and Retegui.

Retegui put Athletic ahead with a “magisterial move”, but Merton dominated the game and Barrett soon hit the crossbar with a powerful shot.

Cooper Smith equalised for the Englishmen in the second half. However, the Lions hit back quickly, Patricio finishing off a “beautiful combination” between Athletic’s forwards.

The Zurigorri’s keeper Ibarreche “defended his goal like a lion” as Merton pushed for an equaliser, with Barrett being the main source of danger.

Athletic put the game to bed shortly before full-time as San Bartolomé got Los Leones' third and final goal.

Modern Day

Still going strong 114 years later, Merton FC continue to play an important role in their local community fielding five senior sides and a veteran’s XI. The main team competes in the Southern Amateur League Division 2, where they are fifth on 19 points after five wins, four draws and four defeats from 13 games.

On Non-League Day, Merton will face Winchmore Hill at 14:00 GMT at their main ground, the Joseph Hood Recreation Ground. Admission is free.

Flag exchange and retro jersey raffle

As part of Athletic Club’s collaborations with our historical opponents, we have sent each of the seven clubs in this series an Athletic flag to hang at their ground and a retro jersey to raffle off among their fans.

In return, each club has donated a flag to Los Leones. These colours will be on show at different grounds throughout Euskal Non-League Day and then given to the AC Museum.

Euskal Non-League Day

Drawing inspiration from the UK version, Athletic has organised Euskal Non-League Day with the aim of celebrating grassroots football in the Basque Country and recognising the important role our affiliated clubs play in their respective communities in addition to producing players for Athletic.

Coinciding with the Non-League day in the UK, on the weekend on March 23-24, 86 of our partner clubs will be participating in this second edition of Euskal Non-League Day.

Historical English opponents

Our features on the seven English teams are being published in chronological order based on the date of their first match against Athletic.

(Click to read)
Monday 18th: Civil Service FC, United Hospitals
Tuesday 19th: Eastbourne Town FC
Wednesday 20th: Merton FC
Thursday 21st: Bromley FC
Friday 22nd: Dulwich Hamlet, Corinthian-Casuals FC

These are the details of the sides’ Non-League Day fixtures. If you’re an Athleticzale in England over the weekend of March 23-24, we encourage you to attend one of these matches.

Civil Service FC vs Old Carthusians. March 23, 13:00 GMT. King’s House Sports Ground
Eastbourne Town vs Shoreham. March 23, 15:00 GMT. The Saffrons
Merton FC vs Winchmore Hill. March 23, 14:00 GMT. Joseph Hood Recreation Ground
Bromley FC vs York City. March 23, 15:00 GMT. Hayes Lane
Bognor Regis Town vs Dulwich Hamlet. March 23, 15:00 GMT. Nyewood Lane
Corinthian-Casuals vs Badshot Lea. March 23, 15:00 GMT. King George’s Field