Bilbao Athletic

Bilbao Athletic is the reserve team of Athletic Bilbao and is sometimes referred to as Athletic Bilbao B. They currently play in the Segunda Division B - Group 1. Unlike the English League, reserve teams in Spain play in the same football pyramid as their senior team rather than a separate league. However reserve teams cannot play in the same division as their senior team. Therefore Bilbao Athletic are ineligible for promotion to the Primera Division. Reserve teams are also no longer permitted to enter the Copa del Rey. In addition only under-23 players, or under-25 players with a professional contract, can switch between senior and reserve teams.

History

The Bilbao Athletic name was first used in 1938 during the Spanish Civil War, when both La Liga and the Copa del Rey were suspended. Several of the top Athletic players subsequently joined the Euskadi XI. This team was put together at the suggestion of José Antonio Aguirre, the president of the Basque Country and a former Athletic Bilbao footballer. The team went on tour to raise funds for the Basque cause and played in Europe and Mexico. However, the Campeonato de Vicaya continued to be played. With their best players on tour with the Euskadi XI, Athletic Bilbao could only field weakened sides and as a result they chose to enter under the name Bilbao Athletic. Despite this, they still won the championship. The name is derived from the two clubs, Bilbao Football Club and Athletic Club, that merged in 1903 to become Athletic Bilbao.

The name was revived in 1964 when Athletic Bilbao decided to establish a reserve team with Agustín Gaínza as coach . The new Bilbao Athletic initially played in local regional leagues before winning promotion to the Tercera División in 1966 under coach Rafa Iriondo. In 1969 they were promoted to the Segunda División.

In 1984 with José Ángel Iribar as coach and an emerging Julio Salinas, they were runners-up to Castilla CF in the Segunda División. Salinas also won the divisional Pichichi.

Current squad

Players out on loan:

• Joseba Ariño at Barakaldo CF
• Beñat Etxebarria at UB Conquense
• Eneko at Barakaldo CF
• Gaizka Bergara at Sestao River
• Iñaki Zarandona at Gernika Club

Selected Managers

• Agustín Gaínza
• Rafa Iriondo
• Javier Clemente
• José Ángel Iribar

Famous players

Javier Iturriaga José Ramón Alexanko Rafael Alkorta Gaizka Garitano Andoni Goikoetxea Julen Guerrero	José Ángel Iribar Aitor Karanka Julio Salinas Francisco Yeste Fernando Amorebieta

see also

Trophies

• Campeonato de Vicaya:
• 1938-39: 1
• Tercera División:
• 1966-67: 1

Seasons

• 2004/2005: Segunda División B 9th
• 2005/2006: Segunda División B 6th
• 2006/2007: Segunda División B 15th
• 2007/2008: Segunda División B 15th
• 2008/2009: Segunda División B

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• 13 seasons in Segunda División
• 19 seasons in Segunda División B
• 10 seasons in Tercera División

See also

• CD Baskonia Athletic Bilbao second reserve team

References

External links

• Bilbao Athletic at www.athletic-club.net