Aperribay becomes Real Sociedad’s longest-serving president | OneFootball

After 17 years in the role, Aperribay is now Real Sociedad’s longest-serving president, overtaking José Luis Orbegozo. According to Diario Vasco, the Deba businessman is the club’s 29th president and is closing on 18 years in charge.

Orbegozo oversaw 16 years, including two league titles, a Supercopa and the European Cup semi-finals, the club’s golden era.

He dislikes recalling how he took the chair, on the eve of San Tomás in 2008 with Ertzaintza intervention at a freezing velodrome. Many who jeered him and his board then have since applauded.

He inherited a club in insolvency proceedings with 40 million debt and the risk of dissolution. It now has 80 million in equity and net assets of 92 after 16 profitable seasons, all but the pandemic year. Membership is a record 38,000, with 5,000 waiting, up from 20,000.

His flagship move was turning Anoeta into a football ground by removing the track, a chant led by Zurutuza during the 2010 promotion. The board delivered, and on 14 September 2019 the rebuilt stadium opened with a 2-0 win over Atlético. Anoeta has underpinned the era, alongside work at Zubieta and sharp recruitment.

He has lifted two club titles, three with the 09/10 Segunda. They were the Copa de la Reina in Granada, secured by holding a 2-1 against Atlético, and the success at La Cartuja under pandemic restrictions. Seeing Asier Illarramendi and Mikel Oyarzabal hoist the cup rekindled memories long since La Romareda in 1987, and despite a muted current season and a change of coach, the successes still dominate.

Source: Diario Vasco