Real Sociedad’s turbulent 1930s and postwar lift, two Copa semi-final runs amid yo-yo years | OneFootball

Amid the Second Republic and the harsh postwar years, Real Sociedad, briefly Donostia FC, lurched between relegations and revival. Two Copa semi-final runs offered rare sweetness on a slow road back.

Per Diario Vasco, after finishing level on points with champions Athletic in 1931, inferior goal average left them third, and on 27 June that year the club adopted the name Donostia FC.

Donostia’s Liga debut came on 22 November 1931 in Ibaiondo against Arenas de Getxo, a 2-1 defeat. They finished eighth of 10.

A first relegation arrived in 1935 after a 0-4 loss to Athletic on 22 April. The season also closed with a Cup replay defeat to Real Unión at San Mamés.

Seven starters departed, including Ipiña, who joined Real Madrid two years later. New president José María Gastaminza had only four registrations a fortnight before kick-off, the squad was patched with amateurs and another drop preceded the Civil War.

In 1939 competitions resumed with clubs restored to their 1935 tiers, so Real stayed in Segunda and Donostia disappeared. The 1940s were yo-yo years.

In 1940-41 they ousted Valladolid and Atlético before Espanyol settled the semi-final with a 6-0 first leg, the return ended 2-2. In 1947-48 under Benito Díaz they beat Zaragoza, Sabadell, Tarragona and Valencia, then lost 7-1 to Sevilla away, before a 1-0 home win through José Mari Pérez. Atocha’s 1948 remodel lifted resources and underpinned 1949 promotion and 13 straight seasons.

Source: Diario Vasco