The 1909 title Real Sociedad are still fighting to claim | OneFootball

Real Sociedad’s push to have the 1909 Copa del Rey recognised as theirs stems from origins that predate their official birth.

According to Diario Vasco, a San Sebastián Foot-ball Club existed from 1905 after a split from the San Sebastián Recreation Club.

Unable to enter the 1909 Cup without a year on the register, the team aligned with Club Ciclista de San Sebastián. On 29 November 1908 Ciclista Foot-Ball Club was created.

Researcher David González, known as Atotxa.org, cites a CFC monogram photo as evidence the champions’ name was Ciclista FC, not Club Ciclista de San Sebastián.

In March 1909 the side adopted today’s txuri-urdin stripes. Disagreements then led players and officials to form Sociedad de Fútbol on seven September, with Ondarreta readied for a seven November meeting with Athletic.

The club has long urged the federation to recognise that title, a view widely accepted in football circles.

Continuity is clear, from San Sebastián FC to an 11 month spell as Ciclista FC to contest the 1909 championship. Captain Alfonso Sena, a founder, lifted the Cup as the team played at Ondarreta in blue and white.

Line-ups in 1909 and 1910 were near identical, the latter entered as Vasconia because registration was short of a year. In 1910, Berraondo, Mariano Arrate and Prats replaced Arocena, Arrillaga and Biribén.

When the league launched in 1929, Cup winners were invited and Real Sociedad took part as champions of 1909. Even so, the federation has continued to look the other way.

Source: Diario Vasco