Forgotten Clubs

RECREATIVO DE HUELVA

Based in the industrial city of Huelva, close to the Portugese border in the South West of the Andalusia region, Recreativo de Huelva is Spain's oldest football club. It is 130 years old.

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THE BASICS

Founded: 23rd December, 1889 (130 years old).

Ground: Estadio Nuevo Colombino

Seasons in La Liga:

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Founded by two Scottish workers at the Rio Tinto Mines, Huelva Recreation Club played its first ever game in 1890, against Sevilla FC

The club is known as El Decano del Fútbol Español (The Dean of Spanish Football) and El Abuelo (The Grandfather)

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After the turn of the century, Recreativo won three Andalusian regional cups, and became the first Spanish side to beat a Portuguese club, Sporting Club

The club spent one season in the Segunda division in 1940, but did not return until 1957

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In 1978/79, at 89 years of age, @recreoficial made its debut in La Liga

It was no fairy-tale season though; Recre finished bottom of the table and were relegated, with only 21 points from 34 games. They won just 8 games all season, 7 of those at home.

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The 2000s was a golden age for Recre, but it nearly didn't happen.

The club was relegated to the 3rd tier in 1999/2000, but Atleti's relegation to the 2nd tier meant the Atleti reserve team was ejected. Recre kept its place and in 2002 was promoted to La Liga

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Again, like in '78/79, the league campaign of 02/03 didn't go well. After waiting until November for a first win, Recre were relegated with only 8 wins in 38 games.

However, this season was all about the Copa del Rey. Remarkably, Recre made it to the final

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