Details for Estadio San Mames, Bilbao

The Board of Managers presided by Alejandro de la Sota, who was forward in the first team of Athletic, began the search of plot of lands that shelter the team in their matches as home. Their intention is building the Club seat in the center of the city. The chosen lands, of private property, are situated in the extension of the Gran Vía, close to the asylum of San Mamés. The partners in Assembly approve buying the land to the owners, Novia Salcedo family's heirs. Everybody knows that the economical effort will be important. The treasurer, Roberto de Arteche, price the cost of the purchase and the works in 89.000 pesetas, a very high capital for that time. Bilbao burst into happiness. The fans see in this way full their desires of not being forced to go out of the city to attend to football. The Board accepts the project that the architect from Bilbao Manuel María Smith presents and on the 20 of january of 1913, the foundation stone is put. This event's repercussion will be key in the history of Athletic. The big red and white family converts the pitch in the main signal of the Club's identity.

The new pitch was inaugurated with Bilbao ready to enjoy his festivals. The setting is suitable then for the inauguration of one of the most charismatic football pitches in the world. The public's response is clear: the 3.500 seats are occupied fastly and the first cartel with "No tickets" is hung.

San Mamés is inaugurated by Racing Irún, the English Shepherd´s Bush and Athletic. The first match meet Athletic and Racing Irún. The match ended with draw to one and the line-up that Athletic presented was composed by Ibarreche, Solaun, Hurtado, Eguía, J.M. Belauste, Izeta, Pinillos, Cortadi, Zuazo, Pichichi and Acedo.

Seve Zuazo touches the ball that gives the beginning of the match and the unforgettable Rafael Moreno "Pichichi" had the honour of converting himself into the first goler of the history of this new pitch. The final was disputed by the team of Bilbao and the English team. The visitors win by one goal to nil, under the attentive look of the King Alfonso XIII and the Queen María Cristina who travel to Bilbao for contemplating the contest from the presidential box. The "Catedral" legend had begun...