Over a decade's service for Athletic
Former Athletic Club centre-forward Fidel Uriarte passed away on Monday aged 71 following a long illness. Born in Sestao, Uriarte was one of Athletic's most prolific strikers during the 1960s and the start of the 70s.
He made his first team debut with Athletic in 1962-1963 in a game against Málaga. In total he made 394 appearances for the Bilbaínos, netting 120 goals - 90 of which in the league. During the 1967-68 season, Uriarte he claimed the Pichichi award for ending as the top scorer in the league with 22 goals - he memorably fired five past Betis in the same match at San Mamés in a game which Athletic won 8-0.
Uriarte in Athletic's meeting with Madrid, February 1970. DIARIO AS (DIARIO AS)
Copa winner
He won the Copa del Rey twice with Athletic - beating Elche 1-0 in the 1968-69 final at the Bernabéu and again in 1972-73, with a 2-0 win over Castellón. The following season he joined Málaga where he spent six seasons before hanging up his boots. He was capped six times for Spain.
After ending his playing days, Uriarte gained his coaching certificate and trained the reserves, Bilbao Athletic and Villarreal. Athletic have not confirmed whether they will hold a minute's silence before this evening's game against Celta de Vigo in his memory.
El Villarreal CF quiere mostrar sus condolencias por el fallecimiento de Fidel Uriarte, leyenda del @AthleticClub y ex técnico amarillo. DEP pic.twitter.com/9LYpjzwc8U
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) 19 December 2016
Obituary: Fidel Uriarte https://t.co/8K6l09eL4H #athletic
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) 19 December 2016
The Club expresses deepest condolences to the family and friends of Fidel Uriarte Macho, the ex Malaguista player who sadly passed away. RIP
— Málaga CF English (@MalagaCF_en) 19 December 2016
