Valencia CF: 100 years of a true Spanish powerhouse

In the centre of Valencia, there's a plaque that marks the spot where the city's biggest club, Valencia CF, was born 100 years ago today, in the now defunct Bar Torino. The club was founded by a group of friends who were left without a team when Español de Valencia were disbanded following the death of one of their players (who suffered a broken leg that led to an embolism). An outfit consumed by grief, Español collapsed - but eight never-say-die individuals resuscitated their team in the form of Valencia, who now celebrate their centenary. Such was the founders' commitment to the cause, indeed, that one of them postponed his wedding after spending the money put aside for his nuptials on doing up the football ground in the district of Algirós, which was Valencia's home in their opening years.

It was in Algirós that Eduardo Cubells, Valencia's first great idol - and first Spain player - grew up. Later on, after the Civil War, he worked alongside Luis Casanova, who was a crucial figure in the club's history - their Santiago Bernabéu, if you like. He was president for 19 years, leading the club through a period laden with trophies and overseeing the construction of a fantastic stadium. He was club chief in the days of the 'Electric Forward Line' of Epi, Amadeo, Mundo, Asensi and Gorostiza; of the midfield of Pasieguito and Puchades; of Dutchman Faas Wilkes, who, I was told as a kid, was a better dribbler than Ben Barek and Luis Molowny. In the Spanish edition of today's AS, we have an interview with Casanova's son, which takes a fascinating look back over the club's history, from the Civil War to the present day.

My initial experiences of Valencia were of a side that won two Fairs Cups, and always challenged for LaLiga and the Copa del Rey. Later, the signing of Mario Kempes further raised the profile of a club that continued to compete at home and abroad. Until, that is, they went bankrupt because of a chap who, rather than buying his son a bike for his birthday like everyone else, bought him a football club, and Valencia went to such rack and ruin that they ended up in the hands of Singaporean ownership. That's not to everyone's liking, but the roots laid down were strong; they remain firmly intact, as does the locals' devotion for a club that continues to compete. After all, they're getting ready for a cup final, and in LaLiga are firmly in the hunt to finish in the Europa League places, or even the top four.