Biscay Championship

The Biscay Regional Championship (Campeonato Regional de Vizcaya), also called the North Regional Championship (Campeonato Regional Norte) in its early editions, was an official football tournament in Spain organised by the North Football Federation.

The Biscay Football Federation's logo

It was played annually between 1913 and 1940 and served to elect the representatives of the region in the Spanish Cup, which at that time served as the overall annual national championship.[1]

History

The tournament was launched in 1913, following the creation of the North Football Federation (Federación Norte), initially consisting of clubs from the Basque provinces (Biscay, Gipuzkoa and Álava) and Cantabria (then the province of Santander). The first edition of the Northern Regional Championship started on 12 October 1913, with six teams: three from Biscay (Athletic Bilbao, Arenas Club de Getxo and Deportivo de Bilbao)[2] and three from Gipuzkoa (Real Sociedad, Sporting de Irun and Racing de Irun - the latter two would soon merge as Real Unión). Athletic was the first champion.

In 1916 the Royal Spanish Football Federation permitted the clubs from the province of Santander to abandon the North Federation and join the new Cantabrian Regional Federation of Football, along with clubs from the province of Oviedo. But the situation was reversed again two years later.

After several disagreements between the clubs of Biscay and Guipuzkoa, in 1918 the National Committee of the Spanish federation agreed to divide the Northern Federation in these two regions.[3] Thus, in the 1918–19 season the Gipuzkoa clubs launched their own championship[1] while the North Championship teams continued with other Basque teams and the return of Racing de Santander, representing the Cantabrian clubs.

In 1922 the clubs in the province of Santander finally left the North Federation to create its own umbrella organisation, which launched the Cantabrian Regional Championship.[4][1] That same year, the Assembly of the Northern Federation agreed to the change of name to the Biscay Federation (Federación Vizcaína), being composed exclusively of clubs from the province[5] (although Deportivo Alavés of Álava also participated in the championship).

In 1934 the Spanish federation undertook a major restructuring of the national tournaments, so that the regional championships were replaced by the superregional, which gathered the best clubs in various regional federations. In the case of the Basque Country, this was called the Basque Cup, launched in season 1934–35. This tournament was held for two years until being interrupted by the Spanish Civil War.[1]

During the last months of the war in 1939, football resumed activity in some areas controlled by the National side, under the impetus of the Spanish Federation and the regional federations. Five teams participated in the reborn Biscay Championship, including its winners Bilbao Athletic (a team formed by Athletic Bilbao, who decided not to use the club's official title as they only had a makeshift squad and were worried about embarrassing results tarnishing their reputation)[6] and runner-up Barakaldo Oriamendi, who both took part in the 1939 Copa del Generalisimo.

The last edition of the Championship of Biscay, which was also a qualifier for access to the 1940 Copa del Generalísimo, was played in the 1939–40 season. Another restructuring approved by the Spanish Federation in 1940 marked the demise of the regional championships.

Winners
Season Champion Copa del Rey[lower-alpha 1] Runner-up Copa del Rey[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2]
1913–14[7][lower-alpha 3]Athletic ClubWinnersReal SociedadN/A
1914–15[8][lower-alpha 3]Athletic ClubWinnersArenas Club de GetxoN/A
1915–16[9][lower-alpha 3]Athletic ClubWinnersReal SociedadN/A
1916–17[10][lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4]Arenas Club de GetxoRunners-upAthletic ClubN/A
1917–18[11][lower-alpha 3]Real Unión[lower-alpha 5]WinnersArenas Club de GetxoN/A
1918–19[12][lower-alpha 6][lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 8]Arenas Club de GetxoWinnersRacing de SantanderN/A
1919–20[13][lower-alpha 6]Athletic ClubRunners-upRacing de SantanderN/A
1920–21[14][lower-alpha 6]Athletic ClubWinnersArenas Club de GetxoN/A
1921–22[15][lower-alpha 6]Arenas Club de GetxoQuarter-finalsRacing de SantanderN/A
1922–23[16][lower-alpha 9][lower-alpha 10]Athletic ClubWinnersArenas Club de GetxoN/A
1923–24[17]Athletic ClubSemi-finalsArenas Club de GetxoN/A
1924–25[18]Arenas Club de Getxo[lower-alpha 11]Runners-upAthletic ClubN/A
1925–26[19]Athletic ClubGroup stageArenas Club de GetxoGroup stage
1926–27[20][21]Arenas Club de GetxoRunners-upAthletic ClubGroup stage
1927–28[22]Athletic ClubGroup stageDeportivo AlavésSemi-finals
1928–29[23]Athletic ClubSemi-finalsArenas Club de GetxoRound of 16
1929–30[24]Deportivo AlavésQuarter-finalsAthletic ClubWinners
1930–31[25]Athletic ClubWinnersArenas Club de GetxoSemi-finals
1931–32[26]Athletic ClubWinnersArenas Club de GetxoRound of 32
1932–33[27]Athletic ClubWinnersArenas Club de GetxoRound of 32
1933–34[28]Athletic ClubQuarter-finalsBarakaldo CFRound of 32
1934–35[29][lower-alpha 12]Athletic ClubRound of 16CA OsasunaSemi-finals
1935–36[30][lower-alpha 12]Arenas Club de GetxoRound of 16Real UniónGroup stage
1936–39No competition: Spanish Civil War
1939[31][lower-alpha 13]Bilbao Athletic[6]Round of 16Barakaldo OriamendiSemi-finals
1939–40[32][lower-alpha 13]Athletic ClubRound of 16Barakaldo OriamendiRound of 32

Notes
  1. Progress made in the Copa del Rey by qualifiers from the regional championship.
  2. Runners-up also qualified for the Copa del Rey from 1926.
  3. Included clubs from Biscay, Gipuzkoa and Cantabria and known as the North Championship.
  4. Clubs from Cantabria left the federation and joined the Asturias Championship in 1916–17 and 1917–18.
  5. Athletic Club "retired from the competition once finalised"[11] after finishing top of the table.
  6. Included clubs from Biscay, Cantabria and Álava and known as the North Championship.
  7. Clubs from Cantabria returned to the competition for 1918–19.
  8. Clubs from Gipuzkoa quit the competition and formed their own from 1918–19 onwards.
  9. Included clubs from Biscay and Álava and known as the Biscay Championship.
  10. Clubs from Cantabria quit the competition and formed their own from this season onwards.
  11. Arenas won a playoff 2–1 against Athletic after both finished level on points.[18]
  12. Member clubs played in the Basque Cup (along with those from Gipuzkoa and Navarre).
  13. Reverted to Biscay championship; clubs from Álava moved to the Gipuzkoa Championship.

Summary of Champions
ClubWinnersRunner-up
Athletic Club16 (1913–14, 1914–15, 1915–16, 1919–20, 1920–21, 1922–23, 1923–24, 1925–26, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1930–31, 1931–32, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1939–40)4 (1916–17, 1924–25, 1926–27, 1929–30)
Arenas Club de Getxo6 (1916–17, 1918–19, 1921–22, 1924–25, 1926–27, 1935–36)10 (1914–15, 1917–18, 1920–21, 1922–23, 1923–24, 1925–26, 1928–29, 1930–31, 1931–32, 1932–33)
Deportivo Alavés[lower-alpha 1]1 (1929–30)1 (1927–28)
Real Unión[lower-alpha 2]1 (1917–18)1 (1935–36)
Bilbao Athletic[lower-alpha 3]1 (1939)
Barakaldo CF3 (1933–34, 1939, 1939–40)
Racing de Santander[lower-alpha 4]3 (1918–19, 1919–20, 1921–22)
Real Sociedad[lower-alpha 2]2 (1913–14, 1915–16)
CA Osasuna[lower-alpha 5]1 (1934–35)

Notes
  1. Only participated from 1922 to 1936 (including Basque Cup).
  2. Only participated from 1913 to 1918 and from 1934 to 1936 (including Basque Cup).
  3. Only participated in 1939.[6]
  4. Only participated between 1913 and 1916, and between 1918 and 1922.
  5. Only participated in Basque Cup (1934–35 and 1935–36).

Biscay representative team
Not to be confused with Bizcaya (football team).
See also: Basque Country national football team results

In the first half of the 20th century, the provincial federation selected a representative team for friendly matches, and also took part in the inter-regional Prince of Asturias Cup.[33] Prior to the split between Gipuzkoa and Biscay, their players also formed a combined 'North' team (nominally including Cantabria, but dominated by Basque players) which evolved into the Basque Country team.[34][35]

In 2013, the Biscay Federation (which continues to operate provincial football leagues at the fifth level of the pyramid and below) celebrated its centenary, taking the foundation date as that of the North Federation. A commemorative match was staged between the amateur teams of Biscay and Gipuzkoa (1–1 draw, won by Biscay on penalties), as had also taken place in 1964 for the 50th anniversary (6–0 to Biscay).[36][37]

The Biscay professional selection had reformed for the Castilian Federation's 'golden jubilee' in 1963, playing Andalusia,[38] and in June 2013 they did so again to face Athletic Bilbao, celebrating the 100th anniversary of both the federation's foundation and the opening of San Mamés stadium, as well as being its last match before demolition. It was an event of familiarity for the participants, with many of the Biscay players having close ties to Athletic, and many of the club's current players originating from the province. Despite being unable to include the opposition's employees in their squad, Biscay won the fixture 1–0 (Athletic introduced several retired players for cameo appearances in the later stages).[39][40][41]

Results
13 December 1914 (1914-12-13) Friendly Biscay 2–1 Gipuzkoa Bilbao
Barturen
Pagaza 		Report Patricio Stadium: San Mamés
Referee: Angoso
6 January 1915 (1915-01-06) Friendly Gipuzkoa 4–0 Biscay San Sebastián
Stadium: Atotxa Stadium
31 January 1920 (1920-01-31) Friendly Catalonia  2–1 Biscay Barcelona
Coca
Domènech 		Report Carmelo Stadium: Camp Muntaner
Referee: Torrents
1 February 1920 (1920-02-01) Friendly Catalonia  3–1 Biscay Barcelona
Domènech
Martínez 		Report Carmelo Stadium: Camp de la Indústria
12 November 1922 Copa Príncipe Quarter-final[33] Asturias  1–1 Biscay Gijón
Arcadio  38' Report Larraza  25' Stadium: El Molinón
Referee: Murguía
13 November 1922 Copa Príncipe Quarter-final Replay[33] Asturias  4–3 (a.e.t.) Biscay Gijón
Zabala
Barril 		Report Carmelo
Travieso  (pen.)		 Stadium: El Molinón
Referee: Murguía
Note: After the end of normal time (1–1), one hour of extra time was played.
18 November 1923 Copa Príncipe Quarter-final[33] Biscay 4–2  Asturias Bilbao
Carmelo
Laca
Travieso 		Report Bolado
Zabala 		Stadium: San Mamés
Referee: Contreras
27 January 1924 (1924-01-27) Prince of Asturias Cup Semi-final[33] Catalonia  1–0 Biscay Barcelona
Martí Stadium: Camp de Les Corts
17 March 1929 (1929-03-17) Friendly Biscay 4–3 Gipuzkoa Getxo
Report Stadium: Ibaiondo
Referee: Serrano
28 February 1937 (1937-02-28) Friendly Biscay 1–2 Gipuzkoa Bilbao
Report Stadium: San Mamés
26 October 1963 (1963-10-26) FFM Trofeo Bodas de Oro Biscay 2–2[lower-alpha 1]  Andalusia Madrid
Mauri  11'
Aguirre  89'		 Report Diéguez  10'
Ansola  44'		 Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Plaza

Table
Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
 Andalusia 1 0 1 0 2 2 +0 000.00
 Asturias 3 1 1 1 8 7 +1 033.33
 Catalonia 3 0 0 3 2 6 −4 000.00
Gipuzkoa 4 2 0 2 7 10 −3 050.00
Total (4 opponents) 11 3 2 6 19 25 −6 027.27
  1. After Extra Time. Corners were counted but also even at 9 each. Andalusia progressed on drawing of lots.

References
  1. "Spain - List of Champions of Norte". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 21 January 2000. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  2. "Historia" [History] (in Spanish). Club Deportivo Bilbao. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  3. "Vizcaya-Guípúscoa The lawsuit gives the contrast with National Committee". El Mundo Deportivo. 7 May 1918. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  4. "The conflicts of the Spanish soccer". El Mundo Deportivo. 30 October 1922. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  5. "Federation Federation North becomes Vizcaína". Mundo Deportivo. 24 July 1922. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  6. "Bilbao Athletic history". Athletic Bilbao. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  7. "Campeonato Regional del Norte 1913–14" [North Regional Championship 1913–14]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  8. "Campeonato Regional del Norte 1914–15" [North Regional Championship 1914–15]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  9. "Campeonato Regional del Norte 1915–16" [North Regional Championship 1915–16]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  10. "Campeonato Regional del Norte 1916–17" [North Regional Championship 1916–17]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  11. "Campeonato Regional del Norte 1917–18" [North Regional Championship 1917–18]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  12. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1918–19" [Biscay Regional Championship 1918–19]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  13. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1919–20" [Biscay Regional Championship 1919–20]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  14. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1920–21" [Biscay Regional Championship 1920–21]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  15. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1921–22" [Biscay Regional Championship 1921–22]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  16. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1922–23" [Biscay Regional Championship 1922–23]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  17. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1923–24" [Biscay Regional Championship 1923–24]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  18. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1924–25" [Biscay Regional Championship 1924–25]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  19. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1925–26" [Biscay Regional Championship 1925–26]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  20. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1926–27" [Biscay Regional Championship 1926–27]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  21. "En el Encuentro cumbre del día, el "Arenas" bate al "Athetic" por 3 a 2, colocándose como muy probable campeón" [In the summit meeting of the day, the "Arenas" beat the "Athetic" by 3 to 2, standing as very likely champion] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 7 February 1927. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  22. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1927–28" [Biscay Regional Championship 1927–28]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  23. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1928–29" [Biscay Regional Championship 1928–29]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  24. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1929–30" [Biscay Regional Championship 1929–30]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  25. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1930–31" [Biscay Regional Championship 1930–31]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  26. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1923–32" [Biscay Regional Championship 1931–32]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  27. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1932–33" [Biscay Regional Championship 1932–33]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  28. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1933–34" [Biscay Regional Championship 1933–34]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  29. "Copa Vasca 1934–35" [Basque Cup 1934–35]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  30. "Copa Vasca 1935–36" [Basque Cup 1935–36]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  31. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1938–39" [Biscay Regional Championship 1938–39]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  32. "Campeonato Regional Vizcaíno 1939–40" [Biscay Regional Championship 1939–40]. FutbolME (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  33. Vicente Martínez Calatrava (17 August 2009). "La Copa Príncipe de Asturias" [The Prince of Asturias Cup] (in Spanish). CIHEFE. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  34. "Basque Country (Euskadi) Autonomous Team Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  35. "Partidos (1914–2018)". Euskal Selekzioa (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  36. "Bizkaia Aficionada se impone a Gipuzkoa, en el tanta de penaltis, en en Trofeo de Centenario" [Biscay Amateurs defeat Gipuzkoa, in the penalty shootout, in the Centenary Trophy] (PDF) (in Spanish). Biscay Football Federation. 1 January 2014. p. 30. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  37. "Ultima hora deportiva" [Last sporting hour]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 27 May 1964. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  38. "Vizcaya y Andalucia empatan a dos goles y a nueve corners" [Biscay and Andalusia draw with two goals and nine corners]. ABC (in Spanish). 27 October 1963. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  39. "Bizkaia, invitada de honor en la despedida de San Mamés como preludio al Centenario" [Biscay guest of honor in the farewell of San Mamés as a prelude to the Centenary] (PDF) (in Spanish). Biscay Football Federation. 1 January 2014. p. 4. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  40. "Broche de oro en San Mamés: Iribar jugó los últimos minutos" [Gold pin in San Mamés: Iribar played the last minutes] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  41. "Athletic 0–1 Bizkaia" (in Spanish). Athletic Bilbao. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  • Martínez Calatrava, Vicente (2001). Historia y estadística del fúbol español. ISBN 978-84-607-5701-6
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