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A history of football in Torrevieja |
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Football was introduced to Spain (as in so many other countries) at the end of the 19th century by the British. There is a dispute as to the oldest recorded club in Spain, but it is widely believed that Recreativo de Huelva (currently struggling at the bottom of the Primera Liga) take that honour.
In Torrevieja, football started to become popular during the time of the First World War. Although there were no official clubs, local men would clear a field, set up goalposts and play a match. The first official ground was inaugurated in 1920 on a field in what is today called colonia de San Esteban very near to what is now the town's bus station. In the small plaza behind the station we can see a statue of a footballer to commemorate this fact.
Modern day football in Torrevieja really began in 1971 with the foundation of Torrevieja Club de Futbol. This came about after an appeal by the local press for the formation of a new Club, as well as a new ground. Football fever was now sweeping the town and the Mayor at the time, Sr. Vicente Garcia and his administration, took on the task of building the football ground we have today. The ground was named (and is still named) the Estadio Municipal Vicente Garcia (to give the ground its full title), and was inaugurated with a match against Hercules Alicante in 1971.
Torrevieja CF made their league debut in 1971/72 season, playing in the Valencian Second Regional Ddivision and by 1978 the Club achieved promotion to the Third Division. Ten years later, Torrevieja CF achieved their greatest success to date by gaining promotion to Division 2B. But success was to be short lived, as five years later the Club were relegated after a disastrous season and with debts piling up, they were further relegated by the Spanish Football Association.
At the same time (1993), a new football club was set up in the town, Club Deportivo Torrevieja. The Club played in 2nd Regional. It is this new Club which began to climb the football "ladder" and reached Regional Preferente Division in 1996, at the same time that Torrevieja CF dropped down to 2nd Regional Division. Also in 1996 the new Club adopted its current name, FC Torrevieja, and it is this team that today represents the town.
In the 2002/03 season, current Chairman Restituto Marroqui took charge of the Club and became the new Chairman. That same season, the most significant event in the brief history of FC Torrevieja took place. This event would change the very future of the Club and go on to became part of the history of not only the football team of Torrevieja, but also of the town itself.
In January 2003 a meeting was convened at the “Total Football Bar” in the Urbanisation San Luis to form what was then the FC Torrevieja British Supporters Club, which would be known as “The Torry Army™”. The aims of the Torry Army™ were to follow the Club “home and away”, help promote FC Torrevieja, and to create a link between the British community and the locals. With The Torry Army™, gates at the Vicente Garcia had increased from 100 up to 500 – making them far and away the best supported Club in their Division.
With the team made up of local youngsters that first season was a struggle, and the side, managed by Vlaho Macan, finished the 2002/03 season below mid table. Support, on the other hand, just kept growing, with crowds topping the 1,000 mark for the first time in the Club’s history, and even more interestingly with 80% non Spanish support.
Support kept increasing, and when promotion was finally achieved (under the management of Juan Manuel Riquelme) at the end of the 2004/05 season, average crowds had risen to the 3,500 level, with a Club record attendance of 6,500 for our final league match that season.
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Membership of the Torry Army
If you are not already a member of the Torry Army, why not consider becoming one and joining a really friendly group of people.The cost is 5 euros per annum. For this you can enjoy discount on travel to away matches, discount on Torry Army social events and also on merchandise purchased from the Torry Army office in San Luis.
Membership forms can be obtained from the Torry Army office in San Luis. Payment can be made on Monday,to Friday during opening hours 10.00 to 12.00 at the Torry Army office in San Luis or before home games at the ground. You will then be issued with a Torry Army membership card for season 2012/13 and a small free gift . So if you are not already a member why not become one now.
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Businesses proud to Support the Torry Army
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Sponsor of the Week
FINAL MATCH OF SEASON:BIRRIANA v TORRY
Day: SUN DAY
Date: 19 /05/2013
Time: 6.00 pm
Burriana
v
Torry
Torry Army Away Travel
There will be a Torry Army
coach going
to see Torry play
AWAY
against
BURRIANA
on Sunday
19 May 2013
Kick-Off 6.00pm
The coach will depart
San Luis at 10.00 am
and pick-up at Quesada
en Route
A full-day out with leisure
time on the beachfront
of Burriana before
going to the game
10 euro's for members
Book a seat at the TA Office
or contact Pat on
966786352 / 688698894
UP AND COMING TORRY ARMY SOCIAL EVENTS
DATE: TUESDAY
21 MAY 2013
TIME: 2.00 pm
VENUE: Washington Bar
San Luis
DETAILS: Prize Bingo
run by the
dynamic duo
Mick & Paddy
************************************
DATE: THURSDAY
6 JUNE 2013
DETAILS: Day Trip
to CALPE
incl lunch at
Monroe's
Carvery
in Moraira
COST: Members 15 euro's
Non-Members: 20 euro's
TORRY ARMY AGM
The TORRY ARMY
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
will be held at
CASA VENTURA
in San Luis
on THURSDAY 20 JUNE 2013
starting at 8.00 pm
with a free buffet afterwards
If you are a member please
try and attend as the
TORRY ARMY
is there to serve its members
and without its members
it would not exist
TORRY ARMY MEMBERSHIP
Membership
of the
Torry Army
has been kept at
5.00 euros
for the new season
2012/13
Call in at the
Torry Army Office
in San Luis
and re-new or take
out membership
if you are not
already a member
Poll (Your View)
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