12.02.2009 10:24
Eighty years since league debut
Manel Tomàs
It was eighty years today that Barça played their first ever league game. It was on February 12, 1929 at the Sardinero against Racing Santander.
That first ever edition of the league lasted until June 30 1929 and Barça became the first winners
after a close run-in with Real Madrid that wasn’t decided until the final day.
Two days later
The first day in league history was actually February 10, but Racing and Barça had to wait
because the Cantabrians had their last qualification game to play on February 9 against Sevilla.
Despite the historic nature of the fixture, very few spectators turned out at the Sardinero
following heavy rain that had left the pitch almost unplayable. The home side was managed by
Irishman Patrick O'Connell, who in 1935-38 would become Barça’s manager. Barça were then
coached by a Catalan, Romà Forns, who had played for the club between 1903-13.
Barça dominate
The game provided end to end football, but the visitors clearly had the most skill and ended
up winning through. There was no score at half time, and Racing tried to make their presence felt
after the break, but Barça proved lethal on the counter attack. Thus in the 53rd minute Parera
opened the scoring after latching onto the end of a Samitier though ball. Parera also scored the
second shortly before the end following an error by goalkeeper Raba.
Missing stars
Barça were considered fair winners, for Racing had simply not been able to create goalscoring
chances. And the Catalans also travelled without several key men including Walter, Piera, Guzmán,
Arocha and Sastre, which meant Forns was forced to improvise and play striker Samitier in defence.
But Sami's scientific approach to the game proved highly effective in the role, and he was
instrumental in closing down the home attack.
After the game, the Barça players turned down the chance to visit the local press association
and two Santander theatres, instead going to join the carnival celebrations. That Tuesday night
they started their journey home by taking a train to San Sebastián, where they would not arrive
until the following night.
Passionate championship
Having won at the Sardinero, Barça got off to a great start
in the league, but things would soon take a turn for the worse. In the next game they lost 2-1 at
home to Real Madrid at Les Corts and the poor results that followed led to the resignation of
president Arcadi Balaguer on March 23, 1929.
Reaction
His successor, Tomàs Rosés, decided to replace manager Romà Forns with
Englishman James Bellamy. Real Madrid had a seven-point lead on Barça, but the change of staff
proved effective, and Barça won nine and drew two of their remaining eleven games. They ended up
claiming the title on the very last day of the championship, finishing two points ahead of Real
Madrid and five ahead of Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad. The win over Madrid at Chamartín (0-1)
towards the end of the season proved to be the turning point in the first ever Spanish title chase.
The game
Santander, 12 February 1929.
Opening league fixture 1928/29
Campos de Sport del Sardinero.
RACING 0
FC BARCELONA 2
Racing: Raba, Santiuste, Garcituaga, Torón, Baragaño, Larrinoa, Santi, Loredo,
Óscar, Gómez Acebo and Amós.
FC Barcelona: Vidal, Saura, Samitier, Martí, Castillo, Obiols, Sagi, Arnau, Ramon,
García and Parera.
Referee: Ramón Melcón.
Goals: 0-1, Parera (minute 53); 0-2, Parera (minute 87).