Bilbao

[Redheadthere]

Sorry if this question has been asked and answered before. I can`t find any reference or anything to explain Why the La Liga side once known as Atletico Bilbao are now known as Athletic Bilbao. Can anyone help?

[bibblebub]

Here's their official site and whichever language you view it in they call themselves Athletic Club http://www.athletic-c...a=2&b=3&c=1&d=0&idi=2

[Mick-Talbot]

Blame Franco for the name changes.

In 1941, the club changed its name to Atlético Bilbao, following a decree issued by Franco


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_Bilbao

[factor-fiction]

From Mick's link it looks as if they reverted back to the Athletic name in or just before 1977

[Almendros]

The team called Atletico actually applies to Atletico Madrid, sometimes shortened to Atleti by the fans. Athletic Bilbao are still called that.The name is one of the oldest in Spain and it originates from a firm in Bilbao that employed English
workers who decided to start a football team and therefore it is spelt the English way. It was more or less the start of football in Spain

[Nibble]

And as among them were miners from the north-east of England, and shipyard workers from Southampton, Portsmouth and Sunderland. Hence the team play in the same strip as Sunderland & Southampton, i.e

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_Bilbao