Founded on September 7, 1909, Real Sociedad de Fútbol, also known as La Real in Spanish, Erreala or Reala in Basque, and Real Sociedad (pronounced [reˈal so\jeˈëaë] es Royal Society) in English, is a professional sports club in Donostia-San Sebastián, Basque Country. Anoeta Stadium serves as the venue for its home games.
Real Sociedad came in second in 1979–80, 1987–88, and 2002–03 and took home the Liga titles in 1980–81 and 1981–82. In addition, the team has three Copa del Rey championships (1909, 1987, and 2020).
It plays rival Athletic Bilbao in the Basque derby. Real Sociedad entered La Liga as a founding member in 1929 and spent the longest 40 seasons in the top division, from 1967 to 2007.
In addition to football, Real Sociedad has many departments in athletics, including track and field, hockey, and basque pelot (which includes a women’s squad).
Origins of Real Sociedad
Early in the 20th century, British workers and students brought football to San Sebastián. The first football team in the city, San Sebastián Recreation Club, was founded in 1904, and it participated in the Copa del Rey in 1905.
A disagreement amongst the club’s members in 1907 led to the team’s dissolution, and a number of players—including Domingo Arrillaga, Alfonso, and Miguel Sena—left to found the San Sebastian Football Club in 1908.
This club requested to compete as San Sebastian Football Club in the 1909 Copa del Rey, but registration permit issues prevented them from doing so and they got registered as Club Ciclista de San. In the quarterfinals, this team easily defeated Athletic Club 4–2, and in the final, they defeated Club Español de Madrid 3–1.
The players who had won the competition established the Sociedad de Futbol on September 7, 1909, a few months after this triumph. Sociedad attempted to enter the 1910 Copa del Rey, but they were once again forced to compete as Vasconia de San Sebastián.
They made it to the final (UECF), where Athletic defeated them 0-1. That same year, the team received royal backing from King Alfonso XIII, who used San Sebastián as his summer capital. As a result, the club was renamed Real Sociedad de Fútbol.
In 1929, Real Sociedad became a founding member of La Liga. Francisco “Paco” Bienzobas came in first place, leading the team in scoring.
History and Top Players
Following the Second Spanish Republic’s establishment in 1931, the team’s name was changed to Donostia Club de Futbol; however, it was reverted to Real Sociedad following the Spanish Civil War in 1939.
John Aldridge, a player for the Republic of Ireland, was the first non-Basque player at Real Sociedad and led the team in scoring in both of his 1989–1991 seasons.
For the first time, the team finished behind Real Madrid in La Liga in 1979–80, finishing with 52 points to their 53, and 13 points ahead of Sporting de Gijón in third place.
At the conclusion of the 1980–81 season, Real Sociedad won the Primera División for the first time ever, depriving Real Madrid a fourth straight title despite both teams earning 45 points and Madrid having a greater goal differential since Sociedad performing better in their head-to-head matches.
Real Sociedad placed runners-up in the 2002–03 La Liga, their greatest result since 1988, following three seasons in 13th place.
Real Sociedad played its 2,000th La Liga game on September 9, 2006. They concluded a 40-year run in La Liga that season, their longest-ever stint in the top division when they were demoted after placing 19th.
Real Sociedad 2023-24 Squad
| Goalkeepers | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Álex Remiro | Álvaro Odriozola | Martín Zubimendi | Ander Barrenetxea |
| Unai Marrero | Aihen Muñoz | Mikel Merino | Carlos Fernández |
| Igor Zubeldia | Urko González de Zárate | Mikel Oyarzabal | |
| Aritz Elustondo | Jon Ander Olasagasti | Sheraldo Becker | |
| Kieran Tierney (on loan from Arsenal) | Beñat Turrientes | Takefusa Kubo | |
| Hamari Traoré | Brais Méndez | André Silva (on loan from RB Leipzig) | |
| Jon Pacheco | Umar Sadiq | ||
| Javi Galán (on loan from Atlético Madrid) | André Silva (on loan from RB Leipzig) | ||
| Robin Le Normand |
Reserve Team
| Goalkeepers | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaizka Ayesa | Jon Martín | Jon Magunazelaia | Bryan Fiabema |
| Aitor Fraga | Pablo Marín | ||
| Jon Aramburu | Alberto Dadie | ||
| Iñaki Rupérez |
Records and Achievements
Real Sociedad has a storied history marked by several notable domestic achievements. In La Liga, they have clinched the title twice, triumphing in the seasons of 1980–81 and 1981–82.
Additionally, they have claimed victory in the Segunda División on three occasions: in 1948–49, 1966–67, and most recently in 2009–10. The club has also left an indelible mark on the Copa del Rey, securing the prestigious trophy three times: in 1909, 1986–87, and notably in the 2019–20 season.
Their success extends to the Supercopa de España, where they emerged victorious in 1982. In regional competitions, Real Sociedad has demonstrated dominance in the Gipuzkoa Championship, clinching the title on six occasions: in 1918–19, 1922–23, 1924–25, 1926–27, 1928–29, and 1932–33. These achievements underscore the club’s rich history and enduring legacy in Spanish football.
Also Read: Girona FC: Players, Squads, Records and Achievements