Thursday 22 July 2010

UM Escobedo (Spain)

Unión Montañesa Escobedo are a Spanish team based in the town of Escobedo on the northern coast of Spain. Their ground though, the rather entertainingly named 2000 capacity Estadio Eusebio Arce is actually in the nearby settlement of  Muriedas, which itself is right at the end of the runway of Santander Airport - so you'll always be in for a noisy game, one way or another.

Formed in 1917, they spent most of their early days in their regional leagues, shy of one blip of form in 1967 that saw them play a season in the national fourth division. Another 21 years floating about in the minor leagues helped them ready themselves for their eventual comeback to their previous highest level, and they've been solid regulars in the fourth tier since that fateful day in 1989. They've actually won the league twice, been runners up a further four times and have finished third and fourth quite regularly, but have been sadly unsuccessful on the ten occasions that they've played in promotion play offs. So we'll all be rooting for them in the next one!

Their best runs in the cup came in the early 1990s, where they reached the third round twice, losing to Málaga CF in 1992 and UE Lleida in 1994. But surely the most noteworthy thing about them is what must be the most suave club crest in all football. Sitting in a sea of black and white stripes, the stylised view of the local mountains pictured on the badge is set off with a stylish red neckerchief, and a beret perched at a cheekily jaunty angle. And if anyone happens to know the story behind that, please do let me know!

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