Club Atlético Central Córdoba (Argentina)

Strangely more frequently known by a name even longer than their mouthful of an official name - Central Cordoba de Santiago del Estero - Club Atlético are from the oldest of all cities in Argentina to have been formed by Spanish settlers, Santiago del Estero. Formed in 1919 (the club that is, not the city - that was first settled a tad further back in 1555), they hail from the north central region of the country, which is mainly made up of dry and deserty flatlands. It is also notable as being the most southerly area that Quechua - the language of the Incas - is spoken, making this one of the very regions with an indigenous language in the whole of Argentina.

At present they play in Torneo Argentino A, which is the localised third tier of the national league system. But they have tasted the full flavour of top flight football on two brief occasions, in 1967 and 1971. The first stint in the big time saw them relegated after finishing 14th out of the 16 clubs - although the season did give them the unforgetable experience of beating Boca Juniors at the Bombonera. Their second stint saw them finish 13th out of 14 clubs.

Their lively and flag-happy fans are famous for being partial to a good sing-song, and are known as the Ferroviarios - roughly translated as The Iron Rail  - and gather for home games at the 15000 capacity Estadio Central Córdoba Santiago del Estero - well, you wouldn't expect their ground to have a short name after the length of some of the club's official monikers now, would you!



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