The Basque side’s history can be traced back to its English roots, with migrant ship workers from Sunderland and Southampton at the forefront when the club came into existence early in the 20th century.
When Athletic Club, known as The Lions or Red and Whites, were made aware of Non-League Day a couple of years ago, it obviously struck a chord and the club wanted to recognise and get involved on the day of recognition for grassroots football in England.
This season to show their support they have sent a men’s and a woman’s home jersey to 6 non-league sides who also play in red and white, the teams are, Altrincham FC, Bromsgrove Sporting, Evesham United, Sheppey United, Steyning Town and Witton Albion and the two shirts will be auctioned or raffled off by the clubs.
Athletic Club will also be writing articles about each club and the history of their kit colours in the lead-up to the 22nd of March.
It is believed the Basque side’s red and white kit came about when a young student from Bilbao named Juan Elorduy, who was spending Christmas 1909 in London, was asked by the club to buy 25 new shirts but was unable to find enough. Waiting for the ship back to Bilbao empty-handed, Elorduy realised that the colours of the local team Southampton matched the colours of the City of Bilbao and bought 50 shirts to take with him!
Athletic Club who are known for their policy of only fielding footballers born or raised in the Basque Country are now going ahead with their second version of Non-League-Day with their own Euskal Non-League Day at the same time as the one in the UK in collaboration with 93 of their 170 affiliate clubs across the Basque region and celebrating the grassroots football that helps make Athletic Club unique around the world and plays a vital role in the clubs philosophy.
