Athletic Bilbao B
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| Full name | Bilbao Athletic Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Los Cachorros (The pups) | ||
| Founded | 1964 | ||
| Ground | Campos de Lezama Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 | ||
| Chairman |  Fernando Macua | ||
| Manager | Luis de la Fuente | ||
| League | 2ªB - Group 1 | ||
| 2008-09 | 2ªB - Group 1, 11th | ||
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Bilbao Athletic (sometimes referred to as Athletic Bilbao B) is the reserve team of Athletic Bilbao. Founded in 1964, it currently plays in Segunda División B - Group 1, holding home matches at Instalaciones Athletic Bilbao.
Unlike the English League, reserve teams in Spain play in the same football pyramid as their senior team rather than a separate league. However, reserves cannot play in the same division as their senior team. Therefore, Bilbao Athletic are ineligible for promotion to the first division. Reserve teams are also no longer permitted to enter the Copa del Rey. In addition, only under-23 players, or under-25 with a professional contract, can switch between senior and reserve teams.
History
The Bilbao Athletic name was first used in 1938 during the Spanish Civil War, when both La Liga and the King's Cup were suspended; several of top Athletic players subsequently joined the Euskadi XI. This team was put together at the suggestion of José Antonio Aguirre, the president of the Basque Country, himself a former Athletic Bilbao footballer.
The team went on tour to raise funds for the Basque cause, and also played in Europe and Mexico. However, the Campeonato de Vicaya continued to be played. With their best players on tour with the Basque national team, Athletic Bilbao could only field weakened sides and, as a result, chose to enter under the name Bilbao Athletic. Despite this, they still won the championship; the club's name was derived from the two clubs that merged in 1903 to become Athletic Bilbao - Bilbao Football Club and Athletic Club.
The name was revived in 1964, when Athletic Bilbao decided to establish a reserve team with Agustín Gaínza as coach. The new Bilbao Athletic initially played in local regional leagues, before winning promotion to the fourth division in 1966, under Rafa Iriondo. In 1969 they were promoted to Segunda División..
In 1983–84, with José Ángel Iribar as coach, and an emerging Julio Salinas as striker, the reserves finished in second place, only trailing Castilla CF; both teams were uneligible for promotion, and Salinas won Pichichi.
Bilbao Athletic returned to the third level in 1996, but the main squad continued to be nurtured with several players which had spells with the reserves.
Club names
- Bilbao Athletic - (1964–1992)
- Athletic Bilbao B - (1992–2007)
- Bilbao Athletic - (2007–)
Seasons
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- 13 seasons in Segunda División
- 20 seasons in Segunda División B
- 10 seasons in Tercera División
- 2 seasons in Categorías Regionales
Current squad
As of November 2009. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Selected managers
Famous players
see also Category:Athletic Bilbao footballers
Honours
- Vizcayan Championships: 1938–39
- Fourth Division: 1966–67
Stadium
See also
- CD Baskonia (Athletic Bilbao's feeder club)
References
External links
- Team profile; at Athletic Bilbao's official website
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