Fc Barcelona-'more Than A Club'

By Author: Jamie Hanson
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The futbol club Barcelona as it is well known is basically FC Barcelona and barca. This is a renowned football team and it has its base in Catalonia, region of Spain. Due to its great success and popularity amongst the peoples,it has become a symbol of Catalan nationalism. The team has an uplifting motto "Mes que un club" which simply means "more than a club".

On November 29, 1899 was this popular club started by Joan Gamper. Joan Gamper was a football fan from Switzerland and that he himself didn't know that his dream team would get so well-known among the people and would have such a big fan following.

There is a Catalan word called cules which means 'asses' is used for the fans of the club. This funny name originated in the mid twenties by the Barca followers when they sat in the top line of the football ground with their ass was visible to the passersby. In 1939 was Franco's dictatorship period when the team's name was forcibly changed to club de Futbol . Even the flag of Catalan was stripped away from the club's shield. The stadium was the ultimate place to be during fanco's reign and the language of Catalan ...
... could be spoken freely and even the flag was displayed.

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two most thriving and well-known Spanish teams but at the same time they are ferocious competitors on and off the field. The rivalry started from the time of Franco's dictatorship when the Real Madrid became the symbol of nationalism and favored the regime of Franco whereas the Barca opposed Franco. This rivalry started back in the past but still has left its mark. Under the coaching of Salvador Artigas the barcas beat Real Madrid in 1968.

The ground of Barca, constructed in 1957 was known as the Camp Nou. It is Europe's largest and world's third largest stadium with a capacity of 98,000. It was an excellent accomplishment for Barca and few wonderful matches were played at the ground.

In 1974; the club got its old name back. Right from the start the club has stayed with its principal of not promoting on the uniform for the corporate sponsors unlike other teams. It was only in 14 July, 2006 that the team agreed to advertise on its uniform as it had a noble cause to it. The club announced a contract with the UNICEF which is an international group to assist youngsters. The team also donates EUR1.5 million per year to the organization.

It's essential for all the team members to learn the Catalan language as per the leader of the club Mr. Joan Laporta who is a proclaimed nationalist himself. From the ticket sale between the matches of FC Barcelona and real Madrid, a portion is donated to Federacio Llull. It is an organization which promotes the Catalan language.

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