The wee club of Barcelona

Here is another wee tapas serving of Paella and Bovril 

Part of my job is to teach the “art of international small talk”. One of my favourite topics that somehow always comes up is football. Time can fly by when the exchange of of opinions and loyalties is discussed between students. When this question was asked  “Which club has drawn one of China’s largest audience’s for a player’s debut?” the immediate answer of many was FC Barcelona, a few mentioned “one of the Manchesters”. Only the author of the question seemed to know the answer  RCD* Espanyol, the “other team” in Barcelona. 40 million had tuned in from China to watch Wu Lei's 12 minutes on the pitch. For a comparison in Spain the viewing figures didn’t even make the 180,000 mark. So it would seem that this Chinese following has made Espanyol the most watched team in China. With this little snippet of football trivia now on the table this opened up the conversation to questions about supporting “the wee team” of Barcelona, as for every 30 Barcelona fans you meet you might find one die-hard supporter of the “Periquitos”.   

Recently being a fan of “the budgies” has been tough, it’s nearly down to the last games of the year in 2019 and the club’s still looking for the first season 19/20 home win. Plus, possible changes in Chinese investment legislation could see a lot less money being invested in the club, rumours are a 300 million euro investment will not happen. Despite being in Europe and having one of the most popular players in the league,  the question for the Espanyol supporter was “why do you support them, why not Barcelona?”

It is a question I think all supporters of the smaller teams of league have had to answer, the big why. I certainly have had to explain on many an occasion about Kirkcaldy, Stark’s park and the wonder that is Scottish football. The perequitos fan told his story. RCD Espanyol had been his local team, they were based in the Sarria district of Barcelona. The fan was 7 years old when his uncle took him to a game in the 70s. He was then decked out in the full kit that following Christmas. From there came the season ticket and a lifetime commitment to supporting the second team of the Catalan capital. However now the club’s stadium is in  two towns outside the city. (One goal is in Cornellà and the other in Hospitalet, is like having a goal in Pettycur and another in Kinghorn!) This purpose built stadium came after a 12 year stint at the Olympic stadium. Even though this period held some successful moments according to the fans the atmosphere was not the best. The running track getting “in the way” of the connection the fans felt to the game. 

I have to admit I knew little about RCD Espanyol before this conversation and have really enjoyed finding out about the club from chatting to a fan whose supporter’s story is probably similar to many of us, indoctrinated into the life of highs and lows of football by a another who wants to pass on that sense of camaraderie that comes with following your “wee club”. So to those family members and friends who bring along the young, the new, the haven’t been in a while supporters, thanks for sharing. I am sure many of us have, and will pass it forward. Who is going to your next new Raith Rovers fan? 

*(Reial Club Deportiu, Royal Sports Club)