Football fans the world over will enjoy reading the information in this article about the Valencia Football Club or the Valencia Club de Fútbol as it is officially known as. Popularly referred to as the Valencia C.F. or Los Che this professional Spanish football club is based in Valencia. The club has a long history of prestigious wins to its credit; reaching approximately 7 major European finals and winning 4.
The Valencia Football Club is one of 3 clubs in Spain to have won five or more international trophies and is ranked third after Real Madrid and Barcelona in the international football arena.
The club was founded in 1919 and has been playing their home games since 1923 at the Estadio Mestalla. A move to a new 75,000 seater stadium Nou Mestalla in the north west of the city is on the cards for 2011 but could be delayed for financial reasons. Valencia is the third most supported club in Spain, again after Real Madrid and Barcelona and is one of the biggest clubs worldwide in terms of registered playing supporters.
The early history of the Valencia club is really intriguing. The club’s first president Ocatavio Augusto Milego was chosen by a coin toss! The club and its pioneers did not seriously affect society or the media; in those days sport was not dealt with in any great way by the media.
The rise and fall of the Valencia football club has been documented through the decades but there is no denying the club’s popularity among its fans. The Estadio Mestalla football stadium in Valencia is the home ground of the Valencia Club de Fútbol. It has a capacity of 55,000 seats and is ranked the 5th largest stadium in Spain. Even visitors to Valencia who are not interested in football will find the architectural style of the stadium quite interesting.
It is well renowned for its steep terracing and players consider it to be one of the most intimidating atmospheres to play in, in all of Europe! The club was inaugurated by a friendly match that brought Valencia CF and arch rival Levante UD face to face to do battle. The initial seating capacity of the stadium was only 17,000 seats but as the club began to demonstrate its prowess, the managers of the club began making modifications to increase the crowd strength.
To the Valencianos as the people of Valencia call themselves, football is a major part of their culture. The club is one of the biggest in Spain and world renowned as well. It is hard to stay in Valencia during the football season and not be affected by the fever pitch of excitement that grips this city.
The clubs colours are black and white on their home ground and orange and blue for away from home matches. You will find these colours proudly displayed on cars, walls, tee shirts and lots of other places. Finding the Estadio Mestalla is very simple and you have buses, trains and taxis to ferry you to and fro. If you live near by just walk over, enjoying the rhythm that Valencia dances to along the way!
