One hundred and fifty pesetas debt settled 76 years on

The SD Eibar Foundation made the most of the half-time interval during last night's game to stage a simple but touching ceremony alongside the directors of CA Osasuna. During the half-time break of the derby clash contested between the two clubs, club president, Amaia Gorostiza and secretary and board member, Jon Ander Ulazia were on hand to present Osasuna president, Luis Sabalza and board member, Fidel Medrano with a cheque to settle the Armeros' perpetual debt of 150 pesetas (the equivalent of €0,902) with the Navarran club. This gesture serves to strengthen the ties of friendship between the two clubs, which were established in January 1940, as the Navarrans were recognised as providing the first documented evidence of an exciting footballing dream which lives on 76 years of azulgrana history later.  

The tale goes back to 1 January 1940, the date on which Eibar were founded at the Bar Ibargain (currently Bar Valle), under the presidency of Juan Artamendi. At that time, the side competed in the lowest category within Gipuzkoa; the división Regional.

The SD Eibar Foundation doesn't possess any documentation relating to the club's formation, such as statutes or a founding document, however within its archives there is a letter dated 13 January 1940 from CA Osasuna which represents the first conserved document of Eibar's history.

In the letter, the Navarran club informs of a money order to refund the 150 pesetas of transport costs incurred by Eibar for a friendly fixture which was to be staged in Pamplona but which was postponed on account of heavy rainfall at the eleventh hour.

Yesterday, 76 years on, Eibar, through its Foundation, sought to recognise the courtesy displayed by Osasuna back in 1940 in covering Eibar's transport costs on account of events beyond their control, as the club presented Osasuna with a symbolic cheque for €150.