Eibar’s dream becomes reality

If you were to say the name Eibar three few months ago chances are the reply would be one of puzzlement. But this small club has made history by achieving promotion to Spain’s top flight for the first time in its existence.

Eibar enjoyed a wonderful season finishing top of the Segunda Division ahead of second placed Deportivo La Coruna, also enjoying automatic promotion to La Liga. Looking at Los Armeros in more detail makes their achievement all the more remarkable. Based in the lands of the Basque country the town has a population of just 27,000 with the Estadio Municipal de Ipurua able to hold just 5,200. The annual budget of €3.5m was the lowest in Liga Adelante in 2012-13 while their average attendance was just 3,000. Through determination, spirit and hard work the Basque outfit have managed to do the unthinkable. 

Eibar can be seen to be the little brother of their bigger Basque compatriots Atletico Bilbao and Real Sociedad. Though they do not employ a policy of using just Basque players like at San Mames, Eibar do have a healthy amount of Basque players in their squad. Coach Gaizka Garitano made sure during their promotion push to tap into the bulging squad of Real Sociedad – acquiring three players from La Real on loan.

However, two of them are likely to return back to San Sebastian, while their best player last season Jota Peleteiro – whose 11 goals was crucial in achieving promotion – has headed  back to his parent club Celta Vigo. But Real Sociedad has promised to send players on loan that are surplus to requirements.

But the joy of playing in La Liga for the first time was nearly ruined by the possibility of not being cleared to play in the top flight let alone in Segunda. This is to do with a law stipulated by the Spanish FA where teams are obligated to have capital that is 25 per cent of the average expenses in the League they resides before promotion. Eibar were required to pay €1.7m – a quarter of the average expenses in Segunda-  by August 6. If unable to they would be relegated to Segunda B – the third tier of Spanish football.

Due to a crowd funding campaign, fans of Los Armeros could buy shares at €50 each. Through social media their plan to stay in La Liga gathered pace and managed to reach that target with just a few weeks to spare. Now Eibar have won the battle to compete in La Liga next season.

The big question is though, can they stay up and compete amongst the big boys?

It will be a daunting battle but the Basque outfit will look to Elche and Rayo Vallecano for inspiration, as they managed to stay up in their debut seasons in La Liga. Their opening match of the campaign against local Real Sociedad is a fitting reward after spending years in the wilderness of Spanish football – one that fans of Los Armeros will certainly savour. 

La Liga - Club News