Before social media became a part of our daily lives, fan clubs already existed, places where fans who shared a passion for the same club could gather. These groups of people united by a shared passion organize trips, get together to enjoy their team's games, or not, talk and debate about their coaches' decisions, and much more.
Peñas create practically familial bonds between their members, and generally don't fade due to a poor run of results. Emerging from the poorest neighborhoods and the humblest bars, they serve an essential function and help that passion endure over time. We all have a family member, friend, or acquaintance who belongs to a peñas, but what are their true origins? What was the first one founded?
The first fan club founded in Spain was the "Peña Madridista Mariano," specifically in 1920 in Madrid. Founded back then in September with 15 members by Mariano Herrero, it is the first fan club in the history of Spanish football. It started in the "Bar El Nido," located at 2 Calle del Mesón de Paredes, Lavapiés, in the heart of Madrid. In the 1940s, the venue changed its name to "Casa Mariano," and in the 1960s it moved to Plaza Tirso de Molina. Mariano was apparently not a huge football fan and had never seen a match, but over time, he became the person who encouraged others to follow Real Madrid match after match.
First-team players and journalists met at the club, some of whom forged bonds of friendship with Mariano. Personalities such as Santiago Bernabéu and Alfredo Di Stéfano visited the club on numerous occasions. In addition to traveling to follow the team, the club has also been involved in other activities, such as organizing celebrations, publishing a magazine, and forming a federated team. The club's role was fundamental in the construction of the club's current stadium, as a large number of members who belonged to the club made financial contributions to the project. Eleven years after its founding, the club's team faced a team made up of Real Madrid players in a charity match that ended in a 3-1 defeat for the Peña Mariano.
This story shows us that football goes beyond the playing field; it's not just experienced in stadiums. Fan clubs build the living memory of football and give us a space where we can share passion and unconditional love for our colors.
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