Five things you may not know about Sevilla FC

Sevilla FC are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Spain. Ranking sixth in the country’s historical ranking of club performance, the Andalusian institution is also known throughout Europe for winning silverware on the continent and for boasting several great players over the years. There are also various facts about the club’s history that you may not know, such as the interesting origin of one nickname, the spectacular exterior of the stadium and the fact that one legend’s fate could have been very different. 

The origin of the Palanganas nickname

In many cases, the nicknames of clubs begin as a joke from rival supporters, before the term is gradually adopted by the team in question. An example of this is seen with the fact that Sevilla FC fans are known as Los Palanganas, with this dating back to a time when there was a change to the club kits. To the usual white of the shirt, a red line was added at the collar and sleeves, and opposition fans joked that this made them look like the common bowls of the time, which were white with a red rim. From there, the custom of calling Sevilla FC fans Los Palanganas began, and it has been carried on to the present day.

A stadium to admire inside and out

The Sevilla FC stadium owes its name to Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, who was president of the club for 17 years. Curiously, the architect in charge of the stadium’s design was the same one who had built the Santiago Bernabéu. In addition to the spectacular interior, which is so impressive when the stands are full, this is a stadium that can also be enjoyed from the outside. That’s because the ground has two commemorative mosaics. The first dates back to 1982 and can be seen on the main façade, marking the World Cup held in Spain. The second was put in place in 2005, the year of the centenary, and is an image of the city of Seville, with the club’s coat of arms above. 

The foundation before the foundation

Sevilla FC celebrated the club’s centenary in 2005, but in 2014 they changed the date of the foundation. That’s because a discovery was made, which showed that it was as far back as 1890 when a group of young British and Spanish men first formed Sevilla Football Club as an entity, with Edward Johnston, Isaías White and Hugo MacColl the main figures, becoming president, secretary and captain respectively. It was on March 8th 1890 when they played their first match, against Huelva Recreation Club.

One club and two anthems

If you go to watch a Sevilla FC match at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, try to get there early. When the teams take to the pitch, one of the most exciting moments in Spanish football takes place, as the supporters rise to their feet and sing the club anthem while raising their scarves into the sky. This spectacle has brought fans from all over the world to the Sevilla FC stadium to experience the moment, but many might not be aware that the song being chanted isn’t actually the official Sevilla FC anthem. Instead, it’s the centenary anthem, by El Arrebato. This is different to the club’s official song, which dates back to 1983. The other is so well known that it’s as if Sevilla FC have two official anthems.

Biri Biri was set to join Real Betis before he became a Sevilla FC legend

One of the most beloved and treasured players in the history of Sevilla FC is Alhaji Momodo Njie, better known as Biri Biri. When the Gambian arrived in the Andalusian capital, his exciting play endeared him to the fans. However, he could have been a Real Betis player. It is said that Los Verdiblancos had everything in place to sign him and that, when he took a plane from Denmark to Seville, he was set to become a Bético. Yet, Sevilla FC managed to convince him to change his mind when he landed, and he signed for them instead to become a club legend.