Deportivo de La Coruña

Foundation and first steps

In 1902, José María Abalo, a youngster who had returned to his hometown after studying in England, introduced football to A Coruña. The game gained rapid popularity and several teams were formed on an informal basis.

In December 1906, members of Sala Calvet gymnasium formed Deportivo de La Coruña, naming Luis Cornide as the first president. In May 1907, Alfonso XIII of Spain granted the club the "Real" ("royal") denomination. Dépor started playing at Corral de la Gaiteira ("Piper's Yard"), but soon moved to Old Riazor, a new ground near the Riazor beach.

The team played friendly matches regularly and competed in local leagues, but failed to achieve success in the Copa del Rey in its early years.

In 1920, the Olympics in Antwerp saw the debut of the Spanish national team. A good run for the Spanish side increased football's popularity, and as a result many teams gained professional status, and a league competition was formed and planned for the 1928–29 season.

1928–1948: Segunda División and the top flight

In 1928, Dépor failed to qualify for the first ever Primera División, instead competing in the Segunda División, where it finished eighth out of ten. The team kept battling over the next few years in a division that was soon to undergo many structural and geographical changes. In 1932, in the Cup, Dépor defeated Real Madrid, which had gone unbeaten through the entire season in the league.

In 1936, the Spanish Civil War broke out, forcing the abandonment of all official competitions until the 1939–40 season. That year, The Herculeans qualified for the promotion stage. The final game was against archrivals Celta de Vigo, who were fighting to avoid relegation. Celta won 1–0 and remained in the top flight as Depor's hopes of promotion were denied. The following season, however, the club reached the promotion play-offs again, this time beating Murcia 2–1 to earn promotion to La Liga for the first time in the team's history.

The first season in the top flight saw the club finish fourth. However, the club declined in the next few seasons, finishing ninth, 12th and, in 1944–45, 14th, resulting in relegation. Instant promotion was achieved the following year, but Dépor were relegated again at the end of the 1946–47 season. Nonetheless, the team gained instant promotion in 1947–48.

This decade saw Depor's entrance to the top flight, so the club decided to build a new ground, Riazor, which remains their home today. It was opened on 28 October 1944 with a league game against Valencia. In this era, the key player of the team was Juan Acuña, the club's goalkeeper. "Xanetas", as he was known by locals, earned four Zamora Trophies between 1942 and 1951, making him the second-most decorated keeper in the Spanish league.

1948–1957: The "Golden Decade"

The club ended the 1948–49 season in tenth place. The next season would see their first major achievement in the league—Dépor finished as runners-up just one point behind Atlético Madrid under the management of Argentinian Alejandro Scopelli, who brought to the club a group of South American players such as Julio Corcuera, Oswaldo García, Rafael Franco and Dagoberto Moll, a group that made the team more competitive and able to remain top flight status for nine consecutive seasons until 1957. It was a great period for the club, as honoured managers like Helenio Herrera and players as Pahiño and local Luis Suárez (the only Spanish player to receive the Golden Ball honour) played at the Riazor.

1957–1973: "Yo-yo era"

After nine seasons of first-tier football in Spain, the team was relegated to the Segunda División in 1957 and stayed there for five seasons until 1962, when they were promoted into the top flight. This started a yo-yo era that led the club to be known as the "elevator team"—promotions were achieved in 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968 and 1971, yet subsequent relegations occurred during 1963, 1965, 1967, 1970 and 1973.

Dépor had one of the best youth systems at the time in Spain, as youngsters including Amancio Amaro, Severino Reija, José Luis Veloso and Jaime Blanco began their careers at the Riazor, in the future to become regular fixtures on the Spanish national team. Still more, including Luis Suárez, went on to play for larger clubs in Spain and Europe. However, the difficult financial situation of the club led to the forced sales of these players, and the team could not consolidate themselves in the top flight. This "yo-yo era" ended with relegation from the Primera División in 1973.

1973–1988: Dark times

After being relegated in 1973, the team struggled in the Second División, failing to avoid another relegation and falling to the third tier (Tercera División) for the first time in their history. However, Dépor gained instant promotion and established themselves in the second tier for the rest of the decade. In 1980, Dépor were again relegated to the newly created Segunda División B, the third tier, again for the second time in their history. Again, however, the drop was short-lived as the team gained promotion the following season. Notably, Dépor were relegated and promoted along with arch-rivals Celta de Vigo, who played during the 1980–81 season the most attended games ever in Spain's third tier.

The club continued to play in the Second División, showing little chance of being promoted back to the top flight. In the 1987–88 season, Dépor struggled and only avoided relegation after Vicente Celeiro scored a goal during added time against Racing de Santander in the last game of the season. This is often regarded as the end of club's dark times and the beginning of a new era.

During this period, the club was heavily affected by financial difficulties and internal troubles with managers being sacked almost every year. In the summer of 1988, an open and popular club assembly chose a new board of directors headed by Augusto César Lendoiro. Deportivo had a debt estimated at 600 million pesetas, had been out of the top flight for 15 years and lacked established structures at economic and sporting level.

1988–1999: Resurgence and "Super Depor"

Arsenio Iglesias, former player and manager, was again at the club by the time and in the 1988–89 season, Dépor had a lengthy run in the Copa del Rey, though ultimately falling in the semi-finals to Real Valladolid. The year after, the team competed very well in the league and qualified for the promotion play-off, but expectations were denied again, this time by Tenerife. The 1990–91 season saw Dépor finishing as runners-up, finally achieving promotion to La Liga after an 18-year absence. Additionally, the club's finances began to improve and social support increased, especially to youth groups.

The 1991–92 season, the team's first back in the top flight, saw Dépor struggle, and they were forced to take part in the relegation play-off, beating Real Betis in a two-legged round. With Arsenio Iglesias in his fourth spell as manager and experienced players added to the side, including López Rekarte, Paco Liaño, Claudio Barragán, José Luis Ribera, Adolfo Aldana, Donato (most of them veterans being former players of great teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atlético Madrid), along with promising younsters such as local player Fran and Brazilians Bebeto and Mauro Silva, upgraded the team's level.

The 1992–93 Deportivo squad experienced a resurgent season, placing in top positions all season and ultimately finishing third after champions Barcelona and runners-up Real Madrid, respectively, thus qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history. That year, the club also provided La Liga's Pichichi Trophy winner, Bebeto, and its Zamora Trophy winner, Paco Liaño. Additionally, Dépor made a historic comeback against Real Madrid at Riazor, trailing 0–2 at half-time but winning the game 3–2 and starting a run of 18 seasons to Los Blancos without a win at A Coruña.

In 1993–94, Dépor had another fantastic season, leading the table for the majority of the year and coming to the last matchday in first to face mid-table Valencia, knowing a win would ensure the first league title in club history. The game was very close, but near its end, Valencia's Serer conceded a penalty on Nando. Regular penalty-taker Donato had been substituted, so Serbian defender Miroslav Đukić took it, but Valencia keeper González caught the ball; Deportivo saw their possible league title denied. After the frustration passed, the fans nonetheless recognised the impressive season the club had: Paco Liaño earned his second Zamora Trophy after conceding just 18 goals in 38 games, and Dépor made its debut in European competitions, beating Aalborg BK and Aston Villa but losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in the round of 16.

The 1994–95 season began with manager Arsenio Iglesias stating he would leave the club after the end of the year, though Dépor made another great campaign finishing again as runners-up, this time to Real Madrid. That season's UEFA Cup led Deportivo to be beaten again by a German side, Borussia Dortmund, though nonetheless the season still hid a great surprise for the club. Dépor made a fantastic run in Copa del Rey and reached the final for the first time club history, against Valencia. On 24 June 1995, in Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu, the final was levelled 1–1 when on 83rd minute referee García-Aranda suspended the game due to water collapsing the pitch after a strong storm. It was decided that the game would resume three days later. Seven minutes of magic for Depor, because a header from Alfredo Santaelena, gave the club their first ever major title.

2000: Deportivo wins the Spanish League and "El Centenariazo"

1999–00: Managed by Javier Irureta, and with players like Noureddine Naybet, Diego Tristán, Djalminha, Fran, Roy Makaay and Mauro Silva, the team finally earned their first La Liga title, five points ahead of Barcelona and Valencia. With this title, A Coruña became the second-smallest Spanish city (with a population of roughly 250,000, behind San Sebastián (home of Real Sociedad), which has a population of roughly 180,000), to have ever won La Liga.

During the 12-season period lasting from 1992–93 to 2003–04, apart from winning the title in 1999–00, Deportivo ended the season four times in second place and another four times in third place, contesting the UEFA Champions League five years in a row and reaching the semi-finals once, in 2004, where they lost to eventual winners Porto.

On the 8 September 2001, Deportivo played its 1,000th game in La Liga. In 2002, they won the Copa del Rey for a second time with a superb 2–1 win against Real Madrid. This match is commonly known in Spain as the Centenariazo. Deportivo's illustrious opponents were expected to win the final comfortably as they were nicknamed the Galácticos and were among the strongest teams in Europe at the time. Additionally, the final was being played at their home ground, the Santiago Bernabéu.

Everything was prepared so that after the expected victory, Madrid could celebrate their 100th anniversary on the 100th anniversary of the Copa del Rey by lifting the trophy in front of their own fans. Real Madrid were indeed founded exactly 100 years to the day on 6 March 1902, though Deportivo spoiled the party with a 1–2 win with goals from Sergio and Diego Tristán.

2010: Decline

Deportivo's period in the top flight came to an end as they were relegated after finishing 18th in 2010–11. In July 2015, however, it was revealed that in the final round of matches for that season, Levante and Real Zaragoza were involved in a match-fixing scandal which ensured that the latter won 2–1 at the Estadi Ciutat de València and remained in the division at the expense of Deportivo, who lost 0–2 at home to Valencia.

In the 2011–12 season, Deportivo made an immediate return to the top flight, spending half of the season top of the league. Lassad Nouioui was the top scorer with 14 goals, Andrés Guardado the top assistant and Álex Bergantiños the only player to participate in all league matches. They amassed a Segunda División record haul of 91 points and finished in first position.

In the 2012–13 season, Deportivo finished 19th after a turbulent campaign under three different managers, and once again were relegated to the Segunda División. Deportivo, however, finished second in the 2013–14 season, guaranteeing promotion to the top-flight for the second time in three years. A less-than-impressive 2014–15 campaign back in the top division with a disjointed squad featured some very poor performances on the pitch under new manager Víctor Fernández, including a humiliating 2–8 reverse at home to Real Madrid. This was especially disappointing considering the impressive 18-match unbeaten home run between 1992–93 and 2010–11 at the Riazor against Madrid, a feat which no other team has managed to achieve in the history of Spanish football. Deportivo ultimately finished the season in 16th place and avoided relegation after appointing former player Víctor Sánchez as manager for the remaining eight matches of the season, on 9 April 2015.

2015–present: New Depor

With Víctor Sánchez as new manager, Deportivo made changes for the new season. With the addition of new players Alejandro Arribas, Fernando Navarro, Pedro Mosquera and Fayçal Fajr, Deportivo began the season with a 0–0 draw against Real Sociedad and at ninth position of the league table. On 28 November 2015, with a 2–0 victory against Las Palmas, Deportivo was in fifth place after an impressive start. However after a disastrous second half of the season which was precipitated by a 0–3 home defeat to lowly CD Mirandés in the Copa del Rey, Deportivo only won 2 matches out of the next 22 and only secured their permanence in the penultimate game of the season. The manager was sacked on the 29th May 2016 after several incidents of player unrest within the squad.

Branding

Deportivo's official badge depicts a knight's belt encircling the original banner of Sala Calvet Gymnasium. The crown in the centre represents the club's Royal patronage and the diagonal blue stripe its identity as a Galician club (see Galician flag). Deportivo have always played in their famous blue and white stripes, but it was not until 1912 that the club made these colours official for matches. Deportivo continues to wear blue and white striped shirts with blue shorts and socks, yet their second and third kits change annually according to commercial interests. Their current shirt sponsors are Estrella Galicia, with Lotto manufacturing the kits. In 2015, Deportivo and Estrella Galicia extended their sponsorship throughout the 2015–16 La Liga season with an option of another year.

Stadium information

Name – Riazor

City – A Coruña

Capacity – 34,600

Inauguration – 1944

Pitch size – 105 x 68 m

Other Facilities: – Cidade Deportiva de Abegondo

Current squad

As of 18 January 2017

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Season to season

Seasons in Primera División: 45

Seasons in Segunda División: 39

Seasons in Segunda División B: 1

Seasons in Tercera División: 1

Participations in UEFA Champions League: 5

Participations in UEFA Cup: 5

Participations in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1

Participations in Intertoto Cup: 2

Color:

Domestic

La Liga

01 ! Winners (1): 1999–00

Copa del Rey

Winners (2): 1994–95, 2001–02

Supercopa de España

Winners (3): 1995, 2000, 2002

Segunda División

Winners (5): 1961–62, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1967–68, 2011–12

European

UEFA Intertoto Cup

Winners (1): 2008 (Group winners) Runners-up (1): 2005

Regional

Galician Championship

Winners (6): 1926–27, 1927–28, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1936–37, 1939–40 Runners-up (7)

Galician Cup

Winners (1): 1945–46 Runners-up (4)

Friendly

Teresa Herrera Trophy

Winners (18): 1955, 1962, 1964, 1969, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2015

Women's section (sponsoring Karbo CF)

Women's Spanish Cup (4)

Individual trophies

Pichichi (3):

1992–93 – Bebeto (29 goals) 2001–02 – Diego Tristán (21 goals) 2002–03 – Roy Makaay (29 goals) (European Golden Shoe)

Zamora (8):

1941–42 – Juan Acuña 1942–43 – Juan Acuña 1949–50 – Juan Acuña 1950–51 – Juan Acuña 1953–54 – Juan Otero 1992–93 – Francisco Liaño (tied with Santiago Cañizares) 1993–94 – Francisco Liaño 1996–97 – Jacques Songo'o

Deportivo de La Coruña B

Deportivo de La Coruña B is the filial team of Deportivo de La Coruña. Founded in 1914 with the name of Fabril Sociedad Deportiva, it plays in Tercera División. Its stadium is called Cidade Deportiva de Abegondo, with a capacity of 1,500 seats.

In 1993 the team was officially renamed Deportivo B, although most locals still call it "Fabril".