FC Barcelona-'More Than A Club' - By: Jamie Hanson

FC Barcelona and Barca is also known as the Futbol Club Barcelona. This is a renowned football team and has its base in Catalonia, region of Spain. Due to its great success and popularity amongst the peoples,it has become a symbol of Catalan nationalism. The team has an inspiring motto "Mes que un club" that just means "more than a club".

This successful football team was started by Joan Gamper on November 29, 1899. Joan Gamper was a football fanatic from Switzerland and that he himself didn't realize that his dream team would get so well-known among the masses and would have such a big fan following.

The fans of the club were known by a funny name cules which is a Catalan word and meant 'asses'. This interesting name originated in the mid twenties by the Barca followers when they sat in the top line of the football stadium with their ass was apparent to the passersby. In 1939 was Franco's dictatorship period when the team's name was forcibly changed to club de Futbol . Even the flag of Catalan was stripped away from the club's shield. During Franco's regime the stadium remained the ultimate place where the language of Catalan could be spoken freely and the flag could be displayed as well.

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two most flourishing and well-known Spanish teams but as well they are ferocious opponents on and off the stadium. The real Madrid became the symbol of nationalism and favored the regime of Franco whereas Barca opposed Franco and that was when the rivalry started. This competition started back in the past but still has left its mark. The Barcas beat Real Madrid in 1968 by a score of 1- under the coaching of Salvador Artigas.

The stadium of Barca, built in 1957 was known as the Camp Nou. It is Europe's largest and world's third largest stadium with a capacity of 98,000. It was a terrific accomplishment for Barca and few unforgettable matches were played at the stadium.

The club got its old name back to Futbol Cub Barcelona in 1974. From the beginning the club has stayed with its principal of not promoting on the uniform for the corporate sponsors unlike other teams. The team agreed to advertise on its uniform only in 14 July, 2006 for a noble cause. The club announced an agreement with the UNICEF that is a major international group to assist children. EUR1.5 million per year is donated by the team to the organization.

It's obligatory for all the players to know the Catalan language according to the president of the club Mr. Joan Laporta who is a proclaimed nationalist himself. From the ticket sale between the matches of FC Barcelona and real Madrid, a portion is donated to Federacio Llull. It is an organization that promotes the Catalan language.

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