Unió Esportiva Lleida was a Spanish football team based in Lleida, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. It was founded as Lérida Balompié-AEM on 30 October 1939, and became Unión Deportiva Lérida in 1947, after a merger with CD Leridano. It held home matches at Camp d´Esports, with a 13,500-seat capacity. It was dissolved in 2011 due to debts of €28 million, then acquired by a local entrepreneur and renamed Lleida Esportiu.

Lleida adopted the Catalan version of its name in 1978. The club spent most of its history in the lower divisions, but in the early 1950s and early 1990s, the club won promotion to La Liga.

During the 1990s the club was managed by Mané, Juande Ramos and Víctor Muñoz, all of whom subsequently became successful managers with other clubs. From 1987 the club organised its own summer trophy, the Ciutat de Lleida Trophy.

History

Early Lleida football clubs

Football was first introduced to Lleida in 1910 by Manuel Azoz, a Barcelona business man. Among the earliest clubs in the city were Montserrat, founded in 1913 by Marist Brothers, and FC Lleida founded in 1914. Both played their early games in the district of Pla d’en Gardeny. In 1915, the Associació Cultural Lleidatana was founded by Catalan nationalists.

By 1917 two other clubs, Club Colonial and Athlètic Metalúrgic, began playing at the Camp de Mart. In 1918 FC Joventut was formed by left-wing Catalan republicans and during the 1920s they emerged as the city's strongest side.

In 1919, Lleida became the first club to use the Camp d´Esports, but this team was dissolved in 1927. Other clubs of the 1920s included AE Lleida Calaveres, Lleida Sport Club and AEM Lleida, all of which disappeared during the 1930s.

Lérida Balompié and CD Leridano

After the Spanish Civil War, former members of AE Lleida Calaveres, Lleida Sport Club and AEM Lleida formed Lérida Balompié-AEM. After playing in regional leagues for four seasons they made their debut in the fourth division in 1943. The following year, the club split into two clubs, Lérida Balompié and AEM.

Meanwhile, in 1941 Spanish nationalists formed CD Leridano, and a local rivalry developed between that club and Lérida Balompié. On March 9, 1947, these two sides merged to become Unión Deportiva Lérida. The new team retained both the blue and white colours and club shield of Lérida Balompié, the first president of the new club being Eduard Estadella.

First golden era

UD Lérida enjoyed a golden age in the late 1940s and early 1950s, when they progressed from the third to the first division in just three seasons. In 1949, they won the third-tier and, the following season, 1949–50, they made their debut in Segunda División.[citation needed]

In the 1949–50 season the club achieved their biggest league victory in their history with a 9–2 win against CD Lugo, along with finishing second in the league achieving promotion to the topflight for the first time ever. However, during its debut season, it was heavily defeated on several occasions: 9–0 to CD Málaga, 10–1 to Deportivo de La Coruña and 10–0 to Athletic Bilbao, being ultimately relegated back. Lleida's first eleven in the first division was: Rivero, Rigau, Telechea, Carrillo, Esquerda, Roca, Gausí, Pellicer, Ramón, Bidegain and Fustero.[citation needed]

The Mané era

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Lleida enjoyed a second solid moment, under coach Mané. He joined the club in 1988 and took it from Segunda División B to La Liga.

1993–94 was the second topflight experience for the club; in spite of a 1–0 win over the FC Barcelona Dream Team at the Camp Nou, and another against Real Madrid, 2–1 at home, Lleida only won seven times altogether and was relegated once again.

The 1994–95 season saw the club finish third in the second division, with a subsequent promotion play-off defeat against Sporting de Gijón. In 2001, the team returned to level three and, in 2004–05 and the following campaign, played again in the second division. From 1996 and during an entire decade (with some interruptions), legendary player Miguel Ángel Rubio served as its manager.

Liquidation

On 10 May 2011, Lleida was placed in a liquidation auction due to a €28 million debt. On 12 July, the team's seat was acquired by local entrepreneur Sisco Pujol, with the new club being named Lleida Esportiu.

Season to season

SeasonTierDivisionPlaceCopa del Rey
Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey 1939–40 6 2ª Reg. 2nd 1940–41 6 2ª Reg. 1st 1941–42 4 1ª Reg. B 1st 1942–43 3 1ª Reg. A 6th 1943–44 3 3ª 9th Fourth round 1944–45 3 3ª 9th DNP 1945–46 3 3ª 10th DNP 1946–47 3 3ª 3rd DNP 1947–48 3 3ª 4th Fifth round 1948–49 3 3ª 1st Second round 1949–50 2 2ª 2nd First round 1950–51 1 1ª 16th DNP 1951–52 2 2ª 7th DNP 1952–53 2 2ª 6th Second round 1953–54 2 2ª 3rd DNP 1954–55 2 2ª 10th DNP 1955–56 2 2ª 12th DNP 1956–57 2 2ª 20th DNP 1957–58 3 3ª 2nd DNP 1958–59 3 3ª 7th DNPSeason Tier Division Place Copa del Rey 1959–60 3 3ª 6th DNP 1960–61 3 3ª 6th DNP 1961–62 3 3ª 6th DNP 1962–63 3 3ª 4th DNP 1963–64 3 3ª 2nd DNP 1964–65 3 3ª 2nd DNP 1965–66 2 2ª 11th Round of 32 1966–67 2 2ª 12th Round of 32 1967–68 2 2ª 12th First round 1968–69 3 3ª 5th DNP 1969–70 3 3ª 10th First round 1970–71 4 Reg. Pref. 1st DNP 1971–72 3 3ª 5th Second round 1972–73 3 3ª 4th Second round 1973–74 3 3ª 11th Third round 1974–75 3 3ª 15th DNP 1975–76 3 3ª 5th DNP 1976–77 3 3ª 9th Third round 1977–78 3 2ª B 16th Second round 1978–79 3 2ª B 11th Third round
1939–4062ª Reg.2nd
1940–4162ª Reg.1st
1941–4241ª Reg. B1st
1942–4331ª Reg. A6th
1943–4433ª9thFourth round
1944–4533ª9thDNP
1945–4633ª10thDNP
1946–4733ª3rdDNP
1947–4833ª4thFifth round
1948–4933ª1stSecond round
1949–5022ª2ndFirst round
1950–5111ª16thDNP
1951–5222ª7thDNP
1952–5322ª6thSecond round
1953–5422ª3rdDNP
1954–5522ª10thDNP
1955–5622ª12thDNP
1956–5722ª20thDNP
1957–5833ª2ndDNP
1958–5933ª7thDNP
SeasonTierDivisionPlaceCopa del Rey
1959–6033ª6thDNP
1960–6133ª6thDNP
1961–6233ª6thDNP
1962–6333ª4thDNP
1963–6433ª2ndDNP
1964–6533ª2ndDNP
1965–6622ª11thRound of 32
1966–6722ª12thRound of 32
1967–6822ª12thFirst round
1968–6933ª5thDNP
1969–7033ª10thFirst round
1970–714Reg. Pref.1stDNP
1971–7233ª5thSecond round
1972–7333ª4thSecond round
1973–7433ª11thThird round
1974–7533ª15thDNP
1975–7633ª5thDNP
1976–7733ª9thThird round
1977–7832ª B16thSecond round
1978–7932ª B11thThird round
SeasonDivisionTierPlaceCopa del Rey
Season Division Tier Place Copa del Rey 1979–80 3 2ª B 6th Third round 1980–81 3 2ª B 10th Second round 1981–82 3 2ª B 14th First round 1982–83 3 2ª B 10th DNP 1983–84 3 2ª B 8th First round 1984–85 3 2ª B 6th Second round 1985–86 3 2ª B 4th Round of 16 1986–87 3 2ª B 2nd First round 1987–88 2 2ª 6th Third round 1988–89 2 2ª 19th Round of 32 1989–90 3 2ª B 1st First round 1990–91 2 2ª 6th Third round 1991–92 2 2ª 5th Fourth round 1992–93 2 2ª 1st Round of 16 1993–94 1 1ª 19th Fifth round 1994–95 2 2ª 3rd Round of 16Season Division Tier Place Copa del Rey 1995–96 2 2ª 11th Second round 1996–97 2 2ª 11th Round of 16 1997–98 2 2ª 5th Second round 1998–99 2 2ª 11th Third round 1999–2000 2 2ª 5th Round of 16 2000–01 2 2ª 22nd Second round 2001–02 3 2ª B 9th Round of 32 2002–03 3 2ª B 8th First round 2003–04 3 2ª B 1st DNP 2004–05 2 2ª 15th Round of 16 2005–06 2 2ª 19th Fourth round 2006–07 3 2ª B 14th Second round 2007–08 3 2ª B 13th DNP 2008–09 3 2ª B 8th DNP 2009–10 3 2ª B 11th DNP 2010–11 3 2ª B 5th DNP
1979–8032ª B6thThird round
1980–8132ª B10thSecond round
1981–8232ª B14thFirst round
1982–8332ª B10thDNP
1983–8432ª B8thFirst round
1984–8532ª B6thSecond round
1985–8632ª B4thRound of 16
1986–8732ª B2ndFirst round
1987–8822ª6thThird round
1988–8922ª19thRound of 32
1989–9032ª B1stFirst round
1990–9122ª6thThird round
1991–9222ª5thFourth round
1992–9322ª1stRound of 16
1993–9411ª19thFifth round
1994–9522ª3rdRound of 16
SeasonDivisionTierPlaceCopa del Rey
1995–9622ª11thSecond round
1996–9722ª11thRound of 16
1997–9822ª5thSecond round
1998–9922ª11thThird round
1999–200022ª5thRound of 16
2000–0122ª22ndSecond round
2001–0232ª B9thRound of 32
2002–0332ª B8thFirst round
2003–0432ª B1stDNP
2004–0522ª15thRound of 16
2005–0622ª19thFourth round
2006–0732ª B14thSecond round
2007–0832ª B13thDNP
2008–0932ª B8thDNP
2009–1032ª B11thDNP
2010–1132ª B5thDNP

Honours

Official

Friendly

Records

Club

  • Best league performance: 16th, La Liga, 1950–51
  • Best cup performance: Last 16 (six times), 1986, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2005
  • Most league points: 68, 2003–04 (three points for a win) 60, 1957–58 (two points for a win)
  • Most league goals: 102, 1957–58
  • Most league wins in one season: 26, 1957–58
  • Best league win home: 9–0 v. Calella, 30 November 1941
  • Best league win away: 8–1 v. Europa, 22 February 1942
  • Best cup win: 7–0 v. Sant Andreu, 19 December 1985

Player

  • Most league appearances: 460, Miguel Rubio (1982–96)
  • Most league goals: 82, Mariano Azcona (1984–91)
  • Most league goals in a season: 25, Mariano Azcona (1989–90)
  • Most league goals in a match: 5, Mariano Azcona 6–1 v. Fraga, 15 October 1989 and Vallejo 7–1 v. Alavés, 23 May 1965
  • Most international appearances: 12, Miguel Mea Vitali (Venezuela) (2000–01)

Top goalscorers by season

SeasonTop scorerGoals
2011–12Spain national football team Asier Eizaguirre10
2010–11Spain national football team Rubén Rayos19
2009–10Spain national football team Marc Sellarés12
2008–09Spain national football team Mikel Álvaro13
2007–08Spain national football team Keko7
Spain national football team Fernando Esparza7
Spain national football team Luismi Gracia7
2006–07Spain national football team Luis Tevenet14
2005–06Croatia national football team Mate Bilić18
2004–05Spain national football team Nakor Bueno13
2003–04Spain national football team Nakor Bueno16
2002–03Spain national football team Nano15
2001/02Spain national football team Raúl Caballero11
2000–01Brazil national football team Renaldo8
1999–00Spain national football team Josemi15
1998–99Spain national football team Josemi12
1997–98Spain national football team Óscar Arias8
Spain national football team Vicente Fernández8
1996–97Spain national football team Estefan Juliá8
1995–96Spain national football team Paco Salillas10
1994–95Spain national football team Paco Salillas18
1993–94Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team Nikola Milinković6
1992–93Spain national football team Xabi Gracia13
1991–92Spain national football team José Emilio Amavisca14
1990–91Uruguay national football team James Cantero17
1989–90Spain national football team Mariano Azcona26
1988–89Spain national football team Mariano Azcona6
Uruguay national football team Álvaro Sánchez Pose6
1987–88Spain national football team Mariano Azcona13
1986–87Spain national football team Mariano Azcona16
Spain national football team Ignacio Alcelay16
1985–86Spain national football team Mariano Azcona9
1984–85Spain national football team José María Serna17
1983–84Spain national football team José García Juárez10
1982–83Spain national football team Javier Lozano13
1981–82Spain national football team Ramón Clotet15
1980–81Spain national football team Luis Alonso21
1950–51Spain national football team Ignacio Bidegain8

Appearance records

La Liga appearances

Goalscoring records

La Liga goals

Selected former players

Only international players or UEFA Champions League winners. Flags represent national teams player appeared for.

Selected former coaches

Presidents

  • Spain Sebastià Tàpies: 1939–40
  • Spain Joan Porta: 1941–47
  • Spain Eduard Estadella: 1947–51
  • Spain Llorenç Agustí: 1951–54
  • Spain Josep Servat: 1954–57
  • Spain Antoni Rocafort: 1957
  • Spain Laureà Torres: 1957–60
  • Spain Antoni Teixidó: 1960–62
  • Spain Ramon Vilaltella: 1962–67
  • Spain Josep Jové: 1967–68
  • Spain Pere Roig: 1968–69
  • Spain Manel Rosell: 1969–70
  • Spain Miquel Martínez: 1970–72
  • Spain Josep Montañola: 1972–74
  • Spain Lluís Nadal: 1974–77
  • Spain Josep Esteve: 1977–79
  • Spain Joan Planes: 1979–82
  • Spain Antoni Gausí: 1982–86
  • Spain Màrius Durán: 1986–96
  • Spain Josep Lluís González: 1996–97
  • Spain Màrius Durán: 1997–98
  • Spain Antoni Gausí: 1998–2002
  • Spain Miquel Pons: 2002–06
  • Spain Xavier Massana: 2006–07
  • Spain Ignasi Rivadulla: 2007–10
  • Spain Anabel Junyent: 2010–11

See also

External links

41°37′17″N 0°36′51″E/41.621386°N 0.614033°E/ 41.621386; 0.614033