HISTORY OF FC BARCELONA

The club was founded and created in November 1899 by Joan Gamper, a Switzerland who was interested on building a Football Club. This is the early form of FUTBOL CLUB BARCELONA.

The main club identities are Catalan Identity, Democracy, Multiple sport and universality.

The club colour, referred as Azulgranas, originated from Gamper's former club Basel FC in Basel, Switzerland. The colours are red and blue.

The first club-own stadium, Carrer de Industria were owned from 1909 to 1922. Many fans associate the club with the origin of "Cules", which originally means the ar** of the spectators seating at the top of the stadium at Carrer Industria.

Since 1910, Barcelona wins many titles nationally to internationally. After their move to Les Cortes, legends such as Ricardo Zamora and Josep Samitier came to popularity.

In the 1930s, it was a difficult time for Barcelona. With the Nationalist declared a war with the Republicans which was a pro-Catalan, political crisis happened. The president of FC Barcelona at that time, Josep Sunol, was murdered by Nationalists. Not only that, the founder Joan Gamper killed himself due to personal problems. After the war, FC Barcelona suffered a crisis. In 1943 after Barcelona won the first leg of Copa Generalisimo (now Copa Del Rey) 3-0 against Real Madrid, they lost 11-1 away to Real Madrid because Spanish Dictator Francisco Franco, who was pro-Madrid, told all Barcelona players not to win and play their worst as they can or they will be executed to death.

In 1944, Barcelona bought new player such as Cesar Rodriguez and Josep Samitier as a manager. This rises the popularity of FC Barcelona and they won La Liga in 1945.

In 1950s. FC Barcelona brought new legends such as Ladislav Kubala, Luis Suarez, Helenio Herrera, and Antonio Ramallets as Goalkeeper. The club also brought Argentinean Alfredo di Stefano, but because Francisco Franco requests Barcelona to let Di Stefano play for Barcelona and Real Madrid in alternate seasons and Barcelona rejects that, Di Stefano moved to Real Madrid and became its legendary president until now.

FC Barcelona opened their new stadium, Camp Nou, in 1957. With the capacity of more than 95,000 spectators, it is the largest stadium in Europe.

In 1960s, with the low sporting success and austerity Barcelona could not sign good players. Several players left the club.

In 1970s, Barcelona signed Johan Cruyff which was one of Barcelona's legend. With Cruyff, Barcelona successfully trashed Real Madrid 5-0 at Bernabeu in 1974. After the death of Dictator Franco, the Catalan flag, known of Senyera, was shown as a symbol of Catalanism and start of Democracy era. In the 1980s, Barcelona won the European Cup Winner's Cup, signed Maradona, and formed the La Masia system.

With Cruyff becoming the manager in 1988, Barcelona won their first European Cup (known as UEFA Champions League) at Wembley Stadium in 1992. The Cruyff team was known as the Dream Team which consist of club football director Zubizareta, youth team director Guillermo Amor, Bayern Munich manager (former Barcelona manager) Guardiola, Brazilian legend Romario.

After the centenary of the club in 1999, the club signed many legends such as Ronaldinho in 2004. The names from La Masia such as Messi, Valdes, Xavi, Puyol and Iniesta rose to the occassion and become the part of Rijkaard, Guardiola and Vilanova's team from 2003 until today. With 22 League titles, 26 Copa del Rey titles, and 4 Champions League titles, Barcelona is one of the most popular club in the world.

Source