The two clubs strengthened their ties with an oak tree planting ceremony and a Walking Football match
On Wednesday afternoon, in the build-up to the Champions League clash between Athletic Club and Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, the Magpies’ Foundation hosted a series of activities at their facilities as part of our ‘Follow Something Unique’ campaign.
The initiative seeks to promote values associated with Athletic such as sportsmanship, respect, diversity and identity, values that were on display in abundance when Athleticzales and the Toon Army first met in that iconic UEFA Cup tie of 1994.
Oak Tree planting ceremony
The afternoon got underway with the planting of a symbolic oak tree in the grounds of the NUCASTLE facilities.
Oak trees are important symbol in Basque culture and this was Athletic Club’s way of expressing gratitude towards our host club and city.
Although the tree planted on Wednesday is a physical representation of the bonds between both organisations, the real seed that led to this moment was planted over 30 years ago in 1994.
Representing Athletic, vice-president Jon Ruigómez said: ‘For Athletic Club, football is more than a game. This is why we wanted to do a symbolic gesture like this and the Walking Football match.
‘Oak trees are an important part of our culture and we hope this tree will grow and stand here for as long as friendship.’
While Steve Beharall, the director of NUFC’s foundation, echoed that sentiment when he said: ‘There’s a great synergy between our cities and clubs. Both from regions with industry where our identity is important to us. On behalf of Newcastle United and our foundation, we want to thank the Athletic foundation for extending this offer to us.’
Newcastle and Bilbao are two cities which share a lot more in common than just football, with the regions having similar industrial histories based on mining and shipbuilding, while citizens of both places are also recognised for their distinct sense of identity.
The ceremony was also attended by directors Igor San Roman, Laura Ruiz de Azua and Josetxu Urrutia, and Galder Reguera, the project director of Athletic Club Foundation.
Walking Football with Gontzal Suances
The oak tree planting was followed by a Walking Football match between fans of both teams, with Los Leones led by Gontzal Suances.
Several Athletic and Newcastles fans attended a riveting match played on the rooftop pitch at NUCASTLE.
Before the match kicked off a joint team photo was taken and the referees explained the rules. The Magpies took the lead but Athletic soon equalised through none other than Suances himself.
The rest of the game was a back-and-forth affair played in a friendly but motivated spirit and finished 4-4. A fitting scoreline for the occasion.
