I know the "Real" in Real Madrid name was given by the King. I want to know about the other "Real" teams in Spanish football. Did the King give them the title? AQnd why? Is it an honor to be called "Real"? Thanks.
It`s a good question for the Spanians, they should know better. I guess the point of calling "real" to the clubs has to do with the honor to the King of Spain, as a country with monarchy. Madrid is the capital of Spain, so, justified it is called "real" to the club Real Madrid, the club of the king. But, about Atletico de Madrid...I think this club was named after Real Madrid so they couldn`t name the club equal?? I don`t know but as Real Madrid was the first.
Real Betis Balompie receive their title of "Real" in September 1914, when King Alfonso XIII was named honorary president of the club and he gave Betis their "Real" title. Saludos y Viva Er EuroBeti Manque Lopera! Pichi
There are many: Real Madrid, Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Real Zaragoza, Real Racing de Santander, Real Unión de Irún... from the top of my head. I suppose all of them were honored by the same King Alfonso XIII.
yes, as far as I understand it, the "Real" teams received that designation from the King, although I don't know if it specifically was King Alfonso XIII that bestowed all of those titles. There are many "Real" teams in Primera, Segunda, and even Segunda B and Tercera. Real Murcia, Real Zaragoza.... many of them are only listed as Murcia and Zaragoza when you look at the tables. Of course, Real Madrid is Real Madrid not only because of royal designation, but to distinguish them from Atletico. If you look at most of the crests or emblems from the "real" clubs, they will have a king's crown above their other shields, designating them as a royal club.
Recieving the title "Real" is done by writing a letter to the king asking him if he would like to be an honorary president of your association. If he accepts (which he usually does) your organization has the right to use the royal crown in its crest and use the title "Real". This was common practice among certain associations and sporting clubs (yacht, horse racing) in the late nineteenth century. When football clubs began to be formed in the early 1900s, many followed the same practice becoming "Real". Most of the clubs were thus named by Alfonso XIII (I'm not sure if Juan Carlos ever granted a title to any club - if so it must have been a small regional one since all the big ones who want the title have it already.) I would say that over one third of all the clubs in first and second division have the title "Real".