History of Athletic Bilbao
Meanwhile, sons of the Basque educated classes had made the opposite journey and went to Britain to complete their studies in civil engineering and commerce. While in the United Kingdom, these students developed an interest in football and on their return to Bilbao they began to arrange games with British workers. In 1898, students belonging to the Gymnasium Zamacois founded the "Athletic Club", using the English spelling. In 1901, a meeting was held in the Café García, which established more formal rules and regulations. In 1902, the two Bilbao clubs formed a combined team, known as "Bizcaya", in the first Copa del Rey. They returned with the trophy after defeating Barcelona in the final. This would lead to the eventual merger of the two clubs as "Athletic Club" in 1903. In the same year, Basque students also formed "Athletic Club Madrid"; this club later evolved into Atlético Madrid. The club's foundation date is a subject of debate among football historians. The club itself declares 1898, but others claim 1901 or 1903 as the true founding year.
Eneko Arieta
Born in Durango, Biscay, Arieta joined Athletic Bilbao in 1951, from neighbouring CD Getxo. Barred by the likes of Agustín Gaínza, Rafael Iriondo, José Luis Panizo, Venancio and Telmo Zarra, he appeared in only two La Liga games his first two seasons combined, but scored in his debut on 9 September 1951, a 4–2 home win against Sporting de Gijón.