please log in to view this image VS please log in to view this image KICK-OFF: 15:00 Pre-season is almost over, this is the last chance to see the players in action before the season gets underway. Who are Real Sociedad? Real Sociedad de Fútbol S.A.D., more commonly known as Real Sociedad, are a Spanish team currently competing in La Liga. They were formed on the 7th of September 1909, making the club 104 years old. The club's name translated means 'The Royal Society of Football'. The club has two main nicknames, 'La Real' which means 'The Royals', and Txuri-Urdin, meaning 'white-blue'. Football was taken to San Sebastian in the Basque region of Spain by workers and students who had returned from stays in Great Britain. In 1904, the club's roots were first traceable, after formation of a club under the name of the 'San Sebastian Recreation Club'. The club then set up a branch for football competitions, known as 'San Sebastian Football Club'. In 1910, King Alfonso XII gave the club his patronage as San Sebastian was a summer destination for himself. This led to the addition of 'Real' to their name, meaning 'Royal'. After issues with registration for the Copa del Rey, the club became Sociedad Football Club. The addition of 'Real' from the King in 1910 made the club adopt its current identity. The club were founding members of La Liga in 1928, but during the Spanish Civil War in 1931, the club renamed to Donostia Football Club before returning to Real Sociedad after the conclusion of the civil war in 1939. As a Basque football club, they rely heavily on Basque players to make up a large part of their squads. Their finest years came in the 80s. They achieved a record highest finish in 1980, when they finished 2nd in La Liga, just one point behind the champions, Real Madrid. The next season they were to win their first La Liga title, albeit on goal difference, consigning Real Madrid to 2nd place. This qualified the club for the European Cup in the 1981/82 season. Real Sociedad defended their title successfully, this time seeing off Barcelona by two points. The following season saw them reach the European Cup semi-finals, having defeated the likes of Celtic and Sporting Lisbon en-route to the semi-final defeat against Hamburger SV, who went on to win the cup. The club abandoned the selection policy of only having Basque players at the club in 1989, when they signed Liverpool forward John Aldridge, an Irish international. In his debut season, Aldridge scored 16 goals for the club, becoming their top scorer. The club finished fifth in Aldridge's first season with the club. They signed their first black player in 1990, when Dalian Atkinson joined the club from Sheffield Wednesday. Again, Aldridge was the top scorer with 17 goals, while Atkinson supplemented him with a second-highest total of 12 within the club. The club have only ever won two titles, finishing runners-up on three occasions - most recently in the 2002/03 season. They have won the Copa del Rey on two occasions, in 1909 and 1987. Their number of Copa del Rey final victories is outweighed by losses however, with five defeats in the final competition. Real Sociedad have won one Supercopa de Espana, in 1982. In addition to this, the club have won the Segunda Division on three different occasions, finishing as runners-up two times. Real Sociedad finished 4th last season under the management of Jagoba Arrasate, but lost key player Asier Illarramendi to Real Madrid this summer in a â¬39m deal. This season the club will compete in the UEFA Champions League. Key players include long-term goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, club captain Xabi Prieto, Antoine Griezmann and former Arsenal forward Carlos Vela. Where do they play? Real Sociedad's home is Estadio Anoeta. Based in San Sebastian, the stadium has played host to the club since its opening in 1993. It continues to be owned by the City Council, despite several attempts by the club to purchase the stadium. The ground holds 32,076 at full capacity and has also been used by nearby French club Biarritz for Heineken Cup matches. Estadio Anoeta replaced Real Sociedadâs old Estadio de Atotxa, which had become too small and lacked the possibilities for expansion. The Estadio de Atotxa had been home to the club since 1913, holding 27,000. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image What are the club colours? Real Sociedad traditionally wear white and blue, the colours of the flag of Donostia, San Sebastian, where the club is based. The flag features a blue canton on a white field. This seasons kit features a white shirt with blue stripes, white shorts and blue socks with white detailing. please log in to view this image Match Details This game is at St. Mary's and is a 15:00 kick-off on Saturday the 10th of August. It is the last opportunity to see Saints in action before the big kick-off against West Bromwich Albion seven days later. Pre-match press coverage expected on Friday 9th of August as Saints have a media opportunity with Pochettino and co. Should mean interviews on the website too ahead of the closing fixture of our pre-season campaign. TICKETING: Adults - £18 Concessions - £14 Under 17s - £10 Under 11s - FREE* - (per one paying adult) MATCH PRICES WILL RISE BY £2 ON THE DAY Buy Online - https://southamptonfc.pvxgateway.co...=Safetynet&h=7f0551da48132dcc0874bd0bce5e651e Ticket Office - 02381 780780 That's the last of these threads, and I hope you enjoyed my series of pre-season previews. I may do the same next summer if we get some interesting opponents and people are interested enough. DTLW
Thanks DTLW, your efforts are appreciated. I was thinking about going to this. Lamberts call up has got me all excited again. But I don't really want to shell out £20 for a friendly. hmmm
Just as a NB, added this tonight so that when the press content comes up tomorrow from the interviews with Pochettino and player(s) goes online it can be filed in here. That and I was not denying myself a lie-in to be beaten by Fran or one of you other funsters!
I can't go as I'm at a wedding, but to put it into perspective - I paid £10 to watch Salisbury play Bournemouth reserves a couple of weeks ago, £8 more really isn't too bad. Get along and support the lads!
You do realise you've rendered poor old Lamb completely impotent on the forum. Much appreciated threads though.
I would have loved to go, but am working. I know it's a friendly and will not be played as a competitive match, but twenty quid is not a fortune to see Saints including the two new signings and a top Spanish side.
I am going but just hope more turn up than turned up for Ajax last year...that was embarrassingly bad
DTLW. All per season info of teams has been well put together and interesting to read so thanks for all the work
Perhaps this is one reason we only have one home friendly this season. Am hoping this is a bigger turn out because of the Rickie factor.
£20 for a friendly £20. For. a. friendly. £20. TWENTY POUNDS STERLING For a friendly! That's 2,000 pence. For a friendly. T W E N T Y P O U N D S £20 for a friendly T W E N T Y Sigh.
Not for us Old Gits it isn't. £28 bought two tickets, one for me and one for the very lovely Mrs Godders.
Sociedad will want money for this friendly...tickets will be cheaper if you want to play Bognor. Would they make more money by charging less and getting in more fans...who knows. It is a balancing act.
Seems pretty good value to me. Only serial complainers will moan over this. It's the only one friendly against a decent Spanish side. If its too high don't go, simple.
Saints have ditched the programme in favour of a 'Matchday Magazine'. Still only £3 - Issue One out tomorrow.
