CE Principat - History

History

That was the team that won the league title in 1997 and qualified to be the first club side to enter a European competition from the tiny principality of Andorra. When their name "The Real Madrid Supporters from Charlie's Restaurant" was rejected, the team tried first to call themselves Real Madrid, in honour of the Spanish giants they adore. Unsurprisingly, this was also ruled out as being somewhat confusing.

After further discussions, the name CE Principat was settled on.

The champions exist on a shoestring budget of 3,000 euros ($3,400) a year, half coming from player's subscriptions with the rest donated by the restaurant.

All the players have full-time jobs and will have to take time off for the away leg.

Among the team are a driving school instructor; a travel agent; a stonemason. Club president Tomas Gomez is a hairdresser and closed his shop to follow his team abroad.

The new found success of CE Principat has left Gomez wondering how they can handle hordes of visiting fans. Their average attendance is 350 and 800 for the home leg of the European adventure.

Colours are (Home) all white. (Away) blue shirts with white arms, white shorts.

As befits any team contemplating a European campaign, CE Principat have entered the transfer market. Former Barcelona forward Julio Lucendo, who admits his best days are behind him, has joined the club and will lead the strike force. Lucendo was playing in a regional Catalan league but is waiting for an Andorran passport after marrying a local girl.

(The above news was taken from ESPN news report that appeared sometime in November 2004)