History of Real Sociedad in Timeline
Real Sociedad is a Spanish professional sports club founded in 1909, based in Donostia-San Sebastián, Basque Country. Known as Real Sociedad in English and Erreala/Reala in Basque, the club plays its home matches at the Anoeta Stadium. It is a prominent soccer team in Spain with a rich history.
1904: Formation of San Sebastián Recreation Club
In 1904, San Sebastián Recreation Club, the first football club in the city, was formed.
1905: Copa del Rey Competition
In 1905, San Sebastián Recreation Club competed in the Copa del Rey.
1907: Club Split
In 1907, a conflict caused the San Sebastián Recreation Club to split, leading to the creation of a new team.
1908: Formation of San Sebastian Football Club
In 1908, several players left the San Sebastián Recreation Club to create the San Sebastian Football Club.
September 1909: Real Sociedad Founded
On September 7, 1909, Real Sociedad de Fútbol was founded in Donostia / San Sebastián, Basque Country. The club was established by players who had previously won a tournament under the name Club Ciclista de San Sebastián.
September 1909: Sociedad de Futbol Founded
On September 7, 1909, the players who had won the Copa del Rey founded the Sociedad de Futbol.
1909: Copa del Rey Victory as Club Ciclista
In 1909, the San Sebastian Football Club competed as Club Ciclista de San Sebastián and won the Copa del Rey, defeating Athletic Club in the quarter-finals and Club Español de Madrid in the final.
1910: Copa del Rey Final
In 1910, Sociedad competed as Vasconia de San Sebastián and reached the Copa del Rey final, losing to Athletic.
1913: Copa del Rey Final
In 1913, Real Sociedad played in the Copa del Rey final against FC Barcelona, losing after three games.
1928: Copa del Rey Final
In 1928, Real Sociedad reached the Copa del Rey final, losing to Barcelona after three games.
1929: Founding Member of La Liga
In 1929, Real Sociedad was a founding member of La Liga and finished fourth, with Francisco "Paco" Bienzobas as the top scorer.
1931: Name Change to Donostia Club de Futbol
In 1931, the team's name was changed to Donostia Club de Futbol due to the advent of the Second Spanish Republic.
1939: Name Change Back to Real Sociedad
In 1939, after the Spanish Civil War, the club's name was changed back to Real Sociedad.
1967: Start of 40-Season Top Flight Spell
In 1967, Real Sociedad began a 40-season spell in the top flight of La Liga.
1979: La Liga Runners-Up
In 1979, Real Sociedad finished as runners-up in La Liga.
1980: Liga Runner-Up
In 1979-80 season, Real Sociedad finished as Liga runner-up.
1980: Top Scorer Jesús María Satrústegui
In 1980-81, Jesús María Satrústegui was the club's top scorer with 16 goals.
1981: Primera División Title
At the end of the 1980-81 season, Real Sociedad won its first ever Primera División title.
1981: Champions League Appearance
In the 1981-82 edition, Real Sociedad made their first Champions League appearance, losing in the first round against CSKA Sofia.
1982: Liga Title and Supercopa de España
In 1982, Real Sociedad retained the Liga title and won the Supercopa de España against Real Madrid.
March 1987: Record for Most Goals in Copa del Rey Quarter-Final
On March 11, 1987, Real Sociedad set a record for most goals in a quarter-final of the Copa del Rey after defeating Mallorca 10–1.
June 1987: Copa del Rey Title
On June 27, 1987, Real Sociedad won its first Copa del Rey title, defeating Atlético Madrid 4–2 on penalties after drawing 2–2.
1987: Liga Runner-Up and Copa del Rey Winner
In 1987, Real Sociedad finished as Liga runner-up and won the Copa del Rey.
March 1988: Copa del Rey Final Loss
On March 30, 1988, Real Sociedad lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
1988: Best finish since being runners-up
In the 1997-98 season, Real Sociedad finished third, its best finish since being runners-up in 1988.
1988: Best finish since
In the 2002–03 La Liga, Real Sociedad were runners-up, its best finish since 1988.
1989: Signed John Aldridge
In 1989, Real Sociedad abandoned their policy of only signing Basque players when they signed Irish international John Aldridge.
1990: Signed Dalian Atkinson
In 1990, Real Sociedad signed English striker Dalian Atkinson, who became the club's first black player.
1997: Third Place Finish
In the 1997-98 season, Real Sociedad finished third, its best finish since being runners-up in 1988.
1998: Finished Third Place
In 1998, Real Sociedad finished third, qualifying for the 1998–99 UEFA Cup.
2001: Accusation of Doping
Between 2001 and 2007, doping accusations were made against José Luis Astiazarán's presidency.
2003: La Liga Title Race
In 2003, Real Sociedad beat Real Madrid 4-2 in April but lost the La Liga title race in the penultimate game against Celta de Vigo.
2003: Champions League Group Stage
In 2003, Real Sociedad was placed in Group D of the 2003–04 Champions League with Juventus, Galatasaray and Olympiacos, advancing to the last 16.
2003: Since the 2003-04 Season
In the 2012–13 season, Real Sociedad finished in fourth place and qualified for the 2013–14 Champions League for the first time since the 2003–04 season, but in the play-offs, this time.
2005: Accusation of Doping
In 2005, José Luis Astiazarán denied claims that Real Sociedad was paying to dope players on the team between 2001 and 2007.
September 2006: 2,000th La Liga Match
On September 9, 2006, Real Sociedad played its 2,000th La Liga match. That same season, they were relegated from La Liga, ending a 40-year streak there.
July 2007: Chris Coleman Appointed Coach
On July 9, 2007, Chris Coleman was appointed as the new coach of Real Sociedad.
2007: Accusation of Doping
Between 2001 and 2007, doping accusations were made against José Luis Astiazarán's presidency.
2007: End of 40-Season Top Flight Spell
In 2007, Real Sociedad's 40-season spell in the top flight of La Liga ended.
2007: Sociological Investigations Report
In 2007, The Spanish Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas conducted interviews that revealed 1.3% of the Spanish population favors Real Sociedad above other clubs, and an additional 1.5% favor La Real as their second club.
January 2008: Chris Coleman Resigned
In January 16, 2008, Chris Coleman resigned as the coach of Real Sociedad.
2008: Doping Accusations
In 2008, Real Sociedad's president Iñaki Badiola accused the preceding club management of buying doping substances.
December 2012: Supporter Appreciation
In December 2012, Real Sociedad players wore shirts displaying the names of randomly selected club members during a match against Sevilla, as an appreciation for the supporters.
2012: Fourth Place Finish
In the 2012-13 season, Real Sociedad finished in fourth place and qualified for the 2013–14 Champions League.
2013: Extended Interview on Doping
In 2013, Iñaki Badiola accused José Luis Astiazarán's presidency of paying to dope players between 2001 and 2007.
2013: Champions League Qualification
In 2013, Real Sociedad defeated Lyon in the Champions League play-offs to qualify for the group stage.
November 2014: David Moyes Appointed Manager
In November 2014, Real Sociedad announced David Moyes as the manager, replacing Jagoba Arrasate.
November 2015: David Moyes Sacked
In November 2015, David Moyes was sacked and replaced by Eusebio Sacristán.
June 2017: Sacristán Contract Renewal
In June 2017, Sacristán's contract with Real Sociedad was renewed. However, he was later dismissed due to poor performance.
December 2018: Imanol Alguacil Appointed Manager
In December 2018, Imanol Alguacil, the reserve team manager, was appointed as the head coach of Real Sociedad.
April 2021: Copa del Rey Win
On April 3, 2021, Real Sociedad won its third Copa del Rey title. This was the 2020 Copa del Rey Final, which had been delayed due to COVID-19, and the match was a Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao.
2022: Champions League Qualification
In the 2022–23 season, Real Sociedad finished fourth in La Liga. This finish qualified them for the next season's Champions League, marking their first appearance in the competition in ten years.
2023: Champions League Round of 16
In the 2023-24 season, Real Sociedad progressed to the round of 16 in the Champions League, losing to PSG.
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