History

1920–1956: From the origins of football in the city to the foundation of Córdoba C.F. and the first promotion to the Second Division.

In the early 1940s, Club Deportivo Córdoba was founded, which, along with San Álvaro, would become the origin of Córdoba Club de Fútbol in 1954. In the 1953–54 season, both Córdoba clubs were playing in the Third Division: Club Deportivo San Álvaro had just been promoted from the Regional league, and Real Club Deportivo Córdoba had just been relegated from the Second Division. Their coincidence in the same division sparked football debates in the city, especially on Calle de la Plata, where the green-and-white team’s headquarters were located.

From the hot summer of 1954 (specifically August 6 of that year), a new club began its sporting journey: Córdoba Club de Fútbol. The merger of CD San Álvaro and Real CD Córdoba took place through the acquisition of the federation rights of the city's oldest club, after a series of financial and sporting setbacks suffered by Deportivo.

The first president of the newly founded Córdoba CF was Enrique Puga, who later became the provincial delegate of the Andalusian Football Federation. The coach appointed was Arcadio Martínez from Málaga, who had excelled with several Andalusian clubs. He brought several players from Málaga, such as goalkeeper Milanés, midfielder Botana, and forwards Espinoso and Martínez-Invernón. They were joined by Córdoba-born players from CD San Álvaro like Manolín Jiménez, Mariscal, Joaquín, José María… The squad was made up of 19 players.

The 1954–55 season was divided into two phases: in the first, the new Córdoba CF finished fourth, which forced them to play in the relegation phase, where they reached seventh place with seven victories.

The 1955–56 season was a complete success under the presidency of Alfonso Cruz Conde. The "Operation 10,000 Members" was launched, to which the city responded enthusiastically, and the objectives were achieved. With a prestigious board, a young coach like Pepe Juncosa making his professional football debut, and smart signings, Córdoba finally achieved promotion to the second tier of Spanish football. The date was April 22, 1956.

The base lineup of that triumphant season was: Sánchez-Rojas; Navarro, José Luis, Alfaro; Luisito, Mújica; Gelo, Quintín, Araujo, Hermida, and Fustero. The top scorer was Uribarren with 29 goals, despite only playing three promotion phase matches (against Iliturgi and Bastetano, he scored four goals in each match).

1956–1962: The Progression Towards the First Division

The 1956–57 season turned out to be far more enjoyable than initially expected at the club.

On December 8, 1956, Mr. Rafael Campanero Guzmán joined the board of directors. Until then, he had been responsible for selecting youth players for the team.

After a summer filled with various friendly matches (including a testimonial for Matías Prats against a reinforced Villa del Río side), Córdoba finally debuted in the league away to Eldense. The heavy 4–0 defeat was later avenged in the reverse fixture with an 8–1 victory.

That year was spectacular in terms of goal-scoring. The team netted 96 goals in 38 matches—an average of 2.5 per game, more than any of the other 19 teams.

Among the many excellent attackers, the veteran Araujo stood out, scoring 27 goals.

It’s no surprise that Juncosa’s side—one of the best managers in the club’s history—finished just one step away from promotion. They ended the season in fourth place with 43 points, the same as Murcia (third), two behind Hércules (second), and four behind Granada (group winners).

The team had a slow start to the season but gained momentum thanks to an outstanding home record (they didn’t lose a single match at El Arcángel), eventually climbing to that fourth-place finish.

The typical starting lineup was: Sánchez-Rojas in goal; Navarro, José Luis, and Alfaro in defense; Trujillo and Luisito in midfield; and Espina, Méndez, Araujo, Paz, and Toñín in attack.

A notable highlight of that 1956–57 season was when European champions Real Madrid visited Córdoba on December 8. Juncosa’s side gave them a tough match, losing only 4–5. It was also the first time Córdoba was sanctioned for objects thrown onto the pitch. As a result of an incident during a match against Castellón, the Federation banned the sale of seat cushions at El Arcángel for two matches.

That same year, the club briefly launched a handball team, with the legendary Litri—later in charge of the club museum and a key figure at the club—serving as the team’s masseur.

The 1957–58 season was less pleasant. While the previous year had been turbulent behind the scenes, this one was just as chaotic. José Barrena, José Luis Fernández de Castillejo, and Alfonso Cruz Conde all served as president, while Juncosa, Roque Olsen (who was also a player-coach), and Diego Lozano Rodríguez rotated in and out of the dugout.

The typical lineup that season was: Sánchez-Rojas or Vicente in goal; Navarro, Ortolá, and Alfaro in defense; Buendía and Artime in midfield; and Espina, Olsen, Torres, Méndez, and Domingo in attack.

A historic streak ended on March 30, 1958: after nearly three years, Córdoba lost a home match—0–2 against Real Betis—their first home defeat in the Second Division.

The early 1960s proved truly historic. Unique. Unrepeatable. The 1960–61 season marked the return of Alfonso Cruz Conde as president, though he only lasted until March 10, when he was replaced by José Salinas González, father of future club president José Miguel Salinas. The coach, Álvaro Pérez, also didn’t finish the season, being replaced in mid-March by Roque Olsen, who had finally obtained his national coaching license.

Although the 1960–61 season wasn’t particularly brilliant, it laid the foundation for the success that followed. Córdoba hovered in mid-table for most of the league campaign, though a strong run towards the end sparked dreams of promotion. In the Copa del Generalísimo, they eliminated San Sebastián but were drawn against Racing Santander. Olsen’s men won 3–0 at home but lost 4–1 away. Just like two seasons earlier in the promotion playoff against Real Sociedad, a tiebreaker was required at the Santiago Bernabéu. It was known in advance that the winner would face Real Madrid in the next round. After an intense extra-time period, Racing emerged victorious (2–1).

The usual lineup for 1960–61 was: Benegas in goal; Simonet, Martínez, Oliva, and Navarro in defense; Costa and Artime in midfield; and Homar, Juanín, Vila, Paz, and Fuentes in attack.

That year, Atlético Cordobés ceased to be Córdoba’s official reserve team, though it maintained a close relationship with the club, especially in player rights transfers.

In late August, Moroccan international Mohamed Selam Riaji arrived—a player who would go on to become a club legend.

Another record was set in the 1960–61 season. Córdoba played the longest match in its history. It began on a Saturday and ended Sunday at noon. On September 24, El Arcángel was to host San Fernando. Due to a bullfight at the Los Califas arena, the club decided to schedule the match for 11:00 PM. Córdoba was leading 3–0 with 15 minutes left when the lights went out. Referee Vera from Aragón decided that the match would resume the next day—like a tennis match. It did, and the score remained unchanged.

And so came the unforgettable 1961–62 season—legendary for any Córdoba fan. For the first time in history, the club earned promotion to the top flight—and did so in style. Roque Olsen managed a squad full of players from outside Córdoba—only Bernardo Palacios featured occasionally from the local talent pool—but the starting eleven was soon memorized by fans.

President José Salinas worked with a small, efficient board of directors that helped guide the club to its monumental achievement.

Even in early summer, the mood was optimistic. Olsen told Diario Córdoba: “I have faith in my work and hope to see the results of my efforts. We have the quality and capability to fight for promotion.”

And they did. Córdoba climbed to first place after a 5–0 win over Cartagena on matchday four and never lost their lead from matchday nine onward. Their main rivals were Málaga, a very strong side. The battle for promotion wasn't settled until the final matchday. Although Olsen’s side had a two-point lead over Málaga, their inferior goal difference meant they needed at least a draw in Huelva against Recreativo.

Understanding the historic moment, the people of Córdoba rallied behind their team. On April 1, 1962, demand for tickets and transport was so high that three trains were chartered for the traveling fans. Many others traveled by coach or car.

The Colombino stadium—reportedly fuller than ever before—witnessed an exceptional performance. As the press wrote: “The triumph was overwhelming, glorious. Our team, in one of its finest displays, rewarded its faithful fans. In Huelva, where Spanish football took its first steps, Córdoba made its breakthrough.”

Celebrations lasted for days. On April 1 itself, caravans of cars accompanied the team back from Huelva as far as La Carlota. Tens of thousands of fans lined the streets to cheer the team, which was welcomed by mayor Cruz Conde, provincial president Cabello de Alba, and civil governor Mateu de Ros.

The starting eleven from that season remains etched in the memory of devoted Córdoba fans even fifty years later. It was: Benegas in goal; Simonet, Martínez, Oliva, and Navarro in defense; Martínez and Costa in midfield; and Riaji, Juanín, Miralles, Paz, and Homar in attack.

1962-1970 The Glory Years

1962 marked the beginning of Córdoba's golden era. It was the start of nearly eight uninterrupted years where El Arcángel was a first-division stronghold. Big teams were treated as equals there, because what made that Córdoba team special was their fearless football.

The first of those seasons, 1962–63, was quite respectable. José Salinas was the club president, and the legendary Roque Olsen remained as coach (he stepped down at the end of the season). The club had 9,841 members, and the regular starting eleven featured Benegas in goal; Simonet, Mingorance, and Navarro in defense; Martínez and Costa in midfield; and Vázquez, Juanín, Miralles, Paz, and Homar in attack.

That season, defender Mingorance became the first Córdoba player to represent the Spanish national team, debuting in a match against Scotland at the Bernabéu. Unfortunately, it was a tough debut—Spain lost 2–6 and he was subbed off at halftime.

Córdoba finished 12th in the league and, in the cup, eliminated Cádiz in the round of 32 before falling to Atlético Madrid in the round of 16.

The end of the 1963–64 season was a tragic one. Beyond football, a bus accident on April 26, 1964, cast a dark shadow over the city and the decade. It was the final matchday, and Córdoba was playing Levante in a crucial game to avoid relegation. The city had rallied behind the team, and nearly all fans were already inside the stadium when the last Aucorsa bus (registration MA-21929) stopped to let off a woman at Cruz del Rastro. Eleven passengers, the driver, and the fare collector remained inside. When the driver tried to steer the bus, the wheel failed, and the vehicle plunged into the Guadalquivir River. Only the fare collector and one passenger survived. Nine men and two women from Córdoba lost their lives.

The news caused immediate shock in the stadium. The gates of El Arcángel were opened, and loudspeakers called out for relatives. Prince Juan Carlos himself attended the funerals—it was his first visit to Córdoba. The match ended 4–0 in favor of Córdoba, who managed to avoid relegation under a somber cloud.

In 1964, Córdoba would go on to complete the best season in its history. Coached by Ignacio Eizaguirre, a combination of players at peak form, an engaged fanbase, and a supportive board led by José Salinas proved a perfect recipe.

Córdoba finished fifth in La Liga—behind only Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Zaragoza, and Valencia, and ahead of Barcelona, Athletic Club, Sevilla, Espanyol, and Betis. Everything went right from start to finish.

The key to their success was their unbeatable home form. At El Arcángel, Córdoba dropped just three points (0–0 draws against Atlético, Murcia, and Las Palmas) and conceded only two goals (against Espanyol and Zaragoza), both matches they won. Nearly fifty years later, no team in Spain has equaled that home defensive record.

That season also marked the debut of a goalkeeper who would become a Spanish league legend: Miguel Reina. Córdoba performed so well that by season’s end, two of their top players—Tejada and Mingorance—were signed by Real Madrid and Espanyol, respectively. Coach Eizaguirre also left, joining Sevilla. He was replaced by Eduardo Toba from A Coruña.

That historic lineup, arguably the club’s best ever, featured Reina in goal; Simonet, Mingorance, and López in defense; Martí and Ricardo Costa in midfield; and Luis Costa, Juanín, Miralles, Tejada, and Cabrera in attack.

The following season was far less successful. The squad underwent major changes—many players left, and several new signings underperformed. José Salinas also stepped down as president, replaced by managing director Rafael Morón. Miguel Reina continued to shine in goal and earned a move to Barcelona.

In the 1965–66 season came the controversial signing of Alvarito, an Asturian player from the modest Irish side Shelbourne. After a poor performance in a preseason match, he disappeared until mid-September due to fan criticism.

Another surprise arrival was José Ravelo, a Tenerife-born player who represented Venezuela internationally.

Córdoba finished 11th in the league and, after eliminating Lleida in the Copa del Rey, were knocked out by Zaragoza in the round of 16 (losing 0–2 and 4–1 over two legs).

The 1966–67 season was Rafael Morón’s first as president, and he launched the "Blanquiverde Operation" to unite the fanbase. His efforts paid off with a membership increase to 6,500 (2,400 more than the previous year).

Sportingly, if the 1964–65 league season was their peak, the 1966–67 campaign marked their best ever Copa del Rey run. In the round of 32, they overturned a 4–2 first-leg loss to Atlético Ceuta by winning 5–0 at home. In the round of 16, they defeated Barcelona’s CE Europa (1–1 away, 4–0 at home). The quarterfinals required a tiebreaker in Madrid after two 1–1 draws.

On June 18, 1967, Córdoba played their first (and only) Copa del Rey semifinal in history. Their opponent was Athletic Club, the competition’s most successful team. A controversial refereeing performance by Valencia’s Birigay helped Bilbao to a 0–1 win in the first leg, sparking serious incidents at the end. In San Mamés, Athletic won again (2–0), ending Córdoba’s dream run.

In the league, Córdoba finished 12th under Marcel Domingo. The regular starting eleven was García; Simonet, Navarro, and López; Martí and Costa; Luis Costa, Juanín, Riera, Alfonso, and Jara.

The 1967–68 season was especially tragic. Beyond football, a car accident claimed the life of one of the club’s most iconic players, Ricardo Costa, deeply affecting the team.

Staying in the top flight was becoming increasingly difficult. After finishing 13th, Córdoba had to play a relegation playoff against Calvo Sotelo of Puertollano. A 3–0 first-leg win at home nearly secured their place, and a 1–3 win in the second leg confirmed it.

Coached by Marcel Domingo and later Argila, the regular eleven was García; Simonet, Navarro, and López; Martí and Rodri; Luis Costa, Juanín, Arana, Riera, and Muñoz.

The 1968–69 season brought Córdoba’s first relegation. A series of injuries, an unsuccessful youth movement, and internal instability led to a disastrous campaign.

Rafael Morón was again president, and three coaches passed through the bench: Fernando Argila, Juanito Vázquez (for just one match), and the legendary Kubala.

That year, Jaén and Crispi were preselected for Spain’s Olympic team for the Mexico Games. Córdoba also signed Francisco Calzado Ferrer—"Litri"—who would become a club icon.

In the Copa del Rey, Córdoba exited early. In the round of 32, they lost 2–0 to Valencia in the first leg at Mestalla. Their 2–1 win in the second leg wasn’t enough.

In 1969–70, Rafael Morón stepped down as president and was succeeded by Rafael Campanero, who said in his inauguration speech, "What in other times would have been a great honor is now, in this time of crisis, an unavoidable duty."

The goal that season was a return to the top flight. Córdoba came close, finishing fifth.

Coached again by Ignacio Eizaguirre, they started strong—leading the league for the first two weeks—but soon lost momentum.

The regular eleven for 1969–70 featured Molina in goal; Ponce, Rodri, and Verdugo in defense; Jaén and Torres in midfield; and Álvarez, Juanín, Carrascosa, Diego, and Jara in attack.

Before the season, the legendary Simonet announced his departure, and after it ended, Juanín—another club great—also left.

1970-1980 From the Last Promotion to the Elite to the Slow Decline

In the 1970–71 season, Córdoba gifted the city its last golden joy. That campaign marked the last time the team was promoted to the First Division. The president behind that feat was the great Rafael Campanero, who assembled a very young squad of homegrown players hungry for glory. The budget was one of the four lowest in the division.

The coach was the experienced Juncosa, who relied on the return of another seasoned player, Mingorance. The defender brought composure during the most difficult moments.

The regular starting eleven of that 1970–71 team featured Molina in goal; López Prieto, Mingorance, and Verdugo in defense; Rodri and Torres in midfield, with Rojas, Rivera, Cruz Carrascosa, Manolín Cuesta, and Totó in attack.

Córdoba capitalized on the planned expansion of the top division to secure a top-four finish after defeating Hércules 2–1 in the penultimate match. Rivera and Manolín Cuesta scored in that game; Cuesta also ended the season as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals.

That season, Cuesta, Verdugo, Crispi, and Varo were called up by Olympic coach Santamaría for several international fixtures, as was the charismatic masseur Litri.

The promotion celebrations matched the achievement: fireworks, and a warm welcome from a city united behind its players (about 10,000 people flooded La Victoria). On June 13, Rafael Campanero made a historic statement: "The city must not remain indifferent if it truly desires First Division football." Sadly, that was the swan song of Córdoba Club de Fútbol.

Then came the 1971–72 season, the club's last in the top flight to date. This last generation of golden gladiators didn’t go down without honor. Relegation became official with two rounds remaining after a 4–2 loss in Valencia. In the next match, already relegated, they denied Barcelona the league title thanks to a goal by Fermín after a penalty on Manolín Cuesta. Córdoba's final match in the elite was on May 14, 1972, in Granada, where they lost 1–0.

Brazilian Vavá was the coach, and Rafael Campanero remained as president by popular demand, despite having considered resigning.

The regular eleven that season consisted of Molina in goal; López, Rodri, and Cepas in defense; Tejada and Alarcón in midfield; and Escalante, Fermín, Cruz Carrascosa, Manolín Cuesta, and Rojas in attack.

Although not a starter, Vicente del Bosque, on loan from Real Madrid, played many minutes. He would later lead Spain to its greatest football triumph, winning the World Cup.

When Real Madrid visited El Arcángel on September 26, 1971, Verdugo’s teammates gave him the captaincy in honor of his past at the club. It was also the first match where cards were shown: the white card, equivalent to today's yellow, was first shown to Córdoba captain Torres.

The 1972–73 season marked their return to the Second Division, which didn’t suit the club well. The goal was clear: to return to the top flight quickly. However, the squad didn’t meet expectations and spent the season in 13th place. Fortunately, the first leg of the promotion playoff against Girona on June 10, 1973, was a celebration. Manolín Cuesta’s hat-trick rendered the return leg, which they lost 3–2 in Ampurdán, irrelevant.

Coach Vavá was dismissed due to poor results and replaced by Joseíto from Zamora.

The regular team that season featured Molina in goal; López, Piñel, Rodri, and Cepas in defense; Escalante, Tejada, and Alarcón in midfield; and Manolín Cuesta, Cruz Carrascosa, and Jiménez in attack. Rafael Campanero remained as president.

In the still-named Copa del Generalísimo, Córdoba was quickly eliminated after being thrashed 3–0 in Ourense. Their 3–1 win in the return leg (coached by interim Gonzalo Uceda) wasn't enough.

Then came 1973–74 and another disappointment. The squad was again built for promotion with signings like Onega and Dominichi, along with proven players like Molina and Manolín Cuesta. But instability on the bench was evident. That season saw four coaches: García Verdugo, Ángel Moreno, Vavá, and Gonzalo Uceda.

After another 13th-place finish, the team had to go through a relegation playoff. In the first leg, goals from Cruz Carrascosa, Manolín Cuesta, and Escalante seemed enough after a 3–1 win. But in the return leg in Almería, the opposition went up 3–0, and for seven agonizing minutes, Córdoba was virtually relegated. Thankfully, Cuesta and Carrascosa scored again to save the team.

The starting eleven featured Molina in goal; Manolo, Dominichi, Aguilera, and Salas in defense; Escalante, Onega, and Alarcón in midfield; and Martínez, Cuesta, and Carrascosa in attack.

The highlight of the year was the signing of Daniel Onega from River Plate, one of the best players ever to wear Córdoba’s colors. Nicknamed "El Fantasma," he was the top scorer in the 1966 Copa Libertadores and an Argentina international.

That season also saw the farewell of Manolín Cuesta, who signed with Espanyol. The fans gave him a standing ovation before the match against Cádiz in round 36, which could have secured safety. However, Córdoba lost 0–2, and Cuesta had to play until the final playoff. Cruz Carrascosa also left at season’s end for Salamanca for three million pesetas.

Meanwhile, the renowned Dr. Manuel Guillén del Castillo, still involved with the club today, joined as a fitness coach.

In the Cup, Córdoba eliminated Ceuta (4–2, 1–1) before suffering a disgraceful exit against Tenerife, who overturned a 3–0 first-leg deficit with a 4–0 win at home.

The 1974–75 season was a positive one. Still in Segunda, Córdoba came close to returning to the top tier. Vavá coached the team, while the presidency passed from Campanero to José Torronteras, and finally Ricardo Mifsut.

The regular lineup featured Molina in goal; Poyoyo, Marín, Varo, and Salas in defense; Urbano, Dominichi, and Ónega in midfield; and Martínez, Burguete, and Rivero in attack.

A strong first half of the season put Córdoba in the lead several times, even topping the table at midseason. However, a crucial loss to Cádiz (1–2) in March triggered an internal collapse.

The team finished fourth behind Oviedo, Racing, and Sevilla, narrowly missing out on promotion – the closest Córdoba has come since.

In 1975–76, expectations were again high. The atmosphere was hopeful, and nearly 10,000 season tickets were sold.

Despite finishing eighth, it wasn’t until the third-to-last round that they secured their Segunda status.

The first Ciudad de Córdoba Trophy was held with prestigious teams: Vitória de Setúbal and Boca Juniors. Córdoba won the cup by beating Boca 4–2 and drawing 0–0 with the Portuguese side.

That year, the youth team reached the quarterfinals of the Copa de España, even eliminating Atlético Madrid, but surprisingly fell to Murcia.

The 1976–77 season was another disappointment. With the new Segunda B created, only four teams were relegated instead of eight. Given the recent memory of top-flight football, Mifsut's board set promotion as the goal.

The regular eleven had Molina in goal; Pablo, Marín, Varo, and Salas in defense; Corcuera, Urbano, and Ónega in midfield; with Calero, Burguete, and Lezcano in attack.

It marked the last season for iconic players Molina and Ónega. Ignacio Eizaguirre was coach until he resigned in April, replaced by technical secretary Lasa.

Striker Mariano Mansilla went on loan to Real Unión de Irún to complete his military service.

They finished 15th in the league. In the Cup, they eliminated Xerez and Calvo Sotelo before falling to Celta. A win would have seen them face Barcelona.

The 1977–78 season was worse. Córdoba was relegated to the newly created Segunda B for the first time in its history.

For a second consecutive season, the team failed to win a single away match, and this time only secured eight home wins.

The regular team had Vallespir in goal; Estella, Varo, Marín, and Cobo in defense; Carlos, Perico Campos, and Delgado in midfield; and Calero, Mansilla, and Martín Roales in attack.

President Mifsut didn’t finish the season and was replaced by Joaquín Bernier, who was backed by dentist José María Romeo Moya. Coach Juan María Lasa also didn’t last and was succeeded by Ben Barek in October, who couldn’t steer the team out of the danger zone.

Relegation was confirmed on May 14, in the final round in La Coruña, where they lost 6–1. Meanwhile, the reserve team earned promotion to Tercera but had to forfeit their spot due to financial issues.

It was the first season with fences at El Arcángel, following new regulations.

At least in the Cup, Córdoba passed three rounds, eliminating Compostela, Bilbao Athletic, and Rayo Cantabria before falling to Cádiz.

The 1978–79 season marked their debut in Segunda B, a category that would sadly become too familiar.

Córdoba battled relegation until the final match, securing survival with a draw against modest Ibiza. A 2–1 win at Xàtiva also ended a three-year away win drought.

The regular lineup featured Luna in goal; Rafaelín, Rivas, Delgado, and Carbó in defense; Alors, Álvarez, and Escalante in midfield; and Carlos, Burguete, and Cuesta in attack.

President José María Romeo Moya oversaw the club, with coach Ramón Miralles replaced in January by Manuel Guillén del Castillo, who teamed up with Rodri, then coaching the youth side.

Córdoba finished 17th, just one point above relegation. In the Cup, they eliminated Valdepeñas and Granada before losing both legs to Sevilla (1–2 and 5–2).

The 1979–80 season was marked by a new rule requiring two players under 20 in Segunda, Segunda B, and Tercera. Córdoba’s youth system responded well, with regulars López Colodrero and Doblas performing admirably.

This explains the final 7th-place finish, avoiding the struggles of the previous season. Credit also went to new coach José María Negrillo, formerly assistant to "Míster Látigo" (Mark Merkel) at Sevilla.

The regular team featured González in goal; Monzón, de la Cruz, Rivas, and Álvarez in defense; Doblas, Delgado, and Escalante in midfield; and López, Lucas, and García in attack.

José María Romeo remained president, but Litri, the legendary masseur, left for Levante along with Martínez, Varo, Jaén, and Paco Rojas.

That season also marked the end of Sunday TV broadcasts, which moved to Saturdays.

Lastly, due to a sanction after the referee was hit with a stone during the Eldense match, Córdoba played their last two home games at Benito Villamarín and Sánchez Pizjuán.

1980–1983: The Last Seasons in the Second Division Before the Collapse to the Third

In the 1980–81 season, Córdoba managed to return once again to the Second Division. They did so brilliantly, finishing second in their group behind the powerful Mallorca. The usual starting eleven that season included Luna; Monzón, Campos, Gallego, de la Cruz; Álvarez, Pérez, Manolín Cuesta; López, Robles, and Munárriz. The coach was the well-known Cayetano Ré.

The promotion was secured on May 3, 1981, in Ibiza, thanks to a 1–1 draw (goal by Robles). In the Copa del Rey, the campaign was less impressive, as the green-and-whites were eliminated in the first round by San Fernando, who overturned the 2–1 result from the first leg and were more accurate in the penalty shootout.

The 1981–82 season was institutionally chaotic. As many as four coaches sat on the El Arcángel bench (Cayetano Ré, Escalante, Pachín —who never made it to the bench due to suffering from depression— and Rajkov). Despite this, the outcome wasn’t too bad, as the team managed to secure safety with three games left to play, finishing in a comfortable 13th place.

The usual lineup that season consisted of Luna; López II, Campos, de la Cruz, Vinuesa; Monzón, Álvarez, Cuesta; López II, Charles, and Munárriz.

The following 1982–83 season was one to forget. Córdoba spent almost the entire league campaign at the bottom of the Second Division table and ultimately sank into the depths of the Segunda División B. The Second Division became a distant memory for sixteen long years.

The coaches that season were Rajkov and Uceda. The relegation was confirmed after a 4–0 defeat in Palencia on April 17, 1983.

The usual starting eleven included Luna; Vinuesa, Monzón, Campos, Juan Carlos; Urbano, Varela, López; Marcelo, Charles, and Robles.

1983–1999: The Journey Through the Desert – Between the Third and Segunda B

In the 1983–84 season, Córdoba endured the worst moment in its history, finishing 19th in its Segunda B group with just eight wins and well adrift, resulting in relegation to the Third Division for the first and only time. The nightmare didn’t last long. In 1984–85, Córdoba finished as runners-up in their group and secured promotion in the playoffs by eliminating C.D. Mestalla (a 1–0 loss in Valencia and a 2–0 win at home) and then defeating C.D. Valdepeñas in the final (4–1 at home and a 0–1 away win in Castilla-La Mancha). The city took to the streets to celebrate the achievement.

This promotion marked the beginning of a fourteen-season cycle in Segunda División B, making the club a classic presence in the bronze category of Spanish football.

In the 1990–91 season, Córdoba finished third in the league, but in the promotion playoff group they came last, managing only two draws. They were outperformed by Racing Santander, Cartagena, and Getafe.

In 1993, construction began on a new stadium, the “Nuevo Arcángel,” equipped with athletics tracks and a capacity for 15,000 spectators. It was inaugurated on November 7 with a league match against Recreativo de Huelva. The large distance between the stands and the pitch, poor visibility, and limited capacity prompted complaints from fans. As a result, in 2002, a major and radical renovation was launched to bring the stands closer to the pitch and increase the total capacity to 25,100 seats.

In the 1994–95 season, Córdoba finished first in Group IV of Segunda B, but in the promotion playoffs, they fell just one point short of Sestao. Castellón and C.D. Mensajero were also part of that playoff group.

A year later (1995–96), Córdoba finished fourth, and once again missed out on promotion, this time surpassed by Levante.

In the 1996–97 campaign, Córdoba won another Segunda B league title, but yet another disappointment came in the promotion playoffs, being edged out by Elche on goal difference. At the Martínez Valero stadium, Córdoba fans made history with the largest away crowd ever seen in the division—15,000 supporters traveled to Elche.

The long-awaited promotion to Segunda División A came when it seemed least likely. After a difficult season, the end of 1998–99 proved glorious. Finishing third in their group (clinching a playoff spot after a key match against Plasencia), the Córdoba team managed by Pepe Escalante (with Manuel Oviedo as president) pulled off an epic performance in the promotion group against Cartagena. With Racing de Ferrol and Cultural Leonesa already out of contention, both sides faced off in the final two matchdays for the promotion spot. Cartagena needed only a point, but Córdoba’s 2–0 win at El Arcángel and the unforgettable 1–2 victory at Cartagonova (with stunning free-kick goals by Óscar Ventaja and Ramos) sparked unprecedented celebration in Las Tendillas on June 30, 1999.

2000–2005: Problems Leading to the Last Relegation

The return to Segunda División A was met with great enthusiasm from Córdoba’s fans, eager to see their team compete at this level nearly twenty years later. On July 2, 2000, the club was transformed into a Sports Public Limited Company (Sociedad Anónima Deportiva), and at that time, the number of season ticket holders surpassed 10,000. The first two years after the return were quite positive, achieving a comfortable survival (12th place) in 1999–2000 and even reaching the top of the table for several matchdays in 2000–01—an unforgettable highlight being the match at the Calderón where Córdoba arrived as league leaders, backed by nearly 5,000 supporters. However, despite this good performance, Pepe Escalante was dismissed, and in the following years, the club failed to find a coach capable of getting the best out of the investments made.

In 2001–02, Ortuondo—who had promoted the team to Segunda B in 1985—failed with a youth development project, and his successor, Pepe Murcia, managed to take the team to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals (eliminated by Figueres 0–2, 0–0). Still, the team finished 14th in the league.

A year later, warning signs appeared as Córdoba struggled again. Under Castro Santos, the team narrowly avoided relegation in the final match against Getafe at the Coliseum, drawing 1–1 with a goal from Montenegro. Survival was even more precarious in 2003–04, when a goal by Nico Olivera at Leganés kept Córdoba up, condemning their rivals.

Luck ran out on June 12, 2005. A 3–4 loss against Valladolid sealed Córdoba’s relegation to Segunda B, despite the determined effort of the squad led by the so-called “White-Green Heroes”—players who believed in salvation during the second half of the season despite the team being nearly doomed—among them beloved figures like Pablo Villa, Alessandro Pierini, and Cristian Álvarez.

2005–2011: From the Huesca Promotion to the Playoff for Promotion to First Division Against Valladolid

In 2005, Córdoba found itself once again in the depths of Segunda B. Despite significant signings—most notably the international player and former Milan forward Javi Moreno—the white-and-green team, coached first by Quique Hernández and later by Pepe Escalante, finished sixth in the league, failing to qualify for the promotion playoffs. However, in the following 2006–07 season, also under Pepe Escalante, they finished fourth and secured a spot in the promotion phase.

Their first opponent in the promotion phase was the strong favorite, Pontevedra. However, in a packed El Arcángel and an intense match, Córdoba managed to hold a 0–0 draw, a result that proved useful in the return leg. At Pasarón, two goals by Asen earned an epic 2–2 draw, enough to advance to the final round. The warm hospitality shown by the Pontevedra fans to nearly a thousand Córdoba supporters traveling to the match was unforgettable. In the final round, the opponent was Huesca, but Huesca’s 2–0 win in front of 20,000 fans at El Arcángel (goals by Pierini and Guzmán) left the tie heavily in their favor. The decisive second leg took place on June 24, 2007, at El Alcoraz, where Dani scored a penalty to make it 1–1, once again bringing joy to the city. The president who guided the club to this success was Rafael Campanero.

In the year of Córdoba’s return to Segunda División, Paco Jémez took charge. Under his leadership, the team played attractive football but was often unlucky, especially in the final minutes of matches. José González replaced Jémez and managed to save the team in a thrilling season finale. Córdoba drew 1–1 against Real Sociedad in San Sebastián and depended on Cádiz failing to score against Hércules in Alicante to avoid relegation. Cádiz had a penalty in stoppage time but Abraham Paz hit the post, preserving Córdoba’s status.

The 2008–09 season was calmer, with the team finishing 13th, coached first by José González and then Luna Eslava. In 2009, José Miguel Salinas became club president, bringing in Lucas Alcaraz as coach. In 2009–10, the Granadian coach saved the team and achieved the best league position since 1976, finishing 10th. In the 2010–11 season, Alcaraz’s final one in charge, Córdoba ended in 16th place.

2011–2019: The Return to La Liga and the Historic Survival

In May 2011, businessman Carlos González took over the presidency of the club, facing from the start a difficult sporting and financial situation, the latter worsened by the club’s entry into insolvency proceedings.

Despite this, all difficulties were successfully overcome, managing to exit the proceedings in just one year, becoming the only club to pay 100% of its ordinary debt.

On the sporting side, he entrusted his project to Paco Jémez as head coach and Juan Luna Eslava as Technical Secretary.

The 2011-2012 season was a complete success. Playing attractive football and with a squad of players in great form (Alberto García, Borja García, López Silva, Charles…), the green-and-white team achieved a commendable sixth place after a goalless draw in Vigo, which allowed them to compete in the promotion play-offs to La Liga.

The tie against Real Valladolid ended in a 0-0 draw in the first leg at El Arcángel and a 3-0 loss in the second leg at José Zorrilla, which did not tarnish the brilliant memory of the best campaign in decades for the club — a memory that led to a period of continued sporting success season after season.

In this recent period, the team’s role in the Copa del Rey was especially notable, reaching the Round of 16 in the 2011-2012 season. In that round, the team faced RCD Espanyol, winning 2-1 in the first leg and losing 4-2 in the second leg.

In the 2012-2013 season, thanks to advancing to the quarterfinals, the opponent was FC Barcelona, who won 0-2 at El Arcángel and 5-0 at Camp Nou.

That same year, the Club’s corporate image was updated, modernising the crest after 20 years without any changes.

In the 2013-2014 season, with Albert Ferrer as manager, the team achieved promotion to La Liga after defeating UD Las Palmas in the final play-off round, drawing 0-0 at El Arcángel and 1-1 at the Estadio Gran Canaria.

In the same season, Córdoba CF B also earned promotion to Segunda División B, a division where the first team had competed just seven years earlier. During the summer break, significant renovations were made to El Arcángel, including a full overhaul of the VIP area, the authorities’ box, and the construction of 14 VIP boxes for sponsors and companies.

After one season in La Liga, and with three different managers on the bench (Albert Ferrer, Miroslav Djukic, and José Antonio Romero), the team failed to remain in the top division and returned to the second tier of Spanish football.

Successes soon returned. In the 2015-2016 season, under coach José Luis Oltra, the team qualified for the promotion play-offs, facing Girona, with a 2-1 win at home and a 3-1 loss away.

However, just a couple of seasons later, and after Carlos González handed over the presidency to his son Alejandro González Muñoz, Córdoba was on the brink of relegation from Segunda División. In January 2018, with the team 14 points from safety, González sold the club to businessman Jesús León from Montoro, who arrived alongside Luis Oliver. Against all odds, the team made a comeback and avoided relegation.

Bibliography: "History of Córdoba CF" by Ignacio Cid; "Córdoba CF: 50 Years in Green and White" by Diario Córdoba, and information from the websites futbolteca.com and the official site of Peña Cordobamanía (www.cordobamania.net)

Website data: www.laligaennumeros.es