by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:53 am
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:54 am
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:56 am
Astillero
Full Name: Astillero Cisne
Short Name: Astillero
Nickname: The Dockers
Colours: Blue shirts with white sleeves & red trim, white shorts, red socks;
Change: All yellow with black trim
Year Formed: 1948
Stadium: The Goods Yard Stadium, Cisne
Capacity: 36,000
Club Honours: Champions, Primera Liga 1; Copa del Sol 2 Winners; Winners - Liga Nacional 6; Runners-Up NL 4, 5, 7; Eastern Regional champions (pre-NL) 18 times;
Club Legends: Hosne Ballantyne; player 1950s & 60s (midfielder) 801 appearances, 31 goals
Fierce Rivals: Juniors
Other Rivals: Sparta Misión, TamarPost, Ferrocarril
Feeder Club: Boca de Pozo
Manager: Septimus Soares. Personality - Determined. Often red-carded from the touchline for over-zealous input into the games.
Club Captain:Raúl Argo, central midfield. Resilient: Was run over by an articulated truck carrying logs from the rainforest. Avid environmental campaigner.
Fans favourite: Kwesi Ferrer, attacking midfield/forward. Ambitious: Unusually for a Tamarindo, he wants to win everything.
Overview
The first Primera champions have long been a powerhouse in Tamarindian football, from their dominance of the coastal region through the Liga Nacional and inaugural winners of the national league.
Associated traditionally with the dockyard complex at Cisne where their stadium still stands, Astillero are noted for their passionate support and their remarkable development of local talent.
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:57 am
Atlético Misión
Full Name: Club Deportivo Atlético Misión
Short Name: Atlético Misión
Nickname: Los Presidentos, The Grand Old Lady
Colours: Gold & black striped shirts, white shorts, black socks;
Change: White shirts, maroon shorts & socks
Year Formed: 1898 (the oldest club in Tamarindia)
Stadium: Estadio Antiguo, Misión (groundshare with Jaguars)
Capacity: 42,000
Club Honours: Best league position - 3rd place, Liga Nacional 8; Copa del Sol Prequela winners; Copa del Sol 1, 2 Finalists
Club Legends: Thomas Cox, present TSF Director of Development. Former player & manager.
Fierce Rivals: Sparta Misión - the derby game is called La Battalla - the battle.
Other Rivals: CISA Misión, Jaguars
Feeder Club: Club Malí
Manager: Arcadio Lamba. Personality - thoughtful: A professor of the game set to bring unheard of, and to many, unwelcome, success. Everyone loves Atlético for losing.
Club Captain & Fans favourite: Rafael Costa, goalkeeper. Athletic: Can drop kick a ball at one end of the pitch and catch it at the other without even a bounce.
Overview
The nation's second team, partly because they are supported by our beloved leader Doctor Jimmy Sunshine, and partly because they are the big team that never wins anything. Until now. It's what everyone dreads: winning the Precuela - dry run of the Copa del Sol, and then almost winning the first Copa del Sol itself, Atlético come good. As fanciers of underdogs, the national psyche might not cope with Los Presidentos as a footballing power.
Atlético have long been associated with Syndicatos Unidos, the office of the president, and even wear the SU crest as their club badge.
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:59 am
Cartageñas
Full Name: Fútbol Club Cartagena Pirata
Short Name: Cartageñas
Nickname: Los Piranhas
Colours: Green & yellow striped shirts with white trim, green shorts & socks;
Change: White shirts with green & yellow trim, white shorts, yellow & green hoop socks
Year Formed: 1973
Stadium: Estadio Cartagena, Pirata
Capacity: 23,300
Club Honours: Third place, Primera Liga 1; Liga Nacional best place 6th in Eastern division, NL3, 7, 9; Eastern Regional champions (pre-NL) twice;
Club Legend: Manager Edmar Motta played for the team in the early 70s (276 appearances as a central midfielder, 33 goals) and has managed them since retiring in 1980.
Fierce Rivals: Piratas
Other Rivals: Deportivo Torrente, Hueso Cruzadas
Manager: Edmar Motta, Personality – Leader: The whole club is run on a model devised and implemented by Motta. Manages the players, board of directors and the fans.
Club Captain: Yamplier Amorós, winger left or right-sided. Resilient: Never dispirited no matter how badly he plays.
Fans favourite: Yunieski Sagardia, striker. Unpredictable: confuses opposing defenders and goalkeepers, as well as team-mates, supporters and his coach with his random play.
Overview
A relatively young club with a fairly small support, in recent years Cartageñas have eclipsed bigger teams to become the best in the southern part of the country, finishing the first Primera Liga season with their best ever finish. Indeed with the relegation of 'bigger' clubs Piratas and Hueso Cruzadas out of the first Próximo season, Los Piranhas are the only southern coast team in the national league.
Edmar Motta is seen as the driving force, building a steadily improving club on and off the pitch who some feel will come to dominate the upper echelons of Tamarindian football.
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:00 pm
Los Mineros
Full Name: Club San Piran de Los Mineros
Short Name: Los Mineros
Nickname: The Gold
Colours: All dark blue with gold trim;
Change: All gold with dark blue trim.
Year Formed: 1918
Stadium: Estadio Onésimo, Los Mineros
Capacity: 63,800
Club Honours: Liga Nacional 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 winners; runners-up NL-2, 6; Primera Liga best position – 4th. Western Regional League champions 37 times.
Club Legend: Onésimo Sánchez. Player 1944 (aged 15) to 1973 (retired aged 44), making 903 appearances for the club, began as a striker, retired as a defender, and was the reserve goalkeeper. Scored 221 goals. The stadium was renamed after him at his passing away in 2005. His son Pico is the present manager, and his younger son Sancho is head coach.
Fierce Rivals: Taíno
Other Rivals: Sparta Misión, Arsenál
Feeder Club: de Oro
Manager: Pico Sánchez. Personality – Playboy. Perhaps the oldest eligible batchelor in football who has still got it. And it will never go away.
Club Captain: Otto Moscoso, Defender, Motivator: Can stare for 12 minutes without blinking.
Fans favourite: Raymond Peréz, 35, Goalkeeper. Playboy: Practically invented metrosexuality, although he doesn't know it. Football is a timeout from the pursuit of women and other forms of gratification. Talks a lot.
Overview
By far the biggest club in Tamarindia, with the largest club stadium and probably the biggest fanbase, Los Mineros have always been one of the dominant forces in Tamarindian football. Incredibly, during the regional football system, they were western champions 37 times and only once finished outside the top 3 between 1937 and 2001. Hot favourites to dominate the reorganised Liga Nacional, they started slowly, not lifting the title until NL-4. But from thereon in The Gold won six of the seven seasons before the reorganisation.
With the move to the Primera Liga once again Los Mineros found the going tough in their first season, finishing a disappointing fourth. But expect them to bounce back – every season they are the team to beat.
Traditionally the team were associated with the syndicate for the mining of precious materials, hence their nickname.
Los Mineros are one of several larger clubs to operate a second club outright, with their team de Oro going well in the Próximo last season.
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:01 pm
Sparta Misión
Full Name: The Spartan Sports Club
Short Name: Sparta Misión
Nickname: The Artisans
Colours: All red with black trim;
Change: White shirts with red shoulder stripe, white shorts & socks
Year Formed: 1909
Stadium: Estadio Bohemio, Misión
Capacity: 41,000
Club Honours: Champions, Primera Liga 2; Winners - Liga Nacional 1, 3; Runners-Up NL 8, 10; Eastern Regional champions (pre-NL) 12 times;
Club Legends: Baraka; player 1994 -2007 (defender) 422 appearances, 6 goals. Captain during Sparta's early dominance of the Liga Nacional. Now assistant manager.
Fierce Rivals: Atlético Misión - the derby game is called La Battalla - the battle.
Other Rivals: Jaguars, CISA Misión, Los Mineros, Astillero
Feeder Club: Deportivo Misión
Manager: José Castaneda. Personality - Moaner. A glass half empty sort of fellow.
Club Captain: Jorge Vera, defender. Reliable. Is the club driving instructor for younger players.
Fans favourite: Masvidal, striker. Warhorse: Celebrates scoring by punching team-mates on the upper arm. Really hard.
Overview
One of the older clubs and the more successful rivals with Atlético, Sparta are one of the national forces, having vied with Astillero for dominance in the Eastern Region and the first winner of the Liga Nacional. Always in contention.
Sparta were associated traditionally with the intellectual bohemian section of Misión City life, having their stadium in the Artists Quarter of the city, but they have a massive following and games with Atlético are one of the great city derbies.
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:02 pm
Creciente
Full Name: Atlétic Club Creciente
Short Name: Creciente
Nickname: Los Vinteros
Colours: Claret shirts with light blue sleeves & white trim, white shorts & socks;
Change: Light blue shirts with white sleeves, claret trim, light blue shorts & socks
Year Formed: 1927
Stadium: The Vineyard, Creciente
Capacity: 28,400
Club Honours: Liga Nacional highest finish 4th; Liga Regional Central winners, 4 times; Copa del Sol 1 winners, Cygnus Cup 8 semi-finalists.
Club Legends: Daniel Meridalin, the chairman of the club, who saved it from oblivion in the mid-90s when the TSF wanted to close it for improper business conduct.
Fierce Rivals: Equatoria
Other Rivals: Azteca, AS Tito, Provisión
Manager: Pablo Tuñón. 51. Personality – Ambitious. Has already upset the fans by declaring the club a stepping stone, and the head of the TSF for saying he will be a better commissioner.
Club Captain: Glen Roca, defender, Playboy: Believes team spirit is best maintained by facilitating raucous nights out on the town.
Fans favourite: Peter Goossens, striker, Temperamental: Always gets more yellow cards in a season than goals, often as many reds too.
Overview
Creciente are an old club with a proud tradition who have always been competitive with some of the larger clubs and yet have not won anything like as much. A comfortable top flight team with a workmanlike squad, their potential star, Danny Baéz is the little bit of glamour along with legendary party animal and club captain Glen Roca.
Creciente are often referred to as an 'unfashionable' club and are one of the few major clubs who are not historically tied to an industrial or governmental syndicate.
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:03 pm
TTAD
Full Name: Tesoro Technical Institute for Automotive Design Sports Club
Short Name: TTAD
Nickname: Tech
Colours: Yellow & white check shirts with black trim, yellow shorts, black socks
Change: White shirts with red sleeves, black shorts, red socks
Year Formed: 1948
Stadium: The Tech Arena, Tesoro
Capacity: 22,400
Club Honours: Próximo Liga 1 Champions; Liga Regional East Runners-Up 5 times
Club Legends: Joshua Santa, combative midfielder of the 80s and 90s. Played 367 games for TTAD scoring 87 goals, now works in the TTAD automotive team.
Fierce Rivals: Uruguayos
Other Rivals: Espanyol, Estudiantes
Manager: Marlon Tatís, personality – Determined. Used to play for the club, borderline obsessive. Especially with his attention to detail.
Club Captain: Antonio Moço, left mdfielder, athletic: Is like a gymnast, in a quite unnatural way.
Fans favourite: Sergio Basta, striker, introvert: Has a degree in Librarianism. Copa del Sol (pre) Golden Boot winner (9 goals, for Club Malí) Próximo 1 Golden Boot winner (21)
Overview
The smallest of the professional clubs in the football-obsessed city of Tesoro, TTAD have always been in the shadow of their more illustrious rivals, Espanyol, Estudiantes and Uruguayos. Under the stewardship of Tatís and Director of Football Iguana Solate, however, the team that are part of the famous college sporting club at the Technical Institute have begun to come in to their own. After finishing as Próximo champions last time out, they will compete in a higher division than deadly rivals Uruguayos for the first time in their history.
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:04 pm
Defensa
Full Name: Defensa Sporting Club
Short Name: Defensa
Nickname: The Greens
Colours: Green & White halved shirts with navy trim, white shorts & socks
Change: Navy shirts with green & white sleeves, navy shorts, green & white hooped socks
Year Formed: 1955
Stadium: Estadio Defensa
Capacity: 16,600
Club Honours: Próximo 1 runners-up; Liga Regional Eastern champions twice, RL-56, 60
Club Legends: Charlie Quintana, goalkeeper, still first choice after 22 years at the club and 678 appearances. Personality – Leader. His club practically belongs to him, and he knows it.
Fierce Rivals: Asalto
Other Rivals: AS Cruzando
Manager: Yannick van der Zwan, personality – introvert. The serious, introverted ex-Defensa player with uncanny abilities. A placid gentleman of the game.
Club Captain & fans favourite: Julio Lalane, forward, ambitious. May do the almost unheard of thing and leave Defensa if he can't win anything with them.
Overview
The small club from Las Islas have come from nowhere in recent seasons to overtake their main rivals Asalto and reach the top of the game for the first time in their history. Astute management and a squad of mostly aging professionals who have been playing together at the club for years has seen them climb to previously unimaginable heights.
A club that has built it's foundation on player loyalty, there are very few ins and outs at Defensa – and that works for them.
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:04 pm
Deportivo Torrente
Full Name: Club Deportivo Torrente de Piratas
Short Name: Deportivo Torrente
Nickname: The Coursers
Colours: Black shirts with white & orange trim, orange shorts, black socks
Change: Orange shirts with black & white trim, white shorts, white socks
Year Formed: 1990
Stadium: Parque Torrente, Universidad Piratas
Capacity: 18,300
Club Honours: Winners, Próximo 2
Club Legends: Johnny Roena, legend at the club by the age of 18.
Fierce Rivals: Cartageñas
Other Rivals: Piratas, Heuso Cruzadas
Manager: Teddy Bonnaud. Personality – Athletic. Likes to train with the players, run to his famous greyhound kennel, train with his dogs, run home, and train with his ultra-healthy children.
Club Captain: Tomás Contreras, striker, leader: Player & assistant manager, given the job because he was doing it any way.
Fans favourite: Johnny Roena, central midfielder, ambitious: The club's young star, considered to have great potential. Which he agrees with.
Overview
One of the youngest clubs in professional football, and consequently one of the smallest. Torrente are not very well known outside Piratas and have surprised everyone with how well they have coped with the Próximo, particularly as their qualifying to take part was unexpected in the first place.
Torrente are associated with the University in Piratas, drawing on their sports students for players and staff, as well as playing their home games on the university campus, the stadium recently expanded to meet Próximo regulations.
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:05 pm
Unión Sindicato
Full Name: Club Unión Sindicato
Short Name: Unión Sindicato
Nickname: The Union
Colours: Red & black halved shirts, black shorts, black socks
Change: All white with red & black trim
Year Formed: 1903
Stadium: Estadio Arrighi, Sindicato
Capacity: 43,500
Club Honours: Liga Regional Central champions RL-29, 55, 57, runners-up 37 & 41
Club Legends: Maxime Arrighi. Played for the club in the golden years before league football, managed them in the 1920s and 30s, moved up to the board room and oversaw entry into Liga Regional. The stadium is named after him.
Fierce Rivals: Marquez
Other Rivals: Universidad Sindicato, Vanguardia
Feeder club: Argelinos Sindicato
Manager: Rene Yílmaz, personality – reliable. Will take it on the chin. And paint the dressing rooms in the off-season.
Club Captain: Humberto Kirkwood, left winger or forward, temperamental. Nicknamed 'Kikker' and not for his ball skills.
Fans favourite: Bolo Canaris, goalkeeper, determined: Has a self-flagellation ritual for every goal he concedes that is his own fault. And one for his defenders if it's their fault. Próximo 1 Golden Glove winner.
Overview
Unión are one of the oldest clubs in existence and enjoyed their best years in the time before league football when they were considered one of the best teams in the country. Unfortunately once Liga Regional got underway Sindicato failed to live up to their status and have largely remained in the background of Tamarindian football. However recent improvements on the pitch has given it's supporter base cause for optimism.
Unión are still a big club in terms of support and infrastructure, being the only club outside the Primera Liga to operate a feeder club, and having one of the biggest stadiums in the country.
by The Golden Tamarind » Sat Aug 20, 2011 1:18 am
Académica Libertad
Full Name: Sporting Club Académica Libertad
Short Name: Académica
Nickname: El Colegio
Colours: Black & white striped shirts with blue trim, black shorts & socks
Change: All blue with black & white trim
Year Formed: 1903
Stadium: Estadio Colegio, Libertad
Capacity: 27,600
Club Honours: Primera Liga 2 Runners-Up; Liga Regional Oriental winners 3, 7, 27, 28
Club Legends: Luperco Acevedo, midfield player during 1970s, 422 appearances for the club, 16 goals. Now on the board of elected directors.
Fierce Rivals: Unión Libertad
Other Rivals: Racing Castro, AS Cruzando
Feeder Club: AIR Libertad
Manager: Ciset Noriega. Personality: Determined – to retire in the next couple of seasons; happy to leave the running of team affairs to assistant Wolfgang Ablancourt.
Club Captain & Assistant Manager: Wolfgang Ablancourt. Personality: Professor. A tourist from the Polar Islandstates, Wolfgang was a fixture of the Surtsey Island Gulls for as long as fans can remember. He is known for having one of the finest tactical minds in the nation. Credited with leading El Colegio to the top echelon of the Primera Liga.
Fans favourite: (apart from Herr Wolfgang, as he is referred to): Laercio. Personality: Creative. The cultured midfielder is a lover of opera, fine art, antiques, and mazy runs along the flanks. Willing to take anyone on, has thrived under Herr Wolfgang's command.
Overview
Another of the older clubs in Tamarindian football, Académica have always been competitive without ever dominating national football. A new ambition at the club may change all that, with the capture of Ablancourt considered a major coup and reaping dividends almost immediately.
Académica have traditionally been associated with Universidad Libertad, hence their name, although with the foundation of the Academy for International Relations in the 1950s, they were quick to assist in the development of their Experimental Sports Programme, and are the managing syndicate of AIR Libertad, the Liga Regional football team.
by The Golden Tamarind » Sat Aug 20, 2011 1:25 am
Estudiantes Tesoro
Full Name: FC Estudiantes Tesoro 1928
Short Name: Estudiantes
Nickname: The Red & Whites
Colours: Red & white striped shirts with dark grey trim, white shorts, red & white hooped socks
Change: Dark grey shirts with red & white diagonal sash, dark grey shorts, red socks
Year Formed: 1928
Stadium: Estadio del Norte, Tesoro (ground share with Espanyol)
Capacity: 47,900
Club Honours: Liga Regional Oriental winners 16, 17, 21, 22
Club Legends: Adhelmar Mata, player 1990 – 2009, now coach at the club, 532 appearances in goal for the Red & Whites, even scored 3 goals in his career.
Fierce Rivals: Espanyol - the derby game is called La Campeonato del Norte - Championship of The North.
Other Rivals: Uruguayos, TTAD
Feeder Club: San Martín
Manager: Amaru Adomo, personality: laid back. Nothing fazes Adomo, mind games are completely lost on him; his teams play with a passion he seems to lack himself.
Club Captain: Enrique Álvarez, personality: brave. Drawn to heroic actions, will put his face on the line to header a low cross when a kick might have been easier.
Fans favourite: Yancey Ortíz, eccentric: Celebrates scoring by staging small one-man interpretations of Shakespeare
Overview
A big club who, like their ground-sharing neighbours Espanyol, have desperately underachieved for the most part of their history. In the football-mad city of Tesoro they are generally the biggest supported club. Estadio del Norte is one of the countries' biggest stadia, and is regularly packed out as Estudiantes have a massive following in the city.
Estudiantes can lay claim to founding city rivals TTAD, having formed Juniors Tesoro in the 1930s as a feeder club. In 1942, with Estudiantes looking to slimline it's operation, the Institute of Technical & Automotive Design took over the management of Juniors, and changed it's name to TTAD in 1948. In the 1970s Estudiantes adopted San Martín, from the outskirts of Tesoro, as it's new feeder.
Estudiantes is traditionally associated with Universidad Tesoro, hence the name.
by The Golden Tamarind » Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:08 am
Bolivianos
Full Name: El Boliviano Club Deportivo de Pueblo Grano
Short Name: Bolivianos
Nickname: The Condors, Los Cóndores
Colours: Red, green & yellow striped shirts, white shorts & socks
Change: White shirts with red trim, red shorts & socks
Year Formed: 1949
Stadium: Estadio Municipal, Pueblo Grano
Capacity: 19,500
Club Honours: Próximo Liga 2 runners-up; Liga Regional Central 56, 60 winners
Club Legends: Conrad Aguilera, former player, 255 appearances, 19 goals as defender, now the manager.
Fierce Rivals: Dominicanos
Other Rivals: Provision, Deportivo Suficiencia
Manager: Conrad Aguilera, personality: Warhorse – he is fierce, frightening and usually furious about something.
Club Captain: Roberto Horford, midfielder, personality: ambitious – wants to go far, whether in life or just when in possession of the ball, sometimes to the detriment of general play.
Fans favourite: Inocente González, attacking midfielder, personality: eccentric – nicknamed the greyhound, partly for his pace and partly because he prefers dogs to football, a successful breeder and famous dog-walker.
Overview
The Condors were formed in 1949 and immediately entered the new Liga Regional, opting for the Western division over the stronger looking Eastern division. In their first two seasons they finished third and then second behind Los Mineros. Another third place suggested they would become the closest rivals to the emerging Golds, but after that, they disappeared into obscurity, struggling first in the Western and then as founders of the Central division, getting one runner-up spot in nearly thirty seasons.
It was with Conrad Aguilera's move into coaching and the manager's post that put Bolivianos on an upward incline, winning their first two Liga Regional titles, election to the first Próximo and promotion in season 2 to the top flight.
by The Golden Tamarind » Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:51 am
Arsenál Ateo
Full Name: Club Fútbol Arsenál de Ateo
Short Name: Arsenál Ateo
Nickname: The Brown Bombers
Colours: Yellow & blue striped shirts with white sleeves, yellow shorts with blue trim, yellow & blue hooped socks
Change: Brown shirts, white shorts, brown socks
Year Formed: 1939
Stadium: Estadio Dalmacio Casanova, Ateo (ground share with Paraguayos)
Capacity: 29,300
Club Honours: Liga Nacional 1 runners-up, Liga Regional Oriental 19, 29, 36 winners
Club Legends: Quintilio Zamora, player, 1950s, played less than 60 games through terrible injury problems but considered one of the greatest Tamarindian players who never really made it.
Fierce Rivals: Paraguayos
Other Rivals: Los Mineros, AS Anarquía
Manager: Marcel Esquivel, personality: eccentric – can often be found entertaining after hours in music bars around the city, being an accomplished jazz flutist who plays best standing on tables.
Club Captain: Rolando Kirkwood, midfielder, personality: unpredictable – difficult to read, on and off the field; easy to misunderstand – just ask his strikers.
Fans favourite: Evaristo Gilormini, striker, personality: determined – has been with the club since the age of 14 and will probably never retire, he just wants to play football.
Overview
Arsénal Ateo were, until recently, considered one of the best teams in the country. Unfortunately for them, all through football history one team has been paired with them and that team is Los Mineros, Liga Regional winners 37 times to Arsenál's 3. Despite constantly being in the shade of the great Golds, they kept pace with them until a decline in the last two or three seasons, culminating in their shock relegation from the Primera Liga in season 1.
Arsénal have traditionally been associated with the nation's tiny Army who have their biggest base after Isla Defensa in Ateo. Their nickname comes from the traditional first team colours used up until the 1980s when they changed to blue and yellow, relegating the brown to their change strip.
by The Golden Tamarind » Sun Aug 21, 2011 1:52 am
Racing Castro
Full Name: Racing Club Castro
Short Name: Racing Castro
Nickname: Los Fidels, The Fishermen
Colours: White shirts with light blue trim, white shorts & socks
Change: Red shirts with white trim, red shorts & socks
Year Formed: 1955
Stadium: Arena Havana, Castro
Capacity: 22,300
Club Honours: Liga Regional Oriental 57 winners
Club Legends: Melibeo Serrato, defender and captain during their RL'57 winning season. 249 games for the club, now a coach with Sparta Misión, hopes one day to manage his hometown club.
Fierce Rivals: AS Cruzando
Other Rivals: Académica Libertad, Unión Libertad
Manager: Ofir Meléndez, personality: stylish – impeccably presented and likes his teams to present impeccable football, difficult at this level.
Club Captain: Artur Moré, midfielder & forward, personality: athletic – could play well into his forties, or beyond. May set the record for oldest professional in the league one day.
Fans favourite: Juan Rosales, forward, personality: stylish – only a couple of years behind Moré, Rosales has maintained his longevity by doing more with less effort, not so much flamboyant and minimalist.
Overview
Racing are not one of the game's great achievers with just one regional title under their belts, but are famed for bringing through many good players over the years and it is often cited that the National Academy was modelled on Los Fidels' own academy. They were a surprise inclusion in the first ever Primera Liga, and immediately lost their place with relegation to the Próximo, which is about their level.
Arena Havana is renowned as a difficult place to play, with Racing's fervent supporters some of the most passionate in the country. Originally the club played their football at the town's greyhound track, hence the name Racing, but had the Arena purpose built in the 1990s. Racing are traditionally associated with the town's fishing syndicate and are often referred to as The Fishermen.
by The Golden Tamarind » Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:33 am
Tesoro Espanyol
Full Name: Sporting Club de Tesoro Espanyol
Short Name: Tesoro Espanyol
Nickname: The Spanish, The Spaniards
Colours: Gold shirts with claret sleeves & white trim, gold shorts, claret socks
Change: White shirts with black sleeves, black shorts, white socks
Year Formed: 1915 (1899)
Stadium: Estadio del Norte, Tesoro (ground share with Estudiantes)
Capacity: 47,900
Club Honours: Best finish 5th, Liga Nacional 1; Liga Regional Oriental 5, 8, 31, 48 Winners
Club Legend: Janvier Soria, player, coach, manager, director and chairman from the 1920s through to the 1970s in a 50 year association with the club.
Fierce Rivals: Estudiantes Tesoro – the derby is called La Campeonato del Norte, The Championship of the North
Other Rivals: TTAD, Uruguayos, Atlético Misión
Feeder Club: Cruz del Norte
Manager: Midas Borrego, personality: Athletic. A tracksuit manager even in his 60s, says his retirement plan is the Tommy Cooper Pension: to drop dead on the job. In his case, on the training pitch, not in the office.
Club Captain & Fans favourite: Gonzalo Castillo, goalkeeper, personality: Stylish. Won't let practicality get in the way of a good flying dive even on back-passes. Grooms himself with the same passion. 50% laughing-stock, 50% hero.
Overview
One of the grand old clubs of Tamarindian football although they have not amounted a huge cabinet full of trophies in their long history. Espanyol was formed in 1915 as the merger of two older clubs and can legitimately trace it's heritage back another 16 years, making it the second oldest club in the country. Atlético Tesoro was founded in 1899, and followed shortly after by Tesoro 1903. With the early success of another club in the city, Uruguayos, the directors of Atlético and 1903 agreed to the merger of their teams after deciding the city could not support three big clubs, and Espanyol was created in 1915. The club are traditionally associated with heavy industries in the area, since from the beginning they were supplied with both players and passionate supporters from the steel, mining and railway syndicates of the north west.
Of late the club has been in decline and the early showings in the Primera Liga have been disappointing; they have fallen some distance behind their fierce rivals Estudiantes.
by The Golden Tamarind » Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:24 am
Jaguars
Full Name: Ciudad Misión del Club Juvenil Jaguares
Short Name: Jaguars
Nickname: Chicos de Azul or Los Chicos
Colours: Blue shirts with a black & white diagonal stripe, black shorts, blue socks
Change: Claret shirts with black & white trim, white shorts & socks
Year Formed: 1953
Stadium: Estadio Antiguo, Misión (groundshare with Atlético)
Capacity: 42,000
Club Honours: Primera Liga best position 5th, Liga Nacional best position 3rd, Liga Regional Oriental 24 winners
Club Legends: Isaias Feliciano, defender at the club in the 1970s, famed for his wild hair and wilder tackling, nicknamed The Snapper for his diminutive size style of play.
Fierce Rivals: CISA Misión
Other Rivals: Atlético Misión, Sparta Misión
Feeder Club: Gamboa
Manager: Celio Abreu, personality – extrovert: Will conclude home victories by singing patriotic folk songs on the stadium PA to see everybody off on their journeys home. And he's quite good, too.
Club Captain: Doel Salinas, personality – ambitious: Had his coaching badges by the age of 25, got his first cap for country at 34, had his son Malte registered for the National Academy at 3 months, never gives up hope winning a world cup medal.
Fans favourite: Paul Homens, personality – extrovert. The tourist from Taxidermista and renowned Tamarphile. An ex-Brenton Athletic midfielder and current international with World Cup qualifying experience. Requested a move to Tamarindia.
Overview
One of the new clubs in the second boom period of Tamarindian football, Jaguars were formed out of the city's Youth Service, merging several young men's football teams and originally playing at the Athletic Grounds before a quick rise from the city leagues into the Liga Regional meant they needed a bigger ground. They started their groundshare in 1965 with the intention of building their own stadium, but have been happy sharing with The Grand Old Lady, Atlético, ever since.
Modest success over the years has been eclipsed by recent showings of great promise. A surprise inclusion for the first Primera Liga, they were favourites for instant relegation, but have defied expectations with consecutive top 5 finishes.
by The Golden Tamarind » Thu Sep 01, 2011 1:42 am
TamarPost
Full Name: TamarPost Sporting Club de Cisne
Short Name: TamarPost
Nickname: The Postmen, The Posties
Colours: All blue strip with black & white trim
Change: Green & black hooped shirt, green shorts & socks
Year Formed: 1949
Stadium: Estadio Municipal, Cisne (groundshare with TamarComms)
Capacity: 24,300
Club Honours: Liga Nacional 9 Runners-Up, Liga Regional Oriental 24 Runners-Up
Club Legends: Malte; (full name Ernesto Malte Carranza) played for the Posties in the 1960s, a mercurial striker who averaged almost a goal per game in his career first at Escolástico (94 goals in 103 games) and then at TamarPost (163 in 180). He finished his career at Boca de Pozo hitting 61 goals in 58 appearances before retiring. Considered one of the greatest strikers of Tamar football.
Fierce Rivals: TamarComms – the derby game is known as La Copa de Comunicaciones
Other Rivals: Astillero, Juniors Cisne
Manager: Generoso Samaniego, personality – resilient: A former Astillero defender and man of steel, considered anything but generous by opposition players in his day. Still prefers a defensive game based on rugged, unbreakable centre halves and kamikaze defensive midfielders.
Club Captain: Chimaoke Chinwendu, personality – arrogant: Built in the physical mould of his manager, the giant defender is a warrior and a natural leader, as he will often remind his team during half-time team talks. Sometimes described as unbreakable.
Fans favourite: Gulman Dueñas, personality – natural leader: A couple of steps down from arrogant but nevertheless he gives orders rather than takes them. A utility midfielder who can play anywhere, sometimes described as kamikaze.
Overview
Formed directly out of the Tamarindian Post Office football teams, TamarPost have been a steady if unglamorous club, never getting better than a couple of runners-up spots but consistently competing above their weight in the top division of the day. Have just past their zenith, just before the Primera Liga restructure when Chinwendu and Dueñas were at their peak and The Posties competed at the top of Liga Nacional for three or four seasons. Now undergoing a rebuilding process with Samaniego.
by The Golden Tamarind » Fri Sep 02, 2011 6:32 am
Vanguardia
Full Name: Deportivo Club SolCar de Vanguardia
Short Name: Vanguardia
Nickname: Los Guardos, Los Motores
Colours: All red strip with white trim
Change: Black & white striped shirts with red trim, black shorts, white socks
Year Formed: 1937
Stadium: SolCar Arena, Vanguardia
Capacity: 27400
Club Honours: Best position 11th in Primera Liga 2; Liga Regional Central 39, 41, 59 winners
Club Legends: Damocles Padilla, not a player but a supporter who, during the 1970s, managed five consecutive successful naked streaks across the pitch in home games, and streaked at least three times a season between 1970 and 1978 before disappearing from knowledge. There is much folklore relating to the mysterious figure who does not seem to be actually known by anyone outside of his naked appearances at Vanguardia matches.
Fierce Rivals: Marquez
Other Rivals: Union Sindicato, Esparta
Manager: Cirineo Castaneda, personality – athletic: A former champion sprinter and boxer, scientist of nutrition and sport, tracksuit manager, amateur wrestler, and record holder in the Liga Nacional as oldest player – aged 52 in season 1, making 14 appearances for his hometown club, Hueso Cruzadas.
Club Captain: Bernardo Olavarria, personality - Motivator: Looks like Attila the Hun, plays like Ghengis Khan. The first national team captain.
Fans favourite: Bárbaro del Toro, personality – Grafter: Perhaps has the best name in the league but it's no fun being a striker at a club that scores less than a goal a game on average. Still, he works like a trojan and for that, the fans love him.
Overview
The factory team for the nations first and only production car manufacturer, SolCar. Like the car, the team are considered unglamorous, usually reliable but difficult to get excited about. They have traditionally not challenged for honours, although there were two regional titles during the time of Damocles Padilla, and the team have pushed to new heights in recent years. Manager Castaneda is quietly performing a revolution at Los Motores, who are beginning to shape up if not as winners, certainly with potential to be unremarkable top flight competitors for the foreseeable future.
by The Golden Tamarind » Sat Sep 03, 2011 2:39 am
AS Cruzando
Full Name: La Sociedad de Atletismo Navío Cruz
Short Name: AS Cruzando
Nickname: Los Transportistas, Los Peatones (The Pedestrians)
Colours: Light blue & black striped shirts, white shorts, light blue socks
Change: White shirts with light blue & black trim, black shorts, white socks
Year Formed: 1942
Stadium: Estadio Germinal, Cruzando
Capacity: 22,300
Club Honours: None. Highest Primera Liga position 9th, highest Liga Regional Oriental position 4th.
Club Legends: Urias Tamez, played as winger during the 1980s early 90s, famous for having conversations with the supporters along the touch line during quiet periods of the game. Legendary for being popular rather than good.
Fierce Rivals: Racing Castro
Other Rivals: Académica Libertad, Defensa, Asalto
Manager: Boris Irizarry, personality: temperamental – nicknamed The Rage for his touchline tantrums, berates his own team, the opposition, the match officials, the director's box, the supporters, even the ball-boys when his blood pressure gets too high. When he loses it the home fans often chant “Rage! Rage! Rage!” until he calms down or is sent off by the referee, a common occurrence.
Club Captain: Francisco Corrales, defender, personality: eccentric – unusually for a Tamarindo, he lives a superstitious life which makes his matchday routine a complicated one, wears one sock pulled up and one down, eats a handful of grass before kickoff, curses the hairy river dolphin and invokes the jumping monkey, taps his forehead three times when his team score, and so on. But his faith in winning out makes him an optimist and a great captain.
Fans favourite: Do Tham Thuy, left winger, personality: leader – a natural captain, the son of Namitan immigrants and a hugely popular figure for his workrate, trickery on he ball and loyalty to the club – he is coveted by many of the more glamorous sides but hopes to succeed Corrales as captain at Cruzando.
Overview
Arguably the least glamorous club in Liga Nacional history, the Pedestrians stoicly refuse to challenge for honours, yet have remained successfully midtable and anonymous in the highest divisions of Tamarindian football since, it seems, time began. The one good thing they do at Estadio Germinal is not draw attention to themselves.
Historically linked to the city's transport infrastructure, Navío Cruz, they used to be nicknamed Los Transportistas but now favour the more ironic Pedestrians.
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