HE Elche CF marks a century of history with celebrations across publications, exhibitions, and illustrated works that illuminate a hundred years of the club’s journey in Elche.
How can one explore Elche’s hundred-year story through images?
One of the standout efforts is a curated collection featured in a 16-page book illustrated by an Elche-based artist, Antonio Rodríguez, with six pages already brought to life. Another key piece is the volume Memoirs of a Centenary, authored by Santiago Gambín, which threads together visual memories and narrations of the club’s evolution.
Santiago Gambín: “Elche is the city’s heritage, and the fans own its memory”
In a moment that blends history with community, the José Antonio Ródenas Martínez Valero stadium will host a handover to Joaquín Buitrago, leader of the Franciverde unit, safeguarding the exhibit under Elche CF’s stewardship. This initiative lays the groundwork for a future museum that will gather and showcase the material collected during Elche CF’s hundred-year saga.
Within the collection, drawings by local artist Antonio Ródenas depict a tapestry of the club’s history: the Albarranch family, early Franciverde days, and the iconic venues where the club’s story unfolded. Imagery from the Jeremiás field, notable goals from the Gulf years, and moments from the Altabix stadium bring to life the club’s legendary matches. The archive also recalls unforgettable figures, such as a Pichichi-era scorer and classic goals that defined Elche’s early years in the top flight, including a memorable 1969 cup-final encounter against Real Sociedad and César Rodríguez’s goal.
The collection also preserves the era of the Franjiverde team’s legends, including Jose Antonio Morante “Lico” and other celebrated players who faced Espanyol in historic clashes. Contemporary moments are captured as well, with images of Enric Cuxart’s goal at Barakaldo during the club’s promotion to the Second Division in 1997, and Nino, Elche’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player for the team. The artist’s patient, ongoing work has culminated in a centennial season that the club now preserves for future generations.
A thoughtful body of work by the Elche-based artist has matured over years, and its release during the Centennial season marks a pledge to keep these memories under the club’s care, ensuring the century-long story remains accessible to fans and visitors alike.