Hercules Marks a Century in Spanish Football with A-List Attendance
Former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Angel Villar attended a landmark celebration in Alicante, joined by Vicente del Bosque, the former Spanish national coach, along with Hércules veterans Juan Antonio Carcelén and Miodrag Kstadic. The gathering on Thursday celebrated the club’s founding centenary and highlighted the long-standing presence of Alicante in Spain’s football landscape. The event was moderated by Tony Cabot, a journalist and manager of the Information Club, with Raul Ruiz also in attendance.
The centennial commemoration was organized by Hércules, together with the Association for the Development of Sports Tourism in Alicante, underscoring the city’s heritage and pride in football.
According to a report by EFE, Villar described Hércules as a club that has become a “regular” presence and shared that participating in this centennial stirred deep emotion, bringing back memories of youth and early days in football.
“Playing against Hércules was arduous and not easy,” Villar noted, reflecting the team’s fighting spirit that defined an era for Alicante football.
Del Bosque recalled his one-club career and expressed respect for clubs that reach a hundred years, emphasizing that the rhythm of wins and losses remains a priceless part of football history.
He reflected on his early playing days, sharing that he competed in an amateur Spanish championship in La Viña during the seventies and that his career intersected with other clubs that were sometimes underrated. He urged patience as the club sought to reclaim the place it deserved.
He described the field as challenging, noting players like Giuliano, José Antonio, and Saccardi who spoke volumes with their performance. The presence of such opponents left a lasting impression on those who faced them, a memory spoken of by the Salamanca coach with clarity and respect.
Kstadic was moved by the speech, recalling his arrival in Alicante in 1978 and his long-time residence in the city. The Balkan striker fondly remembered a 3-0 victory over Valencia, scoring all three goals for Hércules. “I did not anticipate such intense competition, but Hércules posed a formidable challenge with Kempes and Bonhof, and the fans embraced the team,” he recalled.
He added that he was offered a five-year contract, a decision he later called a mistake that turned out to be life-changing in the best possible way by choosing Alicante.
Journalist Raúl Ruiz reflected on his own experiences against Hércules, sharing childhood memories of collecting players’ cards and admiring the club’s shirts and emblem.
Hercules celebrates a century of life
Hercules is described as a club with a lasting bond to the city. A former player emphasized that turning a hundred years old is a rare milestone that few clubs achieve, calling Hércules a family that refuses to give up.
As a midfielder for Hércules in the 1970s and 1980s, Carcelén spoke of feeling fortunate to witness the club’s half-century history firsthand. He shared his path to Alicante, noting that he arrived at 17, was born in Albacete, but his roots are deeply tied to the city and its football culture.
Rafael García, Hércules’ long-time partner, expressed gratitude to the club’s leaders and thanked Del Bosque and Villar for their ongoing existence. He also recalled the founder, Vicente Pastor Alfosea, known as El Chepa, with affection and respect.
Garcia reflected on the club’s journey through its stadiums Bardín, La Viña, and Rico Pérez, and highlighted how sound management and a strong sense of identity boosted the city’s morale and attracted notable players and coaches who shaped the club’s legacy. He affirmed the ambition to celebrate the first century and to carry Hércules forward into the next century with the same spirit.
In sum, the centennial celebration underscored Hércules’ enduring role in Spanish football, the city of Alicante’s passion for its team, and the connections forged between generations of players, coaches, and fans who have stood by the club through triumphs and trials alike.