Rosario is the perfect city to experience the Argentine passion for soccer. The city has two large soccer teams: Newell’s Old Boys and Rosario Central.
The story tells that, a long time ago, probably in the first half of the 20th century, a charity soccer match was organized for the benefit of the Patronato de Leprosos (Leprosy Foundation). The match was to be between Rosario Central and Newell's Old Boys. The invitations were sent, but Rosario Central declined to participate in the event. From that day on, its rivals have called its fans "¡canallas!" (bastards!). In turn, Rosario Central supporters mockingly call the fans of Newell´s Old Boys "¡leprosos!" (lepers!).
El Coloso & El Gigante
Due to its location, the Newell’s Old Boys stadium, situated in The Independence's Park is called El Coloso del Parque (The Park’s Colossus), while that of Rosario Central, situated in Arroyito Neigborhood, is known as El Gigante de Arroyito (The Arroyito Giant).
A STORY OF TWO PASSIONS
Club Atlético Rosario Central
The club’s history is closely linked to the arrival of soccer in Argentina. The sport was brought to the country by English immigrants, who came here at the end of the 19th century to work in the Railway Company. From 1864 onwards, both English and Creole railroad workers would play rudimentary soccer in the fields next to the warehouses of the Rosario-Buenos Aires line. By mid-1889, the idea of establishing a soccer club was already in the air. Finally, on the 24th of December of the same year, the Central Argentine Railway Club was born. Afterwards, during an Assembly in 1903, the name was changed to Club Atlético Rosario Central. Following a stage in which the matches were played at different sites, a piece of land in Arroyito Neighborhood was bought in 1951 for the club to have its own field. Nicknamed El Gigante de Arroyito (The Arroyito Giant), the stadium was renovated for the 1978 World Cup, the only world cup played on Argentine soil. With a capacity of 41,654 people, it is still praised for its symmetry and for the fact that it offers an unobstructed view of the field from every corner.
Contact Info
Address: Bv. Avellaneda between Av. Génova and Paseo Ribereño, Arroyito Neighborhood. Tel: +54 341 4724071. Opening Hours: the stadium’s Administration is open from 11 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 8 pm. Web site.
Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys
The club was named after Isaac Newell, a remarkable English teacher and a passionate soccer fan. He was 16 when he arrived in Rosario, towards 1869, and began to work as a telegraphist for the Railway Company while he finished his studies. Years later, he met German immigrant Anna Jockinsen, whom he married. Together, they welcomed other teachers to the city and opened the Colegio Comercial Anglicano Argentino (Argentine Anglican Business School), the first secular and multiracial school of Rosario. The school colors, red and black, were taken from the flags of England and Germany. The badge was also red and black, as would be, later on, the soccer jerseys. In 1884, Newell brought from England the first leather soccer ball and the first set of regulations. It was in his school that the children began to alternate between studying and playing soccer. The students´ enthusiasm for the game led Newell to buy the land next to the school, so as to build a soccer field. In 1900, already ill, he left the management of the school to his elder son, Claudio Newell. The Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys was founded soon after, on 3 November 1903. The name paid tribute to Isaac Newell’s life and work. The first “Newell’s Old Boys” team was made up of former students. Thus, they were, literally, old boys or alumni.
Contact Info
Address: Esteban Morcillo 2502. Tel: + 54 341 4211180/ +54 341 4244169. Web site.
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