Amateur Era in Argentine football
Encyclopedia
The amateur era in Argentine football
lasted between 1891 and 1931.
took place in Argentina
in 1891, it was dominated by British expatriate players and teams. The Scottish influence is evident in the names of the league's first winners and runners up. Over the following decades the Creole
population of Argentina adopted and came to dominate the game. The Alumni of Buenos Aires English High School
folded in 1911, putting an end to the British dominance of the game. Although many English Argentine footballers played for Argentina into the 1920s, and many descendants of English immigrants have played football at the highest level.
There were many divisions and re-unifications, several seasons featured two top-flights run by rival associations.
The end of the Amateur era came in 1931 with the birth of the Argentine Primera División, the first professional Argentine league. The most successful surviving team of the Amateur era is Racing Club
, that won nine league championships between 1913 and 1925, including seven in a row (1913–1919).
Towards the end of the amateur era, many of the best players, like Luis Monti
, Renato Cesarini
and Raimundo Orsi
, were leaving Argentina to play in the professional leagues of Europe, especially Italy
. The professional Argentine Primera was launched by 18 breakaway clubs in 1931. The amateur league survived until 1934.
The 18 teams that broke away to form the first professional league were: Atlanta
, Argentinos Juniors
, Boca Juniors
, Chacarita Juniors
, Estudiantes de La Plata
, Ferro Carril Oeste
, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, Huracán
, Independiente
, Lanús
, Platense
, Quilmes
, Racing Club
, River Plate
, San Lorenzo, Talleres (RE), Tigre
and Vélez Sársfield
.
Football in Argentina
Football in Argentina is the most popular sport, the one with the most players and is the most popular recreational sport, played from childhood into old age...
lasted between 1891 and 1931.
History
The first league tournament outside the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
took place in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
in 1891, it was dominated by British expatriate players and teams. The Scottish influence is evident in the names of the league's first winners and runners up. Over the following decades the Creole
Creole football in Argentina
Creole Football was the name given to the football played by the indigenous people of Latin America, shortly after the introduction of the game by the British.-History:...
population of Argentina adopted and came to dominate the game. The Alumni of Buenos Aires English High School
Alumni Athletic Club (football)
Alumni Athletic Club, or simply Alumni, was an Argentine football team which took part in its football league during the Amateur era. Although officially founded in 1898, the team had been formed in 1893 when a group of students from the Buenos Aires English High School joined to Alexander Watson...
folded in 1911, putting an end to the British dominance of the game. Although many English Argentine footballers played for Argentina into the 1920s, and many descendants of English immigrants have played football at the highest level.
There were many divisions and re-unifications, several seasons featured two top-flights run by rival associations.
Racing Club de Avellaneda
Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football...
, that won nine league championships between 1913 and 1925, including seven in a row (1913–1919).
Towards the end of the amateur era, many of the best players, like Luis Monti
Luis Monti
Luis Felipe Monti was an Italian Argentine footballer who played as a midfielder. Monti has the distinction of having played in two FIFA World Cup final matches with two different national teams. He played the first of these finals with his native Argentina in 1930, which he lost to Uruguay; and...
, Renato Cesarini
Renato Cesarini
Renato Cesarini was an Italian Argentine football player and coach, who also played for Juventus in Italy...
and Raimundo Orsi
Raimundo Orsi
Raimundo Bibiani "Mumo" Orsi was an Italian Argentine footballer who won the 1934 FIFA World Cup with Italy and the silver medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands.-Club:...
, were leaving Argentina to play in the professional leagues of Europe, especially Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The professional Argentine Primera was launched by 18 breakaway clubs in 1931. The amateur league survived until 1934.
The 18 teams that broke away to form the first professional league were: Atlanta
Club Atlético Atlanta
Club Atlético Atlanta is an Argentine sports club from Buenos Aires. Nicknamed Los Bohemios , its football team won the 2010/11 Primera B Metropolitana championship and promoted to the Primera B Nacional for the 2011/12 season.-History:The club was founded on October the 12th, 1904 in Buenos...
, Argentinos Juniors
Argentinos Juniors
Asociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors is an Argentine football club based in La Paternal, Buenos Aires. Founded on August 15, 1904, the club was originally called the “Martyrs of Chicago”, in homage to the eight anarchists imprisoned or hanged after the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago.-Early...
, Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
, Chacarita Juniors
Chacarita Juniors
Club Atlético Chacarita Juniors is an Argentine sports club from Villa Maipú, General San Martín Partido in Greater Buenos Aires, which football squad is currently playing in the Primera B Nacional, the second division of the Argentine football league system.The club was founded on May 1, 1906, in...
, Estudiantes de La Plata
Estudiantes de La Plata
Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history....
, Ferro Carril Oeste
Ferro Carril Oeste
Club Ferro Carril Oeste, known simply as Ferro Carril Oeste or Ferro, is a sports club from the neighbourhood of Caballito, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The club was founded on July 28, 1904 by 95 railway workers from the Buenos Aires Western Railway...
, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, Huracán
Club Atlético Huracán
Club Atlético Huracán is a sports club from the Parque Patricios neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The football team currently plays in the Primera B Nacional, the second level of the Argentine football league system. Huracán home stadium is the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó.Huracán was...
, Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente
Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División....
, Lanús
Club Atlético Lanús
Club Atlético Lanús is a sports club from Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Founded on 3 January 1915, the club's main sports are football and basketball. In both sports, Lanús plays in Argentina's top divisions: Primera División and Liga Nacional de Básquet...
, Platense
Club Atlético Platense
Club Atlético Platense is an Argentine sports club based in Vicente López, in the north side of Greater Buenos Aires. The club nickname is Calamar after the journalist Palacio Zino said that the team moved "like a squid in its ink"....
, Quilmes
Quilmes Atlético Club
Quilmes Atlético Club is a sports clubs of Argentina, based on the Partido de Quilmes, Buenos Aires Province. Quilmes is one of the oldest clubs of Argentina, having been founded in 1887. Its football squad currently plays in the Primera B Nacional Division....
, Racing Club
Racing Club de Avellaneda
Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football...
, River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
, San Lorenzo, Talleres (RE), Tigre
Club Atlético Tigre
Club Atlético Tigre is a football club from Victoria, San Fernando Partido, Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the end of the 2006-2007 season the club was promoted to the Primera Division Argentina...
and Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...
.
Top scorers
No records survive for the 1891–1903 period.| Year | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1904 | Alfredo Brown Alfredo Brown Alfredo Carrow Brown was an Argentine international footballer who played as a forward.-Early life:Brown was an Argentine of Scottish origin.... |
Alumni Alumni Athletic Club (football) Alumni Athletic Club, or simply Alumni, was an Argentine football team which took part in its football league during the Amateur era. Although officially founded in 1898, the team had been formed in 1893 when a group of students from the Buenos Aires English High School joined to Alexander Watson... |
11 |
| 1905 | Tomás González Carlos Lett |
Estudiantes (BA) Alumni Alumni Athletic Club (football) Alumni Athletic Club, or simply Alumni, was an Argentine football team which took part in its football league during the Amateur era. Although officially founded in 1898, the team had been formed in 1893 when a group of students from the Buenos Aires English High School joined to Alexander Watson... |
12 12 |
| 1906 | Eliseo Brown Eliseo Brown Eliseo Brown was an Argentine international footballer who played as a forward.-Early life:Brown was an Argentine of Scottish origin.... P. Hooton Henry Lawrie Carlos Whalley |
Alumni Alumni Athletic Club (football) Alumni Athletic Club, or simply Alumni, was an Argentine football team which took part in its football league during the Amateur era. Although officially founded in 1898, the team had been formed in 1893 when a group of students from the Buenos Aires English High School joined to Alexander Watson... Quilmes Quilmes Atlético Club Quilmes Atlético Club is a sports clubs of Argentina, based on the Partido de Quilmes, Buenos Aires Province. Quilmes is one of the oldest clubs of Argentina, having been founded in 1887. Its football squad currently plays in the Primera B Nacional Division.... Lomas Athletic Belgrano Athletic |
8 8 8 8 |
| 1907 | Eliseo Brown Eliseo Brown Eliseo Brown was an Argentine international footballer who played as a forward.-Early life:Brown was an Argentine of Scottish origin.... |
Alumni Alumni Athletic Club (football) Alumni Athletic Club, or simply Alumni, was an Argentine football team which took part in its football league during the Amateur era. Although officially founded in 1898, the team had been formed in 1893 when a group of students from the Buenos Aires English High School joined to Alexander Watson... |
24 |
| 1908 | Eliseo Brown Eliseo Brown Eliseo Brown was an Argentine international footballer who played as a forward.-Early life:Brown was an Argentine of Scottish origin.... |
Alumni Alumni Athletic Club (football) Alumni Athletic Club, or simply Alumni, was an Argentine football team which took part in its football league during the Amateur era. Although officially founded in 1898, the team had been formed in 1893 when a group of students from the Buenos Aires English High School joined to Alexander Watson... |
19 |
| 1909 | Eliseo Brown Eliseo Brown Eliseo Brown was an Argentine international footballer who played as a forward.-Early life:Brown was an Argentine of Scottish origin.... |
Alumni Alumni Athletic Club (football) Alumni Athletic Club, or simply Alumni, was an Argentine football team which took part in its football league during the Amateur era. Although officially founded in 1898, the team had been formed in 1893 when a group of students from the Buenos Aires English High School joined to Alexander Watson... |
17 |
| 1910 | Arnold Watson Hutton Arnold Watson Hutton Arnold Pencliffe Watson Hutton was an Argentine football striker for the Argentina national team. He also played cricket, tennis and waterpolo for Argentina.... |
Alumni Alumni Athletic Club (football) Alumni Athletic Club, or simply Alumni, was an Argentine football team which took part in its football league during the Amateur era. Although officially founded in 1898, the team had been formed in 1893 when a group of students from the Buenos Aires English High School joined to Alexander Watson... |
13 |
| 1911 | Ricardo Malbrán E. E. Lett Antonio Piaggio |
San Isidro San Isidro Club The San Isidro Club is a rugby union and field hockey club sited in Boulogne Sur Mer, Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. The club is also member of the Unión de Rugby de Buenos Aires .-The beginning:... Alumni Alumni Athletic Club (football) Alumni Athletic Club, or simply Alumni, was an Argentine football team which took part in its football league during the Amateur era. Although officially founded in 1898, the team had been formed in 1893 when a group of students from the Buenos Aires English High School joined to Alexander Watson... Porteño |
10 10 10 10 |
| AAF 12 | Alberto Ohaco Alberto Ohaco Alberto Ohaco is a former Argentine footballer who played for Racing Club de Avellaneda. He won seven league titles and is considered to have been one of the greatest Argentine footballers of all time... |
Racing Club Racing Club de Avellaneda Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football... |
9 |
| FAF 12 | Ernesto Colla | Independiente Club Atlético Independiente Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División.... |
12 |
| AAF 13 | Alberto Ohaco Alberto Ohaco Alberto Ohaco is a former Argentine footballer who played for Racing Club de Avellaneda. He won seven league titles and is considered to have been one of the greatest Argentine footballers of all time... |
Racing Club Racing Club de Avellaneda Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football... |
20 |
| FAF 13 | Guillermo Dannaher | Argentino de Quilmes Argentino de Quilmes Club Atlético Argentino de Quilmes is a football club from Quilmes in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The team currently plays in Primera D Metropolitana, which is the regionalised fifth tier of the Argentine Football Association league system.... |
16 |
| AAF 14 | Alberto Ohaco Alberto Ohaco Alberto Ohaco is a former Argentine footballer who played for Racing Club de Avellaneda. He won seven league titles and is considered to have been one of the greatest Argentine footballers of all time... |
Racing Club Racing Club de Avellaneda Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football... |
20 |
| FAF 14 | Norberto Carabelli | |Hispano Argentino | 11 |
| 1915 | Alberto Ohaco Alberto Ohaco Alberto Ohaco is a former Argentine footballer who played for Racing Club de Avellaneda. He won seven league titles and is considered to have been one of the greatest Argentine footballers of all time... |
Racing Club Racing Club de Avellaneda Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football... |
31 |
| 1916 | Mario Hiller | GEBA Gimnasia y Esgrima de Buenos Aires Gimnasia y Esgrima de Buenos Aires, Gymnastics and Fencing of Buenos Aires , is a sports and social club headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.... |
16 |
| 1917 | Antonio Marcovecchio | Racing Club Racing Club de Avellaneda Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football... |
18 |
| 1918 | Alberico Zabaleta | Racing Club Racing Club de Avellaneda Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football... |
13 |
| AAF 19 | Alfredo Garassino Alfredo Martín |
Boca Juniors Boca Juniors Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División.... Boca Juniors Boca Juniors Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División.... |
6 6 |
| AAm 19 | Antonio Marcovecchio | Racing Club Racing Club de Avellaneda Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football... |
16 |
| AAF 20 | Fausto Lucarelli | Banfield Club Atlético Banfield Club Atlético Banfield is an Argentine sports club located in the city of Banfield, part of Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires province. Founded on 21 January 1896 by residents of the town of British origin , its main activity is football... |
15 |
| AAm 20 | Santiago Carreras | Vélez Sársfield Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system... |
19 |
| AAF 21 | Guillermo Dannaher | Huracán Club Atlético Huracán Club Atlético Huracán is a sports club from the Parque Patricios neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The football team currently plays in the Primera B Nacional, the second level of the Argentine football league system. Huracán home stadium is the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó.Huracán was... |
23 |
| AAm 21 | Alberico Zabaleta | Racing Club Racing Club de Avellaneda Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football... |
32 |
| AAF 22 | J. Clarke Domingo Tarasconi Domingo Tarasconi Domingo Alberto Tarasconi is a former Argentine football striker. He played most of his career for Boca Juniors where he was Club topscorer on 5 occasions and Argentine Primera league topscorer on 4 occasions .-Club career:Tarasconi won 10 titles with Boca Juniors and 3 Copa América with Argentina... |
Sportivo Palermo Boca Juniors Boca Juniors Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División.... |
11 11 |
| AAm 22 | Manuel Seoane Manuel Seoane Manuel Seoane , nicknamed La Chancha, was an Argentine football striker who played for Independiente and Argentina. He was the highest goalscorer in the Amateur era of Argentine football with 196 goals... |
Independiente Club Atlético Independiente Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División.... |
55 |
| AAF 23 | Domingo Tarasconi Domingo Tarasconi Domingo Alberto Tarasconi is a former Argentine football striker. He played most of his career for Boca Juniors where he was Club topscorer on 5 occasions and Argentine Primera league topscorer on 4 occasions .-Club career:Tarasconi won 10 titles with Boca Juniors and 3 Copa América with Argentina... |
Boca Juniors Boca Juniors Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División.... |
40 |
| AAm 23 | M. Barceló | Racing Club Racing Club de Avellaneda Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football... |
15 |
| AAF 24 | Domingo Tarasconi Domingo Tarasconi Domingo Alberto Tarasconi is a former Argentine football striker. He played most of his career for Boca Juniors where he was Club topscorer on 5 occasions and Argentine Primera league topscorer on 4 occasions .-Club career:Tarasconi won 10 titles with Boca Juniors and 3 Copa América with Argentina... |
Boca Juniors Boca Juniors Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División.... |
16 |
| AAm 24 | Fausto Lucarelli Luis Ravaschino |
Sportivo Buenos Aires Independiente Club Atlético Independiente Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División.... |
15 15 |
| AAF 25 | José Gaslini | Chacarita Juniors Chacarita Juniors Club Atlético Chacarita Juniors is an Argentine sports club from Villa Maipú, General San Martín Partido in Greater Buenos Aires, which football squad is currently playing in the Primera B Nacional, the second division of the Argentine football league system.The club was founded on May 1, 1906, in... |
16 |
| AAm 25 | Alberto Bellomo | Estudiantes de La Plata Estudiantes de La Plata Club Estudiantes de La Plata , simply referred to as Estudiantes, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Plata. The club's football team currently competes in the Primera División, where it has spent most of its history.... |
16 |
| AAF 26 | Roberto Cherro Roberto Cherro Roberto Eugenio Cerro, named "Cherro" was an Argentine football striker. He was born in Barracas in the city of Buenos Aires in Argentina... |
Boca Juniors Boca Juniors Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División.... |
20 |
| AAm 26 | Manuel Seoane Manuel Seoane Manuel Seoane , nicknamed La Chancha, was an Argentine football striker who played for Independiente and Argentina. He was the highest goalscorer in the Amateur era of Argentine football with 196 goals... |
Independiente Club Atlético Independiente Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División.... |
29 |
| 1927 | Domingo Tarasconi Domingo Tarasconi Domingo Alberto Tarasconi is a former Argentine football striker. He played most of his career for Boca Juniors where he was Club topscorer on 5 occasions and Argentine Primera league topscorer on 4 occasions .-Club career:Tarasconi won 10 titles with Boca Juniors and 3 Copa América with Argentina... |
Boca Juniors Boca Juniors Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División.... |
32 |
| 1928 | Roberto Cherro Roberto Cherro Roberto Eugenio Cerro, named "Cherro" was an Argentine football striker. He was born in Barracas in the city of Buenos Aires in Argentina... |
Boca Juniors Boca Juniors Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División.... |
32 |
| 1929 | José Cortecce Manuel Seoane Manuel Seoane Manuel Seoane , nicknamed La Chancha, was an Argentine football striker who played for Independiente and Argentina. He was the highest goalscorer in the Amateur era of Argentine football with 196 goals... |
San Lorenzo Independiente Club Atlético Independiente Club Atlético Independiente is an Argentine athletic, sports and social club, which has its headquarters and stadium in the city of Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province. The club is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División.... |
13 13 |
| 1930 | Roberto Cherro Roberto Cherro Roberto Eugenio Cerro, named "Cherro" was an Argentine football striker. He was born in Barracas in the city of Buenos Aires in Argentina... |
Boca Juniors Boca Juniors Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División.... |
37 |
External links
- Argentina 1890s by Osvaldo José Gorgazzi at rsssf.
- Argentina 1900s by Osvaldo José Gorgazzi at rsssf.
- Argentina 1910s by Osvaldo José Gorgazzi at rsssf.
- Argentina 1920s by Osvaldo José Gorgazzi at rsssf.
- Argentina topscorers by Emmanuel Castro Serna at rsssf.