  
CLUB HISTORY
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona is one of the oldest and most important football clubs in Spain.
In October 1900 Angel Rodríguez founded the “Sociedad Española de Football” a club for university students keen to play a new sport that had been recently imported from England. He chose this name to differentiate it from other Barcelona-based clubs which were both founded and dominated by foreign players, mainly English, Scottish and Swiss.
After several minor name changes, the club became known as “Real Club Deportivo Español” in 1912, when King Alfonso XIII bestowed the royal title upon the Club.
In 1928 RCD Espanyol, along wih 7 other teams, founded La Liga. Espanyol player Pitus Prat had the honour of scoring La Liga's first ever goal!
OUR COLOURS
In 1910, RCD Espanyol chose blue and white to adorn its jersey and shield. The colour combination appears on the shield of the great Catalan Admiral of Almogravars “Roger de Lluria”, who sailed the Mediterranean Sea during the Middle Ages defending Catalan interests.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLUB CREST
1901 - 1910 1910-1912 1931-1936 1912-1998* 1998-2005 2005 +
*During the Second Republic (1931 to 1936) the Crown and the word "Real" (Royal) were removed from the Club crest.
MAIN SUCCESSES
The first major trophy for RCD Espanyol was the Macaya Cup in 1901. In 1929 the team won its first Spanish Cup, a title it won again in 1941, 2000 and 2006.
Espanyol has participated nine times in the UEFA Cup and has twiced reached the Final (1988 and 2007) missing out on both occassions to the lottery of the penalty shoot-outs against Bayer Leverkusen and Sevilla respectively.
 SPANISH or "KINGS" CUP / COPA DEL REY
Furthermore, RCD Espanyol has one of the best women's teams in Spain. In 2006 they won the "SuperLiga" league title and have won 5 Copa de la Reina (Queen's Cup) in 1996, 1997, 2006, 2009 and 2010.
GREAT PLAYERS
For over one hundred years RCD Espanyol has produced many talented and well-known players. Possibly the first and greatest idol was the goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora. After him, memories of other great players remain in our mind: Ricardo Saprissa, Rafael Marañón, Thomas N’Kono, John Lauridsen, Mauricio Pochettino, etc.
We’re also very proud of some players that have risen up from the Club’s youth and B team ranks. Amongst these Daniel Solsona has probably been the most emblematic player during the last quarter of a century. In May 2009, Raúl Tamudo (now at Rayo Vallecano) became the Club’s all time top scorer with 129 goals in the first division and is now the top Catalan goalscorer of all time with 139 goals in La Liga.
Solsona - Lauridsen - Marañón - N'kono
RCD Espanyol started out playing in a big barren field, near the Sagrada Familia. In 1923 the Club moved to the glorious Sarrià Stadium, a mythical place for all Espanyol supporters and one of the min stadiums used during the Spain ’82 World Cup (featuring Italy, Brazil and Argentina). However in November 1997 Espanyol was forced to sell Sarriá due to mounting Club debts and they relocated to the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium.
On August 2nd 2009, RCD Espanyol inaugurated their brand new 40,000purpose-built stadium with a 3-0 win against Liverpool F.C. at Cornellà-El Prat.
 Sagrada Familia field (c.1920's)
 Sarrià Stadium (1923-1997)
 Montjuïc Stadium (1997-2008)
 EstadiRCDE Stadium (2009)
OUR MASCOT - The Parakeet / Budgie
Shortly after its foundation, RCD Espanyol fans gained the nickname of the “periquitos” or “pericos” (parakeet or budgie). There are different explanations for this:
A possible one is that there were flocks of “periquitos” that resided around the area where the former stadium, Sarriá, was.
It is also said that it is related to a cartoon character called “Gato Perico” (little Peter the cat) that a journalist once associated with Espanyol supporters.
In any case, the “periquito” or “perico” became the mascot of Espanyol. And now, this friendly and sociable bird is one of our main symbols and the way most people identify us.
CLUB HYMN
(Translated from Catalan to English by Nick Puñal and Armando Garcia. You can hear the Club hymn on www.rcdespanyol.com )
"ESPANYOL"
Music: Antoni Mas
Lyrics: Joan Segura Palomares
Intro.
Espanyol, our chant
Espanyol, from the heart
Espanyol, Espanyol, Espanyol
Verse 1
In the stands and on the pitch, Espanyol has united us.
Its sporting flag, white of heart and blue of spirit.
Colours forged in nobility. We honour them across the world.
A song of love for our land, the land of Espanyol.
Chorus
I love you, Espanyol.
You're the pride of our sport,
Catalonia and glory.
I love you, Espanyol
Intro.
Espanyol, our chant
Espanyol, from the heart
Espanyol, Espanyol, Espanyol
Verse 2
With respect to our rivals, but clearly stating our aim
On the green playing fields, there is no braver team
From grandfathers to nephews, our generation is one
Our hearts alight and with clear minds, always loyal to Espanyol
Chorus
I love you, Espanyol.
You're the pride of our sport,
Catalonia and glory.
I love you, Espanyol
I love you, Espanyol.
You're the pride of our sport,
Catalonia and glory.
I love you, Espanyol
Espanyol !!
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