The Submarine Sets Off to Sea

By: Darrell | May 9th, 2008

team dancing When I was first introduced to The Offside, I was glad to see fellow football fans sharing their thoughts about their favorite clubs. But I was like… “Damn! Where’s the Villarreal blog?!!” I mean, sure, there are bigger and better clubs out there, but how come nobody’s tracking the second place team in La Liga, undoubtedly the best league in the world?

The football landscape has its share of fairweather supporters endlessly gravitating toward Madrid and Barca, and those who think football begins and ends in the Premiership, but it’s time some of these talented, lesser-known clubs get the respect they deserve. If not on the pitch (where Villarreal has certainly earned it), then in the blogosphere. That’s why I’m here.

As this is the first post for the Villarreal blog on The Offside, I’m going to start with some info on this club. It’s time for all the bandwagon hoppers out there to know there’s a world beyond the ManUs, Milans and Madrids, as well as the Abramovichs and Glazers. So if you don’t know, now you know. No excuses.

Nestled on the eastern coast of Spain between Barcelona and Valencia lies the town of Vila-real, where its namesake club plays football. The club’s uniform is all yellow, giving it the affectionate nickname of the “yellow submarine.” A Beatles song, for all you young’uns.

The club has never won La Liga, and never has it had coffers the size of Madrid’s or Barca’s. It finished third in 2005 - its best finish ever. Although it will place second this season. Its success was followed by a semis finish in the 2006 Champions League.

Some current players you should know…

Robert Pires- former Arsenal midfielder, one of the best Premiership players during his prime, poached away from Arsenal following 2006 Champions League defeat

Giuseppe Rossi - diminutive Italian-American wunderkind

Jon Dahl Tomasson - one of the greatest Danish strikers ever, formerly played for AC Milan

Kahveci Nihat - Turkish striker, third leading scorer in La Liga

Marcos Senna - midfielder for Spain

Recent former players you’ve probably heard of…

Diego Forlan - blonde Uruguayan dude, now plays for Atletico Madrid

Juan Roman Riquelme - Argentine midfielder formerly of Barca, now back with Boca Juniors

David Albelda - reckless thug, now with Valencia

So that’s the 411 for now. This club is in the Champions League next season folks. Your education begins now. More to follow…