We are Josu Cuevas and Jesús Ibarra, both members of Clapton CFC and residents of Getxo and Leioa, two towns in the province of Bizkaia near Bilbao, Spain.
When we found out about your existence and activities, we were immediately captivated and decided to support you by buying the Spanish Republic shirts and hats with your emblem. Moreover, we became members of your club to show our support.
Soon after, we had the idea of visiting you, coinciding with a match — either from the men’s or women’s team, or both— played at “The Old Spotted Dog” (we love that name) to get to know you better.
But that didn’t feel like enough. We felt compelled to go beyond mere support—to create something meaningful that would truly honour your extraordinary team. In consequence, we came up with the following idea: There is an old and popular song that, many years ago, served as the “unofficial” anthem of Athletic Club of Bilbao, which today has a different official anthem. That song, called “Himno al Athletic de Bilbao”, though unofficial, is a part of our cultural heritage and is deeply cherished by many in our community. It was composed by Gregorio (Goyo) Nadal, a wonderful figure, founder of the music group “Los Chimberos” in 1940, and the creator of many of the most beloved traditional songs from our region. Its lyrics exalt values of affection, joy, and honest tradition—values that deeply resonate with what Clapton CFC stands for today.
So we asked ourselves: Why not use that music, with new lyrics in English, adapted to you and your emotional world, as a tribute? So we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We started talking about it with friends, family, and acquaintances, and the idea was so well received that several friends asked us for your shirts—and we continue to get more requests!
A team of eight people, fluent in English, worked on the lyrics, carefully preserving the essence of the original while ensuring it would emotionally connect with Clapton CFC.
Next, we spoke with musicians. With the invaluable help of Koldo Villar and Guillermo Garmendia, we created the musical arrangement and recording that we now have the honour of sending to you.
The next phase we’re working on is the creation of a music video, using the recording and featuring some friends filming in various symbolic places in our homeland that have emotional ties to what Clapton represents.
Why do we feel connected to Clapton CFC?
Like many things in life, it comes down to emotions and bonds. You may feel them or not. You may understand them or not. You may even be unaware of them.
But for those of us behind this initiative, what we understand, feel, and know, goes beyond any material act. We simply weave together elements of our past and present and, with them, aim to create something that stands on its own purely through its beauty.
Clapton’s motto, “NO PASARÁN”, is displayed proudly on your shirts and at your matches. As you know, that slogan was coined by Dolores Ibárruri “La Pasionaria”, a fellow Basque from Gallarta.
Football was introduced to us by British miners in the late 19th century, and the origins of Athletic Club lie in English roots, playing on the fields of Lamiako-Leioa. Our iconic celebratory word, “Alirón”, comes from the English phrase “All Iron”, used by British miners each time they struck a good vein of ore.
Knowing that somewhere in the world, people like you exist, gives us hope for humanity.
Thank you, Clapton CFC, for existing.
Song lyrics
Clapton town has
a unique treasure
we adore and pamper
with all our love
A footbal club
amazing story
so full of glory
having won it all
Clapton, Clapton club
tradition, heart and charm
no other soccer club
shares values as it does
In football you are the law
in the Old Spotted Dog
for us you are the boss
of all English football
Clapton, Clapton club
tradition, heart and charm
no other soccer club
shares values as it does
In football you are the law
in the Old Spotted Dog
for us you are the boss
of all English football
Come on and sing all together
to Clapton club with all our soul
let’s cheer them on with our voices
shouting forever “NO PASARÁN”
Come on and sing all together
to Clapton club with all our soul
let’s cheer them on with our voices
shouting forever “NO PASARÁN”
Come on and sing all together
to Clapton club with all our soul
let’s cheer them on with our voices
shouting forever “NO PASARÁN”
All Iron! Alirón!,
Clapton, “CAMPEÓN”
ADDITIONAL EXPLANATIONS
1 – Apologies in case there are any conceptual errors in our creation.
2 – Although the lyrics differ, we have maintained the spirit of the original.
3 – “NO PASARÁN” has been kept in spanish – as your motto.
4 – The expression “All Iron” / “Alirón” is cited in both languages.
5 – We felt it was both warm and meaningful to keep the final word CAMPEÓN in
Spanish, as it carries the same meaning as your CHAMPION.
A BIT OF HISTORY IN CONTEXT
I’d like to share a few personal reflections that might help provide a deeper understanding of this.
As mentioned, Goyo Nadal was an exceptional man, with great creativity, charm, and sense of humour. He fought in the Civil War on the northern front. When the war ended, he was imprisoned, like thousands of other Republicans.
Shortly after being released from prison, he founded the musical group “Los Chimberos” in 1940 — a group that became very well known at the time and toured Spain dozens of times with their very popular music, as well as traveling through South America, Europe, and the United States.
In 1949, he recruited a young 22-year-old accordionist, Jesús Ibarra, and became something of a father to him after he was left orphaned. The old Athletic Club of Bilbao anthem was composed in the year 1950.
When, years later, Goyo Nadal retired, this accordionist became the leader of the group, and remained so for over 40 years, until age and health allowed, in the early 1990s. Years later, some relatives of Goyo Nadal revived the name and style of “Los Chimberos,” and today the group is still active, 85 years later, under the leadership of Koldo Villar, who arranged and performed the musical version of the song we are sending you.
Permit me a brief personal remark. I share all this not only from memory but also with affection, because I have the honor of being the son of Jesús Ibarra (I share his name), and of having had Goyo Nadal as my godfather — almost like a grandfather to me. I hold unforgettable memories of both, and your tribute will be unforgettable for them too.