Levante FC

Levante Football Club was a football club in Valencia, Spain. It was a predecessor of current Levante UD.

History

The club was founded in 1909 as "Levante Football Club". In 1939 Levante FC and Gimnástico FC merged into "Levante Unión Deportiva". Levante UD thus having origin since, at least, 1909 from both merged teams, Levante FC and Gimnástico FC. Today, Levante UD is the most senior football club in Valencia. Local rival team Valencia CF was not formed until 1919.

Background

Levante FC – (1909–1939) → ↓

Levante FC – Gimnástico FC, renamed Levante Unión Deportiva – (1939–Present)

Gimnástico FC – (1909–1939) → ↑

Copa de la España Libre

During the Spanish Civil War both Levante FC and Gimnástico CF played in the Mediterranean League, finishing fifth and sixth respectively. Teams from this league also competed in the Copa de la España Libre (Free Spain Cup). It was originally intended that the top four teams from the league would enter the cup, but FC Barcelona opted to tour Mexico and the United States. As a result, Levante FC took their place. The first round of the competition was a mini-league with the top two teams, Levante FC and Valencia CF, then qualifying for the final. On 18 July 1937, Levante FC beat their city rivals 1–0 at the Montjuïc.