WHEN MOTHERWELL WERE THE KINGS OF SPAIN
Only one foreign team in the world has a Copa del Rey — the main domestic cup of Spain — in its trophy cabinet.
The story of how it came to be Motherwell who still give the prize pride of place today is a lesser-told tale in the club’s history.
Runners up in the Scottish top flight in 1926/27, John Hunter’s team headed to mainland Europe as the invited guests of the RFEF to take part in a post-season special edition of the competition. Swansea City were also in tow on the trip, heading to Madrid to take part.
Real Union were the winners of the 1927 Copa del Rey, but the Steelmen would eventually be pitted against the might of Real Madrid at their home Estadio ChamartÃn, albeit with some players from other Spanish sides thrown in as special guests to bolster the hosts’ chances.
AN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN FIRST
With a special version of the trophy donated by King Alfonso XIII of Spain for the purposes of the competition, Motherwell and Swansea would face each other first for the right to be the foreign guests in the final.
It would also mark the first time two sides from the United Kingdom would face each other on Spanish soil, with the Scots running out 4-3 winners in what was described by the King in publications as being a “brilliant display of scientific football”.
Lying in wait were Real Madrid, and some friends. Los Blancos were yet to register the first of their 33 La Liga titles by that time, with the national league not being formed until two years later, but had won five Copa del Rey trophies in what was still their early years.
THE (UNOFFICIAL) 1927 COPA DEL REY FINAL
Yes, the match between Motherwell and Real Madrid was for an unofficial version of the Copa del Rey, but it presented the unique opportunity to claim the trophy on foreign soil.
Two days after the win over Swansea City, 17 May 1927 saw the Steelmen face Los Merengues on their own turf and run out 3-1 winners. In doing so, they joined Dundee and Dundee United in being a Scottish club to win in Madrid in the 1920s. But only one returned with such prestigious silverware.
It wouldn’t be the only trophy Motherwell would take home too. A trip to Barcelona followed a few days later and, after a 2-2 draw with the Catalan side, a 1-0 win over Swansea — again — also saw the club presented the Barcelona Cup. [Post edited 13 Jun 2023 9:10]
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