Club History: Real Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona, often referred to simply as Espanyol, is a prominent football club based in Barcelona, Spain. Established in 1900, Espanyol currently hosts its home matches at the RCDE Stadium, boasting a capacity of up to 40,000 enthusiastic spectators. Espanyol holds a prestigious distinction among Spanish football clubs, having been granted patronage by the Spanish crown. This honor allows them to utilize “Real” in their title, as well as display the royal crown on their emblem. This privilege was bestowed upon Espanyol in 1912 by Alfonso XIII, thus adopting the title Real Club Deportivo Español. However, following the abdication of the monarch in 1931 and the emergence of the Second Spanish Republic, Espanyol adapted to the changing political landscape by adopting the more Catalan and republican-friendly name, Club Esportiu Espanyol. After the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War, the club reverted to its previous title. In February 1995, the club embraced the Catalan spelling of its name, leading to the incorporation of “Deportiu” in the title, a Catalanized version of the original “Deportivo” (in Castilian). This decision was made to maintain the iconic initials “RCD” in the club’s name. Espanyol was the first club in Barcelona to open their doors to Spanish players. It shares a historic rivalry with FC Barcelona, known as the derbi barceloní. Despite differing ideologies between the two clubs, the match holds significant importance for Espanyol supporters, contrasting with the higher regard given to El Clásico by Barcelona fans. Espanyol hold the record for the largest margin of victory in the Catalan derby: 6-0 in 1951. They were twice runners-up in the European League. Throughout its illustrious history, Espanyol has undergone several redesigns of its visual identity. The current logo traces its roots back to the 1930s, with various modifications made over time.
Crest: The club’s original emblem, created in 1900 under the name Club Español de Fútbol, featured a simple yet vibrant design consisting of a red and yellow football with the letters “CEF.” Subsequent iterations in 1902 and 1910 introduced new elements and color schemes, culminating in the establishment of the iconic badge in 1912, which included the addition of a red crown. Over the years, the emblem underwent further refinements, with changes to the crown design and overall composition. Notably, the logo underwent a significant redesign in 1995, featuring bold lines and vibrant colors, signaling a modern and dynamic aesthetic. Subsequent adjustments in 2005 enhanced the logo’s professionalism with darker tones and subtle shadow effects.
