Club History: Valencia Club de Fútbol, situated in Valencia, was established in 1919. Since 1923, it has hosted its home matches at the Mestalla, boasting a capacity of 49,430 spectators. Ranking as the fourth most supported club in Spain, Valencia boasts approximately 750 supporter clubs, fostering a fanbase widely regarded as one of the country’s most passionate. Once renowned as one of the world’s largest clubs by membership, peaking with around 50,000 season ticket holders, the club experienced a decline starting in the mid-2010s.
Crest: Valencia, along with the Balearic Islands, fell under the rule of King James I of Aragon in the early 13th century. Following their conquest, these territories were granted independent kingdom status, though still under the sovereignty of King James I. The Valencia coat of arms bears resemblance to those of James I, featuring crowned letters “L” alongside the shield, bestowed by Peter IV. The “L” letters symbolize the city’s dual loyalty to the king. The presence of a bat on the coat of arms has sparked various interpretations. One suggests that bats were prevalent in the region, while another recounts a pivotal moment in history. Legend has it that on October 9, 1238, as James I prepared to reclaim the city from the Moors, a bat alighted on his flag, interpreted as a favorable omen. Thus, the bat was incorporated into the coat of arms to commemorate the victory. In May 2013, Valencia FC faced a legal dispute with DC Comics over its bat emblem, deemed too reminiscent of Batman. Initially intending to use the revised bat logo for casual clothing, the club encountered opposition from DC Comics, leading to the abandonment of their trademark application. Subsequently, DC Comics raised objections to Valencia’s centennial logo, citing potential confusion with Batman’s symbol, prompting further legal action.
