Botafogo: the oldest carioca club
In July 1st, 1894, the Clube de Regatas Botafogo, a rowing club, was founded. Named after the area of Rio where the members met. The colours of the club were black and the white, and its symbol the a lone Star. Botafogo Football Club would soon became one of the strongest football teams in Rio de Janeiro, winning the Championships of 1907, 1910, 1912 and much more.
[photo=botafogo.jpg id=162 align=left]But on August 12th, 1904, Botafogo didn’t play football so another club was founded in the neighbourhood: the Electro Club, which was the first name given to the Botafogo Football Club. The idea came during a school class, when Flail Ramos wrote to friend Emmanuel Sodré: “Itamar has a football club in Martins Ferreira Street. Let"s start another one, in Largo dos Leões, what do you think? We can speak to the Wernecks, to Arthur César, Vicente and Jacques". And so the Electro Club was founded. But this name wouldn"t last. After a suggestion from Dona Chiquitota, Flávio"s grandmother, the club finally became the Botafogo Football Club, in September 18th of the same year.
The same name, the same location, the same colours and the most important thing: the same supporters. It seemed destiny that both clubs would become one. And so it happened: On December 8th, 1942 they finally merged together all be it in tragic circumstances. It was after a basketball match between both clubs, when a Botafogo Football Club player Albano died suddenly. At the tragic occasion, the president of Clube de Regatas Botafogo, Augusto Frederico Schimidt (also a major Brazilian poet) spoke: “At this time, I declare to Albano that his last match ended with the victory of his team. We won"t play on the remainder of the game. As we all want him to be remembered as a winner. This is how we honour him". Eduardo Góis Trindade, Botafogo Football Club"s president said: “Between the matches of our clubs, there can be only one winner: Botafogo!". And then Schimidt declared the joining: “What else do we need for our clubs become one?". And so they did: the Botafogo football club and Regatas finally became one.
The Football Club"s badge became black, and the monogram substituted by Clube de Regatas" lone star. This badge, according to the club"s statute, can never be changed. The water sports maintained the Clube de Regatas"s all black uniform, while the land sports maintained the Football Club"s one, vertical-striped black and white jersey with black shorts.
[photo=estadio.jpg id=162 align=right]Botafogo’s first title was acquired amid total confusion. The club finished first in the Championship of Rio 1907 equal with Fluminense. A playoff match was suggested to decide between the two teams but Flu refused to take part in it and the title was given to both clubs.
Three years later, Botafogo won its first official title finishing top of the Carioca Championship with an impressive 6 – 1 win against rivals Fluminense. The second title came in 1912.
It was at this time that the club acquired its nickname, “O Glorioso", or the Glorious one in English.
The first Brazilian team ever played against the English club Exeter city in 1914 , -winning 2-0 to Brazil- with Rolando and Abelardo becoming Botafogo’s first international players. The first goal scorer for his country was Mimi against Uruguay in 1916.
[photo=garrincha.jpg id=162 align=right]Glorioso struggled on the pitch during the 20’s but starred in the famous victory of 1927 against Flamengo, winning 9 – 2, the largest scoring victory in the history of this derby.
The merging of the clubs in 1942 ushered in a new golden era which saw the club represented by some of the best players in the world like Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Didi, Gerson or Mario Zagallo. Who were the majority of the World cup winning teams of 1958 and 1962. Jairzinho, Gerson and Paulo César helped Botafogo winning through the 60’s winning Carioca Championships in 67 and 68, but the 1970’s would be less successful.
In 1977, the club decided to sell the registered office located at rua General Severiano and were exiled into the suburbs of Marechal Hermes. Their victorious return in 1989 at the Carioca Championship produced a 1-0 victory over Flamengo to win the trophy. In 1993, Botafogo repeated the triumph in the Copa Conmebol and in 1995, the club won the only Brazilian Championship in its history under, Paulo Autuori (now at São Paulo FC). A title won thanks in part to the talent of Donizete and Tulio, who were the top scorer’s of the competition. The last title at the club was in 1998 with victory in the Rio-São Paulo cup against Santos.
In 2002, crisis within the club saw them relegated to the second division. The club changed president and Bebeto de Freitas arrived with new ideas and more importantly money. In 2003, a young team made up mainly of players discovered by the club, saw them promoted back to the first division. Since then, the Carioca club has maintained its position, finishing in ninth place this year and gaining qualification for the Copa Sul Americana in 2006, giving hope to the supporters club for a more glorious future.
Recommended links:
All about Botafogo
Pictures taken at the time of our our travel to Brazil
Botafogo"s oficial site
