DOE'S CREATION TOPPING THE BIL

NON-LEAGUE Day founder James Doe believes the backing of Spanish giants Athletic Bilbao – and La Liga – has added even more impetus to this year’s event.

- By John Lyons

The top-flight club, who famously only sign players born in the Basque Country or who came through a Basque club, have some British roots.

The Lions’ first red-and-white kits, which made their debut in a 1910 friendly against Sporting Irun, originated from England – although it hasn’t yet been possible to establish for certain whether they came from Sunderland or Southampton.

Impressed by Non-League Day, which kicked off in 2010 and celebrates semi-pro and grassroots football in the UK, Athletic Club have launched a version of their own and will run a third edition of Basque Non-League Day on March 22-23, coinciding with the latest one here.

Besides playing a crucial role in local communities, grassroots football is a fundamental part of Athletic Bilbao’s youth development strategy and Athletic has affiliate agreements with close to 170 clubs across the Basque Country.