FC Barcelona have unveiled their new home shirt for the 2023/24 season – and it’ll come as no surprise that it’s red and blue once again. The famous Blaugrana colours are now synonymous with the Catalan club, though this year’s shirt includes a touching tribute to a supporters group that had a huge impact on the club.
Barça now boast one of the world’s most impressive women’s sides, having won the UEFA Women’s Champions League in two of the last three seasons – including a stunning win against VfL Wolfsburg in Eindhoven.
The club have truly embodied a one-club mentality, with many fans opting to show support for the likes of Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí on their shirts rather than Robert Lewandowski or Pedri. It should come as no surprise that Barcelona now wish to honour those who made this possible – a supporters group who campaigned for the formation of a women’s side more than fifty years ago.
Selección Ciudad de Barcelona played their first fixture on Christmas Day in 1970, attracting a crowd of more than 60,000 fans to the Camp Nou as they defeated Unió Esportiva Centelles on penalties. The match was Inma Cabeceran’s idea – the young Catalan footballer had written to Agustí Montal i Costa, who was the then-president of the club.
The trial of women’s team was evidently a success – but Barcelona were reluctant to onboard the side as an official section of the club. This led to a unique crest being utilised in the interim, with a diamond overlayed on the traditional badge. The women’s side would be named Penya Femenina Barça – and P.F.B. was displayed at the heart of their new crest.
Photos courtesy of fcbarcelona.com
With yet another name change seeing the side become known as Club Femení Barcelona, the team received sponsorship from FC Barcelona in 1988. They were a founding member of the Liga Nacional – the first women’s league to be recognised by the RFEF. Despite a promising start to life in the league, CFB were forced to endure a disappointing downfall towards the end of the century that ultimately led to them missing out on a spot in the top flight when it was rebranded as the Superliga Femenina in 2001.
Yet on 26 June 2002, things looked to take a positive turn – as Futbol Club Barcelona Femení was officially recognised by FC Barcelona. It took a few years to cement themselves as one of Spain’s top teams, with their first Superliga Femenina title coming in 2012. The rest though, as they say, is history: Barça Femení have truly established themselves as one of the world’s greatest sides.
The inclusion of a diamond on the new home strip may look to be a subtle touch, but for those involved with the women’s side over the years, it constitutes an incredibly touching tribute and a mark of recognition for their unwavering determination.
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