Granada Club de Fútbol was founded on 14 April 1931,originally as
Recreativo de Granada; the first president was Julio López Fernández.The
first football match was played against Deportivo Jaén, which resulted
in a 2–1 victory. The first goal in the match, and in the club’s
history, was scored by Antonio Bombillar. In the 1931–32 season, the
club won the Tercera Regional – Región Sur championship.After several
promotions, in 1941–42 the club made its La Liga debut. From here until
the ’80s, it alternated between that category and Segunda División, with
its golden age coming during the ’70s, with eight top flight seasons,
which included a career-best two sixth league places (1971–72,
1973–74).In 1959 Granada achieved its greatest sports landmark, being
runner-up of the Copa del Generalísimo (later Copa del Rey). In the
final, played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the team lost to FC
Barcelona 4–1.
In the 1980s, Granada had some brief appearances in the second
division, but it spent most seasons in Segunda División B, dropping
another level in 2002–03, due to non-payment to its players.After four
seasons in the fourth division, former Real Madrid president Lorenzo
Sanz, along with his son Paco, arrived at the club. With their help, the
Andalusian side was again promoted to the third category.In 2006–07,
Granada played in Group IV of the third level after four seasons in
Tercera. Three years later, in July 2009, the club was in such financial
difficulty that it was on the brink of closing.The solution to the
crisis came with the signing of a partnership agreement with Udinese
Calcio, with the Spaniards incorporating large numbers of players
contracted to the Italian club as well as receiving its youth players
and reserves as part of the agreement. At the end of the season, Granada
won its group then promoted in the playoffs, returning to the second
division after 22 years.
In 2010–11, Granada finished in fifth position, with most of the
players loaned by Udinese still on board.On 18 June 2011, the club
became the first winner of the promotion playoffs – a different system
was used from 1985 to 1999 – after successively defeating Celta de Vigo
(1–1, penalty shootout) and Elche CF (1–1 on aggregate, away goals
rule), thus returning to the top division after a 35-year absence.Back
in the top-flight after such a long absence, it was always going to be
difficult. By the end of the 2011–12 season, Granada managed to survive
though, finishing in 17th position.See more info visit www.free-kick.net
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