by Getafe Club de Fútbol, commonly known as Getafe CF, is a Spanish football club based in the city of Getafe, part of the Madrid metropolitan area. Founded in 1946 and re-established in 1983, the club has experienced a remarkable journey, ascending from regional leagues to establishing itself in La Liga, Spain’s premier football division.
Early Years and Formation
The origins of football in Getafe trace back to 1923 with the establishment of Sociedad Getafe Deportivo, which competed in lower divisions until 1932. In 1945, five local enthusiasts—Enrique Condes García, Aurelio Miranda Olavaria, Antonio Corredor Lozano, Manuel Serrano Vergara, and Miguel Cubero Francés—gathered at La Marquesina bar with the ambition to form a local football team. This led to the official founding of Club Getafe Deportivo on February 24, 1946. The club initially played at the Campo del Regimiento de Artillería before moving to the San Isidro ground, where they achieved promotion to the Tercera División in the 1956–57 season. Despite coming close to ascending to the Segunda División in the 1957–58 season, they were narrowly defeated by CA Almería.
Challenges and Reformation
Throughout the late 20th century, Club Getafe Deportivo faced financial difficulties, leading to its dissolution in 1982. However, the passion for football in the community remained strong. On September 1, 1976, a new entity named Peña Madridista Getafe was established, which later evolved into Club Deportivo Peña Getafe. This club merged with Club Getafe Promesas on July 10, 1982, culminating in the formation of the current Getafe Club de Fútbol on July 8, 1983. Starting from the regional leagues, the reformed club achieved successive promotions, reaching the Segunda División B by the late 1980s.
Rise to La Liga
The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a transformative period for Getafe CF. The inauguration of their new home ground, the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, on January 1, 1998, symbolized a new era. The stadium, named after local footballer Alfonso Pérez, became a fortress for the team. In the 2003–04 season, under the guidance of coach José Bordalás, Getafe secured promotion to La Liga for the first time in their history by defeating Tenerife 5–3, with all five goals scored by Sergio Pachón. This historic achievement made them the fourth team from the Community of Madrid to play in Spain’s top division.
Establishing in the Top Flight
Getafe’s debut season in La Liga (2004–05) was challenging, but the team managed to secure a 13th-place finish, ensuring their stay in the top flight. The following seasons saw the club achieving mid-table finishes, with notable highlights including reaching the Copa del Rey final in the 2006–07 season. In a memorable semi-final against FC Barcelona, Getafe overturned a 5–2 first-leg deficit by winning 4–0 in the return leg at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. Although they lost the final to Sevilla FC, this cup run earned them a spot in the UEFA Cup (now UEFA Europa League) for the 2007–08 season.
European Ventures
Getafe’s maiden European campaign in the 2007–08 UEFA Cup was impressive. They advanced through the group stages and faced Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. After a 1–1 draw in Munich, the home leg saw Getafe reduced to ten men early on. Despite this disadvantage, they managed to take a 3–1 lead in extra time. However, Bayern scored two late goals, ending Getafe’s European journey on away goals. This performance garnered admiration across Europe and showcased the club’s resilience and tactical prowess. citeturn0search9
Recent Developments
In the 2015–16 season, Getafe faced relegation after 12 consecutive years in La Liga. Demonstrating determination, they secured immediate promotion back to the top tier by winning the play-offs in the 2016–17 season. Under the stewardship of coach José Bordalás, the club achieved an impressive 8th-place finish in the 2017–18 season. The following season, they surpassed expectations by finishing 5th, their highest-ever league position, which qualified them for the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League. In that European campaign, Getafe reached the Round of 16, defeating Ajax before being eliminated by Inter Milan.
Stadium and Facilities
The Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, with a seating capacity of approximately 17,393, has been Getafe’s home since 1998. The stadium has witnessed numerous memorable matches and serves as a symbol of the club’s growth and ambition. In addition to the main stadium, Getafe CF boasts modern training facilities at the nearby Sports City, which includes multiple pitches and comprehensive medical and recuperation amenities.
Club Identity and Culture
Getafe CF is renowned for its competitive spirit and resilience, often outperforming expectations despite being considered a smaller club compared to some of Spain’s football giants. The team’s traditional colors are blue and white, and their matches at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez are characterized by passionate support from loyal fans. The club maintains rivalries with neighboring teams, most notably CD Leganés, and enjoys competitive fixtures against Madrid-based giants Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
