River Plate Football Club

River Plate Football Club was a Uruguayan football club, founded in 1897.
River Plate is considered one of the four giants of the first era in Uruguayan football, alongside rivals Montevideo Wanderers and the current ''big two'': CURCC (Peñarol) and Nacional. River reached important achievements during the first years of football in the country. In fact, the national side's uniform is a light blue ("celeste") shirt in tribute to River Plate victory over Argentine team Alumni, when the squad had to wear an alternate jersey to solve a color similarity between both teams."Arriba la Celeste – El Origen de una Pasión Uruguaya"
, Canal Trans.com

History

In 1897, a group of Port of Montevideo workers met to establish a football team, which was named "Cagancha F.C.". When they requested Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) to join the body, they were informed that only English names were accepted. Therefore, the team was renamed as "River Plate F.C." but the AUF alleged that they also must have English-native players so the request was denied again.

Due to the fact that River Plate belonged to the Port of Montevideo zone, they were nicknamed ''Darseneros'' ('' Dockers''), the same nickname that current River Plate of Montevideo have adopted. In 1901 the AUF finally approved the affiliation of River Plate to the Association, soon after another ''criollo'' team, Nacional, had joined the body. The team was assigned to the second Division and played there from 1902 until the 1906 seasons. In 1905 River Plate was relegated to the Second Division after the team made a disappointing campaign in Primera.

Originally, River Plate jersey was black, but it would be changed to red and white in commemoration of the 1904 Revolution (also known as the Uruguayan last civil war).

In 1906 River Plate was promoted to Primera División, winning its first title in 1908. In April 1910, River Plate played against Argentine team Alumni, the most successful club in that country by then. Because of both teams having similar uniforms, River Plate wore an alternative light blue jersey and won the match by 2–1. River line up was: Cabalotti; José and Miguel Benincasa; Louried, Sanz, García, Módena, Dacal, D'Agosti, Raymonda and Seoane. Some months later, in August 1910, Uruguay national team wore the light blue jersey for the first time, facing the Argentine side. Uruguay won the match by 3–1."Camiseta Celeste"
on River Plate website
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The club would win another three championships, in 1910, 1913 and 1914. In 1920 the team was relegated to second division.

Nevertheless, River Plate joined dissident Uruguayan Football Federation in 1923 that organised its own tournament in 1923. River Plate finished 26th., being relegated with other 16 teams. That would be the last appearance of the club in the top division of Uruguay. By 1925 River Plate F.C. had been dissolved.

Honours

National

* Primera División
** Winners (4): 1908, 1910, 1913, 1914
* Copa de Honor (Uruguay)
** Winners (1): 1912
* Segunda División
** Winners (3): 1903, 1905, 1906

International

* Copa de Honor Cousenier
** Winners (1): 1912

References

External links

*{{Commonscat-inline, River Plate Football Club

Defunct football clubs in Uruguay
Sport in Montevideo
1897 establishments in Uruguay
1925 disestablishments in Uruguay
Association football clubs established in 1897
Association football clubs disestablished in 1925