São Paulo Athletic Club
 |
|
| Full name | São Paulo Athletic Club |
|---|---|
| Union | Brazilian Rugby Confederation |
| Founded | May 13, 1888 |
| Location | São Paulo |
| Region | São Paulo (state) |
| President | John McDonnel |
| League(s) | Campeonato Brasileiro |
| Official website | |
| spac |
|
São Paulo Athletic Club - officially these days Clube Atlético São Paulo, but generally referred to as SPAC, is a Brazilian sports club founded on May 15, 1888 by Charles William Miller and several English immigrants, being one of the first association football clubs in the country. Although football is not practised anymore, SPAC currently hosts the practice of futsal, rugby union, squash, swimming, tennis and volleyball.
São Paulo Athletic Clube was established by the British community living in São Paulo, in 1888. Those British residents used to play cricket at the Pirituba field, property of British company São Paulo Railway Co.
One of the most notable members and sportsmen in the club history was Charles Miller, who after returning to his native country from England (where he had studied) began to actively participate in the development of the club. Miller (who was 19 and is considered the "father" of Paulista football) introduced football and rugby to the club in 1895, even bringing some footballs and a rules book to teach the basis of the sport there. SPAC and Miller were founding members of the Campeonato Paulista, the first football tournament not only of São Paulo but Brazil, whose first edition was in 1902. SPAC won the championship, being Miller also the top scorer of the tournament with 10 goals. SPAC would win 3 more titles (in 1903, 1904 and 1911), totalizing four football championships.
1911 was the last successful year of football in the club. SPAC won the last game vs. SC Germania by 2-0, winning the last title for the club. The final game was played on 20 October 1912 against the same club. After that, SPAC retired from official football competitions, although the sport continued being practised at the institution but only for recreation. The club was also a founding member of the São Paulo Tennis Federation.
...
Wikipedia