1903 - The Genoa ago Cinquina - Part I ^

Abstract

In the sixth edition of "Maximus" football tournament is to report the reduction in the number of participating companies. Of the eight teams that year had marked the previous record of entries, only six re-issuing later. Once again in the finals to win the Ligurian Griffin (fifth team in history) that this time are only a mouthful of Juventus that, the sound of goals, the appointment was made final. Of the theater was once again the mythical area of Ponte Carrega, where the Turin tried in vain to stop the excessive power rossoblu.

From Abroad

Football in Italy continued to grow continuously and increase of proselytes showed how this sport forward from here was intended to have no rivals in terms of both numbers and in reputation. In fact, soon, it would not be passed unnoticed even from the point of view than that of (print media and media), also the economic much to be reorganized and assume the features of professionalism. Meanwhile, however, felt the need to begin to bring this enthusiasm beyond the Italian borders by those who were considered the first real tour abroad by the teams most emblazoned in our league. And 'the case of Genoa, pluridecorato squadron Italian who felt the need to confront non-Italian company, the first Italian club then, to prove the foreign experience. The match, which was the first in a long series, took place on April 27 of 1903 and played in Nice. The Ligurian team faced the local Football Club Velo Nice conquered the "enemy" with a dry 3 to 0. The griffins, for this first friendly foreign, had certainly not go many kilometers (Nice is located near the city of Genoa), but it was an experience which emphasized how important football was now proselytes everywhere. The chronicles of the time itself to have a big echo, so to tell how these trips were anything but a professional appearance. In most cases, were consumed "friendly" meals on board area and often within the same field. The following players had wives and girlfriends and everything took place in pure style "pioneering" this attitude, the son of that time football absolutely "scanzonato" full of fun and Goliardia.

Less more football teams

The edition of the Italian football championship 1903 is noted, first, a step backward in terms of corporate subscriptions. From the previous record of eight participants went on to six. A dispute at Genoa champion in the national office found themselves against: FC Turin, Milan, Juventus, Torino and Daring freshman Andrea Doria who was the second team Ligurian history after the advent of the famous Genoa, now capable of large enterprises. This was done for testing and confusion, precisely defined the era of the "pioneers" of football, yet took no special forms (mostly is trying to imitate those already tested successfully in the English Championship), or there times and ways to conduct regular training. We saw from time to time around or before the match of the day to do some exercise gymnastic warming. Despite the lack of professionalism and, as has often been repeated, the decrease of participants, the edition of 1903 marked a shift in the vision of the game and the values expressed in the field. The teams showed more quality time to begin to speak criticism in a positive way, the games played in Italy. So fewer but more quality teams in the game. This happened because the years of accumulated experience, the increase of spectators on the sidelines and increase of members to the new sport began to circulate as well as the need to express themselves better in order to avoid the bad figures, to commit to fund to carve out a space in the history of football.

Girolamo Ferlito