Girona Futbol Club is based in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. It was established on July 23, 1930, and is known for competing in La Liga and for its ties to Catalan nationalism. The club also runs youth and amateur women's teams.
As part of our run through the major La Liga clubs, Girona FC is the next stop. If you have not seen our coverage of the others, head over to our soccer section and read about your favorite club.
For now, let us focus on Girona FC.
Who Are Girona FC In La Liga?
Girona's story in Spanish football picked up pace in the early 20th century when the game captured the city. Established in 1930, their recent history has been remarkable, especially after joining the City Football Group. Promotion to La Liga in 2017 was a high point, and their debut season ended in a respectable tenth place.
The following campaign brought relegation to the Segunda, though with ten games left they came close to escaping. Over the next two seasons promotion narrowly eluded them, but they kept at it, and in 2022 Girona returned to the top flight. I remember writing them off as a yo-yo side around then, and they have made me look wrong since.
History Of Girona FC
Early years
At the turn of the 20th century, football began to capture Girona. The city's first major club was Strong Esport, founded in 1902 as FC Gerundense. In the 1920s two more clubs appeared, CE Gironí and UD Girona. After UD Girona folded, a decision was made to form a new team.
On July 23, 1930, at Girona's La Rambla café Norat, the Girona Futbol Club was born, succeeding Unió Esportiva Girona for economic reasons. The city council granted the club permission to use the city's emblem on its badges on August 1, 1930.
That came about through the work of early enthusiasts led by the club's first president, Albert de Quintana de León. Girona entered the second division of the Catalan Championships, playing their first official match against Colònia Artigas.
In the 1935-36 season Girona made their Segunda División debut, finishing top of their group, though they missed out on La Liga in the playoffs. After the Spanish Civil War the club drifted between the second tier and the Tercera División, dropping to the latter in 1959 and falling again in 1980. Construction of Estadi Montilivi began in 1968, and it became their permanent home in 1970, ending nearly five decades at the Vista Alegre stadium.
After 1970
After 1970, Girona bounced between the third and fourth divisions, with occasional dips into regional championships in the 1982-83 and 1997-99 seasons. A breakthrough came on June 16, 2008, under manager Raül Agné, when a 1-0 play-off win over Ceuta secured a second consecutive promotion and ended a 49-year absence from the second tier.
In July 2010, local businessmen including Ramon Vilaró, Joaquim Boadas and Josep Slim acquired 72% of the club's shares. Vilaró became president and Agné returned as manager, though Agné was sacked in January 2012 after a 0-3 loss at Recreativo.
In 2011 Girona set up a reserve team and raised its capital by €300,000 in 2013. The 2014-15 season brought a dramatic play-off push for La Liga, dashed by a last-minute Lugo goal on the final matchday. Promotion finally came in 2016-17, when Girona finished runners-up to Levante for their first-ever spot in La Liga.
City Football Group, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi United Group, acquired 44.3% of Girona in August 2017. The club produced memorable moments like beating Real Madrid 2-1 on October 29, 2017, and even took part in pre-season tournaments in places like India. They were relegated to the Segunda at the end of the 2018-19 season, but bounced back in 2021-22 after a play-off win over Tenerife by a 3-1 aggregate.
Fans & Culture Of Girona FC
Girona FC has a culture of its own and a passionate fan base. It may not enjoy the global recognition of Barcelona, but it has a rich history and a dedicated following.
The team's colours, red, white and blue, run through their home and away kits, while the yellow in the crest pays homage to Catalonia and sometimes turns up on the shirts.
As of the 2022/23 season, ownership rested with three local businessmen who acquired a 72% stake back in 2010, and they had been active custodians, investing and stepping in when needed. For fans, membership of the official Girona FC Fan Club brought discounted annual tickets plus newsletters and journals keeping them up to date, a sign of how much the club values its supporters.
Major Achievements In The History Of The Club
Girona have carved out a place in football with some notable achievements. In the national leagues they won the Segunda División B title in 2007-08. At regional level they took the Tercera División five times: 1933-34, 1947-48, 1954-55, 1988-89 and 2005-06. They also claimed the Supercopa de Catalunya in 2019.
Notable Players In The History Of Girona FC
Girona have had several standout talents grace their ranks. Cristhian Stuani, Portu, Felipe Sanchón, Álex Granell, Valentín Castellanos, Bernardo Espinosa, David Timor, Viktor Tsyhankov and Ranko Despotović have all left a mark on the club and its fans.
Top Goal Scorers for Girona FC
Cristhian Stuani stands out as the all-time leading scorer with 118 goals in 216 appearances, a prolific record. Jandro Gonzalez and Felipe Sanchón follow with 37 and 36 goals, showing their value in attack.
| Player | Goals Scored | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Cristhian Stuani | 118 | 216 |
| Jandro Gonzalez | 37 | 175 |
| Felipe Sanchon | 36 | 153 |
| Portu | 30 | 116 |
| Fran Sandaza | 25 | 73 |
Top Assists Providers for Girona FC
Alex Granell leads with 34 assists in 232 appearances, followed by Borja Garcia with 30 in 233. Jandro, Felipe Sanchón and Benitez also chipped in regularly for the club.
| Player | Assists | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Granell | 34 | 232 |
| Borja Garcia | 30 | 233 |
| Jandro | 27 | 175 |
| Felipe Sanchon | 22 | 153 |
| Aday Benitez | 21 | 199 |
Most Appearances for Girona FC
The list below shows the players with the most appearances for Girona, a reflection of their commitment and longevity.
| Player | Appearances |
|---|---|
| Borja Garcia | 233 |
| Alex Granell | 232 |
| Migue | 230 |
| Juanpe | 226 |
| Cristhian Stuani | 216 |
Home Of Girona FC: Estadi Montilivi
Estadi Montilivi, in Girona, is the primary home ground for Girona FC. The multi-use stadium opened in 1970 with a seating capacity of 14,624.
The stadium's side stand, completed in June 2010, was finished ahead of schedule but stayed shut during the 2009-10 season because of unfinished entrances. On March 2, 2011, it hosted its first match with the side stands, drawing 9,285 spectators.
In 2012 the Girona City Council granted the club rights to the field for 30 years, with an option to extend to 50, starting from March 12 that year.
After promotion to La Liga, Girona expanded the ground to 13,450, later reducing it to 11,810. Montilivi was briefly considered for the Iberian bid for the 2018 World Cup but was withdrawn by the club, given its limited chances of selection.
Rivalries Of Girona FC
Girona's main rivalries come from their Catalonia ties with Espanyol and Barcelona. Beyond those two, Girona has not built up significant rivalries, in part because much of its history has been spent in the Segunda División B rather than the top flight.
What Lies Ahead For The Club
As of the 2022/23 season, Girona looked set for a bright future after Marcelo Claure, an American-Bolivian businessman, entered the fold. His involvement, approved by the Higher Sports Council, marked a significant step in the club's growth, and his experience with sides like Club Bolívar and Inter Miami CF brought a fresh perspective.
That move came with a restructured Board of Directors: Pere Guardiola as chairman, Ignasi Mas-Bagà as CEO and Delfí Geli as institutional president. City Football Group held the majority at 47%, with Claure at 35% and Girona Football Group at 16%.
Pere Guardiola voiced his pride in the deal and his commitment to making Girona a club to be proud of, while Ferran Soriano stressed the club's growth trajectory. It set Girona on a path toward consolidating as a prominent Spanish club.
Follow Girona On Field Insider
Want to see where Girona stand now? Our live Girona club page carries live squad ratings, fixtures and transfer news, so you can follow the current side and open a scout report on any player in the squad.