Twelve fascist bombers serving Francisco Franco razed the Basque towns of Durango and Elorrio, killing hundreds of civilians. This marked the beginning of an indiscriminate and brutal aerial assault on the province of Bizkaia that continued almost daily for more than two months. During the following weeks, Bilbao and the surrounding area suffered constant bombings, and it was rare for a day to go by without air raid sirens sounding.
The time came for exile and solidarity among peoples, and Wales (‘Cymru’ in the Welsh language) was one of the nations that welcomed the thousands of Basque children forced to leave their homeland.
That gesture of humanity and generosity shown by the Welsh towards the Basque people during wartime is the origin of this collaboration between Newport County, a Welsh team competing in England’s League Two, and Athletic Club.
This is an initiative that transcends sport. It’s hoped that this tribute to Welsh hospitality will serve to honour all those individuals and families who were so tragically displaced. Furthermore, it’s important for both clubs to keep this memory alive as football played a crucial role during those days of exile, sadness and despair.
The LALIGA club’s collaboration with Newport follows on from the 2022 ‘Basque Children of ’37’ temporary exhibition at San Mames AC Museum, which delved into the story of the refugees with a particular focus on the children that went on to become professional footballers.
Johana Ruiz-Olabuenaga, head of Athletic Club’s Communities Department, said:
“Newport County’s initiative is wonderful and goes beyond football. It is related to two fundamental aspects for Athletic Club: identity and memory. The Basque people were indebted to the Welsh people for their hospitality in times of war. This red and white shirt is a tribute to the ‘Basque Children of ’37’ and strengthens the ties between Euskal Herria [The Basque Country] and Cymru [Wales].”
The invincible Basque Boys FC
Of the 236 children who went into exile in Wales, 56 found a home in the town of Caerleon (about five miles to the north of Newport). The refugees first stayed at Cambria House between 1937 and 1939 and then moved to Pendragon House.
From that group emerged Basque Boys FC, a football team that played numerous matches in South Wales and barely ever lost. This winning streak brought them a certain amount of fame in the local media, and the team were dubbed the “Basque unbeatables” and the “Basque wonder team.”
Behind the football lay, above all, the generosity of the Welsh people, who helped organise these matches to support the Basque refugee children. For example, on 10 May 1939, the Basque Boys FC faced Moorland Road School at Cardiff’s Ninian Park, Wales’ national stadium at the time, in front of thousands of spectators.
Whilst these matches served to raise funds, they also helped ease the pain of displacement.
Athletic Club-inspired away kit
Newport County AFC, whose stadium, Rodney Parade, is located just five miles from Cambria House, were well aware of this inspiring story and last August contacted Athletic Club via their creative director, Neal Heard, to propose a collaboration between both teams.
As a result, Newport County will wear a red-and-white striped away shirt in the style of Athletic Club throughout the 2025/26 season.
What’s more, the top features the names of the Basque refugee children that stayed in Caerleon as well as the adults who cared for them. The shirt also has a label on the back explaining the initiative, which begins with a symbolic phrase that sums up the spirit of the collaboration: “In 1937, when the Basque people needed help, Wales responded.”
The Ikurriña (the flag of the Basque Country) and the Y Ddraig Goch (the Welsh flag) are placed next to the label under the slogan “Children of ’37”. Added to that, the term “37ko haurrak” (Basque Children of ’37) is printed on the collar and the trimming on the sleeves is red, white and green.
Newport County AFC are one of four professional Welsh teams, alongside Swansea City AFC, Cardiff City FC and Wrexham AFC, that compete in the English football league pyramid. From now on, they will find a new fanbase in the Athleticzale community.
