Real Sociedad B

Real Sociedad de Fútbol "B" (also known as Sanse) is a Spanish football team based in San Sebastián, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1955, it is the reserve team of Real Sociedad and plays in Primera Federación – Group 1, holding home games at Campo José Luis Orbegozo holding 2,500 spectators[2] of the Zubieta Facilities.

Real Sociedad B
Full nameReal Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. "B"
Nickname(s)Sanse
Founded1955; 69 years ago (1955)
as Real Sociedad de Fútbol Junior[1]
GroundCampo José Luis Orbegozo
Usurbil, Spain
Capacity2,500
PresidentJokin Aperribay
Head coachSergio Francisco
LeaguePrimera Federación – Group 1
2023–24Primera Federación – Group 1, 9th of 20

Unlike in nations such as England, reserve teams in Spain play in the same football pyramid as their senior team rather than a separate league. However, reserve teams cannot play in the same division as their senior team. Therefore, the team is ineligible for promotion to La Liga, the division in which the main side plays. Reserve teams are also no longer permitted to enter the Copa del Rey.

History

The team's origin dates from 1952 when the Real Sociedad youth team were runners-up in the Copa del Rey Juvenil and the club's board sought to bridge the gap between the talented teenagers and the senior team: the concept of Real Sociedad de Fútbol Junior was introduced, but economic problems delayed its first official match until 1955, immediately after the youth team won the Copa Juvenil.[1] After quickly gaining promotion to the third tier to become part of the national football pyramid, a name change was required to differentiate them from the senior team, and San Sebastián Club de Fútbol was chosen.[1] They first reached the second division in 1959–60, and achieved a best ever classification in the category after finishing fifth two years later; however, as the main squad was relegated from La Liga, San Sebastián was ineligible for promotion, being relegated instead.[1]

In 1980, Sanse was promoted to the newly created Segunda División B, remaining in that category for 17 consecutive seasons. Afterwards they fluctuated between the third and fourth tiers, reaching the promotion playoffs of the former in 1991 and 2006 but subsequently falling short. In 1992, a change in rules forced the team to change its name, and it was renamed Real Sociedad de Fútbol B. Liga de Fútbol Profesional's rules prohibit B clubs from having different names from their parent club, the exceptions being Real Madrid Castilla and Sevilla Atlético. Upon celebrating its 50-year anniversary in 2007, the team had used 486 players, preparing dozens to represent the first team including the vast majority of the squad that won the Spanish championship twice in succession (1980–81 and 1981–82).

A change in the club structure from 2016 meant that most Sanse players would be promoted from a new subsidiary, Real Sociedad C (previously known as Berio), who would play in Tercera División with under-20 graduates of the club's youth system. The Real Sociedad C team must play at least one division below Real Sociedad B.

In the 2017–18 season, the team finished third in Group 2.[3] In 2020–21, Sanse won their group and gained promotion to the second division 59 years since their last appearance, after defeating Algeciras in the promotion play-off finals.[4][5] On 22 May 2022, Sanse was relegated back to the third tier after only one season in the second tier.

Club names

  • Real Sociedad de Fútbol Junior – (1955–57)
  • San Sebastián Club de Fútbol – (1957–91)
  • Real Sociedad de Fútbol "B" – (1991–92)
  • Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. "B" – (1992–)

Season to season

SeasonTierDivisionPlaceCopa del Rey
1956–5741ª Reg.4th
1957–5835th
1958–5933rd
1959–6031st
1960–6129th
1961–6225th
1962–6339th
1963–6435th
1964–65313th
1965–6638th
1966–67311th
1967–6835th
1968–6934th
1969–7033rd
1970–7138th
1971–7236th
1972–7338th
1973–74310th
SeasonTierDivisionPlaceCopa del Rey
1974–7536th
1975–7637th
1976–77312th
1977–7843rd
1978–7943rd
1979–8041st
1980–8132ª B8th
1981–8232ª B11th
1982–8332ª B6th
1983–8432ª B9th
1984–8532ª B17th
1985–8632ª B8th
1986–8732ª B15th
1987–8832ª B6th
1988–8932ª B3rd
1989–9032ª B5th
1990–9132ª B4thDNP
SeasonTierDivisionPlace
1991–9232ª B8th
1992–9332ª B9th
1993–9432ª B7th
1994–9532ª B10th
1995–9632ª B13th
1996–9732ª B17th
1997–9843rd
1998–9941st
1999–200041st
2000–0142nd
2001–0232ª B17th
2002–0342nd
2003–0432ª B10th
2004–0532ª B5th
2005–0632ª B2nd
2006–0732ª B7th
2007–0832ª B12th
2008–0932ª B18th
2009–1041st
2010–1132ª B11th
SeasonTierDivisionPlace
2011–1232ª B12th
2012–1332ª B11th
2013–1432ª B12th
2014–1532ª B14th
2015–1632ª B7th
2016–1732ª B10th
2017–1832ª B3rd
2018–1932ª B12th
2019–2032ª B5th
2020–2132ª B1st
2021–22220th
2022–2331ª Fed.5th
2023–2431ª Fed.9th
2024–2531ª Fed.

Current squad

As of 30 August 2023.[6]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
16MF  FRAAlex Lebarbier
17DF  ESPJon Martín
18MF  ESPEder García
19FW  ESPEkain Azkune
20MF  ESPMikel Rodríguez
21MF  ESPJon Balda
22DF  ESPIñaki Rupérez
23DF  ESPUnax Agote
25GK  ESPAitor Fraga
27FW  KENJob Ochieng
28FW  ESPEkain Orobengoa
29DF  ESPLuken Beitia
30GK  ESPLander Olasagasti

Reserve team

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
35FW  ESPDarío Ramirez
36DF  ESPJon Merino
37FW  ESPJakes Gorosabel

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
FW  ESPAsier Teijeira (at Unionistas until 30 June 2024)

Current technical staff

PositionStaff
Head coach Sergio Francisco
Assistant coach Iosu Rivas
Goalkeeping coach Luis Castro
Analyst Jon Gorrotxategi
Fitness coach Karla Larburu
Mental coach Jon Ollora
Physio Asier Caballe
Txomin Zinkunegi
Nutritionist Natalia Ibañez
Match delegate Iñaki Arostegi

Last updated: 9 November 2021
Source: Sanse (in Spanish)

Former players

Honours

Notes

Stadium

Real Sociedad B hold home games at Instalaciones de Zubieta, which holds 2,500 spectators.

Players of both the first and the second teams train in these facilities, with Sanse's players being nicknamed "Potrillos" ("Colts") as the grounds are located near the city's horse racetrack.

Former coaches

See also

References