When Motherwell said 'Real Madrid Shall Not Pass'

"! NO PASARANI! They gave up everything-their loves, their/ countries, home and fortune. fathers. mothers,/ wives, brothers, sisters and children./ They gave us everything-their youth or their/ maturity, their science or their experience,/ their blood and their lives, their hopes and/ aspirations- for the cause of all advanced and/ progressive mankind/ You are History/ You are Legend"

Inscription on Spanish Civil War Memorial, Duchess of Hamilton Park, Motherwell

In the Duchess of Hamilton Park in Motherwell stands a memorial to 40 local volunteers to the International Brigades that stood up and fought for the Republican movement in the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, including journalist Ethel MacDonald, who was the only female volunteer. Of the 40 that went over to Spain, 11 never made it home alive.

Motherwell following their 'Special' Copa del Rey triumph (Image: Motherwell FC)

The memorial was unveiled in 2013 by the No Pasaran Memorial Committee of North Lanarkshire, and an annual service is held there in order to remember those that fought for the Republican cause and stood up to fascism in a proud display of Internationalism and solidarity.

Spanish Civil War Memorial, Duchess of Hamilton Park, Motherwell (Image: Daily Record)

Motherwell's involvement in Spanish Civil War is an important part of the town's history, but its not its only links with Spain, and indeed, may have arose through the exploits of the town's football club just under a decade earlier.

The 1927 King Alfonso XIII's Cup was the 27th staging of the Copa del Rey, Spanish football's premier cup competition. Back then, the competition was staged quite differently, and saw the champions and runners-up from each of Spain's regional championships compete for the trophy. The 1927 Copa del Rey saw a then record number of clubs - 26 - take part. Those 26 clubs were split into eight groups, with two qualifying from each before entering a knockout phase.

The final was played in Zaragoza in May, with Real Union beating Arenas Club 1-0 after extra time to secure the trophy. It was Union's third Copa del Rey triumph, with Antonio Emery Amocena - grandfather of Aston Villa manager Unai Emery - keeping a clean sheet.

But that wasn't the end of the footballing calendar. The Royal Spanish Football Federation extended an invitation to John Hunter's Motherwell side, runners-up in the Scottish League, and Swansea Town - who had finished in 12th place in Division Two of the English Football League - to take part in a 'special' Copa del Rey, or a Copa del Rey*. It was the first time that two clubs from the UK would play each other on Spanish soil.

Both clubs accepted the invitation, and faced each other to secure a glamour fixture with a Real Madrid XI as opposed to Real Union. Motherwell beat Swansea 4-3 in a game described by King Alfonso XIII as "a brilliant display of scientific football." The Well went on to dismantle the Real Madrid XI - which included a number of players from other clubs - 3-1 on their own patch - the Estadio Chamartin to take the special cup back home to Fir Park, and become the only foreign club to win a Copa del Rey. Motherwell were the third Scottish team after the two Dundee clubs to win matches in the Spanish capital, the difference being that Motherwell clinched silverware in the process.

Motherwell's 'special' Copa del Rey (Image: Motherwell FC)

And a few days later, The Steelmen were at it again. Both Motherwell and Swansea Town were guests in Catalonia, with Motherwell drawing 2-2 with Barcelona before beating Swansea Town again - this time 1-0 - to clinch the Barcelona Cup.

Although Motherwell didn't win the Copa del Rey, they won a Copa del Rey, and they achieved it in fine style, beating a Real Madrid side supplemented by players from other clubs comfortably in their own back yard. Today, Motherwell are bottom-half of the Scottish Premier League plodders, and the idea of them whacking Real Madrid 3-1 in the Bernabeu would be simply insane.

But that's what they did in 1927, and as such, the story of Motherwell's 'special' Copa del Rey triumph is a proud part of their long history.

Dave Proudlove